I had many requests for a poster of this video, it is now available, perfect for garage or shop: teespring.com/ls-engine-history. Head over to Auto-Guild.com for a free LS Swap Survival Guide eBook, and other free eBooks, as well as posters too. Auto Guild fans have discovered a few corrections: 1) Trailblazer SS debuted for the 2006 model year, not 2005. 2) The Chevy SS sedan, aka Holden Commodore down under, has a LS3, it was offered from 2014-2017 (don't know how I miss this, one of the best sedans GM has ever made). 3) LY6, L9H, and L96 do not have AFM. 4) Its correct on the page but I verbally refer to the TR6060 as the "TR660", oops : ) 5) L96 is still being produce but only in Express van 6) The 6.0L iron block LY6 also had LS3 style rectangle port heads. 7) SS Camaro came out in 2000, not 2001 like shown. So far thats it, please let me know if you find any others and Ill post em here. Thank you for your support, please also check out my other video: *Best LS Engine for Any Budget*. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-keGi7nC5hT8.html
There was a 5.3 option for the Trailblazer with the LT trim level, I’m not sure if the model years though. The TBSS had LS2 only for 2006-2009. (I think someone mentioned that already in another comment). Also, I understand this is a LSx video, but all 4 model years of the TBSS had a 4L70 behind it. The video graphics showed 4L65 at some points when TBSS was lumped in with the car. Great video! This probably took a substantial amount of time to put together all the information. And even more to keep it straight. Thank you for the one stop shop. For those that don’t know: LSX = aftermarket block LSx = referring to the LS family with no specifics. LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6 etc... (Sorry, it’s a personal pet peeve lol)
I would only build a iron blocks 455 454 305 small blocks and there all iron . Here’s Inside the 455 Cubic Inch Big Block from General Motors There's no comparison in question that 455 with a quad barrel carburetor huge displacement equal a big motor and a easy 8 second build . Nevertheless, this giant engine from the General is a little mysterious. In the beginning, you would find them in Oldsmobile Motor Division products. As time went on you started seeing this exact displacement under the hood of Buicks and performance models from the Pontiac Motor Division. Here we'll dig into the history of the record torque producing big block. We will also uncover the difference between a 455 SD (Super Duty) and a 455 HO (High Output). Discover if the Buick, Pontiac or Oldsmobile engine has an advantage over the other. Finally, learn how the 455 benefited during a time when GM's divisions took great pride in making their own engines. The Oldsmobile 455 Version Olds beat the other GM divisions to market with the first 455 Cubic Inch motor. In 1968 the engine found its way into Oldsmobile's premium luxury muscle car, the 442. They called it the Rocket 455 which became an excellent marketing tool. They based the engine off of the 425 CID found in the 1967 Toronado. The company actually retained the same size bore yet increased the stroke by altering the crankshaft. The side effects of a longer stroke include a healthy increase in torque. The downside is the engine finds itself a little slower at gathering RPMs. Horsepower ratings from 1968 through 1970 remained in the 375 to 400 HP range. At first, the engines remained exclusive to the Toronado, Cutlass and 442's. After 1970 you'll also find them in the Olds Vista Cruiser Station Wagons, Delta 88's and even GMC motorhomes. Stage I Buick 455 Performance Engine The Buick version of the 455 is actually quite different from the Oldsmobile version. Instead of altering the stroke, Buick honed out the cylinders on the 430 CID Buick Wildcat engine. For this reason, GM considered it a thin-walled big block. The advantage of this casting design is a significant drop in weight over the other 455 versions. In fact, the engine actually weighed close to 150 pounds less than the legendary 454 big block that Chevy used. This weight reduction compensated for slightly lower horsepower output from the Buick version. They rated the standard issue 455 at 350 HP and the high-performance stage I version at 360 HP. This engine had a short run starting in 1970. In 1975 General Motors started using the same engines across the different divisions and platforms. This gave them better compliance control for the increased power and fuel miles they buckled it into the ground. At the end I put that engine in my 1995 suburban and it was a muscle car bully that ran 10 seconds on a good day on a lumpectomy day she ran 11 seconds and for a suburban that’s quick thrown down . Edit if I fallowed my insane friends build I could have had a 9 second suburban . To tell you the truth I would love to own a cutlass 442 my mom had one when she was growing up . To be honest with you tony they don’t make any thing past the 80’s I would want to own and there’s no way in hell I would ever buy a electric vehicle that needs Nuku’alofa power or coal to charge your disposable Dixie . My wife said go find something at a dealership or something and I tell her every time 99 percent to a 100 dealership unless you’re in America you cannot buy anything but a new disposable Dixie nothing compare to the older vehicles.
That's a good idea, I also want to make it as a pdf file and have it available on my website soon. For now though I'm working on a few more videos. Stay tuned!
I bet you are happy 😃.I work at a Chevy dealer in LA.I know how awesome those cars are.When customers try to complain about parts for SS. I remind them they have a special car
Impressed with all your knowledge on all these engine. Plus your one of the few that calls it an engine. It blows my mind when people call then motors.
You listed the L86 on earlier Sierras but not for 2015. I know there isn’t an “S” after the L but it’s the 6.2, all aluminum, high compression, 420 horse animal. Love it!!
I love my 2014 CTS-V coupe. LSA is a great powerhouse but when you combine it with Cadillac's magnetic suspension and ride control system it really handles well. Had mine up to 165 with plenty of room to redline... it was actually still pulling pretty hard but I was running out of road so I backed off. Still adding mods as I can afford them. Headers are next followed by a cam. Great video BTW. Really smooths out the bewildering array of engines in this family, thanks for that!
My 2017 Chevy Express van has the L96. It runs exceptionally well. Moves the loaded down van around with ease. So glad it has the G80 or it would have no traction. I hope to buy this van from my company some day so I can harvest the L96 and 6 speed auto for a swap!
I'm a happy LS4 owner, the fact that the ls4 can make alot of power just by swapping in a bigger tranny the 4t80e and hold up alot of power I can't wait to make at least 500hp in mine soon💯🤞
The GTO is an Australian car, it was made here in Australia as the Holden Monaro. The Monaro being a 2 door version of the 4 door Holden Commodore SS and Calais.
The Pontiac G8, Chev SS (same car pre and post GM bankruptcy) and the Chev Caprice PPV (police only) were also Australian built for the North American market.
I have a 5th gen Z/28 with the LS7. I really love that motor. Great video and glad you mentioned the Z/28. There were not that many produced and is mostly overlooked
Great video. A few minor things though. The L99 for the Camaro wasn't so much detuned as it was just spec'd differently for the use of VVT and AFM. Since it was the VVT/AFM version of the LS3 it had valve relief pistons, lowering the compression ratio to 10.3, instead of the 10.7 the LS3 (flat top pistons) has. Also, it has a lower lift camshaft compared to the LS3. The L99 also uses solid stem intake valves compared to the LS3's hollow stem intake valves. Contrary to frequent internet confusion, the LS3 did NOT come with sodium filled exhaust valves, which was reserved for the LS9/LS7. All of these changes are why the L99 was rated at a slightly lower 400 hp compared to the LS3's 426hp, but the VVT of the L99 made up for quite a bit with its ability to produce a rather flat torque curve. Also, the LS3 was still produced after the 2015 model year, being installed in the Chevy SS sedan until it's final year of production in 2017. But this is understandable seeing as it was really a rebadged Holden Commodore from Australia. Either way, awesome video that taught me a few things I didn't know about the Gen III and Gen IV engines.
My grandpa got a new truck a few years ago so I bought his old 91 Chevy Cheyenne 4.3L v6. I've recently swapped the engine to a supercharged LS7 from a 2015 Camaro. It's pretty freakin rad now!
OMG! Perfect! You have answered all my questions, and prayers with this amazing video! I’ve been trying to collect LS engine info too but just notes, and then you KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK with amazing graphics listing (and most importantly) SHOWING all this info by year, listing model numbers, production numbers, aluminum/iron blocks, bore/stroke, visual head port style, etc. LS4 info from Impala SS still would’ve been nice, as someone commented that this short crankshaft FWD transaxle mounted engine is good for RWD transaxle install in Pontiac Fieros, or possibly maybe even V-8 engine swap upgrades from FWD N/A or Supercharged 3800 Series V-6 engines in Pontiacs (Grand Prix) & Buicks (Regal). THANK YOU so much for this AMAZING video!!!
Really glad you liked it, I have many more videos coming. Im going to make super detailed lists of all the stuff you need for an LS swap too. This video is also available as a poster if you are interested: teespring.com/ls-engine-history
My 2nd engine in my Z06 was an LSX block. The weight difference was noticeable. Back to aluminum with engine three. An 8.2L/502ci "LS7" built into an RHS block.
I've had a ton of LM7s can't say enough good about them and now I've got an L92 in my wife's Denali and it is absolutely awesome deleted the AFM with a cam and tuned it's amazing
Wow, thanks for the informative videos on the LS! I grew up with the 350 chevys in the 70's and then got married and my priorities changed. I picked up a 2003 Suburban with the LS and thought it was basically the same SBC. Boy am I surprised how Chevy improved the SBC. Your 29 reasons the LS is better than an SBC is great and shows how the SBC has evolved. I have a 2007 Acadia V6 with dual overhead cams and the timing chain replacement was $2,000! With Chevy staying with one cam has simplified the service and made it easier to mod the LS. Thanks again, I learned a lot from your videos.
Im just adding info that might be rare to some people, from 2009-12. The Colorado/Canyon came with a optional Aluminum 5.3. It was only Crew cab. If anyone sees a Colorado/Canyon with a V8, it might not be a swap and just a super rare truck
Interesting, I need to look into that. I know the 5.3 was a rare option on Hummer H3 and H3T but don't remember it being available on Colorado or Canyon.
@@G8GTJav There was a facebook click bait article about the Last Muscle pick up truck, the Dodge Dakota R/T. Someone in the comments mentioned the Colorado came with a 5.3
The 4.8L is the one nobody wants, and yet it still has the 1,000-HP bottom half, etc...stock is 255-280 HP, so it is the perfect turbo engine. This is the best video listing LS engines. Great graphics, and short. No wasted chat...all meat, no bone.
Great vid. The LM4 was not in the Trailblazer SS, SS and later SSR's got the LS2 6.0 with slightly different truck intake. They put the LM4 5.3 in the Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL (both long wheelbase) as relatively rare option above the 4.2 I6. I believe it was also an option on the short-wheelbase only Buick Raineer. I have a loaded '03 Envoy XL with the doubly rare 5.3 LM4 and 4.10 axle ratio, with lots of bolt-on performance parts. Quite snappy for a granny-wagon and sounds fantastic with catless Magnaflow system. Runs perfect and gets 20+ MPG with 4.10s @ over 240k miles.
I have a 08 Sierra Denali with a L92 that came from the factory without DoD or VVT which apparently is pretty uncommon because when ordering a stage 2 Cam shaft, cam gear and timing chain caused a little confusion but I have the cam, LS7 lifters, pushrods, rocker arms, valve springs and with a little CNC work to the 823 heads it made a huge difference from the stick configuration. I bought the truck brand new or basically new it had 1700 miles on it and it was the truck the owner of the dealership ordered for himself but after well over 200k it runs perfect the 6L80E has a little delay from 1-2 but if you know how to time it you can’t even feel it. I’d rather drive me 08 Denali over my 2017 Denali any day
Those truck engines are interesting. I imagine that 5.3 iron block with low compression can get into 1200 hp range for pretty cheap with a huge single turbo.
You really should have detailed the LS4. There are a lot of FWD car owners that would love the power and reliability of a fwd LS engine. Then there are all the Fiero owners that are swapping LS4 engines in them.
(Head down in shame) I went with the 4L60e because of price. Manual was part of the plan, but the auto made it so easy. You can check out the build thread here: ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1627723-bmw-e34-touring-ls1-swap-bmw-5-series-wagon.html And some videos: ru-vid.com/group/PLD8XyncdkYYTZllaqHQVIPYXUVlVh2g_j
You are a mad scientist! Just watched your RU-vid recap video. 2 questions: what was the hardest part? What's the next project? BTW, love how you did that intake!
@@AutoGuild Thank you. The hardest part was the wiring. I didn't want any electrical problems, so I used the BMW stock wiring -- splicing in the GM wiring. This allowed me to avoid running any new wiring. The next project is a mid-engine Volvo 240 wagon. I have 98% of what I need, now it's a matter of finding the time to get it done. Here's a rough idea of the design instagram.com/p/B7vcqHjHoi1/
@@vazfx16 Dude that is an awesome swap! Back in the 1970s when I was doing mad engine swaps it was always my dream to convert a Vega wagon to a mid engine out of an Olds Tornado. I figured you could lock up the steering and put the entire assembly in the back. That would have given 4 wheel independent suspension and disk brakes on the rear! Wish I could have swung it but in those days money was tight so i never managed to do it. The FWD Tornado was still pretty new back then and they were not cheap.
Just found out I have L76 in my 08 Avalanche with the upgraded transmission. This video helped explain what I actually have because all the paper work says 5.3l but the sticker codes read L76. So thank you sir.
2017 Chevy SS sedan.. Last car sold in America with the LS3.. Proud owner 😁.. Also tired owner of a 95 Z28 with a frustratingly difficult engine to work on, the LT1 gen 2
I know I missed the SS sedan, it may be the best sedan GM ever made too. Ive made a poster of this video and added it to the poster: teespring.com/ls-engine-history. Ive also made a note in the comments that I forgot that car. Im in the same position with my 68 camaro, it has a tired old Gen 1 small black that will be replaced by an LS soon. : )
Glad u liked it. In researching this video I never saw the LS info laid out this way, I expect many people will reference this. Im still deciding the best engine for my 68 Camaro so I will likely use it too although I'm leaning towards the L92 (7:25).
WHAT ? ? ? The best engine for EVERYTHING is the LT(anything). The LT is just the latest and greatest LS. The next iteration of the LS. The "new-&-improved" LS. Direct injection is the Holy Grail of modernity
V8 sounds great and I am not as knowledgeable as many of you here but it seem that for 3 to 6 cylinders is all that's needed. Less cylinders=less friction, more torque for the size, more efficient.... More cylinders=more power but more power stroke overlapping, more friction so more heat, more fuel, more weight, less reliability. Best engine sound comes from V10's (Porsche GT, Lexus LFA) but Ford got it right with the 6 cylinder GT and 3 cylinder ecoboost. That's what I think, I love efficiency. Great video, just subscribed.
Then you have the LSX, which was basically an LS7 but cast iron and increased size to 454ci (or 7.4L for you weird metric people). You might say why cast iron and bigger displacement, doesn't that defeat the purpose of the LS? And you are right, but that is not the purpose of the new big block. See the problem with the LS7 was that in reality, it was the question of how much can we bore out a small block and still make it run? The problem being with that is if you run any kind of forced induction, you would blow your head gasket as there is no more space for the extra air to go. LSX solved that problem so that you can get up over 2,000 HP with them when they are properly blown or turboed. Good vid though. Enjoyed it. Edit: I guess people these days don't understand a joke
Got a 2017 silverado z71 ltz crewcab with the 6.2 and the G80 is having issues keeping up with the 420 horsepower and 460 torque...lol. now the 8 speed transmission is junk. Had mine rebuilt with the torque converter from Chevy. only got 33,000 miles on her too
HIGHLY RECOMMEND "ALL" OF HIS LS SERIES VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. just sayin
I swapped an LM7 with an LS327 crate. Pretty nice upgrade for towing boats on weekends. Not really a performance engine, but sort of what the 5.3 always should have been leading up to the 2014 and newer engines, but with the added benefit of all 8 cylinders firing 100% of the time.
Great info! But whole video I was like “I can’t wait until he gets to 2014!” To be fair, he did say no Australian cars. I find it easier to tell people I drive a Holden Commodore SSV, rather than having to constantly explain what the hell a Chevy SS is to people. Clicking on your LS3 vid next.
The Royal Crowned Tiger I recommend strengthening the frame. I had a built LS2 in my 2000 s10 and the torque literally twisted the frame a tad when I launched
al fresco that’s the only failure point on these V8’s. Has to do with collapsing the valves. Same issue with thenhemi’s . No real appreciable fuel economy gain.
OMG my old roommate swapped one of those into an old Toyota Tacoma truck, it was wicked. Ive got a few other videos coming soon, Ill add that to the list.
Wow! My head is spinning from information overload... I guess I'll just keep my old stovebolt six cylinder in my 1960 Biscayne. It's darn near bulletproof.
I bought a 2009 1500 Silverado Z71 brand new back in 09 with the 5.3 315hp still driving her 183K and some change , Just keep the oil changed with Mobil 1 full syn. 5w30 or some other full syn. maybe Castrol or Valvoline and a good filter other than some small things it's been pretty reliable can't really complain , Oh and every fall I have her spray oiled for rust control , Thanks.
Great information. Thank you. My 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD has a turbo diesel...Great powerful power plant for towing. My 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Has an LSA, 556 HP, 550 torque. Very fun car even today. I'm looking forward to a C8 Corvette Z06. If you haven't already, I'm new to your channel, you might want to talk about the C4 ZR1 LT5. I owned one. What a great power plant. 350CID designed by Lotus built on the line by Mercury Marine.
Excellent video. Clear voice. Very good info. I only have one correction: please don't call the 2013 427 "basically a Z06 convertible"! It's actually a GS convertible with an LS7. Steel frame, no carbon fiber front fenders, no magnesium engine cradle, etc, etc.... Still a fine choice for collectors, just not a topless Z06!
Hi, thanks for sharing! Can you believe why I kick myself all the time? I once owned a 97 Corvette package 30th anniversary Camaro complete with my favorite- the six speed manual. Anyway I wish I could of at least kept some parts from that vehicle. Awesome videos by the way and really enjoying 🙂👍
I totally want to do an LS4 video. I got a lot of grief for saying that the LS4 is bad because its FWD, I had no idea people were modding them and swapping them into Fieros and DeLoreans. Super cool!
