Chevy has never shied away from building monsters under the hood. From race-proven small blocks to fire-breathing big blocks and supercharged beasts, Chevy’s engine lineup is full of heavy hitters. Here’s a rundown of the most powerful engines the Bowtie brand has ever dropped into a car — and the legendary machines that carried them.
1. ZZ632/1000 – 10.35L Crate Monster
This is Chevy’s most powerful crate engine ever — a naturally aspirated beast that pumps out 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque. The ZZ632 is a 632-cubic-inch V8 (10.35 liters) designed for drag racers and hardcore builders.
While it doesn’t come installed from the factory, it’s a favorite for high-end hot rods and Pro Street builds. The ZZ632 runs on 93-octane pump gas, which is almost unbelievable considering the power numbers. It’s Chevy’s ultimate flex in crate engine performance.
2. LT5 – 6.2L Supercharged V8 (C7 Corvette ZR1)
Found in the 2019 Corvette ZR1, the LT5 engine is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 cranking out a wild 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. It’s the most powerful production engine ever put in a factory Corvette.
This engine uses a massive 2.65-liter Eaton supercharger, and when it was unleashed, it pushed the C7 ZR1 to 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds and a top speed over 210 mph. It’s peak factory muscle from Chevy before the Corvette went mid-engine.
3. LS9 – 6.2L Supercharged V8 (C6 Corvette ZR1)
Before the LT5 came the LS9 — the heart of the 2009–2013 Corvette ZR1 (C6). This supercharged 6.2-liter V8 made 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque.
The LS9 was built with a forged steel crank, titanium connecting rods, and aluminum cylinder heads, making it one of the most high-tech engines Chevy ever produced. It helped put the C6 ZR1 in the supercar conversation, with track times rivaling much more expensive European exotics.
4. LT4 – 6.2L Supercharged V8 (Camaro ZL1 & Corvette Z06)
The LT4 powers both the Camaro ZL1 and C7 Corvette Z06. It makes 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from its 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
This engine balances daily drivability with brutal track performance. In the Camaro ZL1, the LT4 makes it one of the fastest muscle cars ever built. In the Corvette Z06, it turned a factory street car into a legitimate track weapon.
5. LS7 – 7.0L Naturally Aspirated V8 (C6 Corvette Z06)
This 427-cubic-inch beast is one of the most legendary naturally aspirated engines Chevy ever built. Found in the 2006–2013 C6 Corvette Z06, the LS7 cranked out 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque without a drop of boost.
It was built like a race engine — dry sump oiling, titanium rods, and CNC-ported heads — and it revved like no other big-inch V8. The LS7 also found its way into the Camaro Z/28 and remains a favorite in engine swaps and resto-mods.
6. L88 – 7.0L Big Block V8 (1967–1969 Corvette)
The legendary L88 big block was way underrated on paper — GM claimed it made 430 horsepower, but in reality, it was closer to 550.
Only available for a few years in the late ’60s Corvette, this was a race-bred engine with aluminum heads, 12.5:1 compression, and a massive Holley carb. It was a no-compromise option meant for the strip and the track — and if you got one back in the day, you were buying serious firepower.
7. LSX454R – 7.4L Racing Crate Engine
This track-only engine was built to dominate drag strips. The LSX454R is a 7.4-liter monster that produces 776 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque — all without forced induction.
It’s Chevy’s most powerful LS-based crate motor, made for NHRA Stock and Super Stock racers. While not street-legal, it’s a favorite in competition builds where nothing less than maximum output will do.
8. L71 – 427 Big Block Tri-Power (1967 Corvette)
The L71 was a high-performance version of Chevy’s 427 V8, rated at 435 horsepower. It used a trio of Holley carburetors on a special aluminum intake manifold — hence the nickname “Tri-Power.”
This engine made the 1967 Corvette one of the fastest American production cars of its time. Even today, an L71-powered ’Vette is a trophy for collectors and gearheads who appreciate brute-force, old-school horsepower.
9. LS3 – 6.2L V8 (C6 Corvette & Camaro SS)
The LS3 engine became the bread-and-butter performance V8 of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Making 430 horsepower in stock trim, it powered everything from the C6 Corvette to the fifth-gen Camaro SS.
It’s not the highest output on this list, but the LS3 is one of the most versatile and affordable performance engines Chevy has ever made. It’s a go-to choice for hot rod builds, swaps, and street/strip action.
10. 572 Big Block Crate Engine
Last but not least is the iconic 572-cubic-inch big block — a staple in serious street builds and drag cars. Available in multiple versions from Chevy Performance, the most popular setup makes 620 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque.
It’s a plug-and-play beast for anyone wanting old-school cubic inches and tire-frying torque. You’ll often see the 572 swapped into Chevelles, Novas, and even classic trucks, making it a true hot rod favorite.
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