LS1 vs. LS6 - Help me out here?
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Race Director
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From: In a pineapple under the sea.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
LS1 vs. LS6 - Help me out here?
After reading a few posts, I understand that starting in 2001, the LS1 and the LS6 share the same block, intake manifold and a few other internals. Am I correct in assuming that by swapping a set of LS6 heads and an LS6 cam, I would basically have an LS6 motor in my car?
Would I realize a cost savings by rebuilding my engine to LS6 specs as opposed to a crate motor?
Would I realize a cost savings by rebuilding my engine to LS6 specs as opposed to a crate motor?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
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From: Simpsonville SC
Yea you pretty much will. I thought the block was different and the heads, cam, and 97-00 intake was different. 01-04 non ZO6 had LS6 intakes. You having an 01 all you would have to do is the cam and heads swap and get it tuned.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 992
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From: Chesterfield Michigan
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
The block is not completely the same. With the LS6, there are some very, very minor differences that have to do with oil flow, just some different shaped valleys and a few extra holes drilled. This supposedly improves oil flow dramatically throughout the block.
Check this out. It explains a whole lot.
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/page3.htm
Check this out. It explains a whole lot.
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/page3.htm
Last edited by jraschke11; Jan 12, 2009 at 06:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Hurricane Alley
Not all '01-'04 non Z06 LS1's came with the LS6 block. I believe there were a lot of them that did though. My '02 has the LS6 block. This quote is from a F-body thread but you would do the same thing to find out on your Vette too. The percentages are higher on the Vette to have a LS6 block over the LS1 block. Hope this helps some. 
Apparently there have always been two version of the LS1: One built in Montupet, and one built in Nemak, Mexico. They use two different methods in creating the block, and apparently the Nemak block is a stronger, more performance oriented block. (The material properties were about 10% higher/stronger. Nemak uses a low-pressure precision fan process, more high performance oriented.). When the Z06 Corvette came out, GM decided to use the Nemak plant to build the LS6 block, since they built stronger blocks. So Nemak built LS6's, while Montupet built LS1's. Since there were so many LS6 blocks made, several made it into F-bodies. Numbers from GM are that about 10-15% of 2001 cars had LS6 blocks, and 25% of 2002 cars did. To confirm if your 2001-2002 F-body has an LS6 block, grab a mirror and a flashlight. Open the hood and head over to the driver's side to try and see the back of the left-hand deck, above the transmission flange. A cast-in #12561168 denotes the LS6 block. And if you aren't able to see the number, you may be able to tell by the block's luster-the Montupet plant cast a shinier block, the Nemak plant made the duller block. The Z06 block (LS6 block) is not only much stronger, it also has 87% better ventilation between bays, which equates to less pumping losses at high RPM's
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: In a pineapple under the sea.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
Not all '01-'04 non Z06 LS1's came with the LS6 block. I believe there were a lot of them that did though. My '02 has the LS6 block. This quote is from a F-body thread but you would do the same thing to find out on your Vette too. The percentages are higher on the Vette to have a LS6 block over the LS1 block. Hope this helps some.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
After reading a few posts, I understand that starting in 2001, the LS1 and the LS6 share the same block, intake manifold and a few other internals. Am I correct in assuming that by swapping a set of LS6 heads and an LS6 cam, I would basically have an LS6 motor in my car?
Would I realize a cost savings by rebuilding my engine to LS6 specs as opposed to a crate motor?
Would I realize a cost savings by rebuilding my engine to LS6 specs as opposed to a crate motor?
Usually when a cam change is done people install new lifters, push rods, ported oil pump, timing chain, etc.
Since you have an automatic, you made need to make some changes there to handle or take advantage of increased hp/tq.
Modding can quickly drive you to the poor house!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,414
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From: Texas
so....
how does this work?
I have an 02 coupe and I can see that both of my heads have the 243 numbers on the ends. I tried to see the block#'s but was unable to see in my garage so far...
are the block #'s located on the drivers side, rear of the engine?
so would these heads have the sodum filled valves? like the zo6?
what changes were made between the ls6 (zo6) and the ls6 blocks that were used in ls1 cars mentioned above?
how does this work?
I have an 02 coupe and I can see that both of my heads have the 243 numbers on the ends. I tried to see the block#'s but was unable to see in my garage so far...
are the block #'s located on the drivers side, rear of the engine?
so would these heads have the sodum filled valves? like the zo6?
what changes were made between the ls6 (zo6) and the ls6 blocks that were used in ls1 cars mentioned above?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
so....
how does this work?
I have an 02 coupe and I can see that both of my heads have the 243 numbers on the ends. I tried to see the block#'s but was unable to see in my garage so far...
are the block #'s located on the drivers side, rear of the engine?
so would these heads have the sodum filled valves? like the zo6?
what changes were made between the ls6 (zo6) and the ls6 blocks that were used in ls1 cars mentioned above?
how does this work?
I have an 02 coupe and I can see that both of my heads have the 243 numbers on the ends. I tried to see the block#'s but was unable to see in my garage so far...
are the block #'s located on the drivers side, rear of the engine?
so would these heads have the sodum filled valves? like the zo6?
what changes were made between the ls6 (zo6) and the ls6 blocks that were used in ls1 cars mentioned above?
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
02 to 04 all have the LS6 Block. The 01 ZO6 had the LS6 block, the 01 coupe, vert and Cameros had the LS1 block. Differences are very small. the LS6 block also had a minor change for 02 to 06.
The LS6 blocks have better oiling and cooling gallies. Only time that is makes a difference is under extreme road racing conditions. For street or strip use, there is no difference.
Other difference are the head bolts. LS1 blocks had 4 head bolts each the LS6 blocks had 6 head bolts each. Again for street or strip use, no big difference. for road racing or N2, SC or any BIG HP ADDER 6 bolts.
Last major difference were the main bearings. Just a minor improvement.
Lots of ppl ask is it worth changing to an LS6 block? Depends on your use. for street use NO it is not.
For big power adders, road racing or heavy duty drag racing, may be an LS6 create motor.
LS6 Create motors are relatively inexpensive now that putting one in may be less money then modding an LS1 motor.
an LS6 create motor are $5300 http://www.sdparts.com/product/17801...EngineKit.aspx
But deals can be found. a friend of mine bought two LS6 create motors for $6,000
Good Luck
The LS6 blocks have better oiling and cooling gallies. Only time that is makes a difference is under extreme road racing conditions. For street or strip use, there is no difference.
Other difference are the head bolts. LS1 blocks had 4 head bolts each the LS6 blocks had 6 head bolts each. Again for street or strip use, no big difference. for road racing or N2, SC or any BIG HP ADDER 6 bolts.
Last major difference were the main bearings. Just a minor improvement.
Lots of ppl ask is it worth changing to an LS6 block? Depends on your use. for street use NO it is not.
For big power adders, road racing or heavy duty drag racing, may be an LS6 create motor.
LS6 Create motors are relatively inexpensive now that putting one in may be less money then modding an LS1 motor.
an LS6 create motor are $5300 http://www.sdparts.com/product/17801...EngineKit.aspx
But deals can be found. a friend of mine bought two LS6 create motors for $6,000
Good Luck
Last edited by AU N EGL; Jan 20, 2009 at 08:17 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Hurricane Alley
Not all '01 and '02 Camaros has the LS1 block LS1. I know this has nothing to do with Corvette but about 15% of the '01 Camaros has a LS6 block and about 20% of the '02 Camaros has a LS6 block. There are some people in my area that have the LS6 block LS1 Camaro that came from the factory.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
