While browsing the cars catalog, you can find LS acronyms in different Chevy cars. Today, every manufacturer has unique markings for engines and trim levels. That can cause a lot of confusion for an average car buyer.
So, what does LS stand for in Chevy? LS mark stands for Luxury Sport engine. This represents a new third-generation small-block V8 engine made by Chevrolet. These engines are designed for rear-wheel drive cars and trucks. They are often used in high-end cars that offer maximum performance.
For a better understanding of the topic, we will cover everything you need to know about these engines. From all the different models of the engine, what are their pluses, to in which cars you can find this engine.
What does LS stand for?
LS engines made history with their innovative design and features. It was so well designed that it is still in use.
LS engine history and development
The production of LS engines started in 1997. and then they were the next big thing. They came after the LT engines, and they were the third and fourth generation of V8 gasoline motors
The first car it was used in is an iconic Chevrolet Corvette, and its weight was a mere 460 pounds. These lightweight LS1 engines produced 345 horsepower. This engine is well known for its revolutionary lightweight design. Engines made for cars used an all-aluminum design, while those designed for trucks used cast iron.
Meaning of LS acronym
Luxury Sports, or LS, is a term used to describe high-end vehicles that deliver exceptional performance.
The LS1 engine, which weighed only 460 pounds, gained popularity for its revolutionary lightweight design and impressive power output of 345 horsepower. It was notably utilized in the Chevrolet Corvette, an iconic vehicle model. Notably, cars were fitted with an all-aluminum engine version, while trucks were equipped with a cast iron version.
LS Engine Features and Specifications
The LS engine came in different versions, but it was always a top-notch engine. Its lightweight and smaller size made it a favorite for an engine swap. These engines are so well designed that they can fit into almost any hood. It has enough power that it can power smaller compact cars to larger SUVs.
Another great feature of these engines is their modularity. They are constructed in a way so you can use them in older vehicles. It has the same bore spacing and bell housing bolt pattern as older V8 engines just for this reason.
Throughout its production, the LS engines got several improvements and redesigns. That resulted in 34 different revisions of this engine.
| Years Produced | Power (hp) | Torque | Size (L) |
| 1997-2020 | 255-580 | 285-604 | 4.8-7.0 |
LS engine models and applications
During their production, these Chevrolet engines went through numerous revisions and improvements. That ultimately led to several different codes. We will go through the most popular engines from the LS engine family.
LS1
This 346 cubic inch engine with 5.7 liters was the first in the line of Chevy LS engines. The original LS1 produced 345 horsepower and 350 lb/ft of torque. Its block and cylinders are made of aluminum with 10:1:1 compression. This engine premiered in the famous Corvette, and later it was introduced to Camaro and GTO, which was used up until 2004.
LS2
LS2 marked the start of the Gen IV engines. It is a 364 cubic inch engine with 6.0 liters. This engine has redesigned flat-top pistons and has a 10:9:1 compression ratio. It can go to a maximum of 6500 RPM, producing 400 horsepower and 400 lb/ft of torque rating. This Chevrolet LS engine was used in the 2005-2007 C6 Corvette, CTSV, GTO, and Trailblazer.
LS3
This engine continues to grow when compared to previous engines. The LS3 is a 376 cubic inch engine with 6.2 liters. It has a 10:7:1 compression ratio and produces 430 horsepower with 424 lb/ft of torque. Factory exhaust limits the power of this engine, and if you install Zo6 exhaust, that can add up to 10 hp.
Many Chevy vehicles use this engine, such as the 2008-2013 Corvette, 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, 2014-2016 Chevy SS, and Camaros made between 2010 and 2015.
LS6
The LS6 is a younger brother of the original LS1. It was designed in 2001. for the C5 Corvette Z06. It has 385 horsepower, 40 more than the LS1, and has a compression ratio of 10:5:1. This engine has a better-designed intake manifold, a revised oiling system, and an improved exhaust. Besides the Corvette, it is installed in the Cadillac CTS-V made in 2004 and 2005.
LS7
This engine is the largest in the LS line of engines. Its sheer size of 427 cubic inches with 7.0 liters points to something powerful. It has a compression ratio of 11:0:1 and produces 505 horsepower with 470 lb/ft of torque. Another feature that sets it apart from other engines is the 7.000 rpm red line.
This engine found its place in the Corvette made between 2006 and 2013 and in the Camaro z28.
LS9
We finally came to the most powerful engine of the LS family, the LS9. It is a 6.2-liter engine with a 2.3 supercharger. Designed with the more aggressive camshaft, it produces 638 horsepower and 604 lb/ft of torque. This engine can get very hot, so it is cooled with an air-to-water intercooler.
This engine was specially created in 2009 for the Corvette ZR1. How much was put into this engine can be seen from the fact that it was hand built in a factory in Wixom, Michigan.
LSX
The LSX line of engines is made for the sole purpose of racing. The aluminum block was replaced with the iron block. This way, these engines could withstand over 2000 horsepower with forced induction.
Benefits of the LS engine
Besides their modern and revolutionary design, LS engines have other features that set them apart. LS engines are a good choice for their compatibility, modularity, high power, and overall high strength.
High Performance
The philosophy behind Luxury Sport was to create an edgy engine with sports performance. These engines offer a lot of horsepower and torque thanks to their head design. The intake manifold design allowed these engines to have enough power even at low rpm-s
Ease of Modification
Chevrolet LS engines respond very well to modification. Just the head swap can bring 100 horsepower into play. The intake manifold and exhaust are easy to replace, and those components also bring massive power gains.
Size
We already mentioned that these engines are small blocks. That means the engines are light and can be installed almost anywhere. That makes LS swaps easy with other types of engines.
Price
These engines were made in large series for many different models. That resulted in low prices. Parts for these engines are still made all across the US, so it is easy to maintain them.
Check Out Is The Chevy LS Engine Really Reliable Or Are People Lying About LS Reliability?:
What Vehicles Come with LS Engines?
Many different and iconic cars have LS engines. Some of the most popular are:
- Chevrolet Camaro Z28, SS
- Chevrolet Corvette C5
- Pontiac GTO
- Holden Statesman
- Holden Monaro
- Cadillac CTS V-series
- SSC Ultimate Aero
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Avalanche
- Isuzu Ascender
- Buick Rainier
- Hummer H2, H3
- Chevrolet Impala.
What Does LS Stand For Chevy: FAQs
What Does LS3 Mean?
LS3 is a small-block Chevy engine produced between 2008 and 2017. It produces a nominal 426 horsepower and 420 lb/ft of torque. It is used in the Corvette, Pontiac G8 GXP, Camaro SS, Holden HSV, and Commodore VF.
What Is the Meaning of LTZ?
LTZ is an acronym for a Chevy trim level meaning Luxury Touring Z. This is a step up from the regular LT trim. It includes several luxurious and advanced options, like leather seats, automatic climate control, and a locking rear differential.
What does an LS swap mean?
LS engines are smaller in size and weight, which allows them to be often used as replacement engine. An engine swap is a popular operation where cars that have worn out, or just lower performance engines, are replaced with LS engines.
Is there a V12 LS engine?
Chevrolet never made a V12 LS engine, but there are different builder kits for it.
Is the 5.3 LS the same as the LS1?
No, it isn’t. The LS1 came with a default of 5.7 liters.
Final Considerations
Not that many engines made such an impact in the automotive industry, like the LS series from Chevy. Their revolutionary design, use of aluminum, small size, and massive power is still well regarded.
They grew in size and power, and that recommended them for use in many high-end cars that demanded only the best. LS engines are so popular that they are used as swap engines for many different car models. They are easy to install, they can fit almost anywhere, and they deliver a lot.
We hope that you learned something valuable because this topic is important for every true car lover. Many topics deserve our and your attention, and we will continue to cover them. Stay with us!
