Throughout its long production run, the venerable GM LS engine came from the factory in a wide range of displacements, from a modest 4.8L to a whopping 7.0L. So if you’re thinking about an LS engine swap, LS engine build, or LS engine upgrade, the first place you’ll likely start looking is at the LS motor’s displacement.
This handy LS resource page is a good one to bookmark if you’re considering an LS crate engine for a swap, or looking for a 5.7L LS short block to use a basis for a high horsepower build.
Learn more about each LS engine displacement:
* 4.8L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.3L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.7L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.2L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 7.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
The 5.7L LS1 & LS6
Every superhero needs a good origin story (yes, even Wolverine), and the 5.7L LS1 is the LS family’s. Introduced in the 1997 Corvette C5, the LS1 and later LS6 wound up in GM’s performance oriented cars: the Corvette, Camaro, Firebird/Trans Am, GTO, and CTS-V. The LS1 began the LS engine legacy and ushered in a new era in the GM V8 development.
You may also want to check out our Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
5.7L LS Engine Specs
As mentioned earlier, there are two 5.7L LS engines to choose from. Check out the table below, and click the hyperlinks on the particular LS engine name (LS1 or LS6) to learn more.
5.7L LS Engine Spec Guide
| Years | Liter | Code | Vehicle | Cam Bolts | Reluctor | VVT | AFM | Flex Fuel | VIN (8th Digit) | Block | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-04 | 5.7 | LS1 | F-Body, C5, GTO | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | G | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2001-05 | 5.7 | LS6 | C5 Z06, CTS-V | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | S | Alum. | Cathedral |
Looking for an 5.7L LS Engine?
Here are two LS Engine Spotter’s Guides that will help:
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle
LS Engine Swap Parts Guide
Our friends over at Summit Racing developed a helpful resource that’ll give you an idea of some of the parts you’ll need to complete your LS engine swap—including specific LS swap requirements for exact vehicle models. You can check it out here:
Can I put 07 5.3 heads on 99 5.7 block
I have a 1998 k10 4×4 short bed with a 350 automatic. I’m looking for a complete kit with a 6.2 and Probly a 4L80E or something comparable. Give me some options
I have a 1956 chevy 3100 pickup I’ve made fit a th400 with a 2200 stall torque converter in it. I’ve ran 6 different engines in it. Will a 1993 1500 5.7 small block from a 2wd chevy suburban bolt in with out an adapter kit.? And I’ve made the engine carbureted.
Hey Stephen, that’s tough to say without knowing some other details. Click here to contact the Summit Racing tech folks. They’ll ask you a few questions about your 3100 and tell you what you’ll need to make it work.
Yes, it will bolt up to all of GM’s small block platform engines.
I have a 85 Monte Carlo and want to do an LS engine/trans swap. Can you recommend a good donor motor and trans?
Hey Larry, you might want to check out our Monte Makeover build series where our pal Travis Jones stuffs a LS3 and an AR5 manual transmission into a G-body Monte Carlo. Summit Racing also has a nice LS Engine Swap Guide that’ll help you out too. Check out this page and scroll down for a curated list of parts to fit a GM G-Body LS Conversion.