Chevrolet Performance has officially discontinued one of its most coveted crate engines. The LS9 long block—the 638-horsepower supercharged heart of the C6 Corvette ZR1—now carries the “discontinued” label on GM’s website. For builders who wanted factory-backed supercar power in a turnkey package, that opportunity has ended.
The LS9 represented something special in GM’s performance hierarchy: a hand-built, emissions-validated, 6.2-liter powerplant that could reliably rev near 7,000 rpm while delivering broad torque across the rev range.
The Last of the Blue Devil Legacy
This supercharged small-block defined an era when Corvettes first broke 200 mph.
Between 2009 and 2013, the LS9 lived exclusively under the hood of the C6 ZR1 “Blue Devil,” making it the first production Corvette to crack the 200-mph barrier. GM’s Performance Build Center hand-assembled each engine with premium internals: titanium connecting rods, sodium-filled exhaust valves, and an Eaton R2300 supercharger pushing 10.5 psi of boost.
As a crate engine, the LS9 became highly sought after by serious builders. The package delivered 638 hp and 486 lb-ft (in crate configuration) with factory durability testing. Builders appreciated the emissions-compliant, turnkey nature—no guesswork about boost levels or internal compatibility.
Key LS9 Specifications:
- 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with Eaton R2300 TVS blower
- Forged steel crankshaft and titanium connecting rods
- 320 lb-ft available at just 1,000 rpm (according to GM data)
- Factory-rated for near-7,000-rpm operation
- Hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center
What Chevy Offers Instead
The LSX376-B15 provides boost-ready internals but requires more assembly work.
Chevrolet is directing customers toward the LSX376-B15, a 473-hp crate motor designed to handle up to 15 psi of boost. The forged internals can withstand significant stress, but buyers get a foundation rather than a finished supercharged package. No intake manifold, no blower, no front accessories come included.
As CorvSport noted, the discontinuation “hurts for a lot of Corvette fans.” The LSX376-B15 offers different capabilities entirely. Builders must source and tune their own forced-induction setup instead of relying on GM’s integrated development work.
Chevrolet Performance’s Instagram recently teased “Something BIG is coming” alongside a photo showing what appears to be a supercharged V8 in a truck bay. Industry speculation suggests a rumored 6.7-liter pushrod engine, potentially for future C8 variants or truck applications, though GM has not confirmed these rumors.
The LS9’s discontinuation closes a significant chapter in GM’s performance engine history. C6 ZR1 owners now possess cars powered by an engine no longer available new from the factory. For builders seeking factory-supercharged power, the search for remaining inventory begins in earnest.
