But what model year engine is the best? Sources: On All Cylinders. Figure 2: The original Chevy from Back in the day, this little guy could get an impressive HP.
Source: Mecum Auctions. First produced in , the original was developed from the original small block V8 engine produced by Chevrolet.
As a high-performance cubic-inch power plant, it was used initially in the Chevrolet Camaro. However, the later went on to power the Corvette, the Nova, the Caprice, and numerous other vehicles. Buicks, Cadillacs, and Oldsmobiles have all featured the Chevy Figure 3: A Chevrolet Camaro, one of the first cars to boast a Chevy engine. Source: Auto Evolution.
Power output and torque ratings have, of course, varied quite a bit throughout the years. However, the original Chevy put out HP and lb-ft of torque. A fuel-injected version of the was added to Corvettes starting in By the early s, computerized emissions systems became the standard along with throttle body fuel injection systems. There have been quite a few variations across the decades. Here is a somewhat exhaustive list not accounting for the numerous sub-variations of each that have been produced for various specific vehicles over the years.
Okay, on to the main event! Out of all the engines produced throughout the years, which one takes the crown? Plenty of people are going to have plenty of different opinions on this. Figure 4: An LT-1 installed in a Corvette. Source: Wikipedia , courtesy of Rich Niewiroski Jr. When it first came out in , the LT-1 was a marvel of engineering. With a high-performance camshaft, solid lifters, and a carburetor with a special aluminum intake that could reach cubic feet per minute, this engine was able to churn out HP when fitted into a Corvette.
At the time, this was a big number indeed. However, Chevrolet was forced to steadily reduce the power output and torque of the LT-1 to meet new emissions standards.
In , the power was reduced to HP. The version of the LT-1 ultimately succumbed to new emissions standards that brought its horsepower all the way down to HP. Ben Davis March 6, How much HP does a have? How much horsepower does a stock Chevrolet have? How much HP does a Chevy have?
How can I get more horsepower out of my small block? How much is a 4 bolt main worth? Which is better 2 bolt main or 4 bolt? How do I know if my engine is 2 or 4 bolt main? Is a Vortec a 4 bolt main? This very scenario seems to puzzle most guys though.
I can't tell you how many times I hear guys say something stupid like: "That HP engine is way too expensive! I can get one with the same amount of power for much less! So I guess his tools are too expensive too and maybe he should be shopping at K-Mart or Wal-mart for all of his tools from now on? He bought Snap-On or Mac, Matco, SK, or any of the other brands of high-end excellent quality tools out there for a reason, and they're expensive for a reason. How guys can't figure out that this very same principle applies to the components in an engine is just beyond me.
It shouldn't even be something I should have to explain! So, how much CAN we get out of an engine? A stock block can handle upwards of HP pretty reliably. Some will do pretty reliably, while other's won't. Can someone build an engine making more than HP using a stock block and have it last? Of course, within limitations of fuel, streetability, the block type and design, etc.
In retrospect, why build an engine that is right on the edge of what it can handle? It's only going to fail sooner or later. You aren't running a sanctioned race on the street like many race engines run that ARE on the verge of coming apart at any given moment.
The reason for this comes down to variables again. If the engine can't see the load of - HP, then it will last a bit longer than one that could see that kind of load. Now keep in mind, a Sprint Car engine also runs on race fuel or alcohol and has a compression ratio MUCH higher than you could possibly run with pump gas, not to mention those "race" engines ONLY make power IN their power band. Below their power band they are complete turds. Do you think you are going to be driving around in a street car at 6, - 8, RPM all the time?
You need a broader power curve that comes-in at much lower RPMs so you can actually drive it. This doesn't even get into the longevity of parts, such as valve springs, valve locks, valve guides, cams, lifters, bearings, piston rings, etc. Do you think you'll get 25, - , miles out of a HP Sprint Car , or a drag race engine of the same caliber?
LOL, Hell no! Not without breaking a bunch of parts along the way. You simply can't run the kinds of parts engines like those use on the street. Not for very long anyway. This doesn't get into the fact that most really high power race engines use dry sump oil systems and belt driven vacuum pumps to evacuate the crank case from pressure. Engines like those are set-up "loose", so they have more blow-by as a result. Not something you really want with a street engine unless you like to see smoke coming out your tail pipes and out your valve cover breathers.
It's not a question of how much power CAN you get, it's a matter of how much will it handle if we build it to make a given amount of power, AND how much will the components used to build that engine handle under the circumstances of how it'll be used?
Of course there are limitations with naturally aspirated engines running pump gas. You can't get HP out of a running standard pump gas. If you increase the cubic inches, then of course, the power will go up as the cubic inches increase because the engine can burn more fuel per revolution. Again, making power is a no brainer. It isn't "magic" or anything.
Obviously a stroker will make a little more power than a will because it is taking a bigger gulp of fuel and air per revolution, just as a small block or a small block will do exactly the same thing. The difference is; with a stock block you are pretty much limited to only getting up to - cubic inches out of it. It requires an expensive after market "race block" to get , , or cubes out of a small block "Chevy".
Is that in your budget? Just a quick FYI; With Ford small block's, using the W block, we can easily make cubic inches and they'll handle upwards of - HP reliably when a billet main support is installed. Some people will even get them out to - cubic inches, but we don't recommend doing that because that additional.
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