It’s not hard to fathom why the Chevy LS V8 is the go-to engine of choice when upgrading or building a project car. Unlike Chrysler and Dodge’s iconic HEMI V8, the Chevy LS has a lightweight aluminum engine block, intake manifold, and cylinder heads. The LS V8 is also more compact with its pushrod valvetrain, allowing up to 6.2 liters and 7.0 liters of displacement without taking up too much hood space (per Car Throttle). Less weight on the front of your muscle car is good if sharper handling and better weight distribution are primary concerns.
Moreover, the LS has a ton of nerdy merits that allow it to produce more power and torque. It has a generous cam-to-crank spacing profile to fit longer-throw crankshafts, and it has six-bolt main bearing caps that reinforce the bottom end and enables the motor to pump out colossal power numbers (per Golen).
The LS is also durable, easy to service, reliable, and cheaper to tune. Finally, the market is brimming with OEM replacement and aftermarket tuning parts dedicated to making your LS spin faster and dump out more twists. Its adaptability sums up why the Chevy LS has become a more legendary figure than the vehicles it powered.
