In the world of engines, the Vortec 5700 L31 stands out like a rock star at a classical concert, being the final act of the Chevy small block 350 engines. This V8 truck engine, which powers everything from the Cadillac Escalade to the GMC Yukon, is the engine equivalent of a Swiss army knife—versatile and reliable. Despite its lack of reverse flow cooling, it compensates with a robust performance, delivering up to 350 hp. Meanwhile, the 400 cu in engine is the quirky uncle of the family, prone to hot spots but beloved for its torque and racing appeal.
Posts Tagged: Chevy
Revving up nostalgia, the Chevrolet 150 1957 Black Widow Sedan is a roaring tribute to the legendary NASCAR days when cars were as wild as their drivers. This homage to the original Black Widow is powered by a feisty Ram Jet 350, complete with a Rochester style breather—a nod to its racing roots. With its iconic Black Widow paint scheme and a snazzy matching interior, this Chevy isn’t just a car; it’s a time machine with a 4-speed manual trans, ready to take you on a joyride through history.
Doug Bolton, a young hot rodder and Chevrolet enthusiast, was on a quest for the ultimate engine in 1970. With Roy Price Chevrolet just around the corner in Bountiful, Utah, Doug didn’t have to look far. He needed a Bow Tie powerplant that screamed speed, and naturally, his project car became the proud host of the fiercest engine Chevy had to offer. This 4,300-mile unrestored 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 is now hailed as the finest of its kind on the planet, a testament to Doug’s impeccable taste in muscle cars.
Behold the 1955 Chevrolet 210, a car so bright in its Competition Yellow finish, it practically begs for sunglasses. Riding on a custom Art Morrison chassis, it’s like this ’55 Chevy hit the gym and never left. Under the hood, it boasts Corvette-inspired LS6 Aluminum power, making it the street rod equivalent of a double espresso. If cars could strut, this one would have a runway. Forget horsepower – this machine is all about horsepower with a side of swagger!
Chevy’s small block saga continues with the M-code 350, famed for powering everything from hefty K-series pickups to motorhomes, boasting a respectable 160 bhp. The L83-350 made ’82 Corvettes roar with its cross-fire fuel injection, though ’83 took a pit stop. Enter the L98, flexing up to 245 bhp by ‘89 with a snazzy rear axle tweak. Not to be outdone, the L05 found its way into everything, from the Suburban to the Hummer H1, until replaced by the LT1’s swan song in ‘96.
Dive into the world of Chevy’s small-block saga from 1962 to 1998, spotlighting the mighty L46 and LT-1 engines of the late ’60s and ’70s. These beasts, with their sky-high compression and gutsy horsepower, made Corvettes and Camaros the stars of the road. As emissions tightened, power figures wobbled but never wavered in spirit. The L81 of ’81 even had a “smart” carburetor, proving that even muscle cars need a brain sometimes! Stay tuned for more engine antics in this revved-up history.
