"Big block" is the term used to describe the large displacement V8 engines that were developed in the USA during the 1950's and 1960's. As American automobiles grew in size and weight following the Second World War the engines powering them had to keep pace. Chevrolet had introduced their popular small block V8 in 1955 but needed something larger to power their medium duty trucks and the heavier cars that were on the drawing board. The decision was made by Chevrolet to develop an all-new design for large-displacement use. This engine family had two generations, the "W" series, and the Mark IV series. The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Chevrolets small-block V8 engines began with the 1955 265 in³ (4. ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ...

Generation 1: "W" Series

The ancestral engine of what is most often thought of as the Chevrolet big block was the "W" series V8, first released in 1958 for passenger car and truck use. This engine was an overhead valve design, with offset valves and unique scalloped rocker covers, giving it a distinctive appearance. The "W" series was produced from 1958 to 1965, with three displacements offered: 348 cubic inches, available from 1958 to 1961 in cars and through 1964 in trucks; 409 cubic inches, available from 1961 to 1965; and 427 cubic inches, available only in 1963. The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... A cubic inch is the volume of a cube which is one inch long on each edge. ... A cubic inch is the volume of a cube which is one inch long on each edge. ... A cubic inch is the volume of a cube which is one inch long on each edge. ...

As was the norm at the time, the "W" engine was of cast iron construction. The block had 4.84 inch bore centers, two-bolt main bearing caps, a "side oiling" lubrication system (main oil gallery located low on the driver's side of the crankcase) with full flow oil filter, and interchangeable cylinder heads. Heads used on the high performance 409 and 427 engines had larger ports and valves than those used on the 348 and the base 409 passenger car and truck engines, but externally were identical to the standard units. One minor difference between the 348 and 409/427 was the location of the engine oil dipstick: it was on the driver's side on the former and passenger's side on the latter. No satisfactory explanation was ever presented for why this seemingly useless change was made. However, it was a fairly reliable way to differentiate between the smaller and larger versions of the engine.

As with the 265 and 283 cubic inch small block engines, the "W" engine valve gear consisted of tubular steel push rods operating stud-mounted, stamped steel rocker arms. The push rods also acted as a conduit for oil flow to the valve gear. Due to the relatively low mass of the valve train, mechanical lifter versions of the "W" engine was capable of operating at speeds well beyond 6000 RPM. Chevrolets small-block V8 engines began with the 1955 265 in³ (4. ... Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ...

Unlike many of its contemporaries, the "W" combustion chamber was in the upper part of the cylinder, not the head, the latter which only had tiny recesses for the valves. This arrangement was achieved by combining the use of a cylinder head deck that was not perpendicular to the bore with a crowned piston, a novel concept in American production engines of the day. As the piston approached top dead center, the angle of the crown combined with that of the head deck to form a wedge shaped combustion chamber with a pronounced quench area. The spark plug protruded vertically into this chamber, which tended to cause a rapidly moving flame front during combustion. ...

The theory behind this sort of arrangement is that maximum brake mean effective pressure is developed at relatively low engine speeds, resulting in an engine with a broad torque curve. With its relatively flat torque characteristics, the "W" engine was well-suited to propelling both trucks and the heavier cars that were in vogue in the USA at the time of the engine's development. Torque applied via an adjustable end wrench Relationship between force, torque, and momentum vectors in a rotating system In physics, torque (or often called a moment) can informally be thought of as rotational force or angular force which causes a change in rotational motion. ... Torque applied via an adjustable end wrench Relationship between force, torque, and momentum vectors in a rotating system In physics, torque (or often called a moment) can informally be thought of as rotational force or angular force which causes a change in rotational motion. ...

The "W" had a dry weight of approximately 665 lb (300 kg), depending on intake manifold and carburetion, and was a physically massive engine compared to its small block predecessor. Chevrolets small-block V8 engines began with the 1955 265 in³ (4. ...

348

The first iteration of the "W" engine was the 1958 "Turbo-Thrust" 348 in³ (5.7 L) originally intended for use in Chevrolet trucks, but also introduced in the larger, heavier 1958 passenger car line. Bore was 4.125 in (104.8 mm) and stroke was 3.25 in (82.5 mm), resulting in a substantially oversquare design. This engine was superseded by the 409 as Chevrolet's top performing engine in 1961 and went out of production for cars at the end of that year. It was produced through 1964 for use in large Chevrolet trucks. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... A piston engine is oversquare or shortstroke if its cylinders have a greater bore (width, diameter) than stroke (length of piston travel). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ...

With a four-barrel carburetor, the base Turbo-Thrust produced 250 hp (186 kW). A special "Tri-Power" triple-two-barrel version, called the "Super Turbo-Thrust" produced 280 hp (209 kW). A "Special Turbo-Thrust" upped the output to 305 hp (227 kW) with a single large four-barrel. Mechanical lifters and the three two-barrel carburetors brought the "Special Super Turbo-Thrust" up to 315 hp (235 kW). For 1959 and 1960, high-output versions of the top two engines were produced with 320 hp (239 kW) and 335 hp (250 kW) respectively. In 1961, horsepower was again increased to 340 hp (253 kW) for the single four-barrel model, and 350 hp (261 kW) when equipped with three two-barrels. Bendix-Technico (Stromberg) 1-barrel downdraft carburetor model BXUV-3, with nomenclature The carburetor, carburettor, or carburetter (see spelling differences), also called carb (in North America) or carbie (chiefly in Australia) for short, is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. ... Bendix-Technico (Stromberg) 1-barrel downdraft carburetor model BXUV-3, with nomenclature The carburetor, carburettor, or carburetter (see spelling differences), also called carb (in North America) or carbie (chiefly in Australia) for short, is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ...

Versions:

409

A 409 in³ version was Chevrolet's top regular production engine from 1961 to 1964, with a choice of single- or dual-four-barrel carburetors. Bore and stroke were both up from the 348 at 4.312 in (109.5 mm) by 3.50 in (88.9 mm). On December 17, 1960, the 409 engine was announced along with the Impala SS (Super Sport) model. The initial version of the engine produced 360 hp (268 kW), with a single-four-barrel Carter AFB carburetor. The same engine was upped to 380 hp (283 kW) in 1962. A 409 horsepower (305 kW) version of this engine was also available, developing 1 horsepower per cubic inch with a dual-four-barrel aluminum intake manifold and two Carter AFB carburetors. In the 1963 model year, output reached 425 hp (317 kW) at 6200 RPM with the 2X4 setup, 11.25:1 compression and a solid lifter camshaft. This engine was immortalized in the Beach Boys song titled "409". The engine was available through mid 1965 when it was replaced by the 396 in³ 425 hp (317 kW) Mark IV big-block engine. In addition, a 340 hp (253 kW) version of the 409 engine was available from 1963-1965, with a single-four-barrel cast-iron intake mounting a Rochester 4GC carburetor, and a hydraulic-lifter camshaft. 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... The Beach Boys, originally the Beech Boys, a small team of four brothers from the south of Poland, emigrated to America in the early 1950s in search of a fortune to be made in the Arizonian logging industry. When it soon became evident they had been the victims of... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...

427 (Z11)

A special 427 in³ (7.0 L) version of the 409 engine was used in the 1963 Chevrolet Impala Sports Coupe ordered under Chevrolet Regular Production Option (RPO) Z11. This was a special package created for drag racers, including aluminum engine and body parts and a cowl-induction air intake system, along with the 427 engine. Unlike the later second generation 427, it was based on the W-series 409 engine, but with a longer 3.65 in (92.7 mm) stroke. A high-rise two piece aluminum intake manifold and dual Carter AFB carbs fed a 13.5:1 compression ratio to produce an under-rated 430 hp (321 kW) and 435 ft·lbf (590 N·m). Only 57 Z11s were ever produced. Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Chevrolet Impala is an automobile built for the Chevrolet division by General Motors. ...

Generation 2: Mark IV Series

Development of the second generation big-block started with the so-called Mystery Motor used in Chevrolet's 1963 Daytona 500 record-setting stock cars. This "secret" engine was a substantially modified form of the "W" engine, and was subsequently released for production use in mid-1965 as the Mark IV, referred to in sales literature as the "Turbo-Jet V8." Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile (805 km) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...

Where the Mark IV differed from the "W" engine was in the placement of the valves and the shape of the combustion chambers. Gone was the chamber-in-block design of the "W" (which caused the power curve to drastically sag above 6500 RPM), and in its place was a more conventional wedge chamber in the cylinder head, which was now attached to a conventional 90 degree deck. The valves continued to use the displaced arrangement of the "W" engine, but were also inclined so that they would open away from the combustion chamber and cylinder walls, a design feature made possible by Chevrolet's stud mounted rocker arms. This alteration in valve placement resulted in a significant improvement in high RPM volumetric efficiency and resulted in a substantial increase in power output at racing speeds. Owing to the appearance of the compound angularity of the valves, the automotive press dubbed the engine the "porcupine" design. Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ... Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ... Volumetric efficiency in internal combustion engine design refers to the efficiency with which the engine can move the charge into and out of the cylinders. ...

As part of the head redesign, the spark plugs were relocated so that they entered the combustion chamber at an angle relative the cylinder centerline, rather than the straight in relationship of the "W" engine. This too helped high RPM performance. Due to the new spark plug angle, the clearance provided by the distinctive scalloped valve covers of the "W" model was no longer needed, and wide, rectangular covers were used. Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ...

In all forms (except the ZL-1 Can-Am model) the "rat motor," as it was later nicknamed (the small-block engine being a "mouse motor"), was slightly heavier than the "W" model, with a dry weight of about 685 pounds (310.7 kg). Aside from the new cylinder head design and the reversion to a conventional 90 degree cylinder head deck angle, the Mark IV shared many dimensional and mechanical design similarities with the "W" engine. The cylinder block, although more substantial in all respects, used the same cylinder bore centers and main bearing dimensions as the older engine (in fact, the shorter stroke 348 and 409 crankshafts could be installed without modification). Like its predecessor, the Mark IV used crowned pistons, which were castings for conventional models and impact extruded (forged), solid skirt types in high performance applications. Cover of Car and Driver magazine, showing transparent diagram of CanAm racer The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1974. ... Casting may be used to create artistic sculptures Casting is a manufacturing process by which a molten material such as metal or plastic is introduced into a mold, allowed to solidify within the mold, and then ejected or broken out to make a fabricated part. ... A blacksmiths forge For finery forges (making iron) see finery forge. ...

Also retained from the "W" design were the race-proven Moraine M400 aluminum bearings first used in the 409, as well as the highly efficient "side oiling" lubrication system, which assured maximum oil flow to the main and connecting rod bearings at all times. These features, along with the robust crankcase design, sturdy forged steel crankshaft and massive four bolt main bearing caps used in the high performance versions, resulted in what many have considered to be the most rugged and reliable large displacement automotive V8 engine design of all time. A blacksmiths forge For finery forges (making iron) see finery forge. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ...

396 and 402

The 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8 was introduced in the 1965 Corvette as the L78 option. It had larger bore and stroke at 4.094 in by 3.76 in (104 mm by 96 mm) than any previous small-block and produced an amazing 425 hp (317 kW) and 415 ft·lbf (563 N·m). This version of the 396 was equipped with four bolt main bearing caps and was very comfortable with being operated in the upper 6000 RPM range.

Introduced in 1970, the 402 in³ was a 396 in³ bored out by .030 in (0.8 mm). Despite the fact that it was 6 c.i. larger, Chevy continued marketing it under the popular "396" label in the smaller models, and as the "Turbo-Jet 400" in the full-size series.

• 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
• 1965-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
• 1967-1972 Chevrolet Camaro
• 1968-1970 Chevrolet Nova
• 1965-1972 Full-size models

The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car made in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Nova or Chevy II was an American compact car introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in 1962. ...

427

L36 427 in a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette

L89 427 in a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette

The highly successful and versatile 427 cubic inch (7 L) version of the Mark IV engine was introduced in 1966 as a production engine option for full sized Chevrolets and Corvettes. The bore was increased to 4.25 inches, with power ratings varying widely depending on the application. There were smooth running versions with hydraulic lifters suitable for powering the family station wagon, as well as rough idling, high-revving solid lifter models that resembled racing powerplants and produced well over 400 horsepower. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 140 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Big-Block engine Chevrolet Corvette C2 Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 140 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chevrolet Big-Block engine Chevrolet Corvette C2 Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate but larger than a coastal patrol craft. ... A hydraulic lifter, also known as a hydraulic tappet or a hydraulic lash adjuster, is a device for maintaining zero valve clearance in an internal combustion engine. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ...

Not every version of the 427 was available in every car, and ordering the highest performance versions often required that other options be added to or deleted from the car (for example, power steering wasn't available with the high performance models). This relationship between engine configuration and vehicle options often resulted in what was jokingly referred to as a "racing taxicab," the description usually applied to a minimally equipped, plain looking, two door Biscayne sedan fitted with the brutally powerful 425 horsepower version of the 427—resulting in a vehicle whose performance was the polar opposite of a taxi. Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ... 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne The Chevrolet Biscayne was a series name of automobile produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, in the United States from the 1958 through 1972 model years. ... A Toyota Camry, a recognizable sedan The Ford Five Hundred, a full-sized sedan The 3-box design, indicative of a notchback sedan, as illustrated on a full-size luxury sedan. ... Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ...

Perhaps the nec plus ultra in 427 street applications was the 435 horsepower L89 version available in 1967 to 1969 Corvettes. This engine was equipped with three two barrel carburetors and large port aluminum heads for maximum high RPM air flow, and resulted in a car whose performance was described by one automotive journalist as "the ultimate in sheer neck-snapping overkill." The "tri-power" 427 could accelerate the 1967 Corvette coupe from zero to 60 miles per hour in little more than four seconds and, when suitably tuned for drag racing, turn in 11 second, 125 mile per hour quarter mile performances, suggesting a true power output in the range of 550 horsepower. Bendix-Technico (Stromberg) 1-barrel downdraft carburetor model BXUV-3, with nomenclature The carburetor, carburettor, or carburetter (see spelling differences), also called carb (in North America) or carbie (chiefly in Australia) for short, is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. ... Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The most famous version of the 427 was undoubtedly the 1969 ZL1 engine. Developed for Can-Am racing, where it was very successful, the ZL1 had specifications nearly identical to the production L88 version of the 427, but had an all-aluminum cylinder block that weighed 100 lb less than a similar iron block. The engine was also fitted with the new open combustion chamber cylinder heads, a light weight aluminum water pump and a specially tuned aluminum intake manifold, resulting in an engine weighing little more than a small block, but producing around 600hp in "street" tune and far more in racing tune. The 4718 dollar cost of the ZL1 option doubled the price of the 1969 Corvette, but resulted in a car with exceptional performance. Just two production Corvettes (factory) and 69 Camaros (non-factory option COPO 9560) were built with the ZL1. For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... Cover of Car and Driver magazine, showing transparent diagram of CanAm racer The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1974. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Chevrolet capitalized on the versatility of the 427 design by producing a wide variety of high performance, "over the counter" engine components (marketed as "heavy duty" or "extra capacity" components to mask their intended racing application), as well as ready-to-race "replacement" engines in shipping crates. Some of the components were developed to enhance the engine's reliability during high RPM operation, possibly justifying the use of the description "heavy duty." However, most of these items were racing parts originally designed for Can-Am competition that found their way on to dealers' shelves, and were meant to boost the engine's already impressive power output. As a result of this activity, the 427 quickly became dominant in drag racing. Cover of Car and Driver magazine, showing transparent diagram of CanAm racer The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1974. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The version of the 427 produced from 1966 to 1969 was fitted with essentially the same cylinder heads as used with the 396, a type often referred to as the closed combustion chamber design. Starting in 1969, the highest performance models were fitted with the new open chamber cylinder head, which along with design improvements in crankshafts, connecting rods and pistons adopted from the Can-Am development program, resulted in an engine with substantially increased performance and reliability. This development culminated in a specialty version of the engine called the ZLX, which was essentially a ZL1 engine built with the L88 engine's sturdy, four bolt main bearing iron block (it has been suggested that "ZLX" was a code name for ZL1 crossover). The ZLX, available as a short block assembly or complete "replacement" engine in the crate from a few dealers, was a resounding success and became a best-seller by after market racing components standards—the closest thing to an all-out competition engine ever offered to the general public. Cover of Car and Driver magazine, showing transparent diagram of CanAm racer The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1974. ... Aftermarket is an umbrella term for the collective network of vendors who design and sell vehicular components that are intended to replace the stock manufacturers parts in order to alter the appearance or performance of the vehicle. ...

Chevrolet gave all 427 engines except the ZL1 a torque rating of 460 ft·lbf (624 N·m).

Notes:

1. ^ Chevrolet actually advertised this engine as 450 hp (336 kW) for a short period of time. There is speculation if this engine actually put out 450 hp, or if this was a marketing mistake that was later corrected.
2. ^ L88 had a 12.5:1 compression ratio with closed chamber heads except during the last half of 1969, when it had open chambered heads that yielded 12.0:1
3. ^ L88 was rated for 430 hp at 5200 rpm. Actual red line was 6400 rpm however, resulting in over 500 hp. With free-flowing headers and operation in the 7000 RPM range, it was generally accepted that the engine was capable of 550 hp.
4. ^ Actual HP is not known for ZL1, but is accepted to have exceeded that of the L88, There were advertisements that said 585 Horsepower in magazines.
5. ^ The factory recommended redline for this model was 7600 RPM, but 8000+ RPM was routine in competition. Like the L88 and ZL1, the actual HP was never quoted by Chevrolet. However, drag racing experience indicated that actual output was close to 650 horsepower.^{[citation needed]}

• 1966-1969 Chevrolet Biscayne
• 1966-1969 Chevrolet Caprice
• 1966-1969 Chevrolet Impala
• 1966-1969 Chevrolet Corvette
• 1968-1969 Chevrolet Camaro (most were dealer installed, only the ZL-1 was a factory option)

1964 Chevrolet Biscayne The Chevrolet Biscayne was a series name of automobile produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, in the United States from the 1958 through 1972 model years. ... The Chevrolet Caprice (later called Caprice Classic) was a series name of automobile produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, in the United States from the 1965 through 1996 model years. ... The Chevrolet Impala is an automobile built for the Chevrolet division by General Motors. ... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ... The Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car made in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. ...

454

The big-block was expanded again for 1970 to 454 in³ (7.4 L) with a 4.251 in (108 mm) bore and 4 in (102 mm) stroke. The 1970 Chevy Corvette LS-5 version of this engine produced 390 hp (291 kW) and 500 ft·lbf (678 N·m), and the LS-6 engine was rated at 450 hp (336 kW). It is generally accepted that the LS-6 was substantially underrated (a common practice at the time to avoid undue attention from insurance companies) and actually produced well over 500 horsepower as delivered from the factory. This notion was supported by the fact that an LS-6 powered 1970 Corvette, in full street trim (including tires), was capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in less than four seconds, and covering a standing quarter-mile in little more than 12 seconds. Top speed was well over 160 miles per hour (256 kilometers per hour). 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... C5 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 at the Memphis Motor Speedway, 2004 The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car first manufactured by Chevrolet in 1953 and is built today exclusively at a General Motors assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. ... French steam corvette Dupleix (1856-1887) Canadian corvettes on antisubmarine convoy escort duty during World War II. A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, smaller than a frigate but larger than a coastal patrol craft. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer) (symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ... Look up second in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer) (symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ...

A 465 hp (347 kW) and 490 ft·lbf (664 N·m) version of the 454, dubbed LS-7 was also designed but never went to production. However a handful of LS-7 intake manifolds were produced and sold by a handful of Chevy dealers as performance parts.

Power began falling off after 1970, with the 1971 LS-5 producing 365 hp (272 kW) and 465 ft·lbf (630 N·m), and the LS-6 option coming in at 425 hp (317 kW) and 475 ft·lbf (644 N·m). Only the LS-5 remained in 1972, when SAE net power ratings and the move towards emission compliance resulted in to 270 hp (201 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (529 N·m). The 1973 LS-4 produced 275 hp (205 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (529 N·m), with 5 hp (4 kW) and 10 ft·lbf (14 N·m) gone the following year. Hardened valve seats helped allow these engines to last much longer than the earlier versions, even without the protection previously provided by lead from fuel. 1974 was the last year of the 454 in the Corvette though the Chevelle offered it in the first 1/2 of the 1975 model year. It was also available in the full size Impala/Caprice until model year 1976.

GM continued to use the 7.4 L 454 in their truck line, introducing a new Vortec 7400 version in 1996. Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

• 1970-1976 Chevrolet Cars
• 1970-1974 Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet (IPA: ʃɛv. ... The Chevrolet Corvette is the sports car that has been manufactured by Chevrolet since 1953. ...

Commercial Applications

Mark IV engines saw extensive application in Chevrolet and GMC medium duty trucks, as well as in Blue Bird Corporation All American and TC/2000 transit buses (the latter up until 1995, using a purpose-built, carbureted 427). In addition to the 427, a 366 cubic inch (6.0 liter) version was produced for the commercial market. Both the 366 and 427 commercial versions were built with a raised deck cylinder block to accommodate an extra oil control ring on the pistons. The Blue Bird Corporation is a large manufacturer of buses. ... A cubic inch is the volume of a cube which is one inch long on each edge. ... The liter (spelled liter in American English and litre in Commonwealth English) is a unit of volume. ...

Mark IV engines also found themselves widely used in power boats, a natural application for these robust power plants. Many of these engines were ordinary Chevrolet production models that were fitted with the necessary accessories and drive system to adapt them to marine propulsion. Mercury Marine, in particular, was a major user of the Mark IV in marine drives, and relabeled the engines with their corporate logo. The Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), formerly known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, is a United States based corporation that has been involved in manufacturing a wide variety of products since 1845. ...

8100

A substantially-modified version of the 454 is sold today as the Vortec 8100. Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. ...

References

• Peter C Sessler (1999). Ultimate American V8 Engine Data Book. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-0489-0. 

See also

From the 1950s through the 1970s, each GM division had its own V8 engine family. Many were shared among other divisions, but each design is most-closely associated with its own division: This does not cite any references or sources. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ...

• Buick V8 engine
• Cadillac V8 engine
• Chevrolet Small-Block engine
• Oldsmobile V8 engine
• Pontiac V8 engine

GM later standardized on the later generations of the Chevrolet design: Like its sister General Motors divisions, Buick produced its own family of V8 engines to replace its straight-8 engines. ... Cadillac was the first automobile maker to mass produce a V8 engine. ... // Chevrolets small-block V8 is a famous automobile engine. ... The 1967 Toronados 425 V8, the first front-wheel drive V8 application. ... Pontiac V8 engine with Tripower carb setup From 1954 to 1981 the Pontiac Division of General Motors manufactured its own, unique V8 engines. ...

• GM LT engine — Generation II small-block
• GM LS engine — Generation III/IV small-block
• List of GM engines