All 5 Generations and All 16 Displacements Explained

Learn the differences of each of the 5 generations of small block and when they were launched. From the original gen 1 to the updated gen 2 and the all new gen 3 LS, and beyond. Every single displacement is covered, and I pick the best engine from each decade.

LS vs. LT Engine

LT Engine vs. Ford Coyote Engine

Big Block vs. Small Block

Small Block vs. LS

GM Electrification articles:

0:00 - History overview
0:38 - 1950's (Gen 1)
1:54 - 1960's (Gen 1)
3:36 - 1970's (Gen 1)
6:00 - 1980's (Gen 1)
7:52 - 1990's (Gen 1 & 2)
9:50 - 2000's (Gen 3 & 4)
11:15 - 2010's & 2020's (Gen 4 & 5)
12:22 - The Future & Gen 6 Speculation

Auto Guild...Dedicated to enthusiasts of impractical cars of all types, but especially Sports Cars and Muscle Cars.

From gear head engine swaps and power mods, to driving tips and road trip ideas. The love of all things cars, especially the fun impractical ones we love.

What is a Guild:
Guild /ɡild/ noun
An association of people with similar interests, often providing mutual aid towards the pursuit of a common goal.

[AutoGuild]

Visit Auto-Guild.com to get your free pre-order of the LS Swap Survival Guide eBook. As well as other cool eBooks and cool car related posters too.

[PJAvenger]

My dad had a '79 Caprice Classic with a 350 4bbl. It would not stop! I swear that car could have been taken into combat and still survive. One of my family's longest lasting cars.

[geraldscott]

I am a huge fan of the original gen 1 small block Chevy. I grew up with them. I built dozens of them, from mild to wild. Daily drivers to 1000+ hp drag race engines. They are a near perfect design, and if built right, using high quality aftermarket parts, can last half a million miles. I've never built or owned one that wasn't carbureted. I don't do EFI. Period. I have zero interest in any engine with a computer connected to it. I am a mechanic, not a computer technician.

[umakemerandy]

A camaro with a 383, high stall, big tires. Man I love that torque. The LS seems to be the best overall of today, considering price point, availability, function, mods available.

[rtwice]

Thank you for sharing this. I found it very interesting. There was a time when I could rattle off all kinds of SBC trivia, but now in my late 50s, some of it has slipped my mind.

The first SBC that I ever built was a 307 in a 1969. I bought the car my senior year in high school in 1982 while working at a Shell gas station. Every one else was building 327s and 350s, but they had money that I didn't. I put a nice Crane cam inside it and a pair of Hooker headers. I also got an Edelbrock intake and used a Quadrajet carb. Everyone else was using Holley carbs, and I wanted to be different. I bought a book on tricking out Q-jets. (We didn't have the internet or YouTube then). I must have taken that carb apart a half dozen times before I got it right. After that I fell in love with Quadrajets. I finished off my 307 with an HEI distributor which was a tight fit in a Nova, followed by a GM 1 wire alternator.

True, my 307 powered Nova was not a quarter mile winner. But I enjoyed the end results because I did it all myself. The cam, headers, and intake were the only big investments. The Qjet, distributor and alternator came from wrecking yards. I drove the wheels off my Nova (figuratively speaking) for about five years before selling it. The guy who bought it didn't change a thing, he wanted to be odd like me and own a semi-built 307.

[henrysmith]

The 350 built right is tough as an anvil. What held them all back was the cylinder heads. The technology just was not there. This is what makes the LS so good. It's just an air pump, it has to breath. The LS head just keeps getting better.

[oldcarnocar]

the best 90's small block is the LT-1 alloy or iron heads, its a beast, and the last real small block 1955-1996

[robertbeckler]

Personally I don't think internal combustion engines are going anywhere. But that's me. I live in cold climate area and know the limits of batteries. It will be fun to see who actually gets it right.

[clevlandblock]

My baby is an LS3 in a 2016 SS sedan. Looks like you forgot to discuss the 70-72 solid lifter LT-1...the best small block of the musclecar era.

[williamhaynie]

The 350 in the 70 1/2 Z-28 was down rated 10 horse power to 360 because Corvette was the flagship performance line, so nothing that was the same cubic inches was always lower.

[faithinverity]

My ‘72 Chevy van had a 305 with 3-on-the-tree. That engine and transmission were flawless.

[robertwolf]

The beauty of the 350 is it's so simple to work on and improve with no frills.

[jamespeddycord]

My 64 Malibu has the 283/ power glide. She's not fast or powerful by today's standards but is the sweetest little engine. Smooth as silk sounds fantastic and propels the little cruiser just fine. Only other sbc I'd want in it would be a 327.

[hambonerodriguez]

Owner of a 1996 LT4 Corvette. It's awesome.

[garycordle]

The most underrated motor is the small block 400 it's called the monster mouse, look David Bizarre up and you will see.👍 video

[aaronstevenson]

Amazing delivery on information. I have a 79 small-block 350 square body. After 2 g of rebuild it is almost Bulletproof. New cam intake headers and completely new electrical components for ignition. Its pushing about 330 hp rn my first build. Video. Great info.

[rr]

Raced 302 in drags and 97 Vortec350 was bombproof. Great torque engine!

[billyjoejimbob]

First time I have seen any of your vids... Excellent job linking all of this SBC history together in one story. Personally, I am not a fan of the latest electronic technologies in GM's or any other brand of engine. Coil on plug, sequential port FI ... great steps forward. Gas direct FI, variable cam timing, cylinder deactivation, stop / start... Complexity that costs more than it is worth, and potentially more troublesome over time IMHO.

[ChauncyFatsack]

The 350 is Legend! And will be the only engine still running after the Apocalypse just ask Immortan Joe! Fury road!

[vintagesavoiur]

Got my little 4.3L L99 up to 131 mph! Good little engine