Does Chevy use LS engines?
Yes. Chevy has used LS engines extensively for decades, particularly in performance cars and trucks, and LS-based powerplants remain available today as crate engines and retrofit options. However, GM's current mass-market lineup relies primarily on the newer LT family of small-block V8s for new production vehicles.
The question touches on how Chevrolet's engine strategy has evolved. The LS family—Gen III/IV small-block V8s introduced in the late 1990s—became a defining platform for Chevrolet and GM performance. In recent years GM shifted much of its new production toward the Gen V LT engines, but the LS remains a cornerstone in the aftermarket and in older vehicles.
What is the LS engine family?
The LS family refers to GM’s family of small-block V8 engines that began with the LS1 in the late 1990s. Over subsequent generations, LS-based units such as the LS2, LS3, LS6, and LS7 powered a broad range of Chevrolets and other GM vehicles. They are known for their compact design, strong torque, high tuning potential, and broad aftermarket support. Today, many LS engines are sold as crate engines for swaps and performance builds.
Chevy models that historically used LS engines
Chevrolet’s LS-based powerplants have powered a wide array of vehicles over the years. The following are representative examples of those using LS-derived technology.
- Chevrolet Corvette (C5 and C6 generations used LS-based V8s such as LS1/LS2/LS3)
- Chevrolet Camaro SS variants (late 2000s and early 2010s used LS3; earlier V8s included LS1; some high-performance trims used later LS-based configurations)
- Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, and other trucks/SUVs (common LS-based V8s include 4.8L/5.3L and 6.0L/6.2L variants across many model years)
- Chevrolet Performance crate engines (LS-based offerings for swaps, hot-rodding, and restoration projects)
These examples illustrate how the LS engine family became a backbone for Chevrolet’s performance and work-truck platforms, even as GM expanded its engine lineup over time.
Current status: LS vs LT in Chevy lineup
In the 2010s onward, GM introduced the Gen V LT family as the standard for new small-block V8s in most Chevrolet models. The LT engines, such as LT1 and LT2, power many base and performance variants of the Camaro, Corvette (C8 uses LT2), Silverado, and other models. The LS continues to be sold primarily as a crate engine and is widely used in older Chevys, retrofits, and by enthusiasts for swaps. GM’s Performance division still heavily markets LS-based crate engines for racing and hot-rodding, preserving the LS’s legacy in Chevy performance culture.
Where LS engines remain relevant today
As car enthusiasts and garages can attest, the LS engine family remains a mainstay for aftermarket builds, crate engines, and older stock vehicles predating the LT-dominant era. It’s also a favorite for engine swaps given its extensive aftermarket support and proven reliability.
- Chevrolet Performance crate engines and components (LS-based blocks, heads, and complete engines)
- Older Chevrolet models in circulation with LS-powered variants (widely represented in mid-2000s-era SS, pickup, and SUV configurations)
- Classic car restorations and hot-rodding projects where an LS block is chosen for power, weight, and ease of modification
Even as Chevrolet continues to push LT-powered options in new vehicles, the LS engine family remains a cornerstone of American automotive performance heritage.
Summary
The LS engine family has defined a generation of Chevrolet performance and capability, powering sports cars, trucks, and hot-rods since the late 1990s. Today, GM primarily uses the LT family for new production models, but LS engines remain available via Chevrolet Performance as crates and swaps, and they continue to live on in older Chevys and enthusiast builds. The result is a split: LT in new stock vehicles, LS in the aftermarket and legacy platforms.
