7 Reasons Why the LS V8 Is So Damn Good
The LS didn't become a legendary powerplant by only offering a couple of benefits. Here are some of our reasons why we love the LS so so much.
1. They're Everywhere, and They're Cheap
Chevy first introduced us to the LS engine way back in 1997 in the C5 Corvette. Since then, a slew of variations has appeared in everything from the Camaro to the Silverado and everything in between. That means finding an LS is easy, and that overabundance of the product also means that they're cheap, even in the face of rising demand. If you want an LS for your next project, we guarantee you'll find at least a handful in every junkyard across America.
2. You Can Put One in Anything (Almost)
We've seen LS motors in everything from Japanese cars to Jeeps, and for good reason. Plenty of aftermarket kits exist for completing an LS swap into a wide variety of cars and trucks, making installation a snap compared to other engines that might require custom fabrication. Plus, their light weight and compact size make them a good fit for just about anything.
3. Aftermarket Support Is Immense
As the LS has exploded in popularity, so has its aftermarket support. Pretty much anything you could ever want, from simple bolt-ons to full-on racing bits, is readily available from a wide variety of manufacturers. And even if you don't want to do the work yourself or enlist one of the many experts out there to build your next LS, you can simply order up any number of LS crate motors from GM themselves. Oh, and did we mention that parts (and even entire engines) are dirt cheap? LS stuff costs but a fraction of similar parts for Japanese power plants.
4. They're Compact and Lightweight
Part of what makes the LS such a popular engine swap choice boils down to its low weight and overall compact dimensions. Much of that can be attributed to the fact that the LS uses an old school, pushrod design. Overhead cams offer an arguably higher performance ceiling but at the cost of size and weight. And if you score an all-aluminum LS, you're getting a V8 that typically weighs even less than a cast iron four cylinder.
5. They Respond Very Well to Modifications
The LS is an excellent engine design that offers solid performance out of the box. But boy, does it ever respond well to some simple modifications. Swapping out things like the heads, camshaft, and intake can result in increases of well over 100 horsepower. And even if you don't want to change out entire parts, there's a great deal of power to be unlocked by simply polishing and porting stock parts like the heads.
6. They're Reliable
When the LS debuted, it did so with a Y-block design that offers tremendous strength. On the bottom end, the LS uses 6 bolt main caps on the crankshaft mounted in a snap-fit cross-bolting pattern. The result of which is increased rigidity in both the block and crankshaft. The top end is strong as well, thanks to things like long head bolts and a valley plate. All of that engineering has clearly paid off, as LS-powered vehicles are notorious for their strength and long service life.
7. Wide Variety of Displacement Options
Over the years, Chevy has produced a wide variety of LS engines that include both iron and aluminum block designs. The LS motor has been built in displacements ranging from 4.8 liters all the way up to 7.0 liters and pretty much everything in between. And even if you can't find the LS you want in the local junkyard, plenty of stroker kits exist to ramp up displacement.
For help with service and maintenance on your car, check out the how to section of LS1Tech.com