The LS engine series needs no introduction. The range of engines bearing the LS denomination is known for their near-perfect balance of performance and reliability. That’s not all the LS engines achieved though. Much of General Motors’s success in the performance segment can be credited directly or indirectly to the LS platform.

One of the notable models in the series is the LSA engine. This is a rather interesting offering as it was supercharged in stock form. As you’d expect from a high-capacity, supercharged V8 it made a tremendous amount of power. While that does sound quite mega, it wasn’t all perfect. Join us as we take a closer look at this motor and try to answer whether the LSA makes for a swap options, or if you’d be better off with another version of the LS engine series?

LSA Engine Specifications 

The specifications of the LSA engine are rather interesting as even though it is supercharged it shares many elements with another LS engine – the LS3 – that isn’t. What this means is that a lot is going on under the surface. 

For starters, the 6.2-liter engine block used by the LSA is almost the same as the one used with the LS3. It brings the same basic features as the all-aluminum unit and cast-iron cylinder liners. That said, this block was an improvement over the older block as it was 20 percent stronger. General Motors achieved this by increasing the size of the bulkhead windows. This also helped manage airflow on the inside. 

The LSA cylinder block had its deck plate machined, which helped enhance the life of the engine, while also increasing power. Another benefit and one directed towards the LSA was the increased cylinder head pressures as it allowed for a better seal despite being supercharged.

Just like the LS3, the LSA’s pistons are made of cast aluminum. They featured a large amount of silicon to ensure that the engine was able to handle strength and heat. Other benefits came in the form of reduced noise and vibrations. General Motors claimed that this was a priority and something that wouldn’t have been possible with forged aluminum pistons. 

General Motors opted to use a dropped-forged steel crankshaft in the LSA. A notable change came in the form of the eight-bolt flange to mount the flywheel instead of a six-bolt one seen on other LS engines. This was done to meet demands in terms of forces a supercharger would throw at it. Other strengthening measures came in the form of forged connecting rods. 

The engine also has a camshaft that allows for smooth and tractable low-end performance. The unique camshaft the LSA uses was designed to work in line with the supercharger. While the supercharger inherently gave the engine a strong top-end, the camshaft was designed to ensure usability at the other end of the rpm range. Other changes specific to the LSA consisted of an upgraded oiling system – mainly a more powerful oil pump and a dual-pressure fuel system. This system allowed for a more responsive throttle and increased fuel efficiency. 

Adding forced induction like a supercharger increases power and a direct consequence of more power is increased heat. As a result, the LSA was equipped with air-to-liquid intercoolers which helped supply cool air into the cylinders. And if you know a thing or two about forced induction, you are already aware of the fact that they require a steady supply of cool air. This can only be achieved with intercoolers and that’s exactly why the company used a dual brick setup.

The LSA engine also made use of more compact ignition coils than the LS engines before it. These coils promised to deliver consistent spark density and one that didn’t differ from cylinder to cylinder. Like other Gen 4 LS engines, the LSA also made use of the 58X crankshaft ring and sensor. This system helped the ECU determine the exact data on the crankshaft which is used to deliver optimum ignition timing. 

How Much Horsepower Is in an LSA?

With its supercharged configuration and massive displacement, it’s no surprise that the LSA makes some huge power and torque figures. It was first used in the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V and made an incredible 556 HP at 6,100 RPM and 551 lb-ft at 3,800 RPM. 

That being said, this engine was still limited in terms of performance when compared to the LS9 engine. The LSA used cast pistons and a lower compression ratio which meant it also had to use a smaller supercharger. For use in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the engine was re-tuned to make 580 HP and 556 lb-ft.

What Did LSA Engine Come In?

• 2009–2015 Cadillac CTS-V
• 2012–2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
• 2014-2017 HSV GTS GEN-F

What Makes the LSA Engine So Good?

In stock form, the LSA engine offers an excellent mix of power and refinement. General Motors took steps to ensure that this engine wasn’t as brash as the others. The company was looking for quiet performance, and they managed to achieve that with the LSA. The potent supercharger and unique camshaft also worked in harmony to deliver performance across the rev range. 

General Motors claim its engineers worked on 370 power simulations before finalizing one for the LSA. The company also added that the engine ran for 270 continuous hours at full throttle without failing. Overall, the LSA engine makes for a really good swap option if you aren’t looking to modify it to make more power. The engine is best left mostly stock as its cast internals can prove to be problematic with big modifications. It’s also not as popular as the LS3 and LS9 which means it’s likely to be easier and more affordable to attain. That’s why it’s not an engine option you should rule out for your next swap project.

Can the LSA Engine Be Modified?

Yes, the LSA engine can be modified to make more power. Simple bolt-on modifications like intake, exhaust, and tune are the first steps you can take when modifying the LSA engine. While this won’t increase the power figures drastically, there will be a clear gain, especially if the tune is dialed in. The next step and a rather common one with supercharged engines is a pulley swap.

As its name suggests, swapping the upper pulley for a larger one can increase the boost from 9 PSI to 13 PSI. While that might not seem like much, it’s likely to increase power by around 50 HP. Another modification when looking to make more power is switching the head for an aftermarket unit that improves both intake and exhaust flow. 

Like almost every LS engine, the LSA engine doesn’t have the most powerful fueling system. While it works well in a stock application and with an additional 40 HP, you begin reaching its limits beyond that. At this point, you also begin approaching the limits of the cast aluminum pistons. It is highly recommended to swap them for a forged set if you are looking to make higher power and torque figures reliably.

LSA Common Problems

Despite being one of the more reliable members of the LS family, the LSA had suffers from one issue that can potentially throw a wrench in whatever plans you might have. 

Supercharger Trouble

Back when the engine was still in production, General Motors revealed that it had noticed a problem with the LSA engine. This was after owners started reporting that there was a rattle from the bearing on the main input shaft. According to General Motors, the bearing would overheat and get damaged, and end up failing. 

The problem would progressively get worse and if left unaddressed lead to major engine damage. However, likely, the majority of engines have already had this problem fixed under warranty. 

Shop for your LSA right here

While the LSA engine doesn’t have a long list of common problems, it’s still a high-performance supercharged V8. 

What that means is you are sure to expect maintenance-related costs to rack up over time. We at Newparts.com don’t just have parts for any mechanical issue, but also simple parts to keep that big V8 thumping as it should. Head over to our Shop and get some of the best prices around!