Nook & Tranny LLC Home Page
sales@nookandtranny.com  Phone (954) 572-8888, Fax (954) 572-8749

 

 

Cutaway of an LSx engine BLOCKS  HEADS 
CAMSHAFTS FRONT DRIVES 
OIL PANS  WATER PUMPS 
BALANCERS  VALVE COVERS 
INTAKE MANIFOLDS   

 

LS BASED GEN III DISPLACEMENT INFORMATION

RPO VOL CID CR BORE STROKE BLOCK OE APPLICATIONS
LS1 5.7L 346 10.2:1 3.898" 3.622" ALUM 97-04 Corvette, 98-02 Camaro/Firebird, 04 GTO
LS2 6.0L 364 10.5:1 4.000" 3.622" ALUM 05-07 Corvette, 05-06 GTO, 07 CTS-V
LS3 6.2L 376 10.7:1 4.065" 3.622" ALUM 08-09 Corvette
LS6 5.7L 346 10.5:1 3.898" 3.622" ALUM 02-05 Corvette Z06, 04-05 CTS-V
LS7 7.0L 427 11.0:1 4.125" 4.000" ALUM 07-09 Corvette Z06
LS9 6.2L 376 9.1:1 4.065" 3.622 ALUM 09 Corvette ZR1 (Supercharged)
L92 6.2L 376 10.7:1 4.065" 3.622" ALUM 07-11 Escalade, 10-11 Silverado/Sierra, 07-11 Yukon Denali, 08 Hummer H2
LQ4 6.0L 364 9.4:1 4.000" 3.622" IRON 99-Present Full-Size Trucks
LQ9 6.0L 364 10.1:1 4.000" 3.622" IRON Escalade, Silverado SS, Full-Size Trucks
LM4 5.3L 325 9.5:1 3.780" 3.622" ALUM 04-Present Full Size Trucks, 04 SSR/Trailblazer/Envoy/Bravada
LM7 5.3L 325 9.5:1 3.780" 3.622" IRON 99-Present Full Size Trucks
LR4 4.8L 293 9.5:1 3.780" 3.267" IRON 99-Present Full Size Trucks
LSA 6.2L 376 9.0:1 4.065" 3.622" ALUM 2009-2011 CTS-V, 2012 Camaro ZL1

All LS based engines have a 9.240 Deck height, unless it's an LSX block, which is available in a 9.26" and a 9.70" deck

 

LS BLOCK CASTING #'S

MAKE/MODEL CASTING # MATERIAL CID BORE VALLEY PAN HEAD BOLT
             
LS1 CORVETTE   ALUMINUM 346 3.898"   VARIABLE
LS1 CAMARO/FIREBIRD   ALUMINUM 346 3.898"   VARIABLE
LS1 CAMARO/FIREBIRD   ALUMINUM 346 3.898"   VARIABLE
LS2 CORVETTE/GTO   ALUMINUM 364 4.000"   =LENGTH
LS2 CORVETTE/GTO/CTS-V   ALUMINUM 364 4.000" 11-BOLT  =LENGTH 
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

LS SERIES CRANKSHAFT RELUCTORS AND SENSORS
LS based motors use 2 different reluctor rings and sensors (24x and 58x).  There are also 3 different bolt patterns for the flywheel/flexplate : 6-bolt, 8-bolt and 9-bolt.  Proper orientation of the crank ring is required if switching the reluctors.  Below are photos of the orientation of the rings.  You will notice on both rings, there are triangular/arrowed windows that align with 2 bolt holes, and the non-windowed portions of the ring cover the crankshaft throw weights.  A 24x pickup ring uses a black colored crankshaft sensor, a 58x pickup ring uses a gray colored crankshaft sensor.  The connectors are also differently keyed between the 2 sensors.
24X crankshaft ring installed 58x crankshaft ring installed

 

LSx CAMSHAFT SPECFICATIONS 

MAKE/MODEL CASTING # INT EXH INT EXH LSA
97-99 CORVETTE, 98-99 F-BODY LS1 12554710 202 210 .496 .496 116
99 CORVETTE LS1 12560964 199 207 .479 .472 117
98-00 CORVETTE LS1/ F-BODY LS1 12557812/12560965 198 209 .500 .500 119.5
01-02 F-BODY LS1/01-04 LQ9 12561721 197 207 .467 .479 116
01 CORVETTE Z06 LS6/05-07 LS2 12560950 207 217 .525 .525 116
02-04 CORVETTE Z06 LS6 12565308 204 218 .551 .547 117
99-04 5.3 LM7/99-00 LQ4 12560967 190 191 .466 .457 114
05-10 LS7 12571251 211 230 .593 .588  
GM PERFORMANCE HOT CAM 88958733 218 227 .525 .525 112
GM PERFORMANCE ASA CAM 12480110 226 236 .525 .525 110
08-09 LS3 CAM 12623083 204 211 .551 .522 117

LS based engines use 1.7:1 ratio rocker arms, LS7 engines use 1.8:1 ratio rocker arms

 

LS GEN III SMALL BLOCK CHEVROLET CYLINDER HEAD CASTING #'S

CASTING # USAGE PORT YEAR CID CC INT EXH MAT
10215339 LS1 CATHEDRAL 97 CORVETTE 346 67 200 70 AL
12556743   CATHEDRAL 99 TRUCKS 325 61 200 70 AL
12558806 LS1 CATHEDRAL 97-98 CORVETTE/F-BODY 346 68 200 70 AL
12559863 LS1 CATHEDRAL 99-02 CORVETTE/F-BODY 346 68 200 70 AL
12559853 LS1 CATHEDRAL 99-02 CORVETTE/F-BODY 346 68 200 70 AL
12559862   CATHEDRAL 99-00 TRUCKS 287/325 61 200 70 AL
12559895   CATHEDRAL 00-07 TRUCKS 325 61 200 70 AL
12561706   CATHEDRAL 01-04 TRUCKS 325 61 200 70 AL
12561873   CATHEDRAL 99-01 TRUCKS 364 71 210 75 CI
12562317 LQ4 CATHEDRAL 01-04 TRUCKS 364 71 210 75 AL
12564241 LS1 CATHEDRAL 00-04 CORVETTE/00-02 F-BODY 346 68 200 70 AL
12564243 LS6/LS2 CATHEDRAL 01-04 CORVETTE/ 04-06 GTO 346/364 65 210 75 AL
12572035   CATHEDRAL 01-04 364 71 210 75 AL
LEGEND

AL = ALUMINUM HEADS, CI = CAST IRON HEADS

LS1/LS6 Cathedral port design LS3/92 Rectangular port design LS7 Intake Port
 CATHEDRAL (LS1/LS6/LS2/LQ9/LQ4)  RECTANGULAR (LS3/L92/L76/L99)  LS7
MLS (multi layer) head gaskets are compatible with LSx cylinder heads that have a flat deck surface (without a pocket) 

 MLS compatible heads have a flat deck surface, and have no pocket.

 

LS SERIES GEN III INTAKE MANIFOLDS

USAGE CASTING # PORT TBI EGR FUEL RAIL
           
98-00 F-BODY 12560688 CATHEDRAL 3-BOLT YES LS1/LS6 (UP TO 2004)
97-00 CORVETTE 12556333 CATHEDRAL 3-BOLT NO LS1/LS6 (UP TO 2004)
01-04 CORVETTE 12561182 CATHEDRAL 3-BOLT NO LS1/LS6 (UP TO 2004)
01-02 F-BODY/01-04 CORVETTE 12563572 CATHEDRAL 3-BOLT NO LS1/LS6 (UP TO 2004)
05-07 LS2 CORVETTE/GTO/CTS-V 12589181 CATHEDRAL 4-BOLT NO LS2
LS3 1ST DESIGN (CLIP IN MAP)     4-BOLT NO  
LS3 2ND DESIGN (BOLT IN MAP)     4-BOLT NO  
LS7 1ST DESIGN (CLIP IN MAP) 12560911 LS7 4-BOLT NO LS7 ONLY
TRUCK INTAKE 25321788        
TRUCK INTAKE 12573944        
TRUCK INTAKE 12574009        
TRAILBLAZER SS 25379707 CATHEDRAL 4-BOLT NO TRUCK ONLY
           
98-00 LS1 Camaro/Firebird intake has hole and boss for EGR port 01-02 LS1 Camaro/Firebird, All Corvette models did not have provision for EGR Truck style intake, has bosses for "Vortec" plastic cover, also has EGR on side
     There were many different intakes used on the LS series motors.  There are designs for each head style : cathedral port (LS1/LS2/LS6/4.8/5.3/6.0), rectangular port (LS3/L92)  and LS7.   There are also different style height intakes : car platform and truck platforms.  You can interchange intakes as long as you use the same cylinder head design, and use the corresponding fuel rails, injectors and throttle bodies (as certain models have different bolt patterns).
 
THROTTLE BODY DIFFERENCES 
  • There are 2 different mechanical throttle body arms.  The photo on the left is the short arm, it can be easily recognized from the round collar.  The photo on the right is the long arm, and the collar is straight.  You must use either an adjustable throttle cable, or a throttle cable specific to that throttle body for the throttle to open properly. 
  • There are also 2 basic throttle bodies : car and truck.  The difference is the coolant passage for water pump clearance and the breather hose angle (for throttle bracket clearance)
98-99 LS1 Camaro, 99-03 LSx based Truck throttle body.  Uses short arm. 00-02 LS1 Camaro throttle body, uses long arm.

 

FUEL INJECTORS
Various GM fuel injectors
Fuel injector connectors
INJECTOR LENGTH* CONNECTOR
TPI 2.5" EV1
LT1 2.6" EV1
LS1/LS6 2.5" EV1
LS2 2.1" EV6
LS3/LS7/LS9/L76 1.5" EV6
VORTEC TRUCK 1.9" EV6
* Injector length is measured from o-ring to o-ring

 

LS SERIES III VALVE COVER BOLT PATTERNS

Perimeter bolt valve covers have 9 bolts, all located on the outside perimter (top), while the ceter bolt valve covers have 4 bolts, all in the center (bottom)

Although there are many different valve covers for many different applications, there are basically 2 different valve covers : perimeter bolt valve covers, and center bolt valve covers.  The perimeter bolt valve covers were used on 97-98 Corvettes and 98 Camaros and Firebirds.  All other models used the center bolt valve covers.  On the perimeter bolt valve covers, the ignition coils bolt directly to the valve cover.  On the center bolt valve covers, the ignition coils bolt to a bracket, which in turn bolts to the valve cover.  This is to facilitate the removal of the valve cover when necessary.

 

LS SERIES III VALVE COVER BREATHER DIFFERENCES

Valve covers differ in breather location, as well as angle of the filler tube/PCV location Valve covers differ in breather location, as well as the breather locations.

There are many different model valve covers, all specific to each application, but for swap purposes, you can get around having the exact cover.  All the LS models have the oil filler on the passenger valve cover (except LS7).  Breather locations (the small tubes on the outside of the covers) differ between models for intake purposes, however, they are all just breathers.

 

LS SERIES GEN III FRONT DRIVE CONFIGURATIONS

98-02 LS1 Camaro & Firebird front drive setup 97-04 LS1/LS6 Corvette front drive setup 04-06 LS1/LS6 CTS-V front drive setup
98-02 LS1 CAMARO & FIREBIRD 97-04 LS1/LS6 CORVETTE  04-06 LS6 CTS-V 
04-06 GTO LS1/LS2 front drive setup  99-07 1500/2500 4.8/5.3/6.0 Truck front drive setup  05-07 LS2/LS6 Corvette front drive setup 
04-06 LS1/LS2 GTO  99-07 4.8/5.3/6.0 TRUCK  05-07 LS2/LS7 CORVETTE

 

LS SERIES GEN III HARMONIC BALANCERS


3 different LS-based balancers, from left to right : Corvette/Cadillac, Camaro/Firebird/GTO, Truck 

     There are basically 3 different harmonic balancers that effect belt spacing : (1) Corvette and Cadillac (car), (2) Camaro/Firebird and GTO, (3) Truck series and SUV.  As you can clearly see, the distance between the crankshaft end and where the belt rides are different in all 3.  All of the LS based balancers are neutral balanced, and can be installed on any LS application as long as the same platform accessories are used.

 

 
LS SERIES GEN III WATER PUMP PULLEY DRIVE LOCATIONS

LS1/LS6 Corvette water pumps have the wide pulley and the belt rides close to the pump, Picture showing that 2 belts can be used at the same time and that the water pumps are interchangeable between platforms. Camaro/Firebird and GTO water pumps also use the wide pulley, and the belt rides close to the edge of the pulley.

     The Corvette, Camaro, Firebird and GTO all share the same water pump, even though they use different depth balancers.  The reason the water pumps are interchangeable is that the water pump drive pulley is twice as wide as the other platforms, allowing the belt to ride in 2 different locations.  Therefore, you can use either water pump with either platform, although you should check your clearance between your fans and/or radiator.  04 and later model Corvette platforms use a water pump that has the pulley only as wide as the belt.

97-03 Corvette/Camaro/Firebird/GTO water pumps have double wide pulley to work with either platform, also have boss for retrofit sensor 2004 and later Corvette/Cadillac platform water pumps

 

LS SERIES GEN III WATER PUMP SNOUT DIFFERENCES

     The snouts are different on car platforms VS truck/SUV platforms due to the mechanically driven fan.  The truck/SUV pumps are extended forward, closer to the radiator VS the car platforms, also the pulley is not as wide as they only use 1 style balancer.  The truck/SUV balancer also has provision for the mechanical fan, which screw on the snout.  The car applications all use electrical fans therefore you will need to install an electrical fan if doing a swap.

 

LS SERIES GEN III WATER PUMP OUTLET DIFFERENCES

LS1 Corvette/Camaro/Firebird water pump : has no provision for mechanical fan and has water outlet parallel to pulley Truck water pump : Has provision for mechanical cooling fan and has the outlet perpindicular to the pulley.

     Car platforms and truck/SUV platforms have the water outlet in a different location.  Since the car platforms have a lower intake, the water outlet is parallel to the drive pulley.  On truck platforms, the outlet is perpendicular to the drive pulley.  Also, all truck/SUV applications use a closed coolant system with a surge tank, so if you use a truck/SUV water pump, be sure your water levels are above the hose,

 

LS SERIES GEN III WATER PUMP OUTLET DIFFERENCES

 97-03 model water  pumps have the thermostat as part of the thermostat housing, and is not removable (at least not by hand).  This style uses a large O-ring to seal the housing to the pump.  04-present water pumps have a thermostat that has a separate housing, and the thermostat easily slides out.  The O-ring on this model is part of the thermostat.  Another visual difference is in the casting.  The 97-03 housings have an additional tab on it to hold the wiring in place for the A/C compressor.  The 04-present models do not have that tab.  The housings are not interchangeable between pumps since the diameter of the thermostat cavity is different and the bolt pattern for the housing is different.

***NOTE : GM water pumps sold after 2005 all have the 2-piece design, meaning if you ordered a new GM water pump for your 1998 Corvette, it came with the newer 2-piece thermostat.

LS SERIES GEN III  OIL PANS 
All LSx oil pans are interchangeable, pending you swap the corresponding windage (deflector) tray and pickup tubes along with the pan.  The windage trays and pickup tubes are specific to the oil pan.  All oil feeds are on the LH side of the block, if there's an oil filter on the RH side, the oil pan transfer's the oil to the LH side of the block via piping.