The Chevrolet small-block engine is a series of automobile V8 engines built by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors using the same basic small (for a V8) engine block. Retroactively referred to as the "Generation I" small-block, it is distinct from subsequent "Generation II" LT and "Generation III" LS engines.
Production of the original small-block began in 1955 with a displacement of 265 cu in (4.3 L), growing incrementally over time until reaching 400 cu in (6.6 L) in 1970. Several intermediate displacements appeared over the years, such as the 283 cu in (4.6 L) that was available with mechanical fuel injection, the 327 cu in (5.4 L) , as well as the numerous 350 cu in (5.7 L) versions. Introduced as a performance engine in 1967, the 350 went on to be employed in both high- and low-output variants across the entire Chevrolet product line.
Although all four of Chevrolet's siblings of the period (Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac) designed their own V8s, it was the Chevrolet 350 cu in (5.7 L) small-block that became the GM corporate standard. Over the years, every American General Motors division except Saturn used it and its descendants in their vehicles.
Finally superseded by GM's Generation II LT and Generation III LS V8s in the early 2000s and discontinued in 2004, the engine is still made by a GM subsidiary in Mexico as an aftermarket replacement. In all, over 90,000,000 small-blocks have been built in carbureted and fuel injected forms since 1955.
| Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engine | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | General Motors |
| Production: | 1955–2002 |
| Successors: | GM LT engine, GM LS engine |
| Type: | small-block V8 |
| 265 | |
| Production: | 1954–1957 |
| Displacement: | 265 cu in (4.3 L) |
| Power: | 162 hp (121 kW)-240 hp (179 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 3.750 in × 3.00 in (95.2 mm × 76.2 mm) |
| 283 | |
| Production: | 1957–1967 |
| Displacement: | 283 cu in (4.6 L) |
| Power: | 220 hp (164 kW)-315 hp (235 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 3.875 in × 3.00 in (98.4 mm × 76.2 mm) |
| 327 | |
| Production: | 1962–1969 |
| Displacement: | 327 cu in (5.4 L) |
| Power: | 250 hp (186 kW)-375 hp (280 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 4.000 in × 3.25 in (101.6 mm × 82.5 mm) |
| 350 | |
| Production: | 1967– |
| Displacement: | 350 cu in (5.7 L) |
| Power: | 145 hp (108 kW)-370 hp (276 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 4.000 in × 3.48 in (101.6 mm × 88.4 mm) |
| 302 | |
| Production: | 1967–1969 |
| Displacement: | 302 cu in (4.9 L) |
| Power: | 290 hp (216 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 4.000 in × 3.00 in (101.6 mm × 76.2 mm) |
| 307 | |
| Production: | 1968–1973 |
| Displacement: | 307 cu in (5 L) |
| Power: | 115 hp (86 kW)-200 hp (149 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 3.875 in × 3.25 in (98.4 mm × 82.5 mm) |
| 400 | |
| Production: | 1970–1981 |
| Displacement: | 400 cu in (6.6 L) |
| Power: | 150 hp (112 kW)-265 hp (198 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 4.125 in × 3.75 in (104.8 mm × 95.2 mm) |
| 262 | |
| Production: | 1975–1976 |
| Displacement: | 262 cu in (4.3 L) |
| Power: | 110 hp (82 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 3.670 in × 3.10 in (93.2 mm × 78.7 mm) |
| 305 | |
| Production: | 1976–1992 |
| Displacement: | 305 cu in (5 L) |
| Power: | 130 hp (97 kW)-250 hp (186 kW) |
| Bore and Stroke: | 3.736 in × 3.48 in (94.9 mm × 88.4 mm) |
