Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 26, 2003 | 06:36 PM
  #1  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Is the LS6 short block any stronger than the LS1? Same rod bolts or will the LS6 ones hold up. I can't imagine they wouldn't have made the shortblock stronger, with the higher rpms of the LS6.

I know the weak point of the LS1 is the rod bolts, and then probably the pistons and then probably the rods. What's the weak point of the LS6 shortblock?

Also, are all LS6 pistons thermal coated or was that 02+ only?

Little rusty on my LS6 knowledge. Thinking about a Z06.

Thanks,
Dope
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2003 | 06:42 PM
  #2  
Warbird's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

the LS6 is a little thicker around the waterjackets (good for boring and resleeving)and the blocks are vented to help relieve crankcase pressure.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2003 | 07:44 PM
  #3  
Smoke_Ford's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, IN
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

If you can grab one then think about it, but dont go paying a ton of money just cause it has the LS6 name. They are a dime a dozen. Metaphorically speaking...
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2003 | 10:36 PM
  #4  
StevieZ's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

A little stronger and better crank case ventilation and that is about it.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 12:16 AM
  #5  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Okay, so the block is stronger, but what about the rest of the short block? (rotating assembly)

Dope
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 07:01 AM
  #6  
niphilli's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 9
From: Raleigh, NC
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

From what I have read it is the same rotating assy. , just balanced a little better
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 12:26 PM
  #7  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

So, still the same issue of weak rod bolts? Hmmmm.

Dope
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 12:46 PM
  #8  
SouthFL.02.SS's Avatar
!LS1 11 Second Club
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,133
Likes: 2
From: Miami
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Ported bulkheads.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 09:57 PM
  #9  
u8dusst's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

And updated phazer cuplinks and inertial dampeners. This cuts down on the microfractures in the tritanium ported bulkheads.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2003 | 11:53 PM
  #10  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Man, all the knowledgable people that used to come here have been replaced by jokers

Dope
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2003 | 09:43 AM
  #11  
SouthFL.02.SS's Avatar
!LS1 11 Second Club
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,133
Likes: 2
From: Miami
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

Man, all the knowledgable people that used to come here have been replaced by jokers

Dope

Who's joking?:

IMPROVED BAY-T0-BAY BREATHING
The aluminum block casting deletes machined holes in the LS1 block bulkhead and adds honed "overtravel'' windows, which allow better bay-to-bay breathing. On the downstroke, pistons push air back toward the crankcase, creating back-pressure, or resistance, that slows downward movement and robs power. The LS6 block reduces this internal ``windage'' by managing airflow more efficiently. The overtravel windows allow air to move more freely between cylinder bays, reducing back-pressure and freeing the pistons' downward movement.
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2003 | 11:56 PM
  #12  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

I was actually referring to the guy that posted above me. I was really asking about the short block, not the block itself, but I still managed to get 5 people telling me about the block

I kinda doubt it's the same rotating assembly, because I've heard the pistons are thermal/teflon coated (?).

Dope
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2003 | 03:50 PM
  #13  
Boosted LS1's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 320
Likes: 5
From: Nottingham, Notts, England, UK
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

The late block is also sand cast instead of being die cast so I'm another dude talking about the block . Sand casting is meant to be superior to die casting from a strength point of view. Only the later pistons are teflon coated. As far as I know vette motors are more finely balanced but I haven't noticed any changes with the rods or rod bolts but then, I'm a long way away.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2003 | 03:16 AM
  #14  
Dope's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington, MA
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

ttt

Dope
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2003 | 08:26 AM
  #15  
niphilli's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 9
From: Raleigh, NC
Default Re: What are the differences between LS6 and LS1 short blocks?

I was actually referring to the guy that posted above me. I was really asking about the short block, not the block itself, but I still managed to get 5 people telling me about the block

I kinda doubt it's the same rotating assembly, because I've heard the pistons are thermal/teflon coated (?).

Dope
That was part of the "fix" for the oil consumption problems that came up in '01. I am pretty sure they are use in all LS-x applications.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:21 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE