The 5.7L LS6 is the most powerful Gen. 3 small block engine as it came from the factory. It is an improved version of the LS1 produced for the 2001 Z06 Corvette.
The LS6 powered the 2001-04 Corvette Z06 and the 2004-05 Cadillac CTS-V.
Mechanically similar, General Motors’ 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.
The aftermarket is strong, crate engines are available, and used motors are often cheaply sourced through junkyards.
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.
This specific guide is for the GM LS6 engine.
[Looking to upgrade your LS6 engine? Check out LS6 Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LS6 Mods to Maximize Performance.]
You can see all of our LS engine spec guides and LS-related information here.
(Summit Racing’s Brian Nutter and Paul Spurlock contributed to this article.)
Chevy LS6 Engine Specs
LS6 Performance Specifications
LS6 Applications
LS6 Engine Blocks
LS6 Rotating Assembly
LS6 Cylinder Heads
LS6 Cam Specifications
LS6 Valvetrain
Other Key LS6 Specs
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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.
Great article!
Thanks
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Suppose you put an LS6 intake, fuel rail, and 30lbs/hr injectors on an LS1. Could you run that combo with the LS1 cable throttle body and LS1 computer?
Yes, but the computer should be re-tuned. I tried that exact combination and had idling issues.
2001-04 LS1 already has 30# injectors.
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The 02 thru 04 LS6 camshaft has a .551 intake lift and a .547 exhaust lift. Just an FYI.
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WHY DID SOME CADILLACS COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH cORVETTE ENGINES?
That’s a good question that may have a few answers. If we’re opining out loud here, it could be that, when compared to the LS engines, Cadillac’s own Northstar V8s weren’t making much power naturally aspirated. In a contemporary XLR, the 4.6L was making a bit north of 300 hp (though the supercharged 4.4L Northstar was well over 400 hp). So when equipping its V-series cars for the luxury performance battle, the Corvette-sourced LS6 engine may have been the best choice.
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The Northstars were also fairly distinct, with DOHC designs and some added complexity, relative to the venerable single-cam pushrod V8 of the LS.
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So it also likely that GM didn’t see the need to maintain a separate engine series for a limited volume luxury brand, when it had the tried-and-true LS (and later LT) family to rely on.
[…] its LS-powered RWD CTS-V sedan (AND WAGON!) over a decade ago. The earliest Cadillac CTS-Vs ran a 5.7L LS6, later versions got the 6.0 LS2 and eventually the same 6.2L LSA used in the Camaro […]
are there any aftermarket intakes to run a carb setup vs using EFI’s???
What made the LS6 go from 385 hp to 405 hp in 2004?
First, an increase in camshsft intake and exhaust lift with a slight increase in exhaust duration. Second, a larger air intake opening in the air filter housing. Third, the screen was removed from the MAF sensor housing. Fourth, the “pup” pre-catalytic convertors were remove from the exhaust manifold down pipes as the main catalytic convertors were modified to meet LEV emissions standards. Fifth, the PCM fuel and spark curves table were recalibrated for the above mentioned changes to the camshaft, air intake and exhaust.
The 2002-2004 LS6 cam has a .551 inch Intake lift and a .547 Exhaust lift. FYI
I am having a problem with, my GT 40 Replicar, 2004 LS6, corvette block. I changed the lifters, and now I am getting, noise, have not opened the motor yet!! Any one close to Billings, help!!?