Welcome once again to Thursday. It’s that time of the week when we open the Chevy Hardcore vault, take a step back in time, and locate an article that you guys might have either forgotten about, or might not even know exists. Whichever the case, we are certain that you will enjoy this editorial flashback.
I decided that this week, we should take a look back to 2014, and visit at an article that all gearheads can find chock full of valuable information – A Guide to Aftermarket LS Blocks.
The prowess of the LS engine has been proven time and time again. The power making capabilities of this engine – even in stock form – is awe-inspiring. It is not uncommon to hear about engines pushing 1,000 horsepower, and still be using stock components. Now that is impressive. But, there is always room for improvement, and that is where the aftermarket lends a hand.
In the original article, Rob Kinnan begins by touting the virtues of the LS platform, and even dares Mopar and Ford guys to dispute the power making capabilities of the LS, “It’s hard to argue with anything about the GM LS engine. Traditional Chevy vs. Ford vs. Mopar guys can bicker all they want about the old-school engines, but no sane person can say that the LS does not have the most power potential of any engine out there, especially on a cost-per-horsepower basis.”
Anyway, Rob discusses aftermarket blocks from companies like World Products, Dart, RHS, and even Chevrolet Performance. We were surprised to read how Richard Maskin of Dart Machine feels the stock LS block is pathetic. That’s a strong sentiment, and you’ll have to read about why he makes that claim, and how the situation is corrected.
When it comes to Chevrolet Performance, Rocko Parker talks about how they looked at the design of the production block, and re-engineered it to arrive at the LSX. Bill Mitchell Jr, was more than happy to talk about how he improved an already impressive design, “Although the BMP LS aluminum block was already made from the alloy 357-T6 and has already been on the dyno producing horsepower numbers in the neighborhood of 2,500 (which are in the range only a cast-iron or a billet version would normally be capable of), I wanted it stronger!” You’ll have to read the original article to find out how he accomplished that feat.
There is a lot more information to glean in the original article, but you’ll have to check it out to get the whole story. So, take a look back at, A Guide to Aftermarket LS Blocks, and find out what’s available, and what you should know about each offering.