What LS engine is in the Chevy SS?
The Chevy SS is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 from GM's LS small-block family, specifically an LS3-based 6.2L engine delivering about 415 horsepower. This engine sits at the core of Chevrolet’s rear-drive sedan, produced from 2014 to 2017 and derived from the Holden Commodore’s performance platform.
In detail, the Chevy SS used a naturally aspirated V8 from GM’s Gen IV LS lineup. It was tuned to provide strong mid-range torque for everyday driving while offering satisfying high-end response, all paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The choice underscored GM’s strategy of delivering a sporty, four-door performance sedan using proven LS hardware rather than a newer LT1-based setup.
Engine family and variant
Overview of the engine’s place in GM’s LS lineup and the specific variant used in the Chevy SS.
- Displacement: 6.2 liters (376 cubic inches).
- Engine family: GM LS small-block, Gen IV architecture.
- Variant used in the Chevy SS: LS3-based 6.2L V8 (the SS’s dedicated 6.2L V8).
- Induction: Naturally aspirated with port fuel injection (no direct injection in this version).
- Power output: Factory rating around 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission pairing: Sent exclusively with a 6-speed automatic transmission (no manual option for the SS).
In summary, the Chevy SS relies on a 6.2L LS-based V8 from the Gen IV family, commonly described as an LS3-based 6.2L engine tuned for Chevrolet’s performance sedan.
Performance specs and capabilities
Key figures for the engine in the Chevy SS, outlining what the powertrain delivers in practice.
- Horsepower: 415 hp
- Torque: 415 lb-ft
- Configuration: V8, pushrod design, GM small-block
- Induction: Naturally aspirated with port fuel injection
- Drivetrain pairing: Rear-wheel drive with a 6-speed automatic transmission
These specs positioned the Chevy SS as a refined, all-around performer—a sedan that could deliver strong acceleration and confident highway overtakes without sacrificing everyday usability.
How the LS engine in the Chevy SS relates to GM's lineup
LT1 vs LS3-based 6.2L: key differences
It’s easy to confuse the Chevy SS’s engine with GM’s newer LT1. The SS uses a Gen IV LS-based 6.2L V8 (LS3-family), which relies on port fuel injection. By contrast, the LT1 is a Gen V 6.2L V8 with direct injection and different calibration and architecture. The SS thus sits on the older LS platform rather than the LT1-based configurations that appeared in later Camaro SS and Corvette Stingray models.
- GM LS family (Gen IV): 6.2L V8, naturally aspirated, port injection; used in the Chevy SS.
- GM LT1 (Gen V): 6.2L V8 with direct injection; introduced in Corvette Stingray and later Camaro SS models.
- Implication for owners: The SS’s engine family is the established, durable LS lineage, with different fuel-injection philosophy and tuning than the LT1-based powertrains.
Understanding this distinction helps place the Chevy SS within GM’s broader V8 strategy during the mid-2010s: the SS leveraged a proven LS-based 6.2L setup tuned for a sedan, while newer performance models moved to LT1 variants with direct injection.
Summary
The Chevy SS relies on a 6.2-liter GM LS small-block V8—specifically a Gen IV, LS3-based 6.2L engine—that produces about 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. It is naturally aspirated with port fuel injection and paired exclusively with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine choice reflects GM’s emphasis on a robust, ready-made performance powertrain for Chevrolet’s rear-drive four-door sedan during its production run from 2014 through 2017.
