Now at Summit Racing: World Products SBC Motown LS Bare Blocks

The GM LS is the go-to swap for the venerable Gen 1 small block Chevy. But retrofitting an LS engine into a classic car or truck is hardly a bolt-in affair, and can require shelling out precious dollars for extra swap parts.

World Product’s SBC Motown LS Engine Block is a darn-near-genius solution to the performance vs. cost dilemma. The cast-iron block has the familiar small block Chevy mounting architecture, but is designed specifically for use with LS-style cylinder heads and intake manifolds. The means an engine based on a SBC Motown block will drop right in where a small block Chevy fits. You can also use Gen 1 rotating assemblies, oil pumps and pans, distributors, accessory drives, starters, etc. It will also bolt right up to any transmission that accepts the small block mounting pattern—no need for a LS swap bellhousing or an LS-specific transmission.

World Products added other features to improve performance. The camshaft location was raised by one-eighth of an inch to accommodate cranks with up to a four inch stroke. The 55mm cam tunnel allows the use of a LS-core camshaft for improved valvetrain stability at high RPM. The block’s iron construction makes it a better option than an OE aluminum block for builders installing a big power adder like forced induction or nitrous.

Other features include:

• Expanded water jackets hold more coolant for improved cooling
• Nodular iron splayed four-bolt main caps
• 350-sized journals
• Two-piece rear main seal
• Lifter bosses clearanced for vertical-bar roller lifters
• Standard 9.240 inch deck height
• Maximum bore: 4.200 inch
• Uses LS-style headers

The SBC Motown LS Engine Block retains the Gen 1 coolant flow pattern. You will need to install two WRL-061079 Cooling Adapters to allow coolant to return to the radiator.

Power Automedia's Engine Labs site just posted a build story using the Motown LS block--see it here.

See the World Products SBC Motown LS Bare Blocks at Summit Racing.