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1955: 265-cid V-8 debuts in all-new ’55 Chevrolet; Chevrolet General Manager Tom Keating drives a small block-powered Indy 500 pace car.
1956: Zora Arkus-Duntov sets production car record at Pikes Peak and “flying mile” record at Daytona; optional dual four-barrel carburetors available; Corvette SR racers debut at Sebring.
1957: 283-cid V-8 introduced; Rochester mechanical fuel injection and helps the small-block produce 283 horsepower – or one horsepower for every cubic inch; Buck Baker wins the NASCAR championship with the “Black Widow” ’57 Chevy.
1959: William Mitchell, vice-president of GM styling, races the original Sting Ray Corvette racing car concept, which features a 315-horsepower version of the fuel-injected 283 small block.
1964: 327-cid small block is rated at 375 horsepower with Rochester fuel injection; the first Holley four-barrel carburetor is used on a production small-block engine.
1967: The 350-cid small block is introduced; and a 302-inch small-block is crafted for the SCCA Trans Am racing series and used on a special Camaro model known by its Z28 order code – only 602 were built.
1968: The small block goes global, with a 307-cid version offered in select Holden HK models in Australia.
1970: 400-cid small block – the largest-displacement Gen I small block – is introduced; 350-cid LT-1 (370 hp) debuts in Corvette and Camaro Z28.
1972: Racer and builder Bill Jenkins dominates NHRA Pro Stock with innovative small-block Vega
1975: 262-cid small block introduced – the smallest-ever small-block V-8.
1980: Dale Earnhardt wins first of seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships driving a small block-powered Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
1982: Cross Fire electronic fuel injection introduced on the Corvette and Camaro Z28; all-new third-generation Camaro paces Indy 500 with specially modified aluminum 350 engine.
1985: Tuned Port Injection introduced on the Corvette, ushering in modern age of port fuel injection and increasing the Corvette’s horsepower rating 230; 4.3L V-6 based on the small-block architecture is introduced.
1986: Aluminum cylinder heads introduced mid-year on the Corvette’s small block.
1987: Hydraulic roller lifters introduced on the “L98” Tuned Port Injection engine, reducing friction for greater efficiency and performance – the Corvette’s output jumps to 240 horsepower.
1989: Chevrolet Raceshop (now Chevrolet Performance) develops high-performance H.O. 350 crate engine, helping ignite a revolution in pre-built hot rod engines.
1991: GMC Syclone is introduced with a turbocharged, 280 horsepower version of the 4.3L V-6.
1992: Second-generation LT1 introduced in the Corvette, featuring reverse-flow cooling system, all-new cylinder heads and computer-controlled ignition timing, pushing horsepower to 300 – a 20-percent jump over the ’91 Corvette’s L98 engine.
1996: High Output LT4 with 330 horsepower in limited-edition Corvette models is the finale for the Gen I/II small block in North American passengers cars; Vortec 5.0L and 5.7L engines with high-swirl combustion systems debut in GM trucks.
1997: New Gen III small block debuts in the all-new C5 Corvette, carrying the LS1 name and featuring all-aluminum construction, deep-skirt block and 350 horsepower.
1999: Gen III small block debuts in GM trucks and full-size SUVS in all-new 4.8L and 5.3L displacements.
2001: Higher-performance LS6 engine with 385 horsepower powers the new, track-oriented Corvette Z06. Horsepower increases to 405 in 2002.
2004: Cadillac CTS-V debuts with LS6 small block, rated at 400 horsepower.
2005: The Corvette’s new, 6.0L LS2 engine with 400 horsepower introduces the Gen IV small block, which has provisions for larger displacements, Active Fuel Management and revised camshaft sensing. The LS2 is also used in the ’05 Chevy SSR, Pontiac GTO and high-performance Holden and Vauxhall models. Also: LS4 small block adapted for front-drive, transverse installation and introduced on the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.
2006: Racing-inspired 7.0L LS7 engine debuts in the Corvette Z06 with 505 horsepower features including forged titanium connecting rods, high-flow cylinder heads, titanium intake valves, dry-sump oiling system and more. The LS7.R variation used in the Corvette Racing program is named Global Motorsport Engine of the Year at the Professional Motorsport World Expo, in Germany.
2007: The 6.2L L92 engine is introduced in Cadillac Escalade models, as well as GMC Yukon Denali and Sierra Denali models. It is rated at 403 horsepower and features Active Fuel Management and the small-block’s first application of camshaft phasing. Also:
2008: The 6.2L small block debuts on the Corvette with 430 horsepower and is featured in Holden HSV vehicles.
2009: LS9 and LSA supercharged 6.2L engines are introduced. The Corvette ZR1 receives 638-horsepower LS9 – the most powerful production-car engine ever built by GM and enabling a 205 mph top speed. The LSA is rated at 556 horsepower and power the Cadillac CTS-V.
2011: GM builds its 100 millionth small block on Nov. 29. It is a LS9 engine built at the Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Mich.
2012: A 580-horsepower version of the LSA engine powers the all-new Camaro ZL1, supporting 0-60 performance of 3.9 seconds and a 184-mph top speed.
About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
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