 | ||
The MeMZ 965 was a Soviet automobile engine, built by the Melitopolski Motor Plant (MeMZ).
Originally known as the NAMI-G (for the Soviet National Automotive Institute), the MeMZ 965 was designed for use in the LuAZ-967. It was a 746 cc (45.5 cu in) air-cooled 90° V4, producing 23 hp (17 kW; 23 PS). It had had characteristics not common for automobile engines, including a magnesium alloy engine block, accessories mounted high (to assist in case of crossing rivers), and a rear-mounted oil cooler.
When the initial MD-65 engine proposed for the ZAZ-965 proved inadequate, the MeMZ engine was selected, thanks in part to it being air-cooled, like the successful VW Type 1's boxer engine.
It would be developed into the 887 cc (54.1 cu in) MeMZ 966 and the 1,197 cc (73.0 cu in) MeMZ 968. The MeMZ 968 was offered in the ZAZ 968M in three performance levels: E (40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS), carbureted, low-compression for 76-octane fuel); GE (40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS), dual carburettor); or BE (50 hp (37 kW; 51 PS), 8.4:1 compression, for 93-octane).
In addition, the 965 would serve as a prototype 15 PS (11 kW) 500 cc (31 cu in) vee-twin (half an MeMZ 965), for the prototype NAMI 086.