CHEVY VETTE ENGINE - Stock and Modified - C6 Chevrolet Corvette Motors - LS3 - LS9 (6.2L) ZR1 Z06 - LS7 - LS7.R (7.0L) - LSX engines - by Paul Malessa

"The GM factory and Chevy aftermarket companies have a huge fan base supporting their efforts in engine development, which include the ever popular aftermarket crate motors." American Metal Racing

 

GM Chevrolet Corvette LS3 Engine pictures

There are a number of motors available for the C6 Corvette, and every one is a strong running and durable engine. In fact the only real complaint on any LS motor were a few reports of 'piston slap' on a small number of 1997 - 2002 engines (a problem caused by too much clearance between the cylinder bore and the piston), and that was so limited that no recall was issued by GM.

There are also a few variants which are closely related to the stock motors, that will also be explored.

The 1st motor we'll talk about is the LS3 in today's Corvette (starting in 2008), but some may also refer to the older big block 402 ci Chevy motor of the 1970's as an LS3.

Today's LS3 motors are putting out 430 hp (320 kW) in the Corvette, with an optional bypass (or dual mode) type exhaust raising this to 436 hp. It is a (6.2L) 376 cubic inch engine, and is basically a bored out and improved, last generation, LS2 (6.0L 364 ci) engine with higher flowing heads and a more aggressive cam.

Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 LS7 427 ci engine pics

Secondly is the LS7 motors used mainly in today's C6 Z06 Vette, but "LS7" can also be used when referencing the big block Chevy 454 "rat motor" of the 1970's.

The modern LS7 is a 7.0L 427 ci and is rated at 505 hp (377 kW). It has a 7,000 rpm redline, but is said to be more than capable of an 8,000 redline, except for the fact that the heads are not optimized for that flow.

 

C6 Z06 LS7 Chevrolet 7.0 liter 427 CID engine pictures

As stated in a previous article, the LS7 is one of the engines that are hand built at the Wixom, Michigan GM Performance Build Center. Holden Special Vehicles of Australia also toys with this motor, along with the LS3, in their vehicles too.

 

LS7.R General Motors Chevrolet race engine pics

Next, the LS7.R is a race version of the LS7 mainly used in the Corvette C6.R built by Pratt & Miller (see our next article on P&R) for the American Le Mans Series. This motor was also named "Global Motorsport Engine of the Year" by a panel of race engine engineers in Germany (2006).

LS7.R Corvette race engine images

It is generally stated that the LS7.R is tuned to around 590 horsepower on 100 octane, or can be described as being regulated to 600 hp using air restrictions as directed by the ALMS. Canadian Ron Fellows is one of the more famous racers often seated behind this motor.

2009 LS9 6.2 liter Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 motor picture

The next motor is the LS9 supercharged 6.2L 376 cubic inch motor which evolved from the LS3 engine used on the base model C6's. The LS7 427 motor found in the Z06 was not used for the LS9 because the cylinder walls were considered to be too thin for use in this blown application.

2009 LS9 6.2L SuperCharged ZR1 GM Corvette V-8 engine pictures

An Eaton four-lobe Roots type supercharger pushes the LS3 based LS9 to 638 horsepower (476 kW).

2009 LS9 ZR1 6.2 liter engine bay photos (pictures)

Pictured above is the LS9 supercharged super high power motor mounted in the Corvette ZR1. We have an article dedicated to the ZR1 on another page.

LSX motor - GM Performance Parts engine pictures - rapidmotorsports.com

Lastly is the LSX GM Performance Parts LS7 based engine cast as an iron racing block, instead of aluminum. You can order it in displacements from 364 cubic inches on up to 511 cubes. Drag racer Warren Johnson had a huge input on this engines development. The LSX is a value priced block in its field and was designed to withstand around 2,000-2,500 hp (racing of course).

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Chevrolet Corvette engine Videos:

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LS7 - engine assembly is done by hand video

 Visit the Corvette “American Metal Racing” modern muscle cars index for more information, images and videos.

[ref] wikipedia.org, gm.com

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This series is dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 C6 C7 enthusiast. We include news and details on the base Chevy Vettes, the Z06, and new ZR1 SuperCar model. The LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, a racing engine, crate motor, or hot rod tuning subject is always game for discussion. Factory stock General Motors Corvettes, the engines and options, performance and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket parts to make a modified Vette the fastest or quickest are what we are all about. The main years of interest are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond for the GM future.

Read through the American Metal site archives for more high tech info on the exotic Corvette. The sites index will also display archive info on the coupe and convertible sport car Corvette. The sports cars design, concept, and high performance aspects are all explored. See the site wallpaper galleries for both the Camaro and Corvette via this free wallpapers link.

Also, please use any information with caution. These articles contain information from many sources, and it is impossible to verify the accuracy on each of these sources, so please do your own research before reacting to anything, and consult your local professional for guaranteed information.

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Corvette "American Metal Racing" by Zorly aka Paul Malessa

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