LS Engine VIN Decoder
Decode your VIN free to confirm a GM LS or LT V8 and its displacement. From NHTSA data, no signup.
Modern road VIN: 17 characters, no I / O / Q. Find your VIN.
Try an example:
Examples demonstrate the public data source; they are not vehicles offered for sale. Missing fields mean not reported, not “none.”
Compare two vehicles
Specifications reported by NHTSA. Empty data does not mean the feature is absent. Compare configuration labels and manufacturer records before buying parts.
About the LS / LT
Built by
General Motors — Chevrolet, GMC & Cadillac
Fuel: Gas
Displacements
4.8L · 5.3L · 6.0L · 6.2L · 7.0L (LS7)
Common in
Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Camaro, Corvette, Escalade
The LS (and its direct-injection successor, the LT) is GM’s modern small-block V8 family. It powers everything from work trucks and full-size SUVs (Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Escalade) to performance cars (Camaro, Corvette), in displacements from 4.8L up to the 7.0L LS7 — which is why it’s the go-to swap engine.
GM encodes the engine in the 8th VIN character, but the exact code varies by platform and year, so it isn’t a single fixed letter. Decode your VIN above and read the engine field to confirm the displacement and generation your vehicle left the factory with.
OPTIONAL CHECKING TOOLS
Tools for reading a hidden marking
For a VIN plate, engine stamping or equipment label you cannot see clearly, a small light or mirror may help.
Telescoping LED inspection mirror
An adjustable lighted mirror for viewing a serial plate or engine marking at an awkward angle.
Inspect only with the vehicle or machine safely parked, switched off and cool.
View on AmazonLE LED pen flashlights
Two pocket lights with clips for reading VIN plates, equipment labels and engine markings.
Each light uses two AAA batteries (not included).
View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check price and fit on Amazon.
How your VIN shows the LS / LT
On most vehicles the 8th character of the VIN encodes the engine — but the specific letter or number that means a given engine is make-, model- and year-specific, so there is no universal code to look up. The dependable method is to decode the whole VIN and read the engine and fuel fields, which is exactly what the free tool at the top of this page does. See how VINs encode the engine for the full explanation.
Remember the VIN reflects the factory-installed engine — a later engine swap is not recorded in the VIN.
Makes that use the LS / LT
LS / LT VIN — FAQ
Is my Silverado an LS or LT engine?
Decode the VIN and read the engine field. Gen III/IV small-blocks (4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 6.2) are LS-family; the newer direct-injection 5.3 and 6.2 are LT-family. The displacement plus the model year points to which generation you have.
What does the 8th digit of a GM VIN mean?
On most GM vehicles the 8th character encodes the engine, but the specific letter/number that means a given LS or LT differs by model and year — there is no universal chart, so decoding the full VIN is the reliable method.
Can a VIN tell me if it’s an LS swap?
No. The VIN reflects the factory-installed engine. If a vehicle was later LS-swapped, the VIN still decodes to the original engine — the swap is not recorded in the VIN.
Other engine families
See also the VIN year chart or decode any VIN.