©2001 by Hib Halverson.
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Drive it like ya stole it and the LS6 engine in the Z06 kicks ass, big-time.

Shift an LS6 at 6500 rpm, just 100 rpm shy of its rev limiter. While the motor peaks at six grand, it’s power curve from there to its 6600 rpm fuel cut-off is nearly flat. Better yet, it out-powers the ’97-’00 LS1, not just at the top end; but everywhere once you’re off idle. As always,The Idaho Corvette Page brings you in-depth coverage of high technology in the Chevrolet Corvette. We hope you enjoy our look at the new, LS6.

This new member of the "Generation III Small-Block V8" engine family presents us with a chance to quantify the rate at which technology marches by comparing it to the LT5, introduced by GM 13 years ago.

	Photo: GMPT Communications Click Image For Larger View

Developed jointly by England’s Lotus Engineering and GM Powertrain Division and manufactured by MerCruiser in Stillwater, Oklahoma, LT5 was the first American production V8 to pass the one, SAE net horsepower per cubic inch mark. This historic, all-aluminum, four-cam, 32-valve, 350 cubic inch V8 was in all Corvette ZR-1s and is responsible for the performance that made those cars legends.

With LT5, the technology advancements GM, Lotus and MerCruiser made in large-bore, high-performance, mass-production V8s stunned the automotive world more than a decade ago. Key LT5 features were incorporated in GM V8s of today, such as the "Premium V8" series ("Northstar" and "Aurora") and the Gen IIIs. For a dozen years, LT5 reigned as the most powerful production engine in any GM car since 1969. It kept the ZR1 King-of-the-Hill Corvette until the Z06 debuted in the fall of 2000. When it was introduced in the summer of 1988, the LT5 generated 375 SAE net hp at 6000 rpm and 370 lbs/ft torque at 4800 rpm. That kind of performance was cutting-edge...for its day.

LT5 was then.

LS6 is now.

Drawing: David Kimble/Chevrolet Communications Click Image For Larger View

This new Gen III puts out 385hp at 6000 rpm and 385lbs/ft torque at 4800rpm. A dozen years of engine technology advancement gets us 10 horsepower and 15 pounds/feet torque with identical peaks. If that doesn’t seem like much, consider that improvement comes from an engine with: slightly less displacement, smaller physical size, only one cam, only two valves-per-cylinder, pushrod valve gear, less weight and better fuel mileage.

Now that, my geargeek friends, is big news.

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