Hey fellas,
I'm pretty green to a lot of the terminology but a quick study and eager to learn. I've been hearing and reading soo much about the LS6, LS8 etc. and really don't understand the hype or what LS means. I would really appreciate it if someone could give me a brief tutorial on this. I bought my first '71 Chevelle SS back in April and it's pretty much consumed my life!

Thanks!

LS5 & LS6 are code/#'s for 454 big block chevy motors that reffer to different motor options/perf ratings.

For example an LS5 454 had 10:1 comp 2 bolt main block,oval port heads,cast intake,q-jet carb,and what was considered by GM a high lift high perf hyd cam which put out 390HP. In 1971 the H/P dropped from 390 to 365 due to a compression drop from 10;1 to i think was 9:1 or 9:5:1.

The famed LS6 454 had 11:1 comp 4 bolt main block,larger square port heads,larger valves,al intake,holley carb,high perf solid lifter cam which put out 450 H/P. In 1971 it also dropped from 450 down to 425 H/P due to a drop in compr from 11;1 down to approx 9:1 or there abouts.

You will also find the same reffernces to the 396(402 in 1970 & up) called L35,L=34,and L78 which = 325/350/375 H/P resp for the same reasons as mentioned above for the 454. As the perf lvl goes up (H/P increases) the internals,carbs,intakes,cams,etc change too just like in the 454 LS series motors.

I hope this hels you out.

By the way,what's the scoop with your car,which motor,trany,etc does your car have in it and what overall cond is your car in? Is it driveable or a restoration project at this time?

Scott

Anytime you see a letter/number combination like that it's an production code. It's just the way the manufacturer identifies different options. If you find your "build sheet" on that SS(or any car for that matter) it's full of them. It tells the assembly line workers which pieces of the puzzle to use to come up with a car at the end.
A Z-28 isn't a car, it's an option package on a Camaro. L-35 is a 350 in a 67 Camaro. CC1 was T-tops on a '78 Camaro.

Jeff

Thanks for the breakdown guys! That z-28 example was over the top J!

I'm runnin' a 350 matted to a 350Th Tranny. 12 bolt posi. 15" rallye rims. The last owner told me it wsan't an SS originally. The pink slip says chevelle malibu. The interior is a good 8.5 out of 10! The bench seats were replaced with re-upholstered buckets, SS door panels and dash. The gear shift was also moved to the center console. The tranny and rear-end are factory. My mechaninc confirmed. No cowl hood (but I'm thinkin of installing a cowl induction hood and intake). The body is in pretty good shape. Needs to be smoothed out in some areas with some light rust around the wheels. Also needs paint and new vinyl top. I Paid $3500.

Could the original owner have bought the car as a Chevelle malibu with an SS option? How else do you explain the tranny and 12 bolt posi? Last owner says car came with a 350. Not the one that's in it now.

Thanks!

Don't quote me on this, but in 71/72 couldn't you get an SS with a 350? How did your mechanic confirm they were original to the car?

Daniel

Not sure how he confirmed. I figured he must've seen some part #'s or something. i'll call him and ask. Only the tranny and rear-end are original. The motor was put in about 2yrs. ago.