The 6.2L LS engine is a crate engine made by Chevrolet Performance. As a crate engine, it comes as a ready-to-install package for project vehicles.
Over the years, the 6.2L has made a name for itself as the largest naturally aspirated engine on the market. Given that the engine has a massive 6.2-liter displacement, it’s known to produce a lot of power and torque. This makes the engine versatile, perfect for high-performance sports cars and heavy-duty towing.
What Is an LS Engine?
What does LS on Chevy engines stand for? LS stands for “Luxury Sport” which denotes one of Chevrolet’s trim levels. Another example is LT or “Luxury Touring.” The LS engine powers Chevrolet’s most capable vehicles, like the Camaros and Corvettes.
The LS name came from the first LS engine, the LS1, which powered the third-generation Corvette.
LS engines were typically small blocks with a single camshaft and push rods. With its many iterations and variants, the LS engine would adopt modern features and improve performance and efficiency.
All About LS Engines
The first LS engine was the LS1 in the C5 Corvette in 1997. This 5.7L engine was the first Chevrolet aluminum small-block V8. It revolutionized the automotive industry with its unique features, like an ignition system without a distributor. The LS engine also had a larger camshaft, unique intake port heads, and a lightweight intake manifold.
Over the years, the LS engine has also incorporated modern engine technology, like variable valve timing and active fuel management to improve performance and efficiency.
LS engine iterations are similar, allowing mechanics to easily identify different LS engines. Even small details like the engine’s bell-housing pattern have been the same throughout the engine’s different iterations.
The bell-housing pattern is the pattern of bolts on the bell-house, the component connecting the engine to the transmission. The distance between each of its cylinders hasn’t changed since 1955. Most LS engines are also pushrod, 2-valve V8s.
Small details like these make LS engines easy to utilize and adopt for enthusiasts, allowing them to adapt the LS to fit existing transmissions. The engine’s modular design also allows it to have many variations, making it compatible with various models, from high-performance sports cars to heavy-duty trucks. This is probably why LS engines have become a favorite for enthusiasts and tuners.
Chevrolet has made 100 million small-block V8 engines, making it one of the most mass-produced engines in history. Unfortunately, Chevrolet no longer builds the LS engine. The automaker replaced it with the LT line, which features excellent fuel economy and durability on top of the LS’ raw power.
The History of the 6.2L Chevy Engine
6.2L V8 engines were installed in vehicles made from 2008 to 2017. Compared to previous LS engines, the 6.2L was the largest in terms of displacement. The 6.2L LS engines were part of the GM’s third-generation small-block LS engines.
The third-generation LS engines were heavily based on the second-generation design but with modern technology like fuel deactivation and variable valve timing. These are meant to improve fuel efficiency.
The Chevy 6.2L engine has several variants. They include the L92, L9H, and L94, which are found in the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Chevrolet Silverado, among other vehicles made from 2007 to 2013.
These engines were made for luxury SUVs because of their refined ride quality. They also operated quietly and reduced vibrations.
The LS3 variant is found in the C6 Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro SS, and Pontiac G8. This engine has a lot of changes over the LS2 variant, like an updated engine block with a larger bore and higher flowing cylinder heads, among other changes. The LS3 featured improved performance, providing around 430 horsepower, depending on the vehicle it was in.
There are also less common variants, like the L99, LS9, and LSA, which are found in the Cadillac Chevrolet Camaro SS, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and Cadillac CTS-V, respectively. The LS3, L99, LS9, and LSA are variants that are specific to sports cars and sedans.
Which Models Have a Chevy 6.2L Engine?
GM’s GMT900 platform trucks and SUVs made from 2006 to 2014 have the 6.2L Chevy engine. These include the following:
- Cadillac Escalade
- GMC Yukon
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
- Hummer H2
High-performance sports like the Corvette Stingray, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country, and Chevrolet Camaro SS and ZL1 also use the Chevy 6.2L V8.
Is the 6.2L Chevrolet Engine Used In Any Trucks?
The 6.2L Chevy V8 is offered as an engine option in trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The 6.2L V8 is available in the SLT, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims of the Sierra 1500.
Meanwhile, the Silverado uses the 6.2L V8 in the LTZ, LT Trail Boss, and High Country trim levels.
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