Key Takeaways
- SSC's 5.9-liter V8 is the most powerful small-block V8 in production, producing 1,750 hp.
- The engine is lightweight, using aluminum block, titanium connecting rods, and aluminum pistons.
- The Tuatara, equipped with this engine, broke the production top speed record with a two-way average speed of 289.2 mph.
Big block V8 engines tended to be the staple for performance-oriented powerplants during the 1960s, with muscle car heroes like the Plymouth Road Runner and Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 leading the power stakes with them.
Modern-day performance cars have gone more towards small block V8 units, with lighter and more compact designs able to produce extreme power thanks to more advanced technology like turbochargers. With that said, HotCars decided to take a look through the production car archives to find the most powerful small-block V8 engines ever produced.
The SSC 5.9-Liter V8 Is The Most Powerful Small-Block V8 In A Production Car
SSC Twin-Turbo V8
Displacement | 5.9-liter (360 ci) |
Power | 1,750 hp |
Torque | 1,280 lb-ft |
(Source: SSC)
The most powerful small-block V8 powertrain ever created comes courtesy of American supercar manufacturer SSC, which developed its own V8 for its Tuatara back in 2020. Having used a Chevrolet LS6-based engine for its first offering, the Ultimate Aero, the brand opted to do things its own way for its follow-up.
It wanted to keep the Tuatara as light as possible to ensure it could achieve ultra-high top speeds, so it went with a small-block design. This is in contrast to fellow American automaker Hennessey, which went down the big-block route with the 6.6-liter V8 that would power its F5 Venom released around a similar time to the Tuatara.
While the engine used in the Aero had a displacement of 6.3 liters, SSC's bespoke twin-turbo engine has a size of 5.9 liters and makes an insane 1,350 hp on standard 91 octane fuel. When run on more potent methanol or ethanol fuel, the V8 makes a physics-bending 1,750 hp. This makes it easily the most powerful small-block V8 ever fitted to a production car.
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What Makes The SSC V8 Engines Special
It shares a similar architecture to the LS engines, though they were only used as inspiration, and every component is specially designed by SSC or its partners. To help keep weight down even further, the block is constructed from cast aluminum.
The engine also uses a flat-plane crank which, while providing a more lightweight setup than more common cross-plane layouts, inherently causes aggressive vibrations. SSC worked closely with experienced engine builders Nelson Racing to smooth out the V8, as it was careful to take advantage of the exhaust scavenging effect made possible with a flat-crank layout.
As per Summit Racing Equipment, flat cranks create high-speed exhaust gas pulses that travel down the primary header tube of the exhaust system. These pulses create high and low pressures in front and behind them, with the latter having the effect of pulling out more burnt gases. This also helps to bring more fresh air into the engine, allowing it to produce more power.
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The Specialty Components In The Tuatara's 5.9-Liter V8
Alongside the aluminum block, the 5.9-liter powerhouse also has aluminum pistons and titanium connecting rods to help keep weight to a minimum. The turbos are also special components designed by Nelson Racing, which feature more aerodynamic compressor blades and exhaust turbines.
Making these parts more aerodynamic allows the turbo's to suck in a greater volume of air, ensuring they can produce even more grunt. All together, the engine weighs just 428 pounds according to Hagerty, with its extreme power being channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission.
Unsurprisingly, an engine that is capable of producing upwards of 1,700 hp makes a fair amount of heat. To keep it cool, which allows it to continuously make the power it should and not stress the components as much, SSC utilizes a pair of air-to-water intercoolers and an aluminum intake manifold.
Connected to a pair of electronic throttle bodies, the intercoolers can keep track of engine temps in real-time and keep them well within their optimal operating window.
The Monster V8 Helped The Tuatara Break The Production Top Speed Record
SSC and Nelson Racing's hard work ended up bearing fruit in a big way. With Dr. Larry Caplin, who owned the first Tuatara built, behind the wheel, the Tuatara managed a two-way average speed of 289.2 mph in February 2021. This beat the previous record holder, the Koenigsegg Agera RS, by a full 5 mph.
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The Saleen S7 LM Also Offers Huge Small-Block-Based Power
Saleen Twin-Turbo V8
Displacement | 7.0-liter (427 ci) |
Power | 1,300 hp |
Torque | 850 lb-ft |
(Source: RM Sotheby's)
While the 5.9-liter engine tucked inside the Tuatara is unrivaled in terms of outright power from a small-block V8, that doesn't mean others haven't tried to push the limits. Saleen elected to develop a modern version of its commanding S7 supercar back in 2017, the American tuning house electing to upgrade a total of seven original S7s to create the LM.
Only three examples ended up being built according to RM Sotheby's, making it not only one of the most powerful American supercars but also one of the most exclusive.
While starting off with the same basic engine as the standard S7, a 7.0-liter V8, Saleen went to town on it to try and extract some extra power. The V8 was based on a standard small-block Ford Windsor 351, or 5.9 liter, unit, but enlarged to reach 7.0 liters or 427 ci. Saleen later built a twin-turbo version of the S7, which put out 750 hp.
Saleen's Uprated Ford Small-Block Was Built With The Future In Mind
The all-aluminum engine, which includes the block, pistons, cylinder heads, and intake manifold was built to produce big power, but also keep weight to a minimum. The connecting rods and crankshaft were constructed from forged billet steel, as these components undergo more continuous stress. The engine was mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, while a limited-slip differential ensured optimal traction.
It also had a compression ratio of 11.0:1, resulting in an engine that could be pushed even further. Dedicated to make this a reality, the company changed little in terms of the engine design with the 2017 reimagining of the car. The biggest upgrade was a pair of uprated turbos, which were fed air from a specially designed intake on the roof.
The result was drastic, to say the least. Power shot up from 750 hp to around 1,300 hp as per RM Sotheby's, while torque was up to a planet-spinning 850 lb-ft. These power figures, plus the tweaked body that makes it more aerodynamic than the standard model, allow the S7 LM to hit 240 mph.
A Pair Of Million Dollar Small-Block Powered Supercars
Good luck getting your hands on one though, as one of the three examples built sold for just over $1 million through RM Sotheby's in 2021. Still, this is a decent chunk cheaper than a Tuatara, which retailed for around $1.6 million, according to Business Insider. The premium is arguably justified though, given the Tuatara's V8 is the most powerful production small-block V8 ever produced.
Sources: Summit Racing Equipment, SSC, Nelson Racing Engines, Hagerty, Business Insider, Bring a Trailer, RM Sotheby's
