The 2021 SEMA show has been a blast for Chevrolet – that, we know. The famous American brand has shown again that it plans to keep up and outrun the competition in its initiatives. At the end of October last year, Chevrolet put out the biggest crate engine GM has ever built – the naturally aspired 632 cubic-inch V8.
“This is the biggest, baddest crate engine we’ve ever built,” said Russ O’Blenes, GM director of the Performance and Racing Propulsion Team, in the Chevrolet announcement. “The ZZ632 sits at the top of our unparalleled crate engine lineup as the king of performance. It delivers incredible power, and it does it on pump gas.”
If that's not exciting, we don't know what is! The 632 crate engine from Chevrolet already draws all the attention of the automobile market. How powerful is this beast in a crate? Is it legal for public roadway? What are the exact specs and the price?
So many questions yet so little time for those who are eager to try out this new Chevy engine. Worry not, though. We answer these and some other interesting questions in today's article.
A Short Background To The Chevrolet Big Block Engine
What is there to know about the Chevrolet's big block engine? Firstly, the name stands for a lineup of large, naturally-aspired, and gas-powered V8 engines. Secondly, these were produced by General Motors' division Chevrolet since the 1950s, so they are not that new at all.
In 1955, Chevrolet introduced a small block V8 engine with typical displacement from 262 to 400 cubic inches. However, a larger engine was needed to power trucks and heavier cars. The big-block debuted in 1958 with 348 cubic inches in displacement, which further rose to 494 and 500 cubic inches.
Before the grand 632 crate engine came to be, Chevrolet put out the 572 cubic-inch one in 1998. This one is still around, but now as a second-most powerful Chevy crate engine. The 632 one took all the fame in 2021, and for a good reason. Let's see how it stands in terms of power and performance.
Take A Look At The 632 Crate Engine Specs
The new Big Block from Chevrolet goes at 6,600 rpm of peak power and reaches the maximum at 7,000 rpm to justify its name. The eight-port injectors deliver the fuel to the engine, and all the intake and exhaust ports come in the same length, volume, and layout. The identical design in ports ensures all the cylinders output the same power.
The cylinder heads got the name RS-X Symmetrical Port after the engineer Rob Sperry. Working more than fifty years for General Motors to help the brand design exceptional performance and racing engines, Rob Sperry definitely made the mark in the company. In fact, he was the one to introduce symmetrical ports to the Small Block from 1997.
The 632 crate engine accommodates the longer stroke compared to the 572 one to reach the 632-cubic-inch displacement. Therefore, the block and the connecting rods had to be modified. Engineers also made sure to design sturdy and durable main caps and a rotating assembly.
Coated all in cast iron, the OHV designed engine puts out all the monstrous displacement in an old-fashioned way. No turbocharger, no supercharger, nothing. The Chevy V8 will burn down the road with 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane pump gas. Well, maybe it will even slice through the water if boat makers find a way to adjust the 632 crate engine for marine applications. For now, it seems the Chevy V8 will first go into a muscle car, but we'll have to wait and see for more specifics.
Wrapping Up With Price And Availability
So, can you get the most powerful Chevrolet 632 crate engine? Yes. Will it cost you an arm and a leg? Also yes. Chevrolet introduced the Big Block V8 in late 2021, but it plans to send it out in early 2022 at about $37,000. We know what you're thinking – not even some Chevy SUVs start at that price. It's true, but to get the most powerful Chevrolet V8 so far, you'll have to pay out the price of one Colorado (almost).
Will the 632 crate engine be worth all the money? We can't say. It all depends on how much you have to get the Big Block. If you've been saving for a new vehicle, maybe an engine update wouldn't be such a good choice. But if you've delighted with the Chevy V8 and you would like to upgrade your vehicle with it, why not? The Big Block won't disappoint, that's for sure.