When first introduced in the 1997 Corvette, GM's LS1 engine shook the performance world. Its combination of massive power, light weight and impressive fuel economy set new precedents for performance engines--and continues to do so generation after generation. The latest version, the LS9, makes some 638 hp from just 6.2 liters, far eclipsing even the mightiest big-blocks from the muscle car era--while meeting modern standards for emissions and fuel economy. It's no wonder, then, that the LSX engines have become some of the most popular for high-performance applications.

For those who...