How much oil does an LS take?
The typical answer is that most LS V8 engines use about 5 quarts (4.7 liters) of oil with a standard oil filter, while the high-performance LS7 often calls for around 6 quarts (5.7 liters). Exact capacity depends on the specific LS variant and the oil pan configuration.
What you need to know about LS oil capacity
Oil capacity for the GM LS family depends on the engine variant, the oil pan size, whether you’re using a traditional wet-sump system, and whether an aftermarket or deep pan is installed. The listing below reflects common factory configurations, but real-world capacity can vary by model year, drivetrain, and any pan or sump alterations.
Common capacities by engine (typical, factory setups)
Before presenting the typical numbers, note that these figures refer to the standard, stock configurations used in everyday driving. Always verify with the exact vehicle’s service documentation.
- Most LS V8 engines (such as the LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4/LS6 family) use about 5 quarts (4.7 L) of engine oil with the standard filter installed.
- The LS7, a larger-displacement variant used in certain Corvettes and performance builds, typically requires about 6 quarts (5.7 L) with a filter.
- Some engines configured with larger or aftermarket oil pans can hold more oil, but the total fill for routine oil changes generally remains around 5–6 quarts for stock setups.
In practice, most owners fill to the recommended level and then confirm with a dipstick after a short idle period and a warm-up, ensuring the oil level sits within the proper range on the dipstick.
Special cases and aftermarket configurations
Beyond the stock factory setups, a handful of scenarios change the amount of oil the system can hold or needs to be filled with:
- Dry-sump and race-oriented LS builds can require significantly more oil in total system capacity, often in the range of 7–9 quarts (6.6–8.5 L) depending on the sump and lines.
- Aftermarket deep or baffled pans add capacity and can push the pan volume above 5–6 quarts, but the recommended fill is still specified by the engine builder or pan manufacturer.
- Swapped or swapped-in engines with nonstandard pans may hold less oil if the pan is shallow or custom-fabricated for a tight engine bay.
When dealing non-stock configurations, always refer to the builder’s instructions or the pan’s specification sheet to determine the correct oil capacity and fill amount.
How to verify and fill correctly
Follow these practical steps to ensure you add the correct amount of oil for your LS engine:
- Identify your exact engine code and year to confirm the correct capacity from GM service data or the owner’s manual.
- Place a clean filter in place if you’re changing the oil and reset your oil pan capacity accordingly.
- Fill with oil in small increments, checking the dipstick as you go to avoid overfilling.
- Warm up the engine, turn it off briefly, then re-check the dipstick to confirm the level sits within the recommended range.
Being precise about quantity helps protect the engine from under- or over-lubrication, which can affect performance and longevity.
Summary
For the vast majority of GM LS V8s, plan on about 5 quarts of oil with a filter for standard factory setups, with the LS7 requiring roughly 6 quarts. Special builds, large aftermarket pans, or dry-sump systems can change the total oil capacity significantly. Always verify the exact specification for your engine variant and keep to the recommended fill level after a thorough check.
How much oil is in a 5.7 liter V8?
The oil capacity for a 5.7L engine is 7 quarts (6.6 liters) for the RAM 1500 Hemi engine and 8.0 liters (8.5 quarts) for the Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8, but this can vary by year, so always check your owner's manual for the precise amount. The capacity is usually listed with a filter change.
| Vehicle | 5.7L Engine Capacity |
|---|---|
| RAM 1500 Hemi | 7 quarts (with filter) |
| Toyota Tundra (2018-2021) | 8.0 liters (8.5 quarts) |
| Toyota Tundra (2010-2017) | 7.5 liters (7.9 quarts) |
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Important considerations
- Always check the manual: Vehicle specifications can vary significantly between model years. The most accurate information will always be in your owner's manual.
- Check the dipstick: After refilling, start the engine for a short time, then turn it off and check the oil level with the dipstick. Add more oil as needed to reach the full mark.
- Varying specifications: Some sources suggest a slightly different capacity, such as 6.9 quarts (6.6 liters) for the Ram 1500 Hemi.
- Oil filter: The specified capacity is typically for a full oil and filter change.
How much oil does a LS V8 take?
6.6 quarts (with filter).
How many quarts of oil does a 5.3 L/Ls take?
8 quarts
LT based 5.3 engines are 8 quarts. The older LS based 5.3 is 6 quarts. If it's the vortec 5.3 it takes 6 qt. They never stated needing 8 until gm introduced the ecotec line of v8's.
How much oil does a 5.7 LS1 take?
The manual says to add 5.5qts but I always do six since it burns about a 1/2 quart between oil changes. owners manuel says 5.5qts but like husker said it will take about another 1/4 qt for a full fill on level ground.
