Today, Chevrolet sells more four-cylinder engines than V8s. Recognize the Delco generator?
The 100-millionth Chevrolet Small Block engine will be produced in 2011, commemorating a significant event in Chevrolet’s 100-year history. Introduced in 1955, the Chevy V8 reinvigorated the brand during the Eisenhower post war boom, and along with other Detroit Three dream machines reinforced American’s love of automobility that continues today.
From 1929 and 1955, Chevrolet only offered six-cylinder engines – in spite of Ford Motor’s runaway success with the Flathead V8 introduced in 1932, and Oldsmobile’s Rocket V8 of 1949. Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole set out to design a V8 that was powerful, lightweight and affordable.
Cole’s team came up with a compact, efficient 90-degree V8 engine, with overhead valves, pushrod valvetrain, and 4.4-inch on-center bore spacing. (The later production Chevrolet Big Block follows the same formula, with the exception of wider 4.8-inch bore spacing.)
When it debuted, the Small Block delivered 195 horsepower (ratings were liberal in those days) with an optional four-barrel carburetor. Two years after the Small Block was introduced, the addition of fuel injection increased output to 283 horsepower – or one horsepower for every cubic inch of the 283 cubic inch displacement engine. By 1970, the Chevy V8 family grew to include a staggering 450 horsepower, 454-cid Big Block.
“The Small Block made Chevrolet the weapon of choice for grassroots racers on the drag-racing and sports-car tracks across America. It also powered Chevrolet’s factory racing programs, leading to wins in stock car, endurance, and Trans Am series. Chevrolet’s racing experience in turn led to more potent production cars, creating legendary names like Corvette, Camaro, Impala, and Chevelle,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, GM Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.
Hot rodders can select from a wide range of new Chevrolet V8 crate engines from General Motors Performance Parts today. The now classic 350 cid Small Block, with 290 horsepower, delivers affordable power and easy modification. Want more? There’s a pavement shredding, 572-cid ZZ572R Big Block delivers 720 horsepower and 685 pound-feet of torque, which make it ideal for those who watch “Christmas trees” to start drag racing.
The newest addition to the GMPP line is the E-ROD engine family, the first crate engine in the industry to meet California emissions requirements. All E-ROD crate engines include required emissions equipment, such as catalytic converters and a fuel tank evaporative emission canister, along with an engine control module calibrated for a balance of performance and efficiency. GM said it is the only automaker with authorized, emissions-compliant high-performance aftermarket engines. (See California Air Resources Board Approves GM Crate Engine )
On the street, the current Small Block powers Chevrolet’s full-size trucks, such as Silverado and Suburban, as well as performance cars including the Camaro and Corvette. These modern engines deliver levels of power, durability, and efficiency that were unheard of five decades ago. For example, the 6.2-liter Small Block in the 2012 Corvette is honestly rated at 436 horsepower and is backed by General Motors’ five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
