If they're going to use a name and dont care about bastardizing it, they minus well bring back the "Rocket" and stick that on a Chevy. Ive met a few guys who've told me about their 350 Rockets which came in the 87 IROCs (edit - before someone corrects me, I know what engines came in thirdgens - trust me).

Not that I agree with this, but if they're looking for something catchy at least it is.

 

What I don't like about GM's push to use the 'smallblock' tag on everything is it gives the uninformed buyer the impression GM is using ancient technology.

Case in point: On NBC's coverage of the NAIAS, they talked about the LS7 Z06 having "small block" technology based on the 1955 Chevy v8 and that is still used in NASCAR today. Didn't even mention this is a totally new motor who's first version debuted in 1997. Buyer, get it now, your VINTAGE 1955 low tech gas guzzler V8 that is bound to have reliability issues and whatever else bad you remember about that '77 Monte Carlo with a "small block" you had when you were 17.

 

Unfortunatly smallblock just won't catch on..... Hemi has definate recognition. I think the term "chevy 350" has that kind of recognition, unfortunatly that displacement is dead.

When I saw the Z06 at the houston autoshow, the hot blonde spokesmodel in the leather jacket kept referring to the LS7 as a smallblock, and keeping true to chevy's smallblock racing heritage, but i dont think it will catch on with anyone but enthusiasts.

 

Smallblock is good for those that already know cars.

I'd just use the LS1/LS2/LS4/LS7 terms more, even ricers know what a LS1 is. LS1 is already legendary with people today.

 

Good point. LS1 is already a street legend. Just refer to them as LS-series powered.

"The new Corvette Z06 with legendary LS-series V8 power."

 

The problem with your idea is that LS has been used as a designation for the not-too-nice trim level on Chevys for years. I mean seriously, does an LS badge mean you've got cloth seats in your Silverado, or you've got the top-of-the-line Lexus or a Lincoln or is it the engine code on GM product? It means all of those things.

 

Make LS stick by having an ad start with something like "Remember your dad's 70 Chevelle SS with the LS-6 under the hood?" and then show the car, and have a NEW LS-1/2/6/7 powered car pull into the drive next to it with while someone says "The legend lives on....yadda yadda yadda"

As has been posted a bunch in this thread, the new Hemis aren't like the old ones, but putting that name on a Chrysler motor symbolizes power, so GM needs to make a connection between the muscle cars of the past and the cars of today.

 

Good call the LS7 has 0% in common with the 1955 small block other than the # of cyl. I think over all you want to go modern with advertising for engines not retro. (Hemi is the exception) You you want a new computer with a classic 486 processor? GM needs to play off the LS1 and talk about how high tech the new LS4 and LS7 are.

 

what they need to do is just display how good gas mileage the lsx engines get compared to any others
then add in something about how much hp theyre putting out, attach the "smallblock" or "ls-(x)" engine moniker, and i think you'd have a winner

 

Then you'll get the same people who tell you that a Hemi™ isn't a true Hemi, telling you that a 427 is really a 428

 

LS series and small block have zero cache. Dodge has a great thing going that will take along time and a great name to duplicate.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth. Seems like the first thing someone asks is, "Is that a 350?"

Dan

 

Like stated above - everyone knows when you say "350" you are talking about a chevy. You say "smallblock" and they go "huh?". Not only does the word smallblock not have a positive connotation - it's basically unknown. Dodge started marketing the "hemi" tagline over 30 years ago - if Chevy had done the same with "smallblock" maybe they'd have a chance. But as it stands I don't think they can pull it off.

 

Are you guys serious... Chevy had been abusing the SS badge for a while now. As much as DCX has been raping the HEMI name. Its the same Idea as marketing the Hemi name.

 

isn't it a 427.6 ci?