Innovative design that stands the test of time is a rarity in the automotive world, which is why collector car icons like the small-block Chevrolet V8 engine continue to stand out to this day. With a history that has roots in Chevrolet technology dating back to 1917’s Chevy Series D V8, the small-block engine remains relevant thanks to its impressive durability. You'll find variations of the technology in everything from off-road trucks to boats and race cars as well as antique cars from other brands. For a better idea of how far the engine has come, let's take a look back at the road it traveled along the way. 

The small-block Chevy first properly debuted in 1955 as a 265-cubic-inch Turbo-Fire engine option for Chevrolet's Corvette and Bel Air models. The long-term success that followed can be attributed to a handful of innovative qualities, including its internal oiling system and overall compact design. The original 265 would soon be improved to the 283, also known as the "Super Turbo-Fire," with additional options such as mechanical fuel injection or carburetion. 

The years that followed saw further improvements to the small-block V8 engine, from 1962's 170-horsepower 327—which soon became Chevrolet's base model of the engine for many collector cars—to the world's first 350-cubic-inch small-block V8. The latter came along with the 1967 Camaro and would go through multiple iterations that could also be found in trucks and other General Motors makes and models. While the 350's power took a dip during the fuel crisis of the '70s, the horsepower of the small-block V8 hit an all-time high in optional engines for 1969's Corvette and 1970's LT1 Corvette. 

Both performance and efficiency continued to advance throughout the decades. The 1992 LT1 boasted an updated design that kept the combustion chamber and heads cooler thanks to a new reverse flow cooling system. As for which iteration of the engine comes out on top, Motor Trend considers the Generation IV LS9 engine to be a high point in the small-block V8's storied lifespan. This version of the engine—which generates 638 horsepower at 6,500 rpm—debuted in the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. 

Despite its high-end launch, the LS series of small-block V8's are now much more affordable and available to a wider market. Chevrolet's current series is known as Generation V, which first hit the streets in 2013. With features ranging from direct injection to continuously variable valve timing, the small-block engine continues to build upon over a half-century's worth of truly impressive design.  

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