Previously equipped in vehicles like the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and C6-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the naturally aspirated 7.0L V8 LS7 is well-known for its big output numbers and smooth power delivery. Now, Chevrolet Performance has unveiled the new-and-improved LS7-based LS427/570 crate motor with even more performance on tap.
Chevrolet Performance frames the new crate motor as “an enhanced version of the production-based LS7 7.0L engine that offers more horsepower, more torque and, thanks to a simpler wet-sump oiling system, easier installation.”
The street LS7 in the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. LS427/570 not pictured here.
Output from the new atmospheric ‘eight is rated at 570 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s an increase of 65 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque compared to the standard production engine, making the LS427/570 the most powerful naturally aspirated LS crate engine on offer.
The new crate motor also gets a new wet-sump oiling system, which means it doesn’t need a separate oil tank, lines, or any of the supporting components from the standard LS7 dry-sump system.
According to Chevrolet Performance, standout features include a new high-lift camshaft that was developed specifically for this particular application, as well as titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves. The connecting rods are also made from titanium, while the crankshaft is forged steel. The cylinder heads were CNC-ported as well.
The LS7 is a popular choice for engine swaps. LS427/570 not pictured here.
Final touches include a low-profile LS7 EDI intake manifold, fifth-generation Camaro Z/28 exhaust manifolds, and a 14-inch Camaro Z/28 manual transmission flywheel.
Chevrolet Performance says the engine requires the LS427/570 Engine Controller P/N 19420000, which is sold separately. Mobil 1 15W50 fully synthetic motor oil is recommended.
The new 570-horsepower crate motor is available to oder now through Chevrolet Performance dealers and retailers. We should also mention that this engine is designed exclusively for competition vehicles, and is not intended for use on public streets or highways.
Comments
Nice numbers, would be a beast to put in a Silverado ZRX. Emissions are likely a big sticking point, and that cam, for any production vehicle intent. LS7 was a fantastic motor in the C6Z and Z/28
I promise if I ever get one to never use it on the street.
Street use in my 17 Silverado Looking forward to when it can be done
Funny how GMA is a day or two late on this news. Maybe the writers need to subscribe to all the automotive websites so they can at least report on it the same day as them…..it’s GM news after all, lol.
As for this crate engine, it’s not a bargain now that left over stock of the LS7 is almost $2k cheaper and will perform as well with a simple cam swap as will most LS3’s which are even cheaper yet.
They don’t seem to have the resources to let people plug their own blog URL, when you can’t handle spam processing – things are tough.
Web publishing is dead. The adblock wars made it untenable and drove all the profit focused people to video streaming or to other businesses. I gave up on it a decade ago and it was one of my best decisions.
It would be something to shoehorn this beast into the 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette as 570 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque from a naturally aspirated engine boggles the mind; this engine wouldn’t add much additional weight and it’s 75 hp advantage would definitely be felt on the track with a much higher top speed.
It’s an LS engine so no shoehorn needed. Externally they are all the same size (LS and LT). This would require some fuel system work since the LT engine in the C8 is direct injected and the LS7 is port.
I’ve waited over a decade hoping GM would convert the 505 hp LS7 to direct injection for an extra 50 to 60 horses as per the usual 10% gains but every year I was disappointed.
The modern LS7 is my favorite motor in the world this side of a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 and I knew it still had even more room for improvement (ie direct injection) though I still don’t know all the things they did to get 570 hp out of it. Additionally I’m a little annoyed this one comes with a disclaimer about street use.
Anyway, all these years later I no longer own a GM vehicle to make the classic engine swap.
But I still adore the LS7.
Now I drive an ’18 Genesis G90 5.0.
What are the odds I could run an LS7 in that car? Because I’d do it if it’s doable, I’ll even scrap my prized 10 year warranty on powertrain and electronics if everything meshed well but presumably that’s a big “if”.
This didn’t even have direct injection. LT heads would bolt on but then you’d need new valvetrain components because the port angles are different. That would mean the valves, pushrods and intake manifold need to change.
I see.
But so what about this disclaimer about street use? What’s the impetus behind the disclaimer?
I have daydreamed about putting an LS7 in my G90 but I was always hedging because my car already has 420 hp and I could easily spend over 20k installing a new motor like an LS7 provided it was even possible. And I was always thinking my 5000lb car would definitely feel faster with an LS7 but hp gains would be less than 100 so I ended up pining away for a motor with at least 550 hp to really transform my Genesis into a proper sleeper.
And let me tell you, 570 hp is exactly what the doctor ordered for a 5000lb behemoth like the one I drive. Plus 570 hp rationalizes spending upwards of 20k on an engine swap whereas 505 hp was debatable for that kind of coin.
My 5.0 is buttery smooth but with only 383 lb-ft of torque and 420 hp my G90 requires 5.1 seconds to reach 60. I’d prefer very low 4’s if not 4 flat and I’d like to do it with a naturally aspirated motor.
All crate engines have that disclaimer, because of no muffelers or catalytic converter.
Katech assembles LT based 427ci direct injection engines for street. The base price is over twice what this LS7 is, but it’s also about 700hp. Direct injection is a little difficult for the traditional aftermarket engine builders due to the complexity of piston dome and combustion chamber design. Really takes some expertise with CFD if making any dramatic changes from a known baseline. If you are serious, get in touch with Katech in Michigan and they can provide a project outline for your G90.
Okay thanks for the tips and thanks for taking the time, Homer.
I don’t imagine I’d want to spend over 30k on my project, but unfortunately I’ll prolly need to replace my transmission with a 2nd generation ZF 8 speed as well.
I noticed Texas Speed also has a compelling offer ie
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-3820-tsp-427-cid-630-hp-ls7-turn-key-package.aspx
BTW I had to laugh at these self-loathing downvote trolls, prolly got banned from Facebook and Twitter and everywhere else, lol. 😄
If I had to guess, I bet one of them was edgemaster. D’oh!
DI makes *less* hp than PFI. Ask Corvette racing.
The C8 uses the same in-tank low pressure fuel pump to feed the engine-mounted DI booster pump. So an LS can be dropped into a C8. The sticking point is the ECU and how it talks to the BCM.
Electronics is the biggest issue with your swap. The LS7 can have its own ECU, your transmission has a controller, and making them play well and let the gauges work is the issue. A manual transmission would solve half your issue.
Why anyone would buy an ICE powered vehicle in 2020 is incomprehensible. as the writing is on the wall for their imminent demise.
Hey Edgemaster, its obvious you have not spent any time on the track. Your electric car may be faster the first 3 or 4 laps but the LS will be punching out 50 to 60 laps while you are spending the rest of the day charging to get another 3 or 4 laps.
Sounds like a lot of fun to me! NOT
Give it a year or two; last centuries technology will be obsolete long before the expected lifespan of any ICE vehicle built today (with the possible exception of a Dodge of course).
Sorry EdgeMaster, but you are dreaming. EV battery tech has to improve at least 10 fold to match weight and energy density to even come close to what ICE can do. We are nowhere near that yet.
Curious as even the Chair of GM was just quoted saying she thinks all their vehicles will be electric within the decade. My guess is she has a pretty good understanding of the way forward. That doesn’t mean that all these EVs will be exclusively powered by batteries of course.
Even with battery only, Tesla has cracked the 500 mile autonomy range.
Edgemaster,
I’m a fan of electric cars but the most optimistic forecasts point to a 5% adoption rate by 2025 world wide.
You must spend too much time on Tesla fanboy websites.
Been over a year and electric cars are only used at the dragstrip or for 1 or 2 laps before having issues. I guess that cooling system for the batteries Tesla has in their cars that is the same weight as the batteries isn’t worth more than a drive down the road or a 1/4 mile pass at a time.
Battery range hasn’t improved enough to allow them to run a few laps before it’s ready for a charge.
EV future or not, that doesn’t affect the aftermarket—the obvious target for crate engines.
Those numbers are nuts for a NA motor, and with the wet-sump making swaps much easier, and the bulletproof bottom end, if GM can get this thing to market for somewhere around $15K, Tonawanda will be working overtime to meet demand.
It’s 12K + the control pack.
It’s funny how manufacturers advertise Naturally Aspirated horsepower numbers that peak at a certain RPM, but what’s important is how flat that and consistent the power band is.
If you swap it in a car built before emission requirements it doesn’t matter.
Oh the things I could achieve if I had half the smarts some of you gentleman and ladies seem to have just by reading some of your comments. But honestly enough with the muscle cars get back to the real soul of Chevrolet and General Motors *Trucks* not dissing the cars by any means just wanna see more effort towards the 4×4’s which sadly seem to be going down hill since… well… plastic riveted fender flares became an option! 😭😝 But congratulations GM on your newest motor achievements none the less it’s impressive!
Have a 408″ LS3 with quality forged internals on the engine stand I just built, and betting it will easily match those horsepower numbers for far less money. And be very street friendly.
I have a 2001 Corvette that I would like to put an LS 7 into. What all would I need to get that done and not upset the computer system in the car?
What?! Are you even serious?? If you don’t know ANYTHING about a swap, DON”T DO IT! FYI, an LS7 was not put into a Vette until Gen 6 and had a TOTALLY different ECU. OMG, I don’t even I replied to this….Fook Me.
That is a popular swap, so there are kits that do this. You’d need an ECU adapter and possibly (probably) a new transmission.
Best to have an experienced shop do it.
Convert to cable throttle, get some cable extension for cam and crank sensors, swap on some headers. They can pull the tune of the computer if you wanted to keep it simple, convert it to work with the stock computer and then tune it. T56 Transmission can take the power but will need a new clutch. Don’t forget to convert the fuel lines to return-style.
Little more involved than that but you can start and complete most of the work in a weekend.
would this be a swap out for the ls7 in a 2008 Z06 that’s dropped a valve and popped the motor
No because your ls7 was dry sump. Put this in there the oil pan will hit everything.
I would love to put that in my base C6 convertible