LS3 6.2L engine: specs, donor vehicles & swap notes
The LS3 is a 6.2 L aluminum-block Generation IV engine built 2008–2017, rated 425–436 hp. It came in 13 vehicle applications, including Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro SS (manual only).
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| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| RPO | LS3 |
| Family | Generation IV |
| Years | 2008–2017 |
| Displacement | 6.2 L / 376 ci |
| Horsepower | 425–436 hp |
| Torque | 424–428 lb-ft |
| Bore × stroke | 4.065 × 3.622 in |
| Compression | 10.70:1 |
| Block | aluminum |
| AFM/DOD | No |
| VIN 8th digit | W |
| Reluctor | 58x |
| Stock cam | Wet sump cam PN 12623066 / dry sump cam PN 12631811; duration 204°/211° @.050 in. int./exh.; valve lift 0.551"/0.525" int./exh.; 117° LSA; 1-bolt (wet) / 3-bolt (dry) gear, 4x; AFM No, VVT No. |
| Firing order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 |
| Head casting | 821 |
- Valve guide wear. Fix: Bronze valve guides; head work $2,500-$4,500.
- Oil consumption at high mileage. Fix: Replace the PCV valve first; compression and leak-down tests.
- Lifter tick / valvetrain wear. Fix: Oil system flush and full-synthetic 5W-30; severe cases need lifter replacement.
- Overheating / weak cooling system. Fix: Replace thermostat; larger aluminum radiator and high-flow water pump.
Aluminum, sodium exhaust valves. L92-sourced heads, cam with 14 mm lift, 6 mm offset intake rockers, high-flow intake, 47 lb/hr injectors; L76/L92/LS3 heads use 55 mm intake / 1.59 in exhaust valves
The LS3 specs above are not yet confirmed against GM documents; GM ratings varied by year and vehicle.
How the LS3 differs from the other 6.2 L Gen IV engines
The LS3 is one of the seven 6.2 L Gen IV engines we list: L92, L94, L99, L9H, LS3, LS9, LSA. From our engine table:
- No AFM. The L94, L99 have it, so the LS3 is the easier cam-swap candidate of the group.
- Compression 10.70:1, the highest of the group.
- Up to 436 hp from the factory (3rd of the seven 6.2 L Gen IV engines we list; the group tops out at 638 hp).
- No VVT (the L92, L94, L99, L9H have it).
- Built 2008–2017.
Swapping the LS3: what to plan for
- Computer: the LS3 has a 58x crank. An E38 or E67 matches it; a 0411/P59 also needs a 58x-to-24x converter box and its own sensor and knock-sensor wiring. Throttle and wiring have to suit the computer too. More: how to wire your LS (the full checklist for your engine and computer).
- From a Corvette: Corvette spacing, the most compact accessory drive. The C6 wet-sump pan is the shallowest we measured (4.85 in.), but its deep section is the longest, so check clearance along its length. More: accessory drive spacing.
- From a Pontiac G8: Corvette accessory spacing, and the G8 pan only fits its original car (avoid it for a swap). More: oil pans.
- From a 2010–2015 Camaro: truck accessory spacing, and the 2010–2015 Camaro pan only fits its original car (avoid it for a swap). More: oil pans.
Refresh parts for the LS3
From our Gen IV refresh list, the parts that are specific to the LS3. Seals, gaskets and the upgrades worth doing on any Gen IV with the engine out are in the full refresh list, next to every torque spec.
| Part | GM part # | Why for this engine |
|---|---|---|
| GM Performance composition head gasket, LS2/LS3/L92, each | 12610046 | Listed for the LS3; a new gasket goes on any time the heads come off. |
| GM cylinder head gasket for GM LS9 engines, 4.100 in bore, .054 in compressed thickness, each | 12622033 | Listed for the LS3; a new gasket goes on any time the heads come off. |
| OEM-style cylinder head gasket LS3/L92 6.2L, standard LS bolt pattern | 12610046 | Listed for the LS3; a new gasket goes on any time the heads come off. |
| LSXceleration Gen IV LS knock sensor 28-23730 | 28-23730 | The LS3 has its knock sensors on the side of the block. |
| GM Gen IV camshaft position sensor 12591720 (58x engines) | 12591720 | 58x LS3: the cam sensor lives in the front cover. |
| Chevrolet Performance 58x crankshaft position sensor 12703627 | 12703627 | 58x LS3: the crank sensor is behind the starter. |
From real tunes: 6.2 L on a Gen IV computer
What these settings look like in the 462 naturally aspirated pump-gas tunes for 6.2 L engines on Gen IV computers (E38, E67 and the 24x E40) in our tune library (as of 2026-10-15). Every RPO of this size is pooled, not only the LS3, and so are all cams, heads and builds: that is why the ranges are wide. Use them to spot a value that is far outside what works, not as your numbers.
| Setting | Range | Median | Tunes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot idle target | 550 rpm to 900 rpm | 700 rpm | 462 (middle 80%) |
| Warm idle airflow, in gear | 6.5 g/s to 13.2 g/s | 7.9 g/s | 462 (middle 80%) |
| Idle spark (around 800 rpm) | 13° to 21° | 15° | 462 (middle 80%) |
| Power enrichment (PE) lambda | 0.76 to 0.86 | 0.79 | 449 (middle 80%) |
| WOT spark at 5,000 rpm, about 0.9 g/cyl | 11.0° to 27.5° | 20.5° | 462 (middle 80%) |
For starting values matched to your LS3's cam, injectors and fuel, use the turn-on tune builder. Always finish on a dyno, and read our safe tuning limits before any wide-open pass.
Donor vehicles with the LS3
Where to find an LS3 at the junkyard: 13 vehicle applications below. Confirm it from the RPO sticker in the glovebox or the 8th VIN digit (for the LS3: W).
| Vehicle | Years |
|---|---|
| AC 378 GT Zagato | 2012 |
| Arrinera Hussarya 33 | 2016 |
| Bolwell Nagari 500 | 2019 |
| Chevrolet Camaro SS (manual only) | 2010–2015 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 2008–2013 |
| Chevrolet SS | 2014–2017 |
| HSV E Series | 2008–2013 |
| Holden VF II Commodore | 2015–2017 |
| Holden WN II Caprice | 2015–2017 |
| Holden vehicles including: | 2008–2017 |
| Pontiac G8 GXP | 2009 |
| SIN R1 450 | 2015 |
| Vauxhall VXR8 | 2009–2017 |
Buying a used LS3
A used LS3 has no single part number, so this page does not link a search. Confirm the engine from the RPO sticker or the 8th VIN digit (for the LS3: W) before you buy.
Next steps
- Plan a swap with the LS3
- Find a cam for the LS3
- What the LS3 tune needs
- Compare every LS donor engine
- Size injectors and fuel pump
- LS torque specs
- Swap guides by vehicle
Questions about the LS3
- Will LS1 headers fit a 5.3, 6.0 or LS3?
- What vehicles came with the LS3?
- What stall speed torque converter should I run behind an LS1/LS3/5.3 in an off-road rig with a TH400 or TH350?
- How do the GMPP LS3 crate controller, Dakota Digital dash, and Vintage Air wiring tie together?
- What do I need for fuel delivery on an LS3 swap starting from scratch with a fuel cell: pump, filter, regulator, surge tank?
- One big electric fan or two small ones to cool an LS3, and are Taurus junkyard fans any good?