When it comes to V8 engines, gearheads appreciate this type of motor for its fairly compact layout, tremendous performance, and the noise it produces. Despite the industry’s tendency to go green, the passion towards the Vee-Eight is stronger than ever.
The first engine to be built in a V8 configuration started life as a patent in 1902. First produced in 1904, the so-called Antoinette V8 was installed in various aircraft and speedboats. A year after the first-ever V8 engine came into the world, Rolls-Royce developed a 3,535 cc (216 cu.in.) V8 powerplant. Only three cars were equipped with this eight-cylinder lump before the British luxury manufacturer reverted to a straight-6 design.
All told, Cadillac was the first automaker to mass-produce the V8 engine. Introduced in 1914, the Cadillac Type 51 L-head V8 produced 70 horsepower from a displacement of 5.15 liters (314 cu. in.). But then again, Cadillac didn’t make the V8 popular. It was Ford who did that when it introduced a V8 in its engine lineup.
By the 1950s, the V8 became the most popular engine choice in the United States, with the height of their popularity being in the 1970s, right before the oil crisis came on the scene. To this day, motors with eight cylinders arranged in a V are the go-to configuration for most domestic automobiles.
From all the V8s that were bestowed upon us over the years, some of the most important designs come in the form of the GM LS Generation III and IV small-block V8 engines. It might have started life as a clean sheet design, but the creators of the GM LS engine family didn’t ignore the historical importance and timeless appeal of the classic small-block V8. General Motors introduced the LS series in the then-new 1997 Corvette (C5).
Known as the LS1 small-block V8, this motor eventually replaced the LT1 small-block V8 of the Chevrolet Camaro. Whereas these go-faster machines were animated by the aluminum version of the LS1, trucks and SUVs used the iron-block version of the motor. Similar to the previous-gen small-block V8, the LS1 eight-cylinder mill displaces 5.7 liters.
The Gen III family spawned the high-performance LS6 in 1999 for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Finally, the Gen IV LS engine family was born in 2005. Differences over the Gen III include cast-in provisions for fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology and updated camshaft sensing. Taken together, the Gen III and Gen IV families include iron-block V8s ranging from 4.8 to 5.3 liters plus 6-liter and 6.2-liter premium engines. As for the cast aluminum engines, the GM LS family comes in 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2, and 7-liter displacements.
Even though there are some significant differences between the Gen III and Gen IV, all LS family engines share some common features. These include the 4.40-inch bore centers (similar to the original Chevrolet small-block V8), six-bolt cross-bolted main bearing caps, a center main thrust bearing, 9.24-inch deck height, 4-bolt per cylinder head bolt pattern, 0.842-inch lifter bores, as well as a distributor-less coil-near-plug ignition system.
The LS family might have been replaced by the Gen V LT in 2013, yet the LS soldiers on in the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks. Because the Gen IV LS is nearing the end of its career, the autoevolution team has decided that the time is right to name the bread winners that come to mind from the 30+ different versions of LS V8 engines.
All told, Cadillac was the first automaker to mass-produce the V8 engine. Introduced in 1914, the Cadillac Type 51 L-head V8 produced 70 horsepower from a displacement of 5.15 liters (314 cu. in.). But then again, Cadillac didn’t make the V8 popular. It was Ford who did that when it introduced a V8 in its engine lineup.
By the 1950s, the V8 became the most popular engine choice in the United States, with the height of their popularity being in the 1970s, right before the oil crisis came on the scene. To this day, motors with eight cylinders arranged in a V are the go-to configuration for most domestic automobiles.
From all the V8s that were bestowed upon us over the years, some of the most important designs come in the form of the GM LS Generation III and IV small-block V8 engines. It might have started life as a clean sheet design, but the creators of the GM LS engine family didn’t ignore the historical importance and timeless appeal of the classic small-block V8. General Motors introduced the LS series in the then-new 1997 Corvette (C5).
Known as the LS1 small-block V8, this motor eventually replaced the LT1 small-block V8 of the Chevrolet Camaro. Whereas these go-faster machines were animated by the aluminum version of the LS1, trucks and SUVs used the iron-block version of the motor. Similar to the previous-gen small-block V8, the LS1 eight-cylinder mill displaces 5.7 liters.
The Gen III family spawned the high-performance LS6 in 1999 for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Finally, the Gen IV LS engine family was born in 2005. Differences over the Gen III include cast-in provisions for fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology and updated camshaft sensing. Taken together, the Gen III and Gen IV families include iron-block V8s ranging from 4.8 to 5.3 liters plus 6-liter and 6.2-liter premium engines. As for the cast aluminum engines, the GM LS family comes in 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2, and 7-liter displacements.
Even though there are some significant differences between the Gen III and Gen IV, all LS family engines share some common features. These include the 4.40-inch bore centers (similar to the original Chevrolet small-block V8), six-bolt cross-bolted main bearing caps, a center main thrust bearing, 9.24-inch deck height, 4-bolt per cylinder head bolt pattern, 0.842-inch lifter bores, as well as a distributor-less coil-near-plug ignition system.
The LS family might have been replaced by the Gen V LT in 2013, yet the LS soldiers on in the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks. Because the Gen IV LS is nearing the end of its career, the autoevolution team has decided that the time is right to name the bread winners that come to mind from the 30+ different versions of LS V8 engines.