The Essential Information About LS Rocker Arm Torque Specifications and Order

When it comes to working on your LS engine, it’s essential to ensure that the rocker arms are correctly torqued down. This is because the rocker arms play a crucial role in the engine’s performance and can cause significant damage if they fail. In this article, we’ll discuss the LS rocker arm torque specs and sequence to help you get the job done right.

Understanding LS Rocker Arm Torque Specs

The LS rocker arm torque specs for all LS series engines are 22 lb-ft or 30 N•m. However, there is an exception for the LS9 (ZR1) engine, where the torque must not exceed 24 lb-ft to prevent the aluminum head threads from stripping.

LS Rocker Arm Torque Sequence

It’s not enough just to tighten the rocker arms to the correct torque specs; you also need to follow the proper torque sequence. This means tightening the bolts in a specific order so that all metal surfaces mate against each other properly.

To follow the LS rocker arm torque sequence, you first need to know the LS cylinder numbers. In all LS engines, standing at the front of the engine, the right bank cylinder nearest to you is number 1, the next nearest to you on the left bank is 2, then the next closest to you on the right bank is 3, and so on.

Once you know the cylinder numbers, follow this torque sequence:

1. Position cylinder number 1 at the top dead center of the compression stroke.
2. Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arms on cylinders number 1, 2, 7, and 8.
3. Tighten the intake rocker arms on cylinder numbers 1, 3, 4, and 5.
4. Rotate the crankshaft 360° so that cylinder number one is at the top dead center of the compression stroke again.
5. Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arms on cylinders number 3, 4, 5, and 6.
6. Tighten the intake rocker arms on cylinders numbers 2, 6, 7, and 8.

This torque sequence applies to all LS engines, including the 5.3 and 4.8 LS engines.

Third Generation LS Rocker Arm Torque Specs (1999-2007)

The third-generation Chevy small block only had two variations of the LS engine, both of which can be considered the first-gen LS series. Those two engines are the LS1 and LS6, both of which are 5.7 liters. The LS rocker arm torque specs and sequence for both engines are the same.

LS1

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS1 Engine: 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5, 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, 2001-2004 HSV GTO, 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird Formula/Trans Am, 2001-2005 Holden Monaro, 2004 Pontiac GTO, 1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird Formula/Trans Am, 1999-2005 Holden Statesman, 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

LS6

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS6 Engine: 2007 SSC Ultimate Aero TT, 2001-2004 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06, 2004-2005 Cadillac CTS V-Series.

Fourth Generation (2005-2020)

The fourth generation of LS engines realized their full potential, with engines like the LS2, LS3, LS4, LS7, LS9, and LSA. The LS rocker arm torque specs are the same for all fourth-gen LS variations.

LS2

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS2 Engine: 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2006-2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS, 2005-2006 Holden Monaro, 2005-2006 Pontiac GTO, 2005-2006 HSV Coupe GTO, 2005-2006 HSV SV6000, 2005-2008 HSV Maloo R8, 2005-2008 HSV Senator Signature/GTS, 2005-2008 Saab 9-7X Aero, 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6, 2006-2007 Cadillac CTS-V, 2005-2006 Vauxhall Monaro VXR, 2005-2008 HSV Clubsport R8, 2005-2008 HSV Grange.

LS3

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS3 Engine: 2011 Jensen Interceptor R, 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS, 2015-2017 Holden Commodore VF, 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6, 2015 Drakan Spyder, 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, 2014-2017 Chevrolet SS.

LS4

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS4 Engine: 2008-2009 Buick LaCrosse Super, 2005-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, 2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala SS, 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

LS7

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS7 Engine: 2014-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible, 2006-2013 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06.

LS9

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LS9 Engine: 2009-2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

LSA

• Rocker Arm Torque Specs – 22 lb-ft/30 N•m
• Vehicles With the LSA Engine: 2012-2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2009-2015 Cadillac CTS-V, 2014-2017 HSV GTS GEN-F.