In 1997, General Motors introduced the LS1 engine, revolutionizing small-block V8 design with an all-aluminum block and heads. This new pushrod V8 produced 345 horsepower while maintaining simplicity over competitors' more complex designs. GM further developed the LS platform over years, increasing displacement and refinements to various parts, resulting in engines producing over 600 horsepower. The LS design became renowned for its reliability, performance potential, and large aftermarket support.
In 1997, General Motors introduced the LS1 engine, revolutionizing small-block V8 design with an all-aluminum block and heads. This new pushrod V8 produced 345 horsepower while maintaining simplicity over competitors' more complex designs. GM further developed the LS platform over years, increasing displacement and refinements to various parts, resulting in engines producing over 600 horsepower. The LS design became renowned for its reliability, performance potential, and large aftermarket support.
In 1997, General Motors introduced the LS1 engine, revolutionizing small-block V8 design with an all-aluminum block and heads. This new pushrod V8 produced 345 horsepower while maintaining simplicity over competitors' more complex designs. GM further developed the LS platform over years, increasing displacement and refinements to various parts, resulting in engines producing over 600 horsepower. The LS design became renowned for its reliability, performance potential, and large aftermarket support.
In 1997, General Motors introduced the LS1 engine, revolutionizing small-block V8 design with an all-aluminum block and heads. This new pushrod V8 produced 345 horsepower while maintaining simplicity over competitors' more complex designs. GM further developed the LS platform over years, increasing displacement and refinements to various parts, resulting in engines producing over 600 horsepower. The LS design became renowned for its reliability, performance potential, and large aftermarket support.
Engines New Beginnings Original engine designated LS1 In 1997, General Motors revolutionized the automotive industry. First ground-up redesign of small-block Chevy V8s Third generation of SBC Introduced in the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. Features All aluminum block and heads. Minimized weight 2-Valve pushrod design High-flow intake manifolds Large, single plate throttle bodies Revolution! GM shocked the auto industry with this new design 345 horsepower, 350 ft- lbs tq. Massive power from simple pushrod design. Competing engines suffered overly complicated designs More complex means less reliable Comparable Ford V8, note relative complexity Other Applications GM used LS designs in many applications Same design for other performance cars Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird Iron-block versions for trucks/SUVs Performance Advantages Simple design means higher reliability Single cam means cheap horsepower increases Possible 50hp/50ft-lb. gains from $500 in parts Massive aftermarket Performance parts are cheap and plentiful Moving Forward LS Engines continuously evolve. New head/camshaft designs almost yearly. LS6 released for 2003 Z06 Corvette 405 hp, 400 ft.-lbs tq. Improved intake manifold, camshaft, heads
Moving Forward (cont.) LS2 introduced in 2005 Corvette 400hp, 400 ft-lb tq Increased displacement from 5.7L to 6.0L New intake, LS6 heads and camshaft Also used in: Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet SSR, Chevrolet Trailblazer SS Cars Featuring the LS2 05-09 Chevrolet Corvette 05-06 Pontiac GTO 05-06 Chevrolet SSR 06-07 Chevy Trailblazer SS Other Engines LS7 introduced for C6 Z06 7.0L displacement 505 hp, 470ft-lbs tq LS3 introduced as LS2 replacement 6.2L displacement Used in C6 corvettes, 5 th gen Camaros Supercharged Variants Supercharged variants of LS3 LS9 used in ZR1 corvette. 638hp, 604ft-lbs tq LSA used in Cadillac CTS-V, ZL1 Camaro 556hp, 551ft-lbs tq By the Numbers Designation Displacement Horsepower Torque Notes LS1 5.7L 345hp 350tq The Original LS6 5.7L 405hp 400tq New intake, cam, and heads LS2 6.0L 400hp 400tq New intake, LS6 cam/heads, increased displacement LS7 7.0L 505hp 470tq All-out race engine LS3 6.2L 430hp 424tq Redesigned LS2, increased displacement LSA 6.2L 556hp 551tq Supercharged LS3 LS9 6.2L 638hp 604tq Supercharged high- performance LS3 * Does not include iron block truck variants Final Notes My final note is an exhaust note. Enjoy!