We’re fans of all engines, but there is something cool about little displacement engines making big power. Since Chevrolet’s unveiling of the small-block Chevrolet in 1955, people have been modifying them for big power. That first small block was 265 cubic inches and grew to 283 pretty quickly. From there multiple variations up to 400 cubic inches came out of the factory. The venerable 283 has been built into crazy NA combos capable of spinning to nearly 10,000 rpm and above and can make real power.

But what about the Gen 3 and Gen 4 small blocks? Are the littlest LS engines, the 4.8 L that is 292 cubic inches, a dud or can they make big power too? With cylinder heads that flow like an LS head does, we think they can make big power, but how much is big power?

We’re about to find out in the video below, where Even with Hemmings, and the crew from Westech Performance, throw everything they can think of at a little 4.8 L LS to see what it can make.

Any guess?

Video Description:

GM’s 4.8L is the tiniest and cheapest of the LS family. But can it make power? Watch as we add a cornucopia of speed parts and figure out if GM’s red-headed stepchild deserves a place in the engine bay of your hot rod!

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Parts Dyno Tested

Edelbrock E-Street Cathedral Port Cylinder Heads: PN 77617

COMP Magnum Pushrods: PN 7162-16

Edelbrock VR-S Series 850CFM carburetor: PN 1308

Hydraulic Roller Lifters: PN 8957-16

COMP Camshaft: LSR 235/251 PN 54-478-11

COMP BSR Shaft Rockers: PN 1981-16

Edelbrock Victor Jr. Carbureted Intake: PN 2908

FAST LSXR Fuel Injected Intake: PN 146302B