Best LS Engine for Swaps: LS Crate Engines Compared

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October 7, 2026
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Best LS Engine for Your Build: LS Crate Engines Compared

There is no single best LS engine: it depends on your budget, power target, carburetor or EFI, and how much you want to finish yourself. The LS3 long blocks are the lowest-priced way in, the 6.0L LS364/450 is GM’s iron-block budget engine, and the BluePrint 427 is the most powerful naturally aspirated LS we list, at 605 HP.

This guide covers only the LS engines VL Automotive stocks, all new. It does not rank engines by reliability; it matches each engine to a use using the horsepower, displacement, block material, induction and price stated in its own listing. For the background on the family, read GM LS engines explained.

How do I choose an LS engine?

Budget for the whole swap, not just the engine. These often add as much again:
- Mounts
- Oil pan
- Accessory drive
- Wiring
- Engine controller
- Fuel system
- Exhaust
- Transmission
Our LS swap guide lists each step.
Power target. Ratings in our range run from 430 HP (LS3) to 605 HP (BluePrint 427) naturally aspirated, plus the 650 HP supercharged LT4, which is a Gen V LT engine rather than an LS.
Long block or complete. A long block costs less but you add the intake, injectors or carburetor, ignition and accessories. A complete engine is closer to bolt-in. See long block vs short block.
Carburetor or EFI. A carbureted LS needs only ignition control; EFI needs an engine controller and a return or returnless fuel system. See carburetor vs fuel injection.
Boost now or later. If a turbo or supercharger is in the plan, pick an engine built for it rather than adding boost to a high-compression street engine.

LS crate engines we sell, compared

Engine	Size	Rated output	Block	Form	Price
GM Performance LS3 (19434644)	6.2L / 376 ci	430 HP, 425 lb-ft	LS3 production design	Long block, no intake or injectors	$6,042.95
GM Performance LS376/480 (19434646)	6.2L / 376 ci	495 HP, 473 lb-ft	LS3 production design	Long block, no intake or injectors	$6,422.95
GM Performance 6.0L LS364/450	6.0L / 364 ci	452 HP, 441 lb-ft	Cast iron	Long block, needs a rectangular-port intake	$7,285.07
GM Performance LS3 (19434636)	6.2L / 376 ci	430 HP, 425 lb-ft	Aluminum	Intake and water pump listed as included	$9,124.95
GM Performance LS3 with LS Hot Cam	6.2L / 376 ci	495 HP, 473 lb-ft	Aluminum	Complete engine	$9,689.95
BluePrint LS 376 carbureted long block	6.2L / 376 ci	520 HP, 470 lb-ft	Aluminum	Long block with 4150-flange carb intake (carb not included)	$10,949
GM Performance CT525 sealed	6.2L / 376 ci	533 HP, 477 lb-ft	Aluminum	Sealed circle-track long block, carbureted intake	$11,350.66
GM Performance LSX 376-B15	6.2L / 376 ci	473 HP	LSX cast iron	Long block for boost (up to 15 lbs)	$11,524.99
BluePrint LS 376 EFI deluxe dressed	6.2L / 376 ci	530 HP, 495 lb-ft	Aluminum	Complete EFI with accessory drive; controller kit separate	$12,560
BluePrint LS 427 (PSLS4273CTF)	7.0L / 427 ci	605 HP, 565 lb-ft	See product page	Complete, Holley Terminator X EFI	$15,049

Ratings, block material and form are from each product’s own description; “LS3 production design” means the listing describes the engine as based on the production LS3 without naming the block material. Prices are current list prices. Shipping is a flat $75 to any US state. See all LS and LT crate engines.

Which LS engine suits which build?

Which LS engine has the lowest price of entry?

The LS3 430 HP long block at $6,042.95 and the LS376/480 long block at $6,422.95 are the lowest-priced LS engines we list. GM describes both as long blocks delivered without the intake manifold, throttle body, fuel rail or injectors, rated with the production LS3 intake.

Measured as list price per rated horsepower, these are the cheapest, from lowest to highest:

LS376/480 long block: $12.98
LS3 430 HP long block: $14.05
LS364/450: $16.12
Complete LS3 495 HP: $19.58
BluePrint LS 376 carbureted: $21.06
BluePrint 427: $24.87

Long blocks look cheaper on that measure because you still buy the induction and accessories, so compare complete builds, not engine prices alone.

Which engine suits a budget build for an earlier LS vehicle?

GM calls the 6.0L LS364/450 a budget performer: an iron block with LS3 heads and an LS6 camshaft, rated 452 HP and 441 lb-ft, sold as a long block so you can move the intake, ignition and accessories over from an earlier LS-powered vehicle. It needs an intake that matches the LS3/L92-style rectangular ports. Our 6.0 LS engine guide covers the LQ4 and LQ9 it is often compared with.

Which LS engine is closest to bolt-in from GM?

The complete LS3 with the LS Hot Cam ($9,689.95) is listed as a complete engine, rated 495 HP and 473 lb-ft. It includes:

Intake
Water pump
Oil pan
Plug wires

You still supply the engine controller and harness, fuel system and accessories. For LS3 specs see our LS3 engine guide.

Which LS engine suits a carbureted swap into an early GM muscle car?

BluePrint describes its LS 376 long block as ideal for swapping into early model GM muscle cars, rated 520 HP and 470 lb-ft. It comes with:

A 4150-flange carburetor intake (carburetor not included)
Coil packs
Water pump
A GM muscle car swap oil pan

A carbureted LS avoids a full EFI controller, which keeps the wiring simple.

Which LS engine suits an EFI swap with the accessories included?

The BluePrint LS 376 EFI deluxe dressed ($12,560, 530 HP and 495 lb-ft) adds:

Injectors and rails
A drive-by-wire throttle body
A complete serpentine accessory drive
The same swap oil pan

BluePrint notes that the engine controller kit is sold separately.

Which LS engine suits turbo or supercharger builds?

GM built the LSX 376-B15 to handle 15 lbs of boost, rated 473 HP before boost. It has:

An LSX cast iron block with 6-bolt cross-bolted mains
An all-forged rotating assembly
9:1 compression

Our LSX engine guide explains how an LSX differs from a production LS.

Which LS engine has the most naturally aspirated power?

The BluePrint LS 427 is rated 605 HP and 565 lb-ft from 427 cubic inches with 11:1 compression and Holley Terminator X EFI, the highest rating among the LS engines we sell. If you want more and can package a supercharger, the LT4 is rated 650 HP; it is a Gen V LT, so it needs LT-specific mounts, accessories and electronics. See the LT4 engine guide.

Which LS engine suits circle-track racing?

The CT525 is a sealed 6.2L long block that GM adapted for circle-track racing with a carbureted intake, rated 533 HP. Check your class rules before buying a sealed engine.

Junkyard LS or new crate engine?

Many LS swaps start with a used 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0 liter truck engine because it is inexpensive. A used engine’s mileage, maintenance and condition are unknown, and it usually needs seals, a timing set or more before it goes in. A new crate engine costs more but arrives with a published rating and part number. We sell new crate engines only, and we do not stock 4.8 or 5.3 liter LS engines.

What else does an LS swap need?

Engine mounts and a transmission or adapter for the LS bellhousing pattern.
An oil pan that clears your crossmember (two of the BluePrint engines above include a GM muscle car swap pan).
A front accessory drive: see LS accessory drives.
An engine controller and harness for EFI engines, or ignition control for carbureted ones. Check that any standalone ECU supports eight cylinders.
A fuel system, exhaust manifolds or headers and cooling to suit the power level.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best LS engine?

It depends on the build. Among the engines we sell, the LS3 long blocks are the lowest-priced entry, the 6.0L LS364/450 is GM’s iron-block budget engine, the LSX 376-B15 is built for boost and the BluePrint 427 has the highest naturally aspirated rating at 605 HP.

What is the best LS engine for a swap?

For most street swaps a 6.2L LS3-based engine is the usual balance of power, size and cost. If you want a carbureted swap into an early GM muscle car, BluePrint describes its LS 376 long block as built for exactly that. Compare the whole swap budget, not only the engine price.

Is a 6.0 or an LS3 better?

They suit different builds. The LS364/450 6.0L we sell has an iron block and is rated 452 HP and 441 lb-ft; the LS3s have 6.2L engines rated 430 or 495 HP, and the listings that state a block material say aluminum. An iron block is heavier; GM positions the LS364/450 as a budget long block.

What is the cheapest LS crate engine you sell?

The GM Performance LS3 long block (19434644) at $6,042.95, rated 430 HP. It is a long block, so the intake, throttle body, fuel rail and injectors are not included.

What is the difference between an LSX and an LS3?

The LSX 376-B15 we sell uses an LSX cast iron block with 6-bolt cross-bolted mains, forged internals and 9:1 compression for up to 15 lbs of boost. A production-style LS3 crate engine uses an aluminum block and 10.7:1 compression for naturally aspirated use.

Is the LT4 an LS engine?

No. The LT4 is a supercharged 6.2L from GM’s Gen V LT family. It shares the small-block layout but uses different heads, direct injection and electronics, so LS swap parts do not carry over directly.