LS3 Engine Guide: Specs, Features, & More

Corvette LS3 Engine angle view

Chevrolet LS3 Engine Ultimate Guide

GM’s LS series of small-block engines is proof that continual refinement is the root of perfection. Throughout the years, the illustrious auto manufacturer has repeatedly reengineered this platform to “grow” alongside the very performance cars which it powers. With every subsequent reiteration, the LS small-block has become more powerful, efficient, and robust in its design.

Upon the LS3’s release in 2007, this trend toward continual technological advancement was clearly evident. As the new power plant for the standard 2008 Corvette, the LS3 provided consumers with exactly what they had been craving, unsurpassed performance.

Corvette LS3 Engine angle view

History of the LS3

Almost immediately following the LS2’s introduction as the Corvette’s base engine in 2005, GM’s engineering department jumped headlong into the design of its ultimate successor. Upon the LS2’s release, much was slated in the way of subsequent Corvette development, and continual revitalization of the LS engine platform was seen as the only viable means of facilitating such efforts.

Members only$35 / year

Keep going. This is where it gets good.

CorvSport Membership is for people who'd rather spend an hour inside one engine option than skim ten headlines. The rest of this story — and every other one like it — is a few seconds away.

  • Every members-only story

    Deep history, market reports, buyer's guides, and the full archive back to 2010.

  • No ads. None.

    The whole site reads like a magazine, on every device.

  • Every model year, 1953 to today

    Production numbers, VINs, RPO codes, colors, options — one page per year.

  • 30% off the shop

    Every CorvSport shirt and piece of merch, all year.

Join CorvSport — Keep Reading

$35 a year. Cancel anytime, no hoops.
Already a member? Sign in

BY CORVETTE PEOPLE, NOT A CORPORATION. Your membership keeps a small independent team of historians, photographers, racers and writers doing this.

Join — Keep Reading $35/yr