LS Engine Firing Order – Explained

The complexity of the mechanical operations in a vehicle reveals that there is more to an engine than its brand name or physical size. For example, the firing order is one of the significant operations that determine your car’s engine performance and efficiency.

The LS firing order is unique and delivers maximally for all GM’s Chevy Generation III and IV small block engines. Now, let’s find out the unique firing order and cylinder numbers that make all the engines from the LS family stand out among others.

LS Engine Firing Order and Cylinder Numbers

sbc firing order

Read Also: LS1 vs. LS6 Engine: What’re the Differences

LS stands for “Luxury Sport,” and this RPO code refers to all third and fourth-generation V8 engines with small blocks. These engines were featured in General Motors’ Chevrolet. To be specific, the first LS engine was fitted in the Chevrolet Corvette C5 in 1997.

The engines’ firing order is one of the significant reasons Chevy stands out superbly in the automotive industry. The firing order is partly responsible for the power and torque output, as well as the cooling and general smooth running of the engines.

Firing order is the sequence in which a vehicle’s internal engine’s cylinders ignite in the process of generating power. The firing process combines the operations of the spark plugs and pistons. 

The spark plugs’ ignition is responsible for pushing the pistons in a specific order, which is known as the firing order. It is basically spelled out in the form of a combination of numbers in back-and-forth orders, representing the cylinders.

The LS engines’ firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. This was orchestrated to upgrade the traditional Chevrolet small block/big block engines’ 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 old firing order. However, upgrading your Chevy’s old engine’s firing order is possible if you can access an expert auto technician who’s trained for such operations.

An LS engine’s firing order is connected to the cylinder number. In other words, the cylinder number is designed in a way that allows the easy operation of the engine’s firing order. 

While various manufacturers have their unique cylinder numbering styles, GM designed the LS engines with four cylinders, each on both sides (left and right) of the engine block. Hence, the LS engines are tagged V8. The 4/4 equal arrangement is referred to as the “fold method” of cylinder numbering. This is commonly used by manufacturers across the automotive industry.

Back to the LS cylinder numbering! You will need to stand directly opposite the car in front of it to ascertain the cylinder numbers, unlike other LS engine specs. Typically, the engine block carries the cylinders 1-3-5-7 on the driver’s side, which is by your right.

On the flip side, the cylinders 2-4-6-8 are on the passenger’s side, which is your left. Cylinder #1 and cylinder #2 are closest to you, while cylinders 7 and 8 are the farthest at the other end of the engine block.

Read Also: LQ9 Vs. LQ4 Engine: What are The Main Differences

4.8 LS Engine Overview

The 1999 4.8L LS engine is one of the first GM pickup truck engines in the LS engine list among its third-generation V8 counterparts. It was produced between 1999 and 2007 until GM ceased producing this engine.

The 4.8 LS is popularly known as 4.8L Vortec or Vortec 4800. The engine was featured in the Chevy Silverado 1500 (1999 – 2006), and the Chevy Tahoe (2000 – 2006), respectively.

The engine still remains topnotch to date and works perfectly with upgrade system kits like turbos, cams, high-flow cylinder heads, cold air intake, nitrous oxide, and superchargers.

Firing Order

The 4.8L LS engine is designed with the LS standard 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order, starting with the 1st cylinder on the driver’s side and followed by the last cylinder on the passenger’s side.

Cylinder Numbers

The fold method of cylinder numbering with #1 facing #2, #3 facing #4, #5 facing #6, and #7 facing #8 is applicable to the 4.8L LS engine. In that case, cylinders 1,3,5 and 7 sit at the driver’s side, which is your right. Meanwhile, cylinders 2,4,6, and 8 sit on the passenger’s side, by your left.

5.3 LS Engine Overview

GM seemed to have selected a number of engines to reign between 1999 and 2007 because the 5.3 LS falls within this period. This engine was popularly known as Vortec 5300. It comprised the LM4, LM7, and L59 V8 engines.

The 5.3 LS happens to be more popular than its 4.8 LS counterpart. It also had the potential to accommodate upgrade system kits like cold air intake systems, nitrous oxide, superchargers, turbos, high-flow cylinder heads, and turbos. 

Firing Order

The 5.3 firing order aligns with the LS standard. The engine is built with the 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order. Like the 4.8 LS, the firing starts with the first cylinder on the driver’s side, which is further accompanied by the last cylinder on the passenger’s side.

Cylinder Numbers

The 5.3 LS cylinder numbering architecture also applies the fold method. Here, cylinder #1 stands opposite #2, #3 stands opposite #4, #5 stands opposite #6, and #7 stands opposite #8, respectively.

Like the 4.8 LS, cylinders 1,3,5 and 7 are on the driver’s side, by your right side. Whereas cylinders 2,4,6, and 8 are on the passenger’s side, by your left side.

5.7 LS Engine Overview

The 5.7L LS was designed as part of the third-generation small block engine in the LS lineage. It was built for GM’s high-performance cars like Camaro, Corvette, Firebird/Trans Am, CTS-V, and GTO.

The engine was introduced in 1997 and was in production for about 8 years until it was discontinued around 2005. Like its previous counterparts, the 5.7 LS was superb in its time and still stands as one of the best LS engines of all time.

Firing Order

5.7 LS isn’t different from the 5.3 LS firing order. It is fashioned to operate in the 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 order. Of course, it flows with the LS standard.

Cylinder Numbers

The 5.7 LS cylinder numbers are lined up with the even numbers – 2,4,6,8 on the passenger’s side. Meanwhile, the odd numbers – 1,3,5,7 are situated on the driver’s side. This is exactly the fold method of cylinder numbering. 

6.0 LS Engine Overview

The 6.0 LS was a third-generation LS engine introduced in 1999 and ceased from GM’s production line in 2007. It was fondly referred to as Vortec 6000, and the LQ4 was a 6.0 LS engine.

GM applied the 6.0 LS to several models of Chevrolet, including the Chevy Silverado 2500 (1999 – 2004), Chevy Suburban (1999 – 2004), Chevy Express (2003 – 2007), Chevy Silverado 1500HD (2001 – 2007), and Chevy Silverado 3500 (2001 – 2007).

Firing Order

Although the 6.0L LS has some variations from other LS engines, the firing order remains standard: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. The firing starts with cylinder #1 on the driver’s side and ends with cylinder #3 still on the driver’s side.

Cylinder Numbers

Again, the fold method of cylinder numbering is applicable to the 6.0L LS engine, with the odd numbers facing the even numbers. In other words, while cylinders 1,3,5 and 7 are placed at the driver’s side, cylinders 2,4,6 and 8 are placed at the passenger’s side opposite the odd numbers.

6.2 LS Engine Overview

The 6.2 LS was released in 2000 to replace the older 6.0 LS engine. However, it reigned between 2000 and 2017. Nonetheless, this engine saw an extended appearance in GM trucks than the previous LS engines.

The 6.2 LS engines were seen in their full glory in some of GM’s luxury SUVs and pickup trucks, including the Chevy Grand Sport (2008 – 2013 models), Chevy Corvette W/Open Exhaust (2008 – 2013 models), Chevy Camaro SS convertible, and coupe (2009 – 2015 models), and Chevy SS (2015 – 2017 models), respectively.

Firing Order

The 6.2L LS engine comes with some advanced features. Nevertheless, the firing order remains 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. It doesn’t alter the standard firing order from 4.8 LS – 6.0 LS.

The firing also starts with cylinder #1 on the driver’s side, which is followed by cylinder #8 on the passenger’s side, and finally ends at cylinder #3 on the driver’s side as well.

Cylinder Numbers

The 6.2 LS also features the fold method of cylinder numbering with cylinders #1 opposite #2, #3 opposite #4, #5 opposite #6, and #7 opposite #8. It’s typically the odd-numbered cylinders facing the even-numbered cylinders.

7.0 LS Engine Overview

GM’s constant upgrade of its product line continued the LS lineage until the 7.0L LS7 was released. The V8 LS7 became a “fresher” (new release) among all the preceding LS engines in 2006 when it featured in the Chevy Corvette Z06.

The 7.0 V8 LS engine continued until it was last seen in the Camaro Z/28 around 2014 – 2015. The engine was discontinued in 2015.

Firing Order

By now, it is obvious that the 7.0 LS engine would not come with a variance in its firing order. Just like the older LS engines, the 7.0 LS is designed with the standard 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order. 

Cylinder Numbers

Also, the 7.0 LS is configured with the fold method cylinder numbering style, with the odd-numbered cylinders facing the even-numbered counterparts. In other words, cylinders 1,3,5 and 7 at the driver’s side sit facing cylinders 2,4,6, and 8 at the passenger’s side.

Read Also: LS3 vs. LS7 Engine: What’re the Differences?

LS Firing Order Vs. SBC/BBC Firing Order: Which is better?

The Small Block Chevy (SBC)/Big Block Chevy (BBC) are built with the 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 firing order. The process starts with the first cylinder at the driver’s side on the engine block and ends with the first cylinder at the passenger’s side.

Meanwhile, the LS engine operates with the 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order. This was orchestrated as an upgrade to the LS family. GM decided to upgrade the traditional SBC/BBC firing order in the LS to the new standard LS firing order because of its numerous advantages.

The LS firing engenders a power boost and increased torque output. It also minimizes irregularities of the crash shaft and increases the possibility of engine durability, as well as better heat management. These and a few other factors are the reasons why the LS firing order is better than the SBC/BBC firing order.

ls firing order swap

Do all LS engines have the same firing order?

Yes, all LS engines are built with a similar firing order. The order in which power moves across the various cylinders of an LS engine is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. This cylinder firing order is peculiar to engines within the LS family.

With this correct (standard) firing order, LS engines deliver optimum performance and efficiency with minimal vibrations when running. Of course, the firing order of an engine can influence the vibration, power output, and engine life ultimately.

The LS engines’ standard firing order performs an amazing job by alternating the firing process between the banks.

Can you change the firing order of the LS engine?

All LS engines are built with the same firing order; hence, the 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order is a standard for the LS family lineage. Although the traditional Chevy small block/big block engines’ firing order can be changed, the same operation may not be possible for the LS firing order.

Swapping the old SBC/BBC firing order may not be a worthy venture in the end. Therefore, you may want to find out the pros and cons of swapping out your engine’s current firing order before opting for a new firing order.

What is the best firing order?

A clockwise 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order is best for a vehicle, especially GM’s product lines with LS engines. This was a result of various simulations with the old small-block Chevy and big-block Chevy that had a 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 firing order.

The LS firing order provided solutions to most of the limitations of the old SBB and SBC. The good news is that swapping up the traditional small-block Chevy and big-block Chevy engine firing is possible. However, ensure to contact an expert auto mechanic for professional advice.

What is a 4/7 firing order swap?

A 4/7 firing order is an operation that switches the positions of both cylinder #4 and cylinder #7 such that they replace each other. In other words, the swap is meant to move cylinder #4 from its position to occupy cylinder #7’s position. 

The same applies to cylinder #7, which is also moved to occupy cylinder #4’s initial position. Swapping firing orders can offer a couple of benefits; however, ensure to seek professional advice from an expert mechanic before making a final decision about the operation.

Does firing order change the sound?

A vehicle’s engine firing order may not directly affect its sound. However, an incorrect firing order can trigger other components within the engine to vibrate and give off unpleasant noise while the engine is running.

Like every other operation in a vehicle, the firing order is very important to the smooth running and durability of the engine.

Final Words

After a thorough review of the different LS engines across various generations, it is an established fact that all LS engines are built with a similar firing order. The same is true for the cylinder numbers as well.

However, the LS firing order isn’t there for decoration or uniformity. For example, the Chevy Silverado 5.3 Vortec firing order is designed to offer power and torque boost, enhanced engine durability, better heat management, as well as a harmonious engine performance at large.

Learn More:

L59 Vs. LM7 Engine: What are the Differences?

LLY Vs. LBZ – A Comparison of Two Best

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Tito

Hi there, I am R. Hasan Tito, a mechanic, and owner of this website. My friend and I created this website to share our knowledge, expertise, and experience with our fellow mechanics' community and car users. I am a specialist and certified automotive mechanic (Both Heavy Commercial and Private Cars). I worked as a Mechanic and Mechanic Supervisor for over fifteen years at Global Rebound Automotive companies - Toyota, TATA, BMW, Nissan, TVs, and Others. Now, I enjoy my new role of leading a team of automotive experts (in their respective fields) and publish new content on a regular basis on my website and social media.

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