The 100-millionth Chevy Small Block engine to be built in 2011

Chevrolet is expecting to reach another milestone this year: the production of its 100-millionth Chevy Small Block engine. The “Chevy V-8” was presented in 1955 and is known for its power, its affordability, plus the fact that it’s lightweight. When the Small Block debuted, it generated 195hp with an optional four-barrel carburetor and it was the best one in the market at the time. But then, with the arrival of new technologies, the capabilities of vehicles went up and so did the horsepower. In 1957, the use of fuel injection raised output to 283hp. The Chevy V-8 family had grown by 1970, which was when it offered the 450hp, 454-cid Big Block.

Jim Campbell, vice president, GM Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, said that Chevrolet was transformed with the performance of the Small Block, which made the automaker as the “weapon of choice” for grassroots racers who were on the drag-racing and sports-car tracks throughout the U.S. It was also used to power Chevrolet’s factory racing programs, resulting to wins in stock car, endurance, and Trans Am series. This racing experience paved the way for more powerful production cars, creating names such as the Corvette, Camaro, Impala, and Chevelle.

Campbell said that Chevrolet currently records higher sales for the four-cylinder engines than the V-8s. However, descendents of the original Chevy small block continue to power Chevrolet’s production and racing vehicles. The Small Block has pushed Chevrolet to become the most successful name in NASCAR history. The Small Block had powered the Corvette Racing team to achieve seven class wins at Le Mans from 2001 to 2011. But on the roads, the modern Small Block is found in Chevrolet’s full-size trucks like the Silverado and Suburban and even performance cars like the Camaro and Corvette.[via - 4wheelsnews]