I did some reasearch about this LS6 engine... it's like the LS1, only way better! I tried a search, but no-one seems to be talking about it at all...

Is the LS6 the same swap as a LS1? I have been toying with engine swap ideas, and the LS1 looked good till I saw this!

Any input/info is appreciated!

Yes the LS6 is a better than the LS1. But the LS6 is a harder to come by and quite a bit more expensive. But the Basics of the swap should be the same. Sorry I can't help you much more than that, just basic knowledge that I know.

Later, Garrett

I would imagine that swapping the LS1 and matching the LS6 specs through the camshaft and cylinder head work would turn out cheaper in the end. Trying to get a hand on a used LS6 is near impossible at this time, and the new ones are pretty expensive.

Are they available thru GM, or not yet, or not ever?


Any leads on an LS6 cam?

Thanks again!

The LS6 swap can be done. I have seen a 4th gen with an LS6 in it at the Pavillions here in Scottsdale last Saturday. It looked pretty awesome.

the diff between the LS1 and LS6 is the same as a 305,327,400 and 350... externally they are the same, its whats inside thats diffrent..

so swapping a LS6 in is basicly the same as swapping in a LS1..


personally, if i was going to swap in a LS1/LS6, i would just get one of the "better" 01-02 LS1 blocks and put some ported heads and a aftermarket cam in it... much cheaper then trying to get a factory LS6, and depending on what you do, it could be better performing too.

Some firebirds came with the LS6 block in 01 and 02. There was a surplus of LS6 castings that GM let go into the late f-bodies. I was forunate to get one.

I still had to pay a premium for this, but it was not as bad as the LS6 tax. With the money leftover I did cam, springs, and a few other things to get it up to LS6 specs.

In 2001 all LS1 engines inhereted the LS6 intake. About 25% of f-bodies got the LS6 block.

The casting number is the only way to tell.

12561168 LS6 block. In this version, the only difference between the LS6 engine is the heads, cam and windage tray under the plenum.

12559378 LS1 block. Uses a different block, heads, and cam, windage tray, etc.

Overall the LS6 block is stronger and has about 80% better internal windage than the original LS1 casting. As of 03 all LS1 engines use the LS6 block.

Unless you are going "all out" racing then the LS6 block isn't going to be worth the cost. As for heads I perfer the LQ9 heads. They are the same as the LS6 design except for larger combustion chambers. Everyone has their preference. There are ups and downs to either swap LS1,LS6,6.0..ect. Personaly I am in the route of doing the 6.0 swap.

Here is what the latest GM Performance Parts Catalog has to offer: P/n 12498399: LS6 Service Engine with Camaro Oil Pan Kit. This is a long block for a 2001-03 Corvette RPO LS6 with 5.7L and 405 horsepower, which includes a Camaro oil pan assembly in the crate....

The Catalog goes on to note, in bold print, "Emissions legal for Corvette LS6 option only."

BTW, this engine does not include an intake mani, exhaust mani and a few other parts.

Dare I ask how much?

I just checked gmpartsdirect.com. Okay, are you sitting down?
GM List: just over $7,000.
gmpartsdirect.com: just under $5,000, but that does not include shipping and gmpartsdirect.com will get you on the shipping (they have great prices, but they make up for it on s&h).

The LS6 block is different so you couldnt put LS6 heads, cam and intake on a LS1. You could get lucky and either
#1 Find a crashed Z06
#2 Find a crashed fbody that got the LS6 block, just ls1 h/c
#3 spend the money and buy a LS6.

Every LS1 got a LS6 intake manifold from 00 on i belive(maybe 01-02 but not sure), so thoes arent that hard to find. Some Fbodies did come with a LS6 block. I will post info on it from the GMHTPM article talking about it. And LS6 swap is a good swap, but there are more LS1 engines out there and so they are the best bang for the buck i guess you can say. LT1 swaps are also a good idea as they are a better engine then the 305/350's we got. Im just gunna wait for the LS2 to come out.... question is that will you be able to get the crate motor with the displacement on demand... 450hp... 40mpg... can life get better? i submit that it cannot!...

I agree. I read somewhere that the LS2 will have interchangibility with the LS1. The variable valve timing has already appeared in the Caddilac XLR. I smell some upgrades in my future!

the XLR will have the DOHC northstar 4.6... not the LS2 in it... But i wouldnt be surprised to see the XLR-V peformance car to cary the vette Z06 engine... There was a whole artilce in Corvette Fever mag this month on the new LS2. They said that the heads will be splayed like the big block motors of yore to increase valve size and flow which = to MORE HP BABY! Also, they said a 427 500hp motor would not be out of the question with this new engine. the LS2 will share some design parts of the LS1, but the heads, cam and valvetrain parts will be different. I wish i could scan the pic thats in the mag... it looks very much like the LS1, as i belive it will share its intake manifild, or atleast the design of it. I cant get over that GM is allowing someone to share with the vette... the frame of the vette!! dam, fbodies never got so lucky... we got detuned, left overs from the vette... they get a new space age hyrdoformed IRS chassis... and realease before the new c6... dam caddy...

Not true, it's done all the time. The LS6 block has several improvements but ove the LS1 block but the LS6 heads, LS6 intake, and LS6 cam can be used with the LS1 block. Most people skip the LS6 cam as there are a great many cams that are far more powerful. Check out www.ls1tech.com for proof.

Quote:
Every LS1 got a LS6 intake manifold from 00 on i belive(maybe 01-02 but not sure), so thoes arent that hard to find.

The 01+ Fbody's got the LS6 intake.

Quote:
m just gunna wait for the LS2 to come out.... question is that will you be able to get the crate motor with the displacement on demand... 450hp... 40mpg... can life get better? i submit that it cannot!...

There should be some killer stuff coming out indeed!

oops... what i ment to say was that you cant put on ls6 heads, cam and intake and call it a ls6.... The block is made at a differnt plant, i belive in Mexico... its made out of some type of magnesium alloy? hold, getting the article...

Gm said about 10-15% of f cars got the ls6 and 25% got them in 02...
Cast number is 12561168. Also, the block doesnt have such a shine as the LS1's. As of 03, all LS1/LS6 blocks will be of the LS6 flavor...

weres the casting number on the LS1 blocks?

Look where the square is on the back of my engine. The number is perpendicular to the white tag.

damn so you cant really see it when the motor is int he car