LS1

The LS1 is a 5.7-liter V8 engine developed by General Motors as the first member of GM’s Generation III (Gen III) small-block family. Introduced in 1997 for the Corvette C5, it replaced the LT1 as GM’s premier high-performance V8 for that era. The engine features an all-aluminum block and cylinder heads, a 90-degree V8 configuration, and a pushrod overhead-valve (OHV) valvetrain. It uses coil-near-plug ignition and sequential multi-point fuel injection to improve efficiency and throttle response.

Displacement is 346 cubic inches (5.7 liters). In most applications, the LS1 produced about 345–350 horsepower and roughly 350–370 lb-ft of torque, with output varying by model year and exhaust tuning. It powered the Corvette C5 from 1997 through 2004 and was also used in Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird variants in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Variants and evolution: A higher-performance LS6 variant based on the LS1 debuted in 2001 in the Corvette Z06, delivering significantly higher power through a revised intake, higher compression, and upgraded cylinder heads. The LS1 family also served as the foundation for later Gen III engines, such as the LS2 and LS3, with many shared components and design features adopted across models.

Legacy and influence: The LS1 became renowned for its blend of relatively light weight, strong mid-range torque, and broad aftermarket support, contributing to its enduring popularity in performance builds and engine swaps. It established the Gen III small-block as a versatile platform that influenced GM’s V8 engineering for years to come.