what cars have ls engines

[LaEthan]

The LS engine family, primarily from General Motors, has been installed in a wide range of vehicles beyond the iconic Chevrolet Corvette. You'll find these powerful and reliable V8s in numerous cars, trucks, and SUVs from GM brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and even in some models from Holden in Australia. The most common cars equipped with factory LS engines include the Chevrolet Camaro (SS models), Pontiac GTO (2004-2006), and the Chevrolet SS (2014-2017). They are also the heart of high-performance vehicles like the Cadillac CTS-V and the ultra-rare C6-generation Corvette ZR1.

Beyond sports cars, LS engines were widely used in full-size trucks and SUVs such as the Chevrolet Silverado/Sierra, Tahoe, and Suburban. Their reputation for durability and massive aftermarket support makes them a favorite for engine swaps, but from the factory, GM put them in everything from muscle cars to workhorses.

The term "LS engine" often refers to the Gen III and Gen IV small-block V8s, which include codes like LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS7. Here’s a quick reference table of some notable vehicles and their specific LS engines:

Vehicle Model	Model Years	LS Engine Code	Displacement	Horsepower (Approx.)
Chevrolet Corvette C5	1997-2004	LS1	5.7L	345-350 hp
Chevrolet Camaro SS (5th Gen)	2010-2015	LS3	6.2L	426 hp
Pontiac GTO	2004-2006	LS1 / LS2	5.7L / 6.0L	350-400 hp
Cadillac CTS-V (2nd Gen)	2009-2014	LSA (Supercharged)	6.2L	556 hp
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	1999-2007	LM7 / LQ4	4.8L / 6.0L	270-300 hp
Holden Commodore (VE)	2006-2013	LS2 / L76	6.0L	362-403 hp
Chevrolet SSR	2003-2006	LS2	6.0L	390 hp

If you're looking for a car with a factory LS, your best bets are performance-oriented models from Chevrolet and its siblings. However, the most affordable and plentiful options are often the trucks and SUVs, which provide a fantastic platform for potential upgrades.

[DelCamille]

If you're hunting for a project car or a daily driver with serious potential, don't just look at the obvious sports cars. The GM trucks and SUVs are where the real bargains are. My first recommendation is always a Chevrolet Tahoe or Silverado from the early 2000s with a 5.3L or 6.0L Vortec engine. Those are LS-based engines (like the LM7 and LQ4) and are absolute tanks. They're everywhere in junkyards, cheap to buy running, and have a mountain of affordable swap parts available. You get a solid, powerful V8 foundation without the "muscle car" price tag.

[LeFinley]

As a performance enthusiast, the definitive LS-powered cars for me are the C5 and C6 Corvettes and the 5th-gen Camaro SS. The LS3 in the Camaro is a masterpiece, delivering 426 horsepower stock and responding incredibly well to simple modifications like a cold air intake and a tune. Finding a well-maintained example from 2010-2015 gives you modern amenities with that classic, raw LS power. The aftermarket support is virtually endless, allowing you to build anything from a sharp street car to a full-blown track monster.

[Young]

From a purist's perspective, the most significant LS car is the 1997 Corvette (C5). It was the first vehicle to feature the new LS1 engine, marking a clean break from the old small-block Chevy design. This all-aluminum engine was lighter and more powerful, setting a new standard. Other key models for collectors include the 2006 Pontiac GTO (with the 6.0L LS2) and the final Chevrolet SS sedan. These cars represent important chapters in the LS story, blending modern performance with a nod to heritage.