The Hardcore engine, on the other hand, is for the rodder or racer who wants a hotter combination. It's a solid-lifter design, with 10.0:1 compression; 93-octane is the bare minimum.

The small-block Chevy has been the traditional hot-rodder's weapon of choice since way back in '55. Here's how to build your first, and join the fray!

Chevrolet's venerable 350 cubic inch small-block V8 has been supplanted by the LS family of engines, but there are plenty of vendors that sell it in crate form.