LS7: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The LS7 is GM's 7.0-liter (427 cu in) dry-sump small-block V8, built for the 2006–2013 Corvette Z06 and reused in the 2014–2015 Camaro Z/28. It is rated at 505 hp in both, with 470 lb-ft in the Z06 and 481 lb-ft in the Z/28. Exhaust valve-guide wear is the issue buyers should check.

The LS7 was developed for the C6 Corvette Z06 and was the largest-displacement small-block GM had put in a production car: 7,008 cc from a 104.8 mm bore and 101.6 mm stroke. It pairs pressed-in cast-iron liners in an aluminum block with CNC-ported aluminum heads, titanium intake valves, sodium-filled exhaust valves, forged titanium connecting rods, a forged steel crankshaft and a dry-sump oiling system with a 10-quart external tank. Engines were assembled at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan.

GM revived the engine for the 2014–2015 Camaro Z/28, where revised exhaust manifolds raised torque to 481 lb-ft. The LS7 has no NHTSA safety recall. Its reputation issue is valve-guide wear that owners say can lead to a dropped valve; a class action over it was dismissed, and GM never issued a recall or special coverage for it.

LS7 at a glance

GM 7.0L LS7 V8 (Gen IV small-block): model years, fuel and peak GM-published output
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
GM 7.0L LS7 V8 (Gen IV small-block)2006–2015Gasoline (premium required)50548110

CarWhere lists 1 documented problem and 0 NHTSA recalls for the LS7, each with a source.

LS7 specifications

LS7: design facts (2006–2015)
SpecificationValue
Displacement7,008 cc (427 cu in)[1]
Bore × stroke104.8 mm × 101.6 mm[1]
BlockCast aluminum with pressed-in cast-iron cylinder sleeves[1]
Cylinder headsCast aluminum, fully CNC-machined ports and chambers, 12° valve angle[1]
ValvesTitanium intake valves; sodium-filled hollow-stem exhaust valves[1]
Connecting rodsForged titanium, 464 g each[1]
CrankshaftForged 4140 steel with six-bolt steel main caps[1]
Compression ratio11.0:1[1]
LubricationDry sump with dual-stage gerotor pump and 10-quart external reservoir[1]
Redline7,100 rpm fuel cutoff[1]
Engine mass206 kg (454 lb)[1]
AssemblyPerformance Build Center, Wixom, Michigan[1]

LS7 horsepower and torque by year

LS7: GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2006–2013Corvette Z06505 hp at 6,300 rpm; 470 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm505470[1]
2014–2015Camaro Z/28Revised exhaust manifolds505481[2]

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

Which GM vehicles have the LS7?

GM models and model years offered with the LS7
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6)2006–2013
Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible (C6)2013
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (fifth generation)2014–2015Six-speed manual only
Chevrolet Performance LS7 crate engineAftermarket

LS7 problems and what to check

Exhaust valve-guide wear (2006–2013 Corvette Z06 (owner reports))

Major repair

Owners and plaintiffs in Estate of Pilgrim v. General Motors (C.D. Cal.) alleged that LS7 valve-guide clearances open up beyond spec, which can let a valve fail and destroy the engine. The district court granted GM summary judgment and the Ninth Circuit affirmed in late 2021, finding plaintiffs had not produced admissible evidence of the defect in their cars. GM has not issued a recall or special coverage.[3]

Symptoms

  • Increasing valvetrain tick, especially on one bank
  • Rising oil consumption or blue smoke
  • Misfire codes; in a failure, sudden loss of power and heavy engine noise

Check before buying

  • Ask whether the heads have been inspected, rebuilt or replaced with upgraded guides and valves
  • Have a specialist measure valve-guide play (the so-called wiggle check)
  • Check service records for oil consumption complaints and track use

Related GM research

Confirm a vehicle really has the LS7.

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 the LS7 make?

The LS7 is rated at 505 hp in both the 2006–2013 Corvette Z06 and the 2014–2015 Camaro Z/28. Torque is 470 lb-ft in the Z06 and 481 lb-ft in the Z/28.

Is the LS7 a 427?

Yes. It displaces 7,008 cc, which is 427 cubic inches, from a 104.8 mm bore and 101.6 mm stroke.

What is the LS7 valve guide problem?

Owners report that exhaust valve-guide clearance can grow beyond spec on 2006–2013 Z06 engines, risking a valve failure. A class action over it was dismissed and affirmed on appeal, and GM has not recalled the engine, so inspection history matters.

Does the LS7 have a dry sump?

Yes. The LS7 uses a factory dry-sump system with a 10-quart external oil reservoir.

Was the LS7 ever recalled?

No NHTSA safety recall covers the LS7 engine. Check the specific car's VIN for open recalls on other systems.

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. 2011 Corvette Z06 LS7 7.0L engine specifications (GM Powertrain data) — Corvette Action Center
  2. New Camaro Z/28 Priced at $75,000 (Jan. 10, 2014) — AutoInformed
  3. Corvette Engine Class Action Lawsuit Dismissed (Jan. 13, 2022) — CarComplaints.com

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.