Does the Chevy SS have a Corvette engine?
The Chevy SS does not use the Corvette’s engine. It is powered by GM’s 6.2-liter V8 from the GM small-block family, tuned for a four-door sedan rather than the Corvette’s performance-focused powerplant. In stock form, the SS produces about 415 horsepower, depending on the year and transmission pairing.
To understand the question in context, the Chevy SS, sold from 2014 to 2017, was built on the Holden Commodore VF platform and carried a high-output V8 that GM shared across its performance lineup. While it shares engine lineage with Corvette powerplants, it is not the exact Corvette engine and does not carry the LT1 or newer Corvette-specific powertrains.
Engine details and lineage
The Chevy SS’s 6.2-liter V8 is part of GM’s Gen IV small-block family. It represents the same broad engine family that has powered Corvettes and Camaros, but it is tuned for the SS’s four-door sedan duties rather than the Corvette’s high-performance applications.
- The Chevy SS uses a 6.2-liter V8 from GM’s Gen IV small-block family, the same family that has powered Corvette-era engines.
- It is a version tuned specifically for the SS’s chassis and mission, delivering roughly 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
- It is not the Corvette LT1 or other Corvette powerplants in terms of architecture or direct-injection configuration; those Corvette engines have their own development path and performance targets.
Before listing key points, note these facts about the engine and its relationship to Corvette powertrains.
In summary, the SS shares heritage with Corvette engines and uses a GM 6.2L V8, but it is not the Corvette’s current engine and it does not carry the Corvette powerplant design in this model lineup.
How it compares to Corvette engines across generations
Historically, Corvette engines have evolved from LS-based small-block designs to more advanced DOHC configurations. The current Corvette powerplants (such as the LT1 family in later generations) emphasize higher output and newer technology, while the Chevy SS relied on a more traditional 6.2-liter V8 tuned for a sedan rather than a sports car podium.
- Corvette engines in the LS era (like the LS3) share basic 6.2-liter displacement with the SS but are optimized for lighter, higher-performance applications.
- The modern Corvette LT1/DOHC engines offer higher output and newer tech (direct injection, advanced valvetrain) than the SS’s engine, which is based on Gen IV architecture and tuned for a sedan.
Before outlining the main differences, here is a concise comparison to set expectations.
The takeaway is that the Chevy SS does not house a Corvette engine, but it does sit on the same GM engine family heritage. Corvette engines are distinct powerplants with their own design goals, while the SS uses a high-output GM 6.2L V8 tailored to a four-door performance sedan.
Bottom line and summary
Bottom line: No—the Chevy SS does not have a Corvette engine. It uses a GM 6.2-liter V8 from the LS/Gen IV family, tuned for the SS’s four-door performance role, with about 415 hp. Corvette engines in other generations (LS-based or LT1 DOHC variants) are different powerplants with distinct architectures and outputs tailored to the Corvette lineup.
Summary: The Chevy SS shares engine lineage with Corvette powerplants but is not equipped with the Corvette engine itself. It represents GM’s shared V8 heritage applied to a sedan, offering strong performance without using the exact Corvette powertrain.
