LS3: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The LS3 is GM's 6.2-liter Gen IV small-block V8, introduced in the 2008 Corvette at 430 hp and 424 lb-ft. It also powered the 2010–2015 Camaro SS with the manual (426 hp) and the 2014–2017 Chevrolet SS sedan (415 hp). Automatic Camaro SS models used the related L99, which adds Active Fuel Management.

GM introduced the LS3 for the 2008 Corvette, replacing the 6.0-liter LS2. It enlarged the bore to 103.25 mm on a stroke of 92 mm for 6.2 liters, and borrowed high-flow cylinder heads with rectangular intake ports from the truck L92 family, larger hollow-stem intake valves, and the LS7's higher-flow injectors. It is an all-aluminum, two-valve pushrod V8 with port fuel injection and no cylinder deactivation.

The LS3 stayed the Corvette's base engine through 2013, then moved to the fifth-generation Camaro SS with a six-speed manual and the Australian-built Chevrolet SS sedan. Camaro SS buyers who chose the six-speed automatic got the L99, a lower-compression sibling with Active Fuel Management rated at 400 hp.

The LS3 has no engine-specific NHTSA safety recall and no GM-acknowledged systemic failure. The items worth checking on a used example are the rocker-arm trunnion bearings on modified or high-rpm engines and, on the L99, the AFM lifters that are named in an ongoing class action.

LS3 at a glance

GM 6.2L LS3 V8 (Gen IV small-block): model years, fuel and peak GM-published output by version
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V82008–2017Gasoline43642410
2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS)2010–2015Gasoline40041010

CarWhere lists 2 documented problems and 0 NHTSA recalls for the LS3, each with a source.

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8

Port-injected 6.2-liter Gen IV small-block without cylinder deactivation, used in the C6 Corvette, manual-transmission fifth-generation Camaro SS and the Chevrolet SS sedan.

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8 specifications

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8: design facts (2008–2017)
SpecificationValue
Displacement6.2 L (376 cu in)[1]
Bore × stroke103.25 mm × 92.0 mm[1]
Block and headsAluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners; aluminum two-valve heads[2]
Compression ratio10.7:1[2]
Cylinder headsHigh-flow heads with intake ports similar to the truck L92 6.2L[1]
Valves55.0 mm hollow-stem intake, 40.4 mm exhaust[1]
Fuel systemSequential port fuel injection using higher-flow LS7 injectors[1]
Cylinder deactivationNone on the LS3 (AFM is used only on the L99)[2]
Oil capacity (Camaro SS)8.9 quarts, cast-aluminum oil pan[2]
Peak output (2008 Corvette)430 hp at 5,900 rpm; 424 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm[1]

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8 horsepower and torque by year

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8: GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2008–2013Corvette, standard exhaust430424[1]
2008–2013Corvette with optional active (dual-mode) exhaustGM quotes about 6 hp more with the active exhaust436—[1]
2010–2015Camaro SS, six-speed manualTremec TR6060 six-speed manual426420[2]
2014–2017Chevrolet SS sedan415 hp at 5,900 rpm; 415 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm415415[3]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which GM vehicles have the 2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8?

GM models and model years offered with the 2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Corvette (C6) coupe and convertible2008–2013Base engine; optional active exhaust adds about 6 hp
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (C6)2010–2013
Chevrolet Camaro SS (fifth generation), six-speed manual2010–2015Automatic SS models use the L99
Chevrolet SS sedan2014–2017Built in Australia
Chevrolet Performance LS3 crate engineAftermarketSold separately for swaps and restomods

2008–2017 LS3 6.2L V8 problems and what to check

Rocker-arm trunnion bearing wear (2008–2017)

Minor

The stock LS rocker arms pivot on a trunnion with cageless needle bearings. Under high rpm and stiffer aftermarket valve springs, the needles can walk out of the bore and enter the oiling system. It is mainly a concern on modified or frequently high-revved engines, and upgraded trunnion kits are the usual fix.[4]

Symptoms

  • Valvetrain ticking that gets louder at higher rpm
  • Needle bearings or metal found in the oil filter or pan
  • Misfire if a rocker loses its pivot

Check before buying

  • Ask whether the cam or valve springs have been changed
  • Cut open the oil filter at purchase or first service and look for needles
  • Look for receipts for trunnion upgrades on modified engines

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS)

LS3-derived 6.2-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management and a lower 10.4:1 compression ratio, fitted only to fifth-generation Camaro SS models with the six-speed automatic.

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS) specifications

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS): design facts (2010–2015)
SpecificationValue
Relationship to LS3Derived from the LS3; same 6.2-liter displacement[2]
Compression ratio10.4:1[2]
Cylinder deactivationActive Fuel Management (runs on four cylinders at light load)[2]
TransmissionSix-speed automatic only[2]
Peak output400 hp at 5,900 rpm; 410 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm[2]

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS) horsepower and torque by year

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS): GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2010–2015Camaro SS, six-speed automatic400410[2]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which GM vehicles have the 2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS)?

GM models and model years offered with the 2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Camaro SS (fifth generation), six-speed automatic2010–2015

2010–2015 L99 6.2L V8 (automatic Camaro SS) problems and what to check

AFM lifter failure (alleged in class action) (2014–2015 Camaro SS named in suit)

Moderate

A pending class action, Harrison v. General Motors (E.D. Mich.), alleges that GM's Active Fuel Management and Dynamic Fuel Management lifters on 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8s fail prematurely; the listed vehicles include 2014-and-later Camaro SS models. Class certification had not been granted as of December 2025, and no court has found a defect.[5]

Symptoms

  • Ticking or chirping from the valvetrain
  • Misfire codes, often on one cylinder
  • Rough running, hesitation or surging

Check before buying

  • Listen for valvetrain tick at idle and light cruise
  • Scan for stored misfire codes
  • Ask for records of lifter, camshaft or valve lifter oil manifold replacement

Related GM research

Confirm a vehicle really has the LS3.

Engine and transmission RPO codes are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Corvette VIN into the factory-ordered option codes on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Corvette build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does an LS3 have?

In the 2008–2013 Corvette the LS3 is rated at 430 hp and 424 lb-ft, or about 436 hp with the optional active exhaust. The manual 2010–2015 Camaro SS version is rated at 426 hp and 420 lb-ft, and the Chevrolet SS sedan at 415 hp.

What is the difference between the LS3 and the L99?

The L99 is an LS3-derived 6.2L used only in automatic 2010–2015 Camaro SS models. It has a lower 10.4:1 compression ratio and Active Fuel Management, and is rated at 400 hp and 410 lb-ft.

What cars came with the LS3?

The 2008–2013 Corvette (including the Grand Sport), the 2010–2015 Camaro SS with the manual transmission and the 2014–2017 Chevrolet SS sedan. GM also sells the LS3 as a crate engine.

Does the LS3 have Active Fuel Management?

No. The LS3 has no cylinder deactivation; only its L99 sibling in automatic Camaro SS models uses AFM.

Has the LS3 been recalled?

There is no NHTSA safety recall for the LS3 engine itself. Run the vehicle's VIN for open recalls on other systems before buying.

Sources

Ratings are GM-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. 2008 Corvette LS3 6.2L engine information (GM Powertrain material) — Corvette Action Center
  2. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: In Detail — Motor1
  3. 2014 Chevrolet SS debuts at Daytona International Speedway — Motor Authority
  4. Upgrading LS rocker arm trunnions: A necessary fix for an LS weak link (Dec. 2011) — Vehicle Service Pros
  5. GM Lifter Failure Lawsuit Includes Multiple Models (Dec. 28, 2025) — CarComplaints.com

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