Farewell: GM to Discontinue the LS7 V8 Crate Engine
It was inevitable that GM would discontinue the LS7, but that doesn’t make the news any easier to accept.
On Monday, GM confirmed they will discontinue the LS7 and LS427/570 crate engines. News of the LS7’s demise first surfaced on Reddit four days ago in a post by bissellpowerforce. And Road and Track confirmed the news after contacting a Chevy spokesperson.
According to Chevy, GM plans to fulfill all current orders and sell the remaining engines. However they list both the LS7 and the LS427/570 as discontinued on the Chevrolet Performance website.
Based on the LS family, GM bored the small-block engine out to 4.125 inches with a 4.0 inch stroke, providing 7.0 liters or 427 cubic inches of displacement. The dry-sump version of the engine produced 505 horsepower at 6,300 RPM. It powered the C6 Corvette Z06 and 427 convertible as well as the Camaro Z/28.
GM also built a wet-sump version of the engine, known as the LS427/570. Named for it’s displacement and horsepower, the LS427/570 produced more power than the original LS7 due to its higher-lift camshaft.
But the LS7 and LS427/570 are more than the sum of their parts or impressive wide-band power ratings. They are a popular choice for engine swaps, ideal for a restomod, or pro-street muscle car, or even a track day weapon. And they are worthy successors to the legendary 427 and 454 Big Block engines of the past.
Variants of the original Big Blocks powered everything from stripped-down Biscaynes to Corvettes and exotics like the Iso Grifo. They competed and won races in anything with four wheels. Likewise you’ll find the LS7 or LS427/570 in just about any GM car or truck, and even some other makes.
We knew the LS7’s days were numbered. The gradual shift to electric and hybrid powertrains, and the availability of electric crate engines spelled out its fate. There are still a number of great engines available, but discontinuing the LS7 hits hard.
It’s said that change is the only constant in the world. And that saying definitely applies to the auto industry. But even though the change away from naturally-aspirated combustion engines started a while ago, the demise of the LS7 feels like a tipping point towards their end.
Photos: Chevrolet Performance
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