The Highest Horsepower Ever In A Small-Block V8 Produced In The '70s
Story by Dan MihalascuIntroduced in the mid-1950s in mass production, the small-block V8 engine became an American institution, powering everything from pickup trucks to SUVs, from muscle cars to performance cars, and everything in between. Everyone built them: Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, you name it.
As their name suggests, small-block V8 motors are generally more compact and lighter than traditional big-block V8s, and therefore are easier to install in the engine bay. Because of this, a car powered by a small-block V8 will generally handle better thanks to improved weight distribution; it will also accelerate faster and will burn less fuel than a car that has a big-block V8, which is typically heavier.
Furthermore, the smaller dimensions of a small-block V8 make it easier to fit into a wider variety of cars, making it a default choice for builders. Generally, small-block V8 engines are also designed to achieve higher engine speeds than big-block V8s, which makes them an obvious power source for performance car builds. On the other hand, big-block V8s have their advantages as well.
For example, the fact that they are engineered to offer as much torque as possible at lower engine speeds makes them ideal for towing and high-durability applications in vehicles like pickups, vans, and heavy-duty trucks, as well as high-power applications like drag racing, where their larger displacement and torque come in handy.
The LT-1 Was The King Of Small Block Power In The '70s
Now, everyone has their favorite small-block V8 engine, but one of the most iconic has to be General Motors’ original LT-1 motor (Gen I) produced from 1970 through 1972 model years. This short-lived engine left a lasting impression on the market, mainly because it absolutely destroyed most big-block V8s in terms of output and performance when it launched at the peak of the muscle car era.
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