While everyone has been distracted by the 2026 oil crisis, an arguably much larger atrocity has occurred. The world has run out of new LS9 long blocks.
LS9 long blocks, a staple in the performance aftermarket, are no longer available for purchase new from Chevrolet Performance as of May 2026.
While discontinuation has been a long time coming, it's still no less depressing. Chevrolet Performance dropped the LS9 crate engine from its production lineup back in 2019, followed by the supercharger assembly in 2022. What remained were service long blocks, which have now finally sold through. For builders who had been watching the writing on the wall, this is the official full stop, end of the road, left swipe, finish line, dead end.
In this article: What Was the LS9? | What Now? | LS Engine Tuning and Building
What Was the LS9?
The LS9 is a Gen IV small-block V8 displacing 6.2 litres, originally developed for the C6 Corvette ZR1 and produced from the 2009 model year. Chevrolet Performance rated the long block at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm and 604 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm, with a maximum 'recommended' engine speed of 6,600 rpm.
The engine was built around a cast-aluminium block with six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps, and packed with a forged rotating assembly: forged steel crankshaft, titanium connecting rods, and forged aluminium pistons. The cylinder heads were L92-style aluminium units with 68cc combustion chambers, titanium intake valves measuring 2.160 inches, and hollow sodium-filled exhaust valves at 1.590 inches. Boost came courtesy of an Eaton four-lobe Roots-type supercharger displacing 2.3 litres, with a compression ratio of 9.1:1.
That combination of factory-engineered forced induction, exotic internals, and a proven small-block architecture made the LS9 a go-to for high-end engine swaps and restomod builds where reliability and outright power were both non-negotiable.
What Now For The LS Platform?
Chevrolet Performance is pointing customers toward the LSX376-B15 crate engine as the current alternative for boosted builds. It ships without an intake manifold or accessories, given most engine builders are dropping these in every and any chassis imaginable with a huge range of turbo or supercharger combinations.
LS Engine Tuning and Building
Whether you are LS swapping a Porsche GT3 cup car, building a LSX376-B15 or working with an older LS-based platform, getting the tune right is just as important as the hardware. HPA's Tuning Starter Package covers the fundamentals of ECU tuning and is applicable to N/A and boosted LS builds, while the Practical Engine Building course walks you through the engine-building process itself using aftermarket performance parts. Both are available with instant enrolment and lifetime access.
