An Engine-By-Engine Overview of the Gen V Small-Block

Hard as it is to believe, the Gen V small-block—the “LT” family—has been in production for nearly a decade, after debuting in 2013 in the redesigned 2014 Silverado. Shortly after that came the LT1 versions in the C7 Corvette and Gen 6 Camaro.

The LT engine architecture has its roots in the LS family that established unprecedented performance benchmarks and reinvigorated hot rodding, with the same sort of fundamental shift that could be attributed to the original small-block. While there is a lineage from LS to LT, the two branches of the small-block tree are significantly varied.

There are essentially no interchangeable parts between the LS and LT families and all LT engines feature direct fuel injection. With the proliferation of LT engines increasing in production vehicles and as swap material for hot rods, trucks, and Pro Touring machines, it’s worth stepping back for a moment to survey the landscape to discuss the engines out there and where they fit in the LT hierarchy.

Like every small-block generation before it, the Gen V cylinder block shares a 90-degree cylinder angle and 4.400-inch bore