What engine is in a 1975 Chevy Nova?

The 1975 Chevy Nova could be equipped with several engines, depending on trim and options, including a 250 cubic-inch inline-six and two small-block V8s (307 and 350 cubic inches).

During the mid-1970s, Chevrolet offered a range of powerplants for the Nova to suit both economy-minded buyers and those seeking more performance. The base engine was typically a 250 cu in inline-six, with V8 options that included the 307 cu in and the larger 350 cu in. Availability varied by model year, body style, and regional market, and emissions rules of the era affected horsepower ratings. The following outlines the core engines most commonly associated with the 1975 Nova and how to tell which one a particular car has.

Engine options in the 1975 Nova

Below are the main engine options that were commonly available for the 1975 Nova. Note that exact availability depended on the car’s trim line and production specifics.

• 250 cu in inline-6 (4.1 L) — the economical baseline engine found on many Nova models.


• 307 cu in V8 (5.0 L) — a small-block V8 option that provided more acceleration and versatility than the inline-six.


• 350 cu in V8 (5.7 L) — the larger V8 option, typically found on higher-trim or performance-oriented setups and often paired with a multi-barrel carburetor.

These three engines represent the core powerplants offered for most 1975 Novas; exact availability was influenced by body style, trim level, and market region, with horsepower ratings shaped by the era’s emissions controls.

How to identify the engine in a 1975 Nova

To determine which engine is in a specific 1975 Nova, use the following practical checks. Each method helps verify the powerplant without needing to rely on memory or paperwork alone.

• Engine block stamping — look on the engine block for a stamping that indicates displacement (for example, 250, 307, or 350).


• Engine code on the SPID/glovebox tag — inspect the vehicle’s SPID (optional equipment) tag or glovebox sticker for the factory engine code, which corresponds to the original engine option.


• Visual cues — count the cylinders and examine major components (inline-6 vs V8, number of valve covers, carburetor type) to distinguish between inline-6 and V8 configurations.


• Carburetor and intake setup — inline-6 engines typically use a different intake and carburetor arrangement than V8s; a 4-barrel carburetor often indicates a higher-output V8 option.


• Documentation — consult the build sheet, window sticker, or original owner's manuals, which list the engine option by VIN and option codes.

By combining these checks, you can accurately identify whether a specific 1975 Nova carries the 250 inline-6, the 307 V8, or the 350 V8. If you’re unsure, a professional restoration shop or a Chevrolet archives reference can provide definitive confirmation based on the car’s VIN and production data.

Summary

For the 1975 Nova, the core engine lineup typically included the 250 cu in inline-6, the 307 cu in V8, and the 350 cu in V8. Availability varied by trim and region, with emissions rules of the era influencing performance. To confirm the exact engine in a particular car, check block stamping, engine codes on the SPID/glovebox tag, and consult original documentation.

What engine came in the Chevy Nova?

The Chevy Nova was offered with a wide range of engine options, from economical inline-four and six-cylinder engines to high-performance V8s, including the 327, 350, 396, and even larger 427s installed by dealers like Yenko. The engine lineup changed significantly throughout the Nova's production run, with early models featuring smaller engines and later models offering more powerful options for the performance-oriented Super Sport versions. 
Engine options by type

• Inline-Four: Early models offered a 153 cubic-inch (2.5L) engine. 
• Inline-Six: A variety of six-cylinder engines were available, including the 194, 230, and 250 cubic-inch options. 
• V8:
  • Small-Block: The Nova was available with several small-block V8s, such as the 307, 327, and 350 cubic-inch engines. 
  • Big-Block: Performance versions, particularly the SS models, were offered with big-block V8s like the 396 (also known as the 402) and the even more powerful 427, which was often installed by dealers after purchase. 

Key model year variations

• 1964: A 283 cubic-inch V8 (195-220 hp) was introduced as the first V8 option. 
• 1965: The V8 lineup expanded to include 327 cubic-inch options (250 and 300 hp). 
• 1968: The Nova SS became a performance-focused package, available with a 350 ci V8 (295 hp) or a 396 ci big-block V8 (350 or 375 hp). 
• 1970: The 396 cubic-inch big-block was a popular option, with horsepower ratings up to 375 hp. 
• 1971: Emissions regulations led to a significant drop in horsepower. The 230 ci six-cylinder was dropped, and the base V8 became the 307 ci engine, producing 200 hp. The largest available V8 was a 350 ci engine with 270 hp in SS models. 

Notable engine examples

• 153ci "Super-Thrift" L4: A base four-cylinder engine offering good fuel economy in early models. 
• 327ci L79 V8: A high-output engine with 350 hp, available in 1966 and later models. 
• 396ci L78 V8: A powerful big-block engine with 375 hp, a popular option in performance-oriented models. 
• 427ci V8: While not factory-installed, dealers like Don Yenko would swap in 427 ci engines into 396-equipped Novas to create high-performance, limited-edition vehicles. 

How much is a 1975 Nova worth?

Typically, you can expect to pay around $11,200 for a 1975 Chevrolet Nova SS in good condition with average spec.

How much horsepower does a 1975 Chevy 350 have?

The horsepower of a 1975 Chevy 350 varied depending on the specific engine option, but the standard L48 version produced 165 horsepower, while the optional L82 engine in the Corvette produced 205 horsepower. Other versions of the 350, particularly non-Corvette models, had different power ratings based on their specific configurations. 
Engine options and horsepower

• L48 (Standard): 165 horsepower at 4,400 RPM.
• L82 (Optional): 205 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. 

What to know about the horsepower ratings

• Emissions regulations: The lower horsepower ratings were a result of increasing emissions standards in the mid-1970s. 
• Configuration: Power output varied based on the carburetor, camshaft, and other components. 
• Upgrades: It is possible to upgrade a 1975 350 to achieve higher horsepower, though this would require significant modifications. 

What kind of engine does a 1975 Nova have?

The base model carried the inline six- cylinder 250 cu in (4.1 L), 105 hp (78 kW), three V8 engines (262 cu in (4.29 L), a 1975-only option, a 305 cu in (5.00 L) and a 350 cu in (5.7 L)) for 1976 only, were offered.