We Make 457 HP With a Budget 6.0-Liter LS Engine (2023)

FAQs

How much HP can a built 6.0 LS handle? ›

This 6.0L LS is designed to handle up to 1,000 hp. It is an upgraded version of our 645 hp naturally aspirated LS. Both engines use seasoned GM 6.0L blocks that we have re-machined on our CNCs to far tighter than the original GM tolerances.

Goodwrench service replacement long-blocks are also still available, and there are also lots of cores in the wrecking yard: The 345-hp, 6.0L LQ9 was installed in selected '02-'06 Cadillac SUVs and '04-and-later Chevy Silverado SS pickups. Look for a 6.0L block with the No.

In fact, the 6.0L's block, rotating assembly and cylinder heads can support roughly 700rwhp in stock form. No sir, this Navistar-built V8's biggest horsepower handicap is its lack of head-to-block fasteners, as well as the type of fasteners they are.

Yes, you can make big power by throwing boost at a stock LS engine, however, if you want the horsepower party to last for a long time you'll need to make some changes to the engine. The stock components just can't deal with the stress that forced induction can put on them when you really start to crank up the boost.

Even a decade ago, before PCM tuning was anywhere near as refined as it is now, several 6.0L owners proved the 6.0L's bottom end could withstand 700-rwhp. Today, a lot of serious enthusiasts conclude that the 800 hp 6.0 Power Stroke range gets you into unchartered waters with a 6.0L.

The 6.0 liter V8 LS2 engine was produced by General Motors for use in performance vehicles and sports cars. It is part of GM's Gen IV Small Block engine family and was first introduced in the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6, Chevrolet SSR and the Pontiac GTO.

What LS Engine Do I Have? To figure out what LS engine you're staring at, just consult the RPO code. The easiest way to do this is to find the VIN and reference the 8th digit.

The last Chevy 6.0-liter engine

Design choices with this V8 engine included either a lighter aluminum construction or a more traditional cast iron block. Both engines capably produced around 341 horsepower, and anywhere between 360 and 380 pound-feet of torque.

The 327 L84 remained the most powerful Chevrolet small block production engine ever until the quad-cam LT5 came out in the 1990s. And it was the most powerful naturally-aspirated single-cam small block until the arrival of the LS6 engine in the early 2000s. It was an engine ahead of its time.

Is a 6.0 a big block or small block? ›

The 6.0L Chevy engine is part of the General Motors LS-based small-block family that's been running strong since 1995. Also known as the Generation IV 6000, these V8 engines are known for their ability to pack a lot of power into a relatively small package.

The stock crankshaft can handle about 900 hp and 7,000 rpm (for a limited time). A Forged Crankshaft upgrade will add strength to the bottom end. Stroker cranks will also add extra displacement. If rods and pistons are replaced, it makes sense to upgrade the crank at the same time.

The ONLY difference between an LQ4 and LQ9 is the piston!

The LQ4 piston is dished where as the LQ9 is a flat-top increasing compression to 10:1, and HP to 345 factory. The LQ9 is a limited production engine and VERY desirable as it is the HO 6.0L and comes with a premium price.

The LQ4 is a 6.0L LS (Gen. 3) small block engine used in GM trucks between 1999 and 2007. For marketing purposes, it was also known as the Vortec 6000.

If your old Chevy came equipped with a two-speed Powerglide, TH350, or TH400, you can bolt the more modern LS up to these factory transmissions. However, one bolt in the bellhousing will not be used on the LS.

The Vortech supercharging system for the 2002-2003 GM Full Size Truck and SUV with the GM VORTEC 6.0L engine will impress you with the obvious attention to detail and fully integrated appearance. Increase your engine's horsepower from 300 to 415 and torque from 360 lb./ft. to 447 lb./ft.

The 6.0- and 6.2-liter LS V-8s are among the most popular production engines today that receive stroker kits. Both feature a 3.622-inch stroke crankshaft and connecting rods with a 6.098-inch center-to-center distance.

How long will a 6.0 Power Stroke last? ›

With proper maintenance, regular use and EGR system and oil cooler remedies, a 6.0L Power Stroke can be made to blow past the 300,000-mile mark with few, if any issues. The engine might need an injector or two along the way, or an EGR valve, but it can done.

The L76 is a 6.0L, Gen. 4, aluminum small block engine used in both GM cars and trucks from 2007 to 2009.

LS stands for “luxury sport” and is what is featured in the names of most of the base models in the Chevy lineup. You'll find the LS label in certain trims of the following Chevy models: Chevy Trailblazer. Chevy Trax.

LS stands for Luxury Sport.

What Is The Difference Between a Vortec and an LS Engine? Nothing really. Engines with the LS designation were typically set up for passenger car duty while the Vortec line was for GM's SUV and truck lines.

The 6.0L block—used in the LQ4, LQ9, and LY6—is the most popular with hot rodders. It features a 4.000-inch bore and can be purchased brand new for $800.

Generation III (1997–2007)

What's the difference between Vortec and Vortec MAX? The standard 6.0L Vortec had LQ4 and LY6 engine code, while the Vortec MAX used the LQ9 engine code. In late 2006 the LQ9 Vortec MAX was replaced with the L76 engine code which had a slightly higher horsepower output.

Highway mpg 14-15. It was a 2015 3500 6.0 CC, 4X4. Great truck, I would do it again.

Low oil levels can lead to excessive wear and tear on the components in your engine which will lead to it wearing out faster. Chevy's 6.0L engine is known to be a very dependable engine and is considered to be one of the best engines that Chevrolet ever put in their trucks and SUVs.

What engines make 500 HP? ›

Koenigsegg Regera: 1,479hp. Tesla Model S Plaid: 1,020hp. Dodge Demon: 840hp. Ferrari 812 Superfast: 800hp.

Gen-V LT5: The Most Powerful Small-Block Engine to Date!

The C7 Corvette went out with a big, supercharged bang: the ZR1, powered by the 6.2-liter LT5. It's a beastly thing, cranking out 755 horsepower courtesy of a 2.65-liter Eaton supercharger.

LS engines are the modern version of a small block Chevy, therefore they are overall a superior engine build right out of the box. But that doesn't always mean it's the right fit for your project.

Big block engines are larger in size and weigh more, but they produce more consistent power and torque to overcome the weight. Small block engines are smaller for better acceleration and handling, but more recently built models can be just as powerful as big block engines.

Pros of big block engines

Before you buy a big block engine, it's good to know what you're getting into. More power: Big block engines often have more and larger cylinders, translating into more and larger explosions. These crank the engine harder and faster, generating more power.

“For your basic hot rodder looking for an LS block and a nice performance build, I would just go with Dart's LS Next block and be done with it – they're very good,” he says. Both Wright and Jones agree that Dart makes an excellent aftermarket option, and it improves deficiencies seen in the factory GM blocks.

BMP claims its cast-aluminum (357-T6) LS block is, “the absolute strongest available with important improvements that even the factory race blocks don't have.” The oiling system is priority-main, meaning that oil gets fed to the crank first and the top end last to prevent starving the main bearings of oil.

Speaking of bore size, LSNext aluminum and cast iron blocks start at 4.00in and 4.125in versions, and can be bored as large as 4.185. The LS Next iron, non-skirted race blocks can be bored as large as 4.200in while the cast-iron SHP blocks have a max bore of 4.185in. Aluminum blocks can go as large as 4.165in.

What did the 6.0 LQ9 come in? ›

It was introduced in 2002 for the Cadillac Escalade. It was available in the Escalade and GM pickups until 2007. The LQ9 was also known as the Vortec HO 6000 or the VortecMAX.

Despite the GM 5.3 LQ9 engines becoming increasingly popular with auto enthusiasts, they still can be found for a decent price. Reliability among these engines has been proven through daily drivers known to go over 200k miles without any issues.

The LQ4 is found in GMC Yukons and Sierras, Hummer H2s, and Chevy Suburbans, Silverados and Expresses. The LQ9 is the high-output version of the LQ4, originally designed for Cadillac Escalade models.

While the factory LQ4 comes through with a generous displacement of 366 ci via the stock 4.00x3. 62-inch bore and stroke, one of the appeals of these engines is how readily they take to added displacement via a stroker crank.

LQ4 Chevy LS V8, Electronic Fuel Injection.

The LS9 engine made 638 HP at 6,500 RPM and 604 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 RPM. These huge power numbers in the lightweight Corvette body meant it was capable of hitting 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds. The acceleration didn't slow down after that as 100 MPH came up in 7 seconds.

Our own testing of custom 6.0L tuning yielded 415-420 hp on the rollers—right smack-dab in the middle of what most folks see. By comparison, off-the-shelf universal tunes typically lay down somewhere between 360 and 380 hp.

The stock crankshaft can handle about 900 hp and 7,000 rpm (for a limited time). A forged crankshaft upgrade will add strength to the bottom end.

The most abundant and lowest-priced LS engines are the 4.8-liter and 5.3-liter version found in Chevy / GMC trucks and SUVs from 1999 to 2013. If you're looking for a cheap LS build, these engines are the best candidate.

Which LS engine is best for swaps? ›

The Chevrolet LS V-8 is the first choice for high-performance engine swaps. The legendary engine's compact size and light weight make it the most popular option for enthusiasts seeking more power.

The formula works at lower and higher boost levels, as 7.35 psi (1⁄2 atmosphere) should increase the power output by 50 percent to 525 hp. Adding 10 psi should increase the power output of our 350hp 5.0L by 68 percent to 588 hp, while 20 psi will yield an increase of 136 percent to 826 hp.

Chevy Silverado 2500 Powertrain and Towing Capacity

The standard engine is the Vortec® 6.0L V8. This engine delivers 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. It also has a maximum towing capacity of 14,800 pounds when properly equipped.

What's the difference between Vortec and Vortec MAX? The standard 6.0L Vortec had LQ4 and LY6 engine code, while the Vortec MAX used the LQ9 engine code. In late 2006 the LQ9 Vortec MAX was replaced with the L76 engine code which had a slightly higher horsepower output.

For a general stock car (i.e. no additional performance parts), a tune will boost your hp by 10 to 15 percent. What's more is that if you've added performance parts to your vehicle such as cold air intake, exhaust, or turbo, the hp boost you gain from tuning may be as high as 50 percent more!

In general, most cars will see a horsepower gain of 10-20% from an ECU tune. However, some cars may see a gain of up to 50% or more.

In general, adding a turbocharger to an engine will add anywhere from 40 hp to 300 hp, but in some cases, much more. In my eyes, a healthy boost of power would be around 50%.

They have a cracked cap that—by means of an irregular mating surface—allows the rod cap to align precisely with the big-end, helping equalize bearing wear, and they are far stronger than production rods from earlier engine architectures.

Some LS variants have been plagued with bad piston-ring seals. This issue can cause oil-consumption issues. As this issue gets worse it can also create an increasing amount of blow-by in the engine. The stock oil pump is known to start cavitating above 6,000 rpm.