LS6 Pistons VS. LS1 Pistons?
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LS6 Pistons VS. LS1 Pistons? Whats the difference between the pistons in an LS1 and an LS6. Im about to buy LS6 pistons because I need new ones but I want to make sure they will fit and not cause me any problems?? Also whats the difference between an LS1 crank and an LS6 crank?!? Thanks all you motor guru's!! 
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As far as I'm aware, there is no differnce.
The LS6 has a different cam, head work (everything from valves, springs, chamber
and runners) , as well as a different intake manifold.
I believe the short block is identical otherwise.
Someone please confirm.
The LS6 has a different cam, head work (everything from valves, springs, chamber
and runners) , as well as a different intake manifold.
I believe the short block is identical otherwise.
Someone please confirm.
the block itself is not the same, as it's sooling passages are better. The Ls6 pistons to my knowledge are exactly the same piston a LS1 has.As far as pistons are concerned, Unless you're getting a deal for the LS6's, you should go ahead and get Mahle's forged piston. They go for around $550 including the rings. that's a steal for a quality forged piston
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Im paying $150 for pistons and rods plus shipping, they have 1300 miles on them... I dont really need forged pistons so I dont see a need to pay $500 for them.. I appreciate the help though!!
I have answers to all your questions. I bought Will Handzel's book which is excellent. The book is "How to build high performance Chevy LS1 and LS6 V-8's." I recommend it because it gives you all the Gen III parts interchange between the LQ4, LQ9, LS1 and LS6. You would be surprised what you can swap. Now to get to the questions and answers.
Q: What is the difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons?
A: There is no difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons. Note that all pistons from 2003 on have a heat resistant coating on all sides. The stock pistons will support 500hp. If you are pushing alot more than 500hp use forged pistons.
Q: What is the difference between an LS1 and LS6 crankshaft?
A: There is no difference between the LS1 and LS6 crankshaft. Both engines are identical in cubic inch. This is determined by bore size and stroke. They are identical.
Q: Do the LS1 and LS6 share the same block?
A: Early model LS1's used block numbers 12559378 and 12560626. 1997 and 1998 LS1 blocks could only be honed .004" 1999 and later blocks could be honed .010". The LS6 block is number 12561168 and 122561166 that had ports cut in the main webs for better crankcase ventilation using displacement of oil vapors to adjacent cylinders not being used. Some 2001 and 2002 LS1's share this block. All 2003 and 2004 LS1's used this block.
The book can be bought for around $19.00 from Cartech books. I will post the link here.
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/s...ctGroup_ID=270
As I said the book is excellent. Will Handzel is also the GM Performance Parts Program Manager.
Did you know that the stock cam I removed from my 2003 ZO6 will fit in my 2001 Silverado 5.3 liter for a mimimal 40hp gain without any modifications? This is the type of information that the book offers.
Q: What is the difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons?
A: There is no difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons. Note that all pistons from 2003 on have a heat resistant coating on all sides. The stock pistons will support 500hp. If you are pushing alot more than 500hp use forged pistons.
Q: What is the difference between an LS1 and LS6 crankshaft?
A: There is no difference between the LS1 and LS6 crankshaft. Both engines are identical in cubic inch. This is determined by bore size and stroke. They are identical.
Q: Do the LS1 and LS6 share the same block?
A: Early model LS1's used block numbers 12559378 and 12560626. 1997 and 1998 LS1 blocks could only be honed .004" 1999 and later blocks could be honed .010". The LS6 block is number 12561168 and 122561166 that had ports cut in the main webs for better crankcase ventilation using displacement of oil vapors to adjacent cylinders not being used. Some 2001 and 2002 LS1's share this block. All 2003 and 2004 LS1's used this block.
The book can be bought for around $19.00 from Cartech books. I will post the link here.
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/s...ctGroup_ID=270
As I said the book is excellent. Will Handzel is also the GM Performance Parts Program Manager.
Did you know that the stock cam I removed from my 2003 ZO6 will fit in my 2001 Silverado 5.3 liter for a mimimal 40hp gain without any modifications? This is the type of information that the book offers.
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From: NC, Charlotte / SC, RockHill
All the mention above guys is correct , but I would like to notify u about something related to the 2 blocks :-
the difference between the 2 blocks that the ls6 block has a butterfly shape at the end which helps in cooling issues , In addition ,this is a point of weakness .
Ls1 blocks r mostly prefered , more confedint , and the choice for hot rodderes.
the difference between the 2 blocks that the ls6 block has a butterfly shape at the end which helps in cooling issues , In addition ,this is a point of weakness .
Ls1 blocks r mostly prefered , more confedint , and the choice for hot rodderes.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by zo6vetteman2003
I have answers to all your questions. I bought Will Handzel's book which is excellent. The book is "How to build high performance Chevy LS1 and LS6 V-8's." I recommend it because it gives you all the Gen III parts interchange between the LQ4, LQ9, LS1 and LS6. You would be surprised what you can swap. Now to get to the questions and answers.
Q: What is the difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons?
A: There is no difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons. Note that all pistons from 2003 on have a heat resistant coating on all sides. The stock pistons will support 500hp. If you are pushing alot more than 500hp use forged pistons.
Q: What is the difference between an LS1 and LS6 crankshaft?
A: There is no difference between the LS1 and LS6 crankshaft. Both engines are identical in cubic inch. This is determined by bore size and stroke. They are identical.
Q: Do the LS1 and LS6 share the same block?
A: Early model LS1's used block numbers 12559378 and 12560626. 1997 and 1998 LS1 blocks could only be honed .004" 1999 and later blocks could be honed .010". The LS6 block is number 12561168 and 122561166 that had ports cut in the main webs for better crankcase ventilation using displacement of oil vapors to adjacent cylinders not being used. Some 2001 and 2002 LS1's share this block. All 2003 and 2004 LS1's used this block.
The book can be bought for around $19.00 from Cartech books. I will post the link here.
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/s...ctGroup_ID=270
As I said the book is excellent. Will Handzel is also the GM Performance Parts Program Manager.
Did you know that the stock cam I removed from my 2003 ZO6 will fit in my 2001 Silverado 5.3 liter for a mimimal 40hp gain without any modifications? This is the type of information that the book offers.
Q: What is the difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons?
A: There is no difference between LS1 and LS6 pistons. Note that all pistons from 2003 on have a heat resistant coating on all sides. The stock pistons will support 500hp. If you are pushing alot more than 500hp use forged pistons.
Q: What is the difference between an LS1 and LS6 crankshaft?
A: There is no difference between the LS1 and LS6 crankshaft. Both engines are identical in cubic inch. This is determined by bore size and stroke. They are identical.
Q: Do the LS1 and LS6 share the same block?
A: Early model LS1's used block numbers 12559378 and 12560626. 1997 and 1998 LS1 blocks could only be honed .004" 1999 and later blocks could be honed .010". The LS6 block is number 12561168 and 122561166 that had ports cut in the main webs for better crankcase ventilation using displacement of oil vapors to adjacent cylinders not being used. Some 2001 and 2002 LS1's share this block. All 2003 and 2004 LS1's used this block.
The book can be bought for around $19.00 from Cartech books. I will post the link here.
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/s...ctGroup_ID=270
As I said the book is excellent. Will Handzel is also the GM Performance Parts Program Manager.
Did you know that the stock cam I removed from my 2003 ZO6 will fit in my 2001 Silverado 5.3 liter for a mimimal 40hp gain without any modifications? This is the type of information that the book offers.
About halfway down the page is some info on the LS6 crank.
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/page3.htm
Here's the whole article on the LS6
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/page3.htm
Here's the whole article on the LS6
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls6/
Last edited by DaleMX; Apr 3, 2005 at 07:34 PM.
Awesome link.
The book also says: "The same 3.622" crank is used in the LS1 and LS6 engine, so there is no reason to be swapping them." This can be found on pg. #43 of the Production Parts for Performance section, Chapter 3.
The book also says: "The same 3.622" crank is used in the LS1 and LS6 engine, so there is no reason to be swapping them." This can be found on pg. #43 of the Production Parts for Performance section, Chapter 3.
Hib Halverson proof read the text in the Will Handzel book. It can be found in the acknowledgements. Hib is also coming out with a new book similar to Will's. If you ever visit the http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com Hib has confirmed this. If you have any technical questions, he is happy to answer them.
FormerVendor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,065
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From: Houston, Tx.
If they were domed pistons they would be different but they should be very similar as stock pistons and both should work. You just need to weigh them to see if the balance is different and also some of the LSx stuff is full floating and some is pressed as far as the pins go. I am not an expert on that though as only some of the 6.0 pistons I have seen were actually full floating but some people on here said that the later Z06s were? Haven't seen that myself but I don't look at that many stock LS1s.
