The 5.7L LS1 is the original Gen. 3 small block engine from General Motors used in cars from 1997-2004. The LS1 engine specs and information here is for the stock 5.7L LS1 engine.
Mechanically similar, GM’s LS and LS-based Vortec engines wound up on almost every branch of the GM family tree: Chevy, Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac, Buick—heck, even Saab, Hummer, and Isuzu got some LS love.
Since LS and Vortec engines are so common, they’ve become the go-to performance and swap engines of the modern era.
These motors are capable of making a lot of horsepower, and respond well to upgrades like turbos, superchargers, high-flow cylinder heads, intake systems, cams, and nitrous oxide.
[Looking to upgrade your LS1 engine? Check out LS1 Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LS1 Mods to Maximize Performance.]
The aftermarket is strong, crate engines are available, and used motors are often cheaply sourced through junkyards.
[Trying to find an LS engine? Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our LS Spotter’s Guide.]
Summit Racing has created a series of comprehensive guides for each engine in the LS family, so engine builders and tuners can have a handy reference for their projects.
The first engine on the list is the first GM LS—the 5.7L LS1 that appeared in the 1997 Chevy Corvette.
(Summit Racing’s Paul Spurlock and Brian Nutter contributed to this article.)
GM LS1 Engine Specs
LS1 Performance Specifications
| Engine Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Compression Ratio | 10.2:1 |
| Horsepower Rating | 305-350 hp |
| Torque Rating | 335-365 ft./lbs. |
LS1 Applications
| VIN 8th Digit | Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1997-2004 | Chevy | Corvette |
| G | 1998-2002 | Chevy | Camaro (Z28 / SS) |
| G | 1998-2002 | Pontiac | Firebird / Trans Am |
| G | 2004 | Pontiac | GTO |
LS1 Engine Blocks
| LS1 Block Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 12550592, 12559846, 12559090, 12560621, 12562174, 12560629, 12559378, 12559846, 12560626, 12561166, 12561168 |
| Material | Aluminum - Semi Permanent Mold |
| Displacement | 5.7L / 346 c.i.d. |
| Bore Dia. | 3.898 in. |
| Stroke | 3.622 in. |
| Deck Height | 9.240 in. |
| Bore Spacing | 4.400 in. |
| Thrust Bearing Location | #3 Main |
| Main Cap Style | 6-Bolt |
| Main Housing Bore Dia. | 2.751 in. |
| Cam Housing Bore Dia. (2002-03) | Bore 1/5 = 2.326, Bore 2/4 = 2.317, Bore 3 = 2.307 |
| Cam Housing Bore Dia. (2004-07) | Bore 1/5 = 2.346, Bore 2/4 = 2.326, Bore 3 = 2.307 |
| Cam-to-Crank Centerline | 4.914 in. |
LS1 Rotating Assembly
| LS1 Rotating Assembly Specs | |
|---|---|
| Piston Material | Hypereutectic Cast Aluminum Alloy M124 |
| Piston Style | Flat Top |
| Piston Volume | 0cc |
| Wrist Pin Dia. (1997-2004) | 0.9449 in (Press Fit) |
| Connecting Rod Material | Powdered Metal |
| Connecting Rod Style | I-Beam |
| Connecting Rod Length | 6.098 in. |
| Connecting Rod Bolts | M9 x 1 x 43 |
| Crankshaft Material | Cast Iron |
| Crankshaft Main Journal | 2.559 in. |
| Crankshaft Rod Journal | 2.100 in. |
| Reluctor Wheel | 24x |
| Flexplate/Flywheel Mounting Flange | 0.857 in. |
LS1 Cylinder Heads
| LS1 Cylinder Head Specs | |
|---|---|
| 1997-1998 Casting Numbers (Perimeter Valve Cover Bolts) | 10215339, 12550592, 12558806 |
| 1999-2004 Casting Numbers (Center Valve Cover Bolts) | 12559853, 12558805, 12560621, 12562174, 12564241 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Combustion Chamber Volume | 67cc |
| Intake Port Shape | Cathedral |
| Intake Runner Volume | 200cc |
| Exhaust Port Shape | Oval |
| Exhaust Runner Volume | 70cc |
| Intake Valve Diameter | 2.000 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Diameter | 1.550 in. |
| Cylinder Head Bolt Style | Torque to Yield (TTY) |
| Cylinder Head Bolt Size (1997-2003) | (8) M11 x 2 x 155, (2) M11 x 2 x 100, (5) M8 x 1.25 x 45 |
| Cylinder Head Bolt Size (2004) | (10) M11 x 2 x 100, (5) M8 x 1.25 x 45 |
LS1 Cam Specifications
| Year | Model | Int. Duration @ .050 | Exh. Duration @ .050 | Int. Lift | Exh. Lift | Lobe Separation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-99 | Corvette | 199 | 207 | 0.472 | 0.479 | 117 |
| 2000 | Corvette | 198 | 209 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 115.5 |
| 2001-04 | Corvette | 196 | 208 | 0.467 | 0.479 | 116 |
| 1998-2000 | Camaro Firebird | 198 | 209 | 0.498 | 0.497 | 119.5 |
| 2001-02 | Camaro Firebird | 196 | 208 | 0.467 | 0.479 | 116 |
LS1 Valvetrain
| LS1 Valvetrain Specs | |
|---|---|
| Lifter Style | Hydraulic Roller |
| Lifter Link Style | Plastic Lifter Tray |
| Lifter Body Diameter | 0.842 in. |
| Pushrod Length | 7.385 in. |
| Rocker Arm Mounting Style | Pedestal |
| Rocker Arm Style | Die-Cast, Roller Fulcrum |
| Rocker Ratio | 1.7 |
| Rocker Offset | None |
| Valve Spring Style | Beehive |
| Valve Spring Color | Natural |
| Valve Spring Pressure | 70 lbs. Seat / 220 lbs. Open |
| Valve Angle | 15 Degrees |
| Intake Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Intake Valve Dia. | 2.000 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Exhaust Valve Dia. | 1.550 in. |
Other Key LS1 Specs
| Throttle Body, Fuel Injectors, Oil Pan Specs & More | |
|---|---|
| Intake Manifold | LS1 |
| Throttle Body | 78mm, 3-Bolt |
| Throttle Control, Corvette | Drive-by-Wire |
| Throttle Control, GTO, Camaro/Firebird | Throttle Cable |
| Fuel Injector Flow, 1997-98 | 29.6 lbs. |
| Fuel Injector Flow, 1999-2000 | 27.3 lbs. |
| Fuel Injector Flow, 2001-04 | 30 lbs. |
| Fuel Injector Length (between O-Rings) | 2.5 in. |
| Fuel Injector Connector | EV1 |
| PCM | Warren |
| Crankshaft Reluctor Ring | 24x |
| Camshaft Sensor | Rear Mount, 1x on cam |
| Oil Pan, Corvette | Batwing Rear Sump |
| Oil Pan, Camaro/Firebird | Rear Sump |
| Oil Pan, GTO | Front Sump |
| Oil Pump | Standard Volume |
…
NOTE: You can find engine specs and detailed engine upgrade advice for every LS and LS-based Vortec truck engine in one place: The Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
[…] LS1 Engine Specs: Performance, Bore & Stroke, Cylinder Heads, Cam Specs & More […]
[…] [Every engine spec you’ll need for an LS1 project can be found here: LS1 Engine Specs: Performance, Bore & Stroke, Cylinder Heads, Cam Specs & More.] […]
All the Australia v8 Holden commodore’s and the muscle cars are LS powered .
Starting in 1997 ls1 5.7 L and ending up in 2017 with the custom LS9 6.2 L supercharged. (specially designed for the VF Holden Commodore GTS W1.
CHEERS
FREDDIE NZ.
Any one has a list of block casting numbers for the Holden & the Lumina’s LS1 engines?
I got a casting number 12561163, properly from a Lumina but can’t get any specs…
Carsten, Dubai
United Arab Emirates.
Hi, sometimes the 8 looks like a 3 I thought the same thing and cleaned it off again and it was an 8 not a 3. Good luck
I own a 2003 VY Series II Crewman 5.7L V8. Factory standard LS1 engine incorporated with all the HSV performance Mods. What can I say Holden knew us Ozzie’s well with our big passion for the performance V8 utes and I got to say the Crewman SS certainly brought a unique element and game cganger to the old fav Aussie V8 Ute’s.
I own a 2003 VY Series II Crewman 5.7L V8. Factory standard LS1 engine incorporated with all the HSV performance Mods. What can I say Holden knew us Ozzie’s well with our big passion for the performance V8 utes and I got to say the Crewman SS certainly brought a unique element and game cganger to the old fav Aussie V8 Ute’s.
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Hi there, my name is Chris and I’m trying to find out, the Ls1 Length, height and width in mm’s (25.4mm’s per Inch).
Can you please assist in such. As I’m investigating the possibility and feasibility of such.
Thank You.
Hey Chris, you can get some mechanical drawings with the LS engine dimensions with a quick Google search. And the LS short blocks are all (mostly) the same size, but you’ll have different dimensions based on things like accessory drive setups, intake manifolds, and oil pans.
Hello Tech Dept.,
Like to ask what would be the intake runner centre to intake runner centre of the LS 1 cylinder heads ?
Thank you .
Hello all. I’m trying to verify the fuel injector flow for my ’02 camaro ss. I’ve found people saying everything from 24lb to 30lb. I’m just trying to replace the stock injectors. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Can you supply the power and torque curves for the LS1 5.7 liter engines