LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Tulsa, Ok
LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP?
Could GM have released bogus performance numbers at the Vegas Dealers meetings? I just got to thinking - LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP? What about all the other tricks they have pulled off? Bigger cam, better fueling and other things have to account for something more... Are we in for a 550hp or even a 560hp surprise? Or is 8% more to net 8% more a fair assessment?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ashland, OH
Could GM have released bogus performance numbers at the Vegas Dealers meetings? I just got to thinking - LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP? What about all the other tricks they have pulled off? Bigger cam, better fueling and other things have to account for something more... Are we in for a 550hp or even a 560hp surprise? Or is 8% more to net 8% more a fair assessment?
There are SO many variables besides displacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Obviously, nothing is truly set until GM does their official announcement, but I feel like a 40HP jump is pretty good. Keep in mind the recent HP jumps have been:
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
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Obviously, nothing is truly set until GM does their official announcement, but I feel like a 40HP jump is pretty good. Keep in mind the recent HP jumps have been:
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
Anything under 550hp is lame, regardless of the past.
The new 6.6 in the trucks is rumored to jump from today's 6.2 @ 420hp to 475hp, in an application that REALLY prioritizes low end grunt.
EDIT: The 6.6 L8T is 401hp. The 6.6 L8P is 523hp. The difference? GM basically stabbed a cam in the L8T and called it a day. A new 6.6 Corvette motor should bury an L8P.
Last edited by PacerX; Mar 25, 2026 at 04:00 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,146
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
Could GM have released bogus performance numbers at the Vegas Dealers meetings? I just got to thinking - LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP? What about all the other tricks they have pulled off? Bigger cam, better fueling and other things have to account for something more... Are we in for a 550hp or even a 560hp surprise? Or is 8% more to net 8% more a fair assessment?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Melbourne, FL
GM could squeeze 550hp out of a motor this size easily. But they won't, they have no need to because they have nobody competing against them. 530hp will satisfy the "need a reason to upgrade" crowd, beats Mustang GT in HP, and gives them plenty of room to have some motors that make more power from variation to not get sued.
As much as I think having it make 550hp is the right call, I also recognize they will not, and will instead probably offer a "hot cam" from GMPP that makes 550hp or more. And if you install that, you get no warranty, so it's a win-win for them.
As much as I think having it make 550hp is the right call, I also recognize they will not, and will instead probably offer a "hot cam" from GMPP that makes 550hp or more. And if you install that, you get no warranty, so it's a win-win for them.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,177
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Obviously, nothing is truly set until GM does their official announcement, but I feel like a 40HP jump is pretty good. Keep in mind the recent HP jumps have been:
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
LS1-LS2: 50HP (2005) change from 5.7L to 6.0L
LS2-LS3: 36HP (2008) change from 6.0L to 6.2L
LS3-LT1: 24HP (2014) change to direct injection, still 6.2L
LT1-LT2: 35HP (2020)
So jumping by 40HP from the LT2 to the LS6 will be the biggest jump for the base engine Corvette since 2005. I'm honestly surprised sometimes that they keep squeezing more HP out over the years, especially getting another 35HP out of the LT2 which is the same displacement and DI as the LT1. It really feels like GM is at the point of not having much more they can optimize, so gains from just straight displacement increase make sense.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,785
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Have to disagree...
Anything under 550hp is lame, regardless of the past.
The new 6.6 in the trucks is rumored to jump from today's 6.2 @ 420hp to 475hp, in an application that REALLY prioritizes low end grunt.
EDIT: The 6.6 L8T is 401hp. The 6.6 L8P is 523hp. The difference? GM basically stabbed a cam in the L8T and called it a day. A new 6.6 Corvette motor should bury an L8P.
Anything under 550hp is lame, regardless of the past.
The new 6.6 in the trucks is rumored to jump from today's 6.2 @ 420hp to 475hp, in an application that REALLY prioritizes low end grunt.
EDIT: The 6.6 L8T is 401hp. The 6.6 L8P is 523hp. The difference? GM basically stabbed a cam in the L8T and called it a day. A new 6.6 Corvette motor should bury an L8P.
GM could squeeze 550hp out of a motor this size easily. But they won't, they have no need to because they have nobody competing against them. 530hp will satisfy the "need a reason to upgrade" crowd, beats Mustang GT in HP, and gives them plenty of room to have some motors that make more power from variation to not get sued.
As much as I think having it make 550hp is the right call, I also recognize they will not, and will instead probably offer a "hot cam" from GMPP that makes 550hp or more. And if you install that, you get no warranty, so it's a win-win for them.
As much as I think having it make 550hp is the right call, I also recognize they will not, and will instead probably offer a "hot cam" from GMPP that makes 550hp or more. And if you install that, you get no warranty, so it's a win-win for them.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,177
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From: Short Hills, NJ
I think we might still get a little surprise with the final LS6 power ratings as well. Not quite 550hp, but possibly 540hp in the Grand Sport (standard NPP exhaust?) and 535hp in the Stingray without NPP exhaust?
But the big story will also be the torque numbers. If it’s in the 510 - 515 range, you will feel that.
But the big story will also be the torque numbers. If it’s in the 510 - 515 range, you will feel that.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Melbourne, FL
I don’t think an OE LT2 cam in a L8T would make 500hp as the rule of thumb is 2hp/1* of intake duration. Keep in mind the L8T is tuned for 87 octane and the L8P is tuned for premium, so that’s part of the difference as well.
The LT2 already makes more than the Mustang GT?
The LT2 already makes more than the Mustang GT?
Either way that means the C8 would make more hp than Dark horse with 530hp. GM can claim "best in class horsepower" with impunity. Except charger makes 550hp from its turbo I6. Let's not talk about that lest GM think that's what we want and send their trolls out to defend not offering a V8 and only doing a turbo I6 as "the future" and that wanting a V8 makes you a Luddite or any of the other crap the anti manual crowd says.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South Carolina
That's fair I thought the GT and dark horse made the same 500hp.
Either way that means the C8 would make more hp than Dark horse with 530hp. GM can claim "best in class horsepower" with impunity. Except charger makes 550hp from its turbo I6. Let's not talk about that lest GM think that's what we want and send their trolls out to defend not offering a V8 and only doing a turbo I6 as "the future" and that wanting a V8 makes you a Luddite or any of the other crap the anti manual crowd says.
Either way that means the C8 would make more hp than Dark horse with 530hp. GM can claim "best in class horsepower" with impunity. Except charger makes 550hp from its turbo I6. Let's not talk about that lest GM think that's what we want and send their trolls out to defend not offering a V8 and only doing a turbo I6 as "the future" and that wanting a V8 makes you a Luddite or any of the other crap the anti manual crowd says.
It'd really be no comparison to the mustang engine imo....302 to 409 CI....
And now the Dark horse will come with a supercharger at about 800 hp.. if you want... so there goes that impunity... oops...
Now matter how you slice it they get all they can get out of the little motor..I personally prefer the low end grunt more cubes provide.To be fair..I may swing for the c8 with the new engine...that may be enough to move me to jump in..
Last edited by hawkgfr; Mar 26, 2026 at 01:04 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
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Could GM have released bogus performance numbers at the Vegas Dealers meetings? I just got to thinking - LS6 gets 8% more volume and only 8% more HP? What about all the other tricks they have pulled off? Bigger cam, better fueling and other things have to account for something more... Are we in for a 550hp or even a 560hp surprise? Or is 8% more to net 8% more a fair assessment?
But, that is without any other efficiency changes.
So, yes, it very well could be they are blowing smoke.
It could also be that they are being conservative until final development is done, and the numbers could change by the time they go into production.
I predicted 550 HP quite a while back during a similar discussion, it's a nice round power number, and sounds way more impressive than 535 HP.
But, they will not allow it to make more HP, combined with the electric front drive X motor, than the Z06 makes, so they will have to bump the Z06 up too, so they may be waiting until they get all the engine power numbers nailed down.
Pro
Joined: May 2025
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From: Bucks County, PA
Yes, but the new engine horsepower rating will start with a 5 Instead of a 4, so it’s way more. .
people either think that way, or marketers think people think that way. If somebody wants to sell their house for $500,000, they listed for $499,999. makes me wonder if that’s why the original C8 was 495 HP, so the next jump would look more appealing.
people either think that way, or marketers think people think that way. If somebody wants to sell their house for $500,000, they listed for $499,999. makes me wonder if that’s why the original C8 was 495 HP, so the next jump would look more appealing.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,146
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
That's fair I thought the GT and dark horse made the same 500hp.
Either way that means the C8 would make more hp than Dark horse with 530hp. GM can claim "best in class horsepower" with impunity. Except charger makes 550hp from its turbo I6. Let's not talk about that lest GM think that's what we want and send their trolls out to defend not offering a V8 and only doing a turbo I6 as "the future" and that wanting a V8 makes you a Luddite or any of the other crap the anti manual crowd says.
Either way that means the C8 would make more hp than Dark horse with 530hp. GM can claim "best in class horsepower" with impunity. Except charger makes 550hp from its turbo I6. Let's not talk about that lest GM think that's what we want and send their trolls out to defend not offering a V8 and only doing a turbo I6 as "the future" and that wanting a V8 makes you a Luddite or any of the other crap the anti manual crowd says.
I will say I actually prefer the Hurricane engine over the Hemi in my Ram as it’s lowend torque is better for towing, though that’s not the powerband want for a sports car as I like a more linear torque curve on the track.
Team Owner
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,146
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
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I am disappointed in the final numbers on this new LS6.
Seems to me like just the displacement increase alone should have given the 40 HP bump, throw in the added comp ratio and new intake tuning and you would think that 550 HP would have been the number.
But, after listening to the engineers and others discuss the engine particulars, they did not build for HP, they built for torque.
Smaller high velocity intake ports and manifold runners make torque, but limit top horsepower.
Seems to me like just the displacement increase alone should have given the 40 HP bump, throw in the added comp ratio and new intake tuning and you would think that 550 HP would have been the number.
But, after listening to the engineers and others discuss the engine particulars, they did not build for HP, they built for torque.
Smaller high velocity intake ports and manifold runners make torque, but limit top horsepower.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,785
From: Fort Worth, Texas
I am disappointed in the final numbers on this new LS6.
Seems to me like just the displacement increase alone should have given the 40 HP bump, throw in the added comp ratio and new intake tuning and you would think that 550 HP would have been the number.
But, after listening to the engineers and others discuss the engine particulars, they did not build for HP, they built for torque.
Smaller high velocity intake ports and manifold runners make torque, but limit top horsepower.
Seems to me like just the displacement increase alone should have given the 40 HP bump, throw in the added comp ratio and new intake tuning and you would think that 550 HP would have been the number.
But, after listening to the engineers and others discuss the engine particulars, they did not build for HP, they built for torque.
Smaller high velocity intake ports and manifold runners make torque, but limit top horsepower.
