See other engines in this family
Chevrolet 396ci specs: 396 ci (6.5L) 8-cylinder, 4.065 x 3.825 in (103.3 x 97.2 mm) bore and stroke, 11.6:1 compression. Rated 390 hp, 2013–2015. OHV.
The Chevrolet 396ci is oversquare — the 4.065" bore exceeds the 3.825" stroke by 6.3% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.825" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,250 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. A rod ratio of 1.621 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 49.5 ci (811 cc).
11.6:1 on iron heads is high for a production gasoline engine; running a ratio like that on pump fuel depends on chamber design and fuel delivery rather than the number alone.
It is one of 6 engines in the Chevrolet 396ci family, all of them 396 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 3 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 390 hp across 2013–2015.
| Displacement | 396 ci / 6.5 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.065" |
| Stroke | 3.825" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 11.6:1 |
| Rod length | 6.2" |
| Rod ratio | 1.621 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.063 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.01" |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 390 hp |
| Years | 2013–2015 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.063 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,825 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Rod ratio | 1.621 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 49.5 ci |
| Static compression | 11.6:1 — high enough that pump premium or better is normally required |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 390 hp | — |
| 2014 | 390 hp | — |
| 2015 | 390 hp | — |