GM’s Most Powerful Crate Engine LT5 V8

GM’s-Most-Powerful-Crate-Engine-LT5-V8

 

Over the years, GM has set itself apart as a powerhouse in terms of making vehicles with the power, durability, and reliability to truly satisfy drivers’ every need while on the move. Whether you’re in need of a smooth on-road commuting ride or you prefer to get off-road now and again, GM already has the perfect solution – but with a recent release, it’s just going to get better.

The LT5 engine, the latest and greatest in automotive technology from this leading manufacturer, is the most powerful engine to be found in GM vehicles yet. It was first revealed at the SEMA show in 2018, and immediately impressed viewers with its supercharged abilities.

While there are other GM motors to choose from that can certainly get the job done, this crate engine has plenty of features that hold it apart from the rest.

 

LT5-Engine-has-Impressive-Specs

 

LT5 Engine has Impressive Specs


Finding out what makes the small block LT5 crate engine so remarkable is as simple as peeking at the specs. This is where you can find what powers the whole experience, the gritty details that really make this engine noteworthy. Some of the most impressive details include:

  • Forged steel crankshaft
  • 14 psi max boost
  • R2650 supercharger
  • 11 rib belt supercharger drive
  • 755 horsepower
  • 715 torque
  • Both direct injection and port injection fuel systems

These are, of course, not the only excellent features this engine has to offer, but they are certainly some of the most remarkable – especially the dual-fuel system.

Each spec is an upgrade of the remarkable LT4 system that serves as one of the most popular engines in cars with drivers who are looking for a serious boost to speed and performance.

With more power and speed and beefier specs, the LT5 promises to be an even bigger game-changer than its predecessor.

 

LT5-Engine-has-Impressive-Specs

 

LT5 Crate Engine has Premium Power


This engine’s power is its defining strength. Despite being a V8 and having a simple design with elements that go back to 1955, this engine produces an astounding two horsepower per square inch of space that it takes up under the hood thanks to the many upgrades that have occurred in the improvement from the LT4 to the LT5 model.

This is how it manages to output so much power without weighing down the vehicle it’s installed in. This effectively allows the driver to enjoy as much efficiency as possible while harnessing the power they need for jobs of any shape and size.

 

Higher-Horsepower-in-the-LT5

 

Higher Horsepower in the LT5


The previous model in this line, the LT4 crate engine, featured 650 horsepower. This was (and still is) an impressive spec for a modern engine that can be used in a wide range of vehicles, particularly those used in racing or other high-speed endeavors.

The LT5, however, takes horsepower to a whole new level, increasing the power offered by the already-remarkable LT4 by over 100 HP. Installed in the Corvette in which it debuted, the LT5 produces 755 HP at 640 RPM, proving that it’s not just any average gasoline engine.

This means better speed, better torque, better pulling power – better everything. This is why the LT5 is considered the best and strongest piece of GM equipment yet and why speed-enthusiasts everywhere are looking to get one of their own for their racing or show vehicles.

The LT5 has an Upgraded Supercharger


Much like the LS9 and LT4 crate engines, the LT5 engine supercharger features a four-lobe air compressor. However, this alteration of the crate engine features a serious upgrade in this field. This raises its performance above the rest.

This newest member of the impressive line, the supercharger is bigger, better and more efficient than those in previous engines, which is where much of the horsepower boost comes from. In fact, it’s a whopping 64 percent larger than the LT4 compressor, allowing for more intense performance in any situation.

With 2.65 liters of displacement, the supercharger paired with this engine creates a bigger boost that’s sure to make your time behind the wheel feel more adventurous and exhilarating than ever before.

 

Multi-Fuel-System-on-the-LT5

 

Multi-Fuel System on the LT5


The fuel system is, of course, the part of the whole construction that transports necessary fuel into the engine so you can keep moving forward with a simple press of the gas pedal. In the LT5, the multi-fuel system is one of the most defining features, just behind the excellent power output.

Understanding what each injector type has to offer can help you grasp a better understanding of why the inclusion of both in a single-engine is such a crucial, amazing feature for this forward-thinking engine.

Traditionally, vehicles use either a direct fuel injection system or a port injection system. The direct injection method is by far the most common and has its injectors mounted directly in the cylinder head. This is where they work to spray fuel directly into the engine cylinder – a direct solution to fuel transport, as the name of this part, might suggest. Generally, this system offers better efficiency, performance, and emissions, which is why it’s found in most standard engines.

Port injection systems usually involve a lower psi and are generally cheaper. The ports spray fuel into the back end of the intake valve, and then the engine has to wait for the valve to do its job before it can use the fuel that’s been transported.

While the lower psi makes this injection system less practical option, the spray of fuel onto the back of the intake valves keeps valves clean. This is an undeniable boon for those looking for clean, reliable performance in their engines.

The good part is that when you choose to use an LT5, you’ll be getting the benefits of both. This engine uses the direct injection system as its primary mode of fuel conveyance, allowing you to get the fuel economy you deserve while you’re on the move.

The port injection system serves as a supplementary fuel provider and keeps valves clean regardless of how mucky the road ahead gets. The engine switches between the two systems during transitions from low-RPM to high-RPM drives, allowing the benefits of teaching to cancel out the potential shortcomings of the other to give you an impressive all-around drive.

Managing your fuel intake for transitions between peak power and economy has never been easier.

LT5 Engine has Enduring Performance


Power is necessary, but it’s useless unless you ensure your engine’s ability to hold up to the challenges you’ll encounter on the open road. Powerful engines output heat, and heat causes strain on the individual parts that keep the engine moving, ultimately leading to failure in some cases.

Fortunately, the designers of the LT5 engine paid just as much attention to this crate engine’s durability as they did its horsepower and torque output.

Meaning the engine should be just as impressive in endurance as it is in power. Each part is made of premium materials that stand the test of time, including:

  • Forged steel
  • Forged aluminum
  • Polymer-protected components
  • Titanium

These materials are hand-picked to ensure they’re able to stand up to the heat that the engine itself produces, and you have to reach for those RPMs to get the job at hand done. This is imperative with the addition of the newer, bigger supercharger in this engine.

Superchargers offer extra power, but they also create a great deal of heat and blow hot air into the engine during use. This could lead to overheating or even damaged parts over time if the individual pieces aren’t designed to handle the heat.

Fortunately, that should never be a worry with these engines, which are prepared to handle the difficulties the supercharger might invite with light, heat resistant materials.

 

V8-Engine-with-an-Overhead-Valvetrain

 

V8 Engine with an Overhead Valvetrain


The designers of this engine opted to incorporate a classic overhead valvetrain, with the standard two valves per cylinder. This addition, too, works to make the engine run more smoothly at low-end torque levels.

In OHV valves, more turbulence occurs within the mixing of fuel and air, which in turn ensures it’s mixed more thoroughly before it moves on to the engine.

This is just one of the many details that help the LT5 achieve peak performance and speed.

Bringing it All Together


The GM LT5 engine has a great deal going for it. From increased horsepower, better torque, a heartier supercharger, and an overhead valvetrain, each detail has been meticulously chosen and hand-designed by experienced GM experts to promote a faster, stronger, and more impressive ride that any serious car enthusiast is sure to appreciate.

The engine itself may be a bit bigger, and the supercharger may cause a bit more heat, but that does little to detract from its overall effectiveness as a functional, fuel-efficient option. This is an excellent option for those looking to add a serious boost to their muscle cars or who simply enjoy going fast without worrying about putting a strain on their engine along the way.

Currently, the only trick to taking full advantage of this engine is finding a new car that has it installed – or installing one yourself if you have the tools and know-how to do so.

Vehicles Sporting an LT5


As of yet, the LT5 has not been implemented in many vehicles as an on-lot buying option. The engine first made its appearance in a Corvette at the SEMA auto show in 2018, and thus far it appears that this engine has not been implemented into new vehicles.

Until the design becomes more popularized and new lines of cars are released using this technology, the LT5 is exclusive to the Chevrolet C7 Corvette ZR1. The car that it made its debut appearance in.

However, the technology is still fairly new, and an absence of vehicles sporting this engine in the present doesn’t mean it won’t become a popular addition to

Chevrolet rides in the future. In the meantime, drivers who know their way around the right tools can buy the engine itself and attempt to integrate it into an existing vehicle – a popular choice among serious muscle-car collectors at this point.

It’s only a matter of time until Chevy dealerships everywhere get their hands on the latest vehicles and implement this outstanding new engine. Sooner or later, they are going to be able to pass them on to speed-oriented consumers such as yourself.

Test-Drive an LT5 Today


While the current options for driving a vehicle with an LT5 supercharged crate engine might be limited, it’s not impossible to find one when you have access to an excellent dealership with the best cars – and engines – on the market.

If you want to feel the exhilarating power that this huge advancement in the world of auto technology has to offer, head to your local Valley Chevy dealership for a test drive.

You can experience the speed, power, and excitement for yourself and check out more details on what lies in the future for this new engine setup.