5 Best Factory LS Equipped Cars

1. Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO has a cult following in the United States. The GTO is based on the Australian Holden Monaro, which makes it a unicorn among LS cars. The GTO was produced from 2004-2006. The 2004 models came with the LS1 out of the C5 Corvette and made 350hp. The 2004 models are less sought after, making them a great value for those looking for a beginner LS platform. The 2005 and 2006 models came with updated styling including a rear spoiler, hood scoop, and rear fascia. Along with those improvements, the GTO received the LS2 engine from the C6 Corvette. The GTO is unique in that it has an independent rear suspension, a nice interior, and seats four people. With some simple mods, these cars can be made to be extremely quick and handle well. If you are looking for a fun daily driver that responds well to mods, the GTO is a great candidate. 

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2. C6 Corvette

The C6 Corvette was the last LS-powered Corvette produced. From 2005-2007, the base model C6 Corvette came with the 400hp LS2 engine. This engine was extremely easy to make power out of with a simple heads and cam swap. The factory Z51 suspension handles great, which makes it a worthwhile option to look for in a used Corvette. In 2008, all base models received the LS3 engine. This engine was a big step up in displacement and technology, making it respond even more to mods and providing more resale value. The C6 also came in the Z06 package and made it a complete monster. The Z06 gave the Corvette the LS7 7.0L, widebody rear fenders, side scoops and a hood vent. These improvements completely transform the car into a street legal racecar, which make it one of the most sought after used Corvettes in the market. Lastly, the king of the C6 Corvettes is the ZR1. This gave the Corvette all of the improvements the Z06 had, except it received carbon ceramic brakes, a 6.2L supercharged V8, creating 638hp, and more styling improvements. The downfall of the C6 to most critics is that the interior quality is not up to par, but you are paying for the drivetrain and the way it drives! 

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3. F-Body Camaro/Firebird

The F-body is one the best budget platforms to approach any type of racing. The F-body received an LS1 engine from 1998-2002 and is the most basic of factory LS1 powered cars. It has a basic transmission setup with a solid rear end axle. However, this platform is extremely versatile in that basic suspension and tire changes can transform it from an autocross car to a drag racing hero. Finding a unmodified F-body can be difficult, as they are very cheap to modify and gain a lot of performance over stock. The F-body is available as either a Firebird or a Camaro. The Firebird weighs a little bit more but has more aggressive styling and a slightly better interior. There is an extensive community behind this platform making modifications and troubleshooting a breeze. No matter what your purpose is with your car, it is hard to wrong with an F-body! 

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4. Cadillac CTS-V

The CTS-V was a breakthrough vehicle introduced by Cadillac. The V division of Cadillac decided to take the LS6 from the Corvette and put it in their CTS, making for the ultimate sleeper. These cars can take the same modifications as any LS engine making them easy to make power with. However, the interior quality is sub-par, but they can still make excellent daily drivers. If you are looking for a 4-door LS powered sleeper, look no further. In 2009, Cadillac introduced the second generation of the CTS-V. The second generation had a slightly de-tuned LSA from the Camaro ZL1. However, the interior was world class and the car responded extremely well to mods. Styling was also improved, which makes this a true BMW M5 competitor. These cars make great values for a fast and comfortable daily driver. 

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5. C5 Corvette

The C5 Corvette is reaching the point of becoming a classic, however, these cars can be found for less than $10,000 in the used market. In 1997, GM introduced the LS1 in the Corvette and it was put to use until 2004, the last model year. The C5 made 350hp and came with a state-of-the-art chassis and transaxle drivetrain setup. This made the C5 extremely well balanced and confidence inspiring to drive. The C5 also came in the Z06 package from 2001-2004. The 2001 Z06 made 385hp with the LS6 engine, which was a LS1 with better heads, valvetrain, and camshaft. In 2002, the LS6 was updated for more performance and produced 405hp. The hallmark of the C5 Z06 is its weight. It only weighs 3,100 lbs, making it respond extremely well to performance mods and excellent in the corners. If you are buying a manual C5 Corvette, beware that clutch swaps can be expensive so find one with low miles or a recently replaced clutch! 

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