When it comes to the best years for the Chevy 350 V8, three motors, in particular, stand out: the 1970 LT-1, the 1992 L98, and the 2002 L31.
Like many older engines, the 1970 LT-1 is prized, in part, for its lack of emissions control devices. In the early years of emissions control systems, these parts were infamous for drastically reducing a motor’s power output and reliability. The 1970 LT-1 arrived on the scene just before the advent and widespread implementation of these emissions components. It was capable of producing 370 horsepower and was built with various high-performance components, making it highly reliable and powerful.
Between 1971 and 1991, the Chevy 350 V8 underwent a series of modifications to comply with new emissions guidelines. During this time, the 350 remained a solid engine, but its power levels dropped substantially as a result of modern emissions systems. That all changed in 1992 with the release of the L98 engine. The L98 revitalized the small block 350, transforming it into an emissions-compliant beast capable of producing high levels of torque and 250 horsepower without pumping the air full of toxins or burning obscene amounts of fuel.
Appropriately, the final engine to make the list of the best Chevy 350 years is also the last small block 350 that GM built for production cars. These motors were known to be extremely reliable. Chevy had such faith in the L31 engine that it offered 100,000-mile warranties on the entire engine for its 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The motor is easy to modify and features many similarities to the older and highly desired LT-1 engine, while its modern design and technology make it incredibly reliable, durable, and an extremely popular choice for engine swaps.
