C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Excellent LS1 vs LS6 comparison

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2006 | 09:52 AM
  #1  
Billdog350's Avatar
Billdog350
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Default Excellent LS1 vs LS6 comparison

I don't know if this has been posted before but I haven't seen it on the forum. This is a very detailed explaination of LS1 vs LS6.....for those who care.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answe...s6-article.pdf
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 09:57 AM
  #2  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

I've seen that article before, but not in a full color PDF format like you posted.

Thanks !
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 12:05 PM
  #3  
greg_nate's Avatar
greg_nate
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
I've seen that article before, but not in a full color PDF format like you posted.

Thanks !
Correct me where I am wrong here. I have a late model LS1 - 2004. I was under the impression that the only differences between my LS1 and the LS6 were the heads and cam.

After reading this article, it seems like there might be more differences in the late model LS1 and LS6 - such as the crank, rods and pistons.

Who might be able to answer this question?

greg
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 12:37 PM
  #4  
63Corvette's Avatar
63Corvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
Default

Greg, look at the FAQs at the top of the Z06 page
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 03:46 PM
  #5  
greg_nate's Avatar
greg_nate
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by 63Corvette
Greg, look at the FAQs at the top of the Z06 page

...there's 30 minutes of my life that I'll never get back.

That forum is just shy of worthless. I read through several threads with deceptive titles such as "Differences between LS1 and LS6" and "Is a Z06 just a C5 with bolt ons?".

No good info. It was all arguing, bantering and posturing about how good/bad the Z06 is. No technical info worth a hoot.

Still looking for good technical info from people who don't have an agenda of justifying their car purchase.
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 04:27 PM
  #6  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

Originally Posted by greg_nate
Correct me where I am wrong here. I have a late model LS1 - 2004. I was under the impression that the only differences between my LS1 and the LS6 were the heads and cam.

After reading this article, it seems like there might be more differences in the late model LS1 and LS6 - such as the crank, rods and pistons.

Who might be able to answer this question?

greg
for certain... starting 2002 for the Corvette, the LS6/LS1 engine differences are heads, cam, pushrods, de-screened MAF, and airlid with larger hole. And I think that is about it (engine wise).
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 04:36 PM
  #7  
davisce's Avatar
davisce
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 371
Likes: 38
From: Madison Alabama
Default LS1/LS6 Engines

Maybe this link will answer some of the LS1/LS6 questions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 05:10 PM
  #8  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

Originally Posted by davisce
Maybe this link will answer some of the LS1/LS6 questions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

from that site:

The LS6 shares its basic block design with the GM LS1 engine, but other changes were made such as windows cast into the block between cylinders. Improved intake, a titanium exhaust, higher-lift cams, and higher compression boosts output, and a new oiling system is better suited to high lateral acceleration.
but it's incorrect - to a point. This was true for 2001 LS1/LS6. But in 2002... all C5 LS1 got the LS6 block and intake manifold
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old May 26, 2006 | 05:34 PM
  #9  
chriswtx's Avatar
chriswtx
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Default

I thought it was 2001 and newer cars all got the LS6 short block and intake. The Z06 got different heads and cam.... Here's a list that was posted a while back...

:. Miscellaneous .:

All of this information is variously collected from the Corvette Forum message board, so do not take it as absolute gospel. However, it should be somewhat close. Sources: 1,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997

Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler, xx, xx, ??
97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998

Convertible becomes available
Active Handling becomes available late in year


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999

26# injectors substituted for 28#
Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
HUD introduced
only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
? Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
door sill trim plates added

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000

Millennium Yellow available
? "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
Pup cats added to CA models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001

return to 28# injectors for all models.
Second Generation Active Handling
Nassau Blue discontinued
Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
New soundproofing + foam in all cars
Smaller keyfob
electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
lighter AGM battery
Thickness + Material in vert change
Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
Hardtop/FRC discontinued
Pup cats added to all models
Stronger synchros in all transmissions
Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
metal valvestem caps (late year)
Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
hardtop body style
rear brake ducting
screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
Titanium exhaust system
lightweight windshield
New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002

Z06 Changes:
Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
Less restrictive intake airbox lid
Descreened MAF
Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
slight piston redesign *
clutch strength upgraded.
HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
Electron Blue color offered
Steel endlinks changed to aluminum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003

Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
· Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 05:53 PM
  #10  
greg_nate's Avatar
greg_nate
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
Default

So if the late model LS1 got the LS6 shortblock, then that means it also got the Crank, rods and pistons.
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 05:56 PM
  #11  
chriswtx's Avatar
chriswtx
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Default

yes...
Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 07:27 PM
  #12  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

Originally Posted by chriswtx
I thought it was 2001 and newer cars all got the LS6 short block and intake. ...
that may very well be. But there was no concensus as to whether all the 2001 C5 LS1 production got the LS6 block or not. So I played it safe when saying that "starting 2002..."

Reply
Old May 26, 2006 | 07:56 PM
  #13  
bcseitz's Avatar
bcseitz
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Default

In addition, I understand that the last year C-5 Z06 also got a more agressive tune from GM.
Reply
Old May 27, 2006 | 12:56 AM
  #14  
chriswtx's Avatar
chriswtx
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Default

Looks like all the 2003.5 and later cars, LS1 and LS6, have a better tune from the factory. They retuned when they switched to the new C6 style FFS fuel system...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Excellent LS1 vs LS6 comparison





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:37 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE