A Guide to Every C5 Corvette Engine

C5 Corvette Engines – The Full List & Guide

By the mid-1990s, the fourth-generation C4 Corvette had begun to grow long in the tooth, after more than a decade in production. Luckily, those within GM’s design and development department were already fast at work, preparing a template upon which the upcoming fifth-generation Corvette would be based. However, a few more years would pass, before the fruits of this labor would become evident.

When the C5 Corvette was finally unveiled on January 6th, 1997, critics were quick to notice a thundering new powerplant beneath the hood of America’s sports car. This engine would come to carry the LS1 designation, serving as the C5 Corvette’s base engine for the duration of its eight-year production run.

Ironically, the C5 Corvette would only ever leave the factory with one of two individual power plants beneath its hood. This included the aforementioned 5.7L LS1, as well as the all-powerful 5.7L LS6, which would ultimately serve as standard fare within the C5 Z06’s engine bay. Nonetheless, the C5 went on to cement a performance-rich legacy all its own.

The following is a comprehensive guide to Corvette powerplants offered during the C5 era.