As most Chevy enthusiasts know, the ’55 Chevy made a huge impact on the automotive market when it showed up, and much of that impact came from the all-new 265-inch V-8 engine. An engineering milestone, the small-block almost instantly changed the poky image that Chevrolet had earned with its Stove bolt six. The new V-8 was peppy, compact, and, unlike competitors’ V-8 power plants, it was light. It became known as the mouse motor, made big strides in its first few years. As most Chevy enthusiasts know, the ’55 Chevy made a huge impact on the automotive market when it showed up.

A new generation of big-block V-8s made a big impact in the ’60s as well. The 396 made its debut in 1965, and was a standout performer in Corvette trim, pumping out 425 hp. A 375-horse version made it into a select few ’65 Chevelle’s (Z-16s), and by ’66 the SS396 package was a big seller in the Chevelle’s line. A larger, 427-inch big-block added more heat to the Corvette that year, paving the way for the legendary L88 the following few years. The big-block eventually grew to 454 cubic inches, and by 1970 cranked out 450 hp in LS6 trim.¨

Throughout the ’60s the small-block V-8 really came into their own. Fuel-injected 327s making up to 360 hp were highlights of the next generation of Corvettes, the Sting Rays. Carbureted 327s found their way into the ’65-67 Nova SS’s. The ’66 Nova SS, when equipped with the available 350hp (L79) version of the 327 “Turbo-Fire” V-8, was one of the hottest performers in the compact class. In 1967, the most popular configuration of the small-block V-8, the 350, made its debut. It found a welcome home in the newly introduced Chevrolet Camaro.

Of course, a new generation of big-block V-8s made a big impact in the ’60s as well. The 396 made its debut in 1965, and was a standout performer in Corvette trim, pumping out 425 hp. A 375-horse version made it into a select few ’65 Chevelle’s (Z-16s), and by ’66 the SS396 package was a big seller in the Chevelle’s line. A larger, 427-inch big-block added more heat to the ‘Corvette that year, paving the way for the legendary L88 the following few years. The big-block eventually grew to 454 cubic inches, and by 1970 cranked out 450 hp in LS6 trim.

Today 38 years after introduction the small-block is the most popular engine in the enthusiast market with the vast array of performance parts available to turn them into a mild 325 horse power to a wild tire smoking stroker engine with 510 horse power. The big-block Chevy or the rat motor as it was referred to in the early hot roding became the standard for brute power for the serious street machine to all out competition racing.

If you are restoring your early Chevy we can upgrade the horse power and still keep it looking original. Please call us for details.