"LS" SBC simple engine guide

[eLSerbera]

Intro

---

Seeing as I have been interested in the conversions of the Cerbera and other TVRs using "LS" power I thought I would look the engines and find alittle bit more about them. This is really a snippet of stats that I thought might be useful for different people who were looking to find out more info about the engines but weren't really sure where to get it.

I am putting this together as information mainly for those who are unfamilar with the small bock chevrolet "LS" series engines.

I am pretty certain that the information is good but if Boosted or chunterton101 (or anyone else who knows) could correct me where I am wrong I would really appreciate it. And if there are things you would like add that would be great as well too.

The Small Block Chevrolet

---

The Small Block Chevrolet (SBC) is a generic term. It can be used as a cover name for any chevrolet model of V8 engine (with 4.4" bore spacing) from 1955 till now (and beyond).
As with many things over time the SBC has been further developed and modified, as such SBC can be broken down into different Generations.
At present there are 4 Gernations:
Gen1: Normally just labelled by their swept capacity in cubic inches.
Gen2: Most common varients are the LT1 and LT4.
Gen3 & Gen4: These are the engines commonly called by the two letters "LS", though there are loads of variation.

If you would like to know more wikipeadia is quite useful.
LINK

Gen3 and Gen4

---

I am only including engines that are 5.7l and above, this because there are a large number of smaller truck engines which I would have to include otherwise.
All of these engines have the same basic block dimensions and the cylinder head size dimensions are very similar.
Truck engines have a different syle of intake manifold compared to cars.

LS1 (Gen3 car engine)

Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 3.9"| 3.622" | 5.7l
Peak Torque(Power): 335-365ft lb (350bhp)
MAterial|Weight: All Aluminium|approx ~195kg( lb) [Block~40kg][though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5, excluding Z06
* 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Z28 SS
* 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird Formula and Trans-Am
* 2004 Pontiac GTO
* 1999-2005 Holden Commodore Ute
* 1999-2005 Holden Commodore (VT, VX, VY, VZ)
* 1999-2005 Holden Statesman (WH, WK, WL)
* 1999-2005 Holden Caprice (WH, WK, WL)
* 1999-2004 Holden Special Vehicles (all V8 models)
* 2001-2005 Holden Monaro CV8
* 2006-2007 Elfin MS8 Streamliner
GM Crate engine part #: 17801267 (This is the latest current one but the blocks are being phased out)
Notes: This is the engine in the normal C5 Corvette rated to 350bhp. Engines from 2001 are supposed to have used LS6 cylinder heads + "smaller" cam. The heads

LS6 (Gen3 car engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 3.9"| 3.622" | 5.7l
Peak Torque(Power): 400 ft·lbf (405 hp)
Material|Weight: All Aluminium| Weight should be similar to LS1 [though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06
* 1998-2002 Chevrolet CTS-V
GM Crate engine part #: 17801268 (This is the latest part number from SDPC)
Notes: This is the engine in the Z06 C5 Corvette varient, featured improved cylinder heads for better flow vs LS1. Changes made after 2002 for improved power.

LQ4 (Gen3 Truck engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.00" | 3.622"| 6.0l
Peak Torque(Power): 360ft/lb(300-330bhp sae)
Material|Weight: Iron+Al heads|approx ~235kg( lb) [Block~82kg][though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
* Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Pickup, Crew Cab, and Chassis Cab/GMC Sierra 2500 HD Pickup and Crew Cab, C3, Denali, and 3500 Pickup and Chassis Cab, 1500HD Crew Cab
* Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL Denali
* Hummer H2 SUT
* GMC Yukon Denali
GM Crate engine part # not been able to find a decent part number.
Notes: All iron truck version of the gen3 LS engines, the internals are quite different to LS1 due to the application.

LQ9 (Gen 3 Truck engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.00" | 3.622"| 6.0l
Peak Torque(Power):380 ft·lbf (345 hp)
Material|Weight: Iron block/Aluminium heads | Weight should be similar to LQ4[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade
* 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
* 2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV
* 2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado SS
* 2004-2005 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Vortec HO Edition Only [Badging on truck]
* 2006-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra VortecMAX Option
GM Crate engine part # 19156262
Notes: This engine is supposed to have a different rotating assembly compared to the LQ4, rated for higher output power and higher compression ratio.

LS2 (Gen 4 Car engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.00" | 3.622" | 6.0l
Peak Torque(Power): 400fl lb (400bhp)
Material|Weight: All Aluminium|Weight will be similar to LS1[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V
* 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette
* 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR
* 2006-2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
* 2004-2007 Holden Special Vehicles (all V8 models)
* 2005-2006 Pontiac GTO
* 2008-2010? Saab 9-7X Aero
* 2005-2006 Vauxhall Monaro VXR
GM crate engine part # 89017654 (Goodwrench part number)
Notes: This is the engine in the 2005-2007 C6 Corvette, featured cylinder heads based on LS6 but with a larger engine capacity.

LS7 (Gen 4 Car engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.125"|4.00"|7.0l
Peak Torque(Power): 470 ft·lbf 505 hp)
Material|Weight: All Aluminium| ?kg( lb) [Block~()] - should be lighter than LS2.
Applications:
* 2006-2008 C6 Corvette Z06 only
Notes: This is the engine in the Z06 C6 Corvette varient. Has dry sump lubrication. Has the 'best' heads of any small block motor to date. Reputely soon to be phased out

LS3 (Gen 4 Car engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity:
Peak Torque(Power): 424ft lb(430bhp)
Material|Weight: All Aluminium|Weight will be similar to LS1[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 2008- C6 Corvette
GM crate engine part # no part number yet
Notes: This is the engine that replaces LS2 in the Corvette, features improved cylinder heads based off the LS7 design.

LY6 (Gen 4 Truck engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.00" | 3.622" | 6.0l
Peak Torque(Power):
Material|Weight: All Aluminium|Weight will be similar to LS1[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 2007-present Chevrolet Silverado HD
* 2007-present GMC Sierra HD
* 2007-present Chevrolet Suburban 3/4 ton
* 2007-present GMC Yukon XL 3/4 ton
Notes:

L76 (Gen 4 Holden engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.00" | 3.622" | 6.0l
Peak Torque(Power):376ft lb(348 hp) [L98- 391 ft·lbf(362 hp)]
Material|Weight: All Aluminium|Weight will be similar to LS1[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
* 2006 Holden VZ Commodore
* 2008 Pontiac G8
L98 - version
* 2006-2007 Holden VE Commodore
* 2006-2007 Holden WM Statesman / Holden WM Caprice
* 2007-2008 Chevrolet Lumina SS
* 2007-2008 Chevrolet Caprice SS
Notes:

L92 (Gen 4 Truck engine)
Bore|Stroke|SweptCapacity: 4.065"|3.622"|6.2l
Peak Torque(Power): (405hp)
Material|Weight: All Aluminium|Weight will be similar to LS1[though it will depend on configuration]
Applications:
Notes: This engine is almost identical to the 2008 C6 Corvette varient LS3, except that it features DOD and variable valve timing(through cam phasing).



Note on the term LSX and LS-x
When you see the term LSX this is generally used to mean the high performance "line" of blocks and accessories that GM produce, (in other words: things more expensive than the LS7)



This doesn't include any engines specials like those based on the "warhawk" or "LSX" blocks.



Sources

---

wikipedia -(for the engine application)
LS1tech -(for information about the about the engines)
GMparts -()
SDPC -(different GM part numbers)

[eLSerbera]

Reserved! Am going to put information about the difference between car headers and truck headers.

[Boosted LS1]

"Note on the term LSX and LS-x
When you see the term LSX this is generally used to mean the high performance "line" of blocks and accessories that GM produce, (in other words: things more expensive than the LS7)"

And a lot hevier, these being iron blocks. Strong, very strong but heavy. Maybe suitable for extreme applications.

Boosted.

[stevieturbo]

LS-x is also a generic term used to describe the blocks....but of course there is also the LSX GMPP iron block.....mmmmmmm

And the LSx isnt usually termed a SBC....it is totally different from that old engine.

[eLSerbera]

stevieturbo said:

And the LSx isnt usually termed a SBC....it is totally different from that old engine.

While thats true here, if you look for information on the LS type engines they are still termed Chevy Small Block engines.

Yes they are a completely different engine to the old iron blocks but they still have the same centre bore spacing and are called SBCs (gen3 and gen 4 sbc to be exact).