The cylinder head gasket is one of the most over-engineered and strained engine parts. That’s why even the laziest mechanics or DIYers always tighten the cylinder head bolts to the manufacturer’s torque and sequence. Naturally, neither should you.
The third generation (LS1 and LS6) LS head bolt torque starts with bolts 1 to 10 and is 22 ft-lb for the first pass, 90° for the second pass, 90° for bolts 1 to 5, 50° for bolts 6 to 10, and 22 ft-lb for bolts 11 to 15. The fourth generation (LS2, LS3, LS4, LS7, LS9, LSA) head bolt torque starts with bolts 1-10 and is 22 ft-lb for the first pass, 90° for the second, 70° for the third, and 22 for bolts 11-15 as the final pass.
Explaining LS Head Bolt Torque
LS head bolt torque is hard. First, all LS engine head bolts are TTY (torque to yield), meaning they cannot be reused after tightening to torque. After tightening, such bolts stretch too much and become too frail to reach high torque again, possibly snapping.
Next, all LS cylinder heads have a bolt torque-critical tightening sequence. Ordering bolt tightening prevents cylinder head gasket leaks by distributing clamping strain.
Multiple passes require tightening the bolts to a given torque and repeating with a different torque.
LS head torque is simple in ft-lbs, while the second and third passes’ cylinder head bolt torque is degrees. Spin the bolt clockwise 90° or 1/4 turn if the torque standard is 90°. A degree torque wrench or standard wrench degree dial is needed for accuracy.
LS Cylinder Head Installation
Except for the complicated bolt-tightening and torque restrictions, installing an LS cylinder head is easy. Clean and wipe the engine block mating area again before fitting the head gasket.
Install the head gasket and alignment pins if your engine block has them. The head gasket orientation is normally indicated on it, but make sure one side faces upward.
After washing the cylinder head mating surface, align it with the engine block with two bolts. Torque the cylinder head onto the engine block. Change cylinder head bolts again.
1997–2005 LS Cylinder Head Torque
Only the LS1 and LS6 were available for the third-generation Chevy small block. The cylinder head torque data are the same for both, but we must reiterate in case you missed it.
In the third pass, turn bolts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at 90° for the final pass and 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 at 50°. Before starting, get a diagram since the center and exhaust side nuts are misaligned.
Torque specs for LS1 cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Vehicles with LS2 engine
- 2005-2006 Vauxhall Monaro VXR
- 2005-2006 HSV Coupe GTO
- 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6
- 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR
- 2006-2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
- 2005-2008 HSV Maloo R8
- 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2005-2006 Holden Monaro
- 2005-2006 Pontiac GTO
- 2005-2006 HSV SV6000
- 2005-2008 HSV Clubsport R8
- 2005-2008 HSV Senator Signature/GTS
- 2005-2008 HSV Grange
- 2005-2008 Saab 9-7X Aero
Torque specs for LS3 cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Cars with LS3 engine
- 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6
- 2011 Jensen Interceptor R
- 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS
- 2015 Drakan Spyder
- 2015-2017 Holden Commodore VF
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
- 2014-2017 Chevrolet SS
Torque specs for LS4 cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Cars with LS3 engine
- 2008-2009 Buick LaCrosse Super
- 2005-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
- 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
- 2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala SS
Torque specs for LS7 cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Cars with LS7 engine
- 2006-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
- 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible
- 2014-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Torque specs for LS9 cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Cars with LS9 engine
2009-2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Torque specs for LSA cylinder head bolts
- First Pass
Bolts 1-10 (22 ft-lb)
- Second pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 90°)
- Third Pass
Bolts 1-10 (Turn 70°)
- Fourth pass
Bolts 11-15 (22 ft-lb)
Cars with LSA engine
- 2009-2015 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2012-2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
- 2014-2017 HSV GTS GEN-F
