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Only 20 cubic inches less than the famous 396. I think this clearly puts the LS3 in the 'big block' displacement category. This seems to be such a great engine by accounts and apparently is the one, with some strengthening , that will be SC in the SS/Blue Devil. Still, I think it would have been great if they made the displacement of the fabulous LS3 396 cubic inches!
But the 6.0L LS2 is actually 364 cubic inches, not the 366 cubic inches that 6.0L converts to.
Who has a calculator and bore and stroke dimensions?
Here's some info. from the Corvette Museum website.
This new iteration of the storied small-block family features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block – 4.06-inch / 103.25 mm vs. the previous 6.0L's 4.00-inch / 101.62 mm bores – high-flow, LS7/L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; revised camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; high-flow fuel injectors from the Z06's LS7 engine; and a new engine beauty cover.
The LS3 features an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron cylinder liners. In addition to its larger bores, which help create a 376-cubic-inch displacement, the block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads that enhance its strength and improved bay to bay breathing. But while the bore of the 6.2L engine is increased when compared with the previous 6.0L engine, the engine's stroke remains at 3.62 inches (92 mm). The pistons for the larger 6.2L engine also are new and are designed for its high-rpm performance capability.
Only 20 cubic inches less than the famous 396. I think this clearly puts the LS3 in the 'big block' displacement category. This seems to be such a great engine by accounts and apparently is the one, with some strengthening , that will be SC in the SS/Blue Devil. Still, I think it would have been great if they made the displacement of the fabulous LS3 396 cubic inches!
Big Block - Small Block is not about displacement it is about block size.
One of the early Chevy Big Blocks was a 348ci motor. One of my buddies had a '61 convertible with 350horse 3x2.
Big Block - Small Block is not about displacement it is about block size.
Agreed - its the block size, not the displacement. Remember that while there was a 396 Big Block, there was also a 400 Small Block. So the LS3 isn't even the biggest Small Block.
Doesn't mean its not a good motor -- technically, the 2006-2008 LS7 is a small block too -- and its arguably the the strongest/best engine GM ever put in a production car.
Only 20 cubic inches less than the famous 396. I think this clearly puts the LS3 in the 'big block' displacement category. This seems to be such a great engine by accounts and apparently is the one, with some strengthening , that will be SC in the SS/Blue Devil. Still, I think it would have been great if they made the displacement of the fabulous LS3 396 cubic inches!
From a pure numbers standpoint, you are correct. However, as everyone here already knows, the LS series engines are not really the big block engines of old (I suppose that's a good thing).
Seeing how we get 400+ HP out of what is basically a small block engine today, it is fun to imagine how much power could be had today in a production Corvette from, say, an aluminum version (to get the weight down) of the old but real big blocks out at 427 or 454 cu in.
thats about 2.5 - 2.6 hp per additional cubic inch. so if LS4 has 396 cub inches, that equates to about 50 additional hp, or 480 total. I could live with that