Engine of the Week is presented by
We know crate engines can be a touchy subject with our crowd, but it’s hard to ignore what some of the OEMs are producing lately. Although it seems contradictory to all the promises of a switch to more hybrid and electric vehicles, the likes of Dodge and Chevy in particular, are also upping the ante on the internal combustion side with products like the Hellephant and the 572 big block in the COPO Camaro.
Chevy Performance has now gone a step further with its latest unveil of a massive 632 cubic inch, 10.35L, 1,004 horsepower big block Chevy. The engine was on display at the 2021 SEMA show, and crate engines such as this one have continued to evolve with more innovation, more power and bigger displacement than ever before.
The new Chevrolet Performance ZZ632/1000 Deluxe Big Block Crate Engine is no exception. It’s Chevy’s most powerful crate engine ever, with the modern convenience of EFI technology, providing more than 1,000 horsepower on 93-octane pump gas. It achieves that horsepower at just 6,600 rpm, and also delivers 876 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,600 rpm. Did we mention these numbers are naturally aspirated?
The ZZ632 is a V8 that features a cast iron, tall deck block with 4-bolt mains caps and a bore and stroke of 4.600˝ x 4.750˝, respectively. It’s the same foundation used on the 572 big block, but its bored .040˝ over and the stroke is increased by 3/8ths of an inch. The rotating assembly is comprised of a forged 4340 steel crankshaft with forged steel H-beam rods and forged aluminum 2618 pistons, all of which is internally balanced.
Up top, the 632 features aluminum spread port cylinder heads with 70cc chambers and an RS-X design. The intake manifold is also aluminum and is a high-rise single plane design. The valvetrain is comprised of a billet steel hydraulic roller camshaft with duration of 270º intake and 287º exhaust. Valve lift is .780˝ intake and .782˝ exhaust.
Speaking of valves, those components are titanium and are 2.450˝ on the intake and 1.800˝ on the exhaust with a 5/16ths stem OD. The rocker arms are forged aluminum roller-style, shaft-mount rockers with a 1.8:1 ratio.
Additional features of the engine include 86-lb./hr. fuel injectors, a 58X crank-triggered, coil-near-plug ignition, an aluminum water pump, a steel 8-quart oil pan, and a 4500-style throttle body. All of which delivers more than 1,000 horsepower on 93-octane and a 12:1 compression ratio with a maximum rpm of 7,000.
With tons of aftermarket support for the big block, it wouldn’t be difficult for folks to push this engine well beyond that 1,004 horsepower mark, whether you opt to use forced induction or not. Thanks to nearly 10.4 liters of displacement to work with and a fully forged bottom end, this engine is built ready to take the punishment of high horsepower.
As such, a lot of rumors have swirled around the price for this 1,000-horsepower 632 cubic inch engine. The MSRP looks to be between $37K-$38K from Chevy. If you can swallow the price, we’re eager to know what you’re ready to put this beast in. It’ll be available in early 2022.
Engine of the Week is sponsored by PennGrade Motor Oil, Elring – Das Original and Scat Crankshafts. If you have an engine you’d like to highlight in this series, please email Engine Builder Editor, Greg Jones at [email protected].
