The modern Corvette generations are the C5 (1997-2004), C6 (2005-2013), C7 (2014-2019) and the mid-engine C8 (2020 on). Each used a different small-block V8: the C5’s 5.7-liter LS1 made 345 to 350 hp, the C6 started with the 6.0-liter LS2 at 400 hp and moved to the 6.2-liter LS3 at 430 hp, and the C7’s 6.2-liter LT1 made 455 to 460 hp, with supercharged Z06 and ZR1 models above them.
Corvette generations and years
| Generation | Model years |
|---|---|
| C1 | 1953-1962 |
| C2 | 1963-1967 |
| C3 | 1968-1982 |
| C4 | 1984-1996 (there was no 1983 production model) |
| C5 | 1997-2004 |
| C6 | 2005-2013 |
| C7 | 2014-2019 |
| C8 | 2020 on (mid-engine) |
C5 Corvette horsepower (1997-2004)
| Model | Engine | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Coupe, convertible, hardtop | 5.7L LS1 | 345 hp (1997-2000), 350 hp (2001-2004) |
| Z06 (2001-2004) | 5.7L LS6 | 385 hp (2001), 405 hp (2002-2004) |
C6 Corvette horsepower (2005-2013)
| Model | Engine | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Base (2005-2007) | 6.0L LS2 | 400 hp |
| Base and Grand Sport (2008-2013) | 6.2L LS3 | 430 hp; 436 hp with dual-mode exhaust |
| Z06 (2006-2013) | 7.0L LS7 | 505 hp |
| ZR1 (2009-2013) | 6.2L supercharged LS9 | 638 hp |
C7 Corvette horsepower (2014-2019)
| Model | Engine | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stingray and Grand Sport | 6.2L LT1 | 455 hp; 460 hp with performance exhaust |
| Z06 (2015-2019) | 6.2L supercharged LT4 | 650 hp |
| ZR1 (2019) | 6.2L supercharged LT5 | 755 hp |
C8 Corvette (2020 on)
The C8 Stingray uses the 6.2-liter LT2, rated at 490 hp, or 495 hp with the performance exhaust, mounted behind the seats and paired with a dual-clutch transmission. Its engine keeps the small-block layout and the 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 firing order of the earlier LS and LT engines, but most bolt-on parts are specific to the mid-engine car.
How to tell which generation you have
The model year identifies the generation, and the styling makes it obvious at a glance: the C5 has pop-up headlights, the C6 fixed exposed headlights, the C7 sharper angular styling with a Stingray badge, and the C8 a mid-engine shape with the engine visible under the rear glass. Parts are generation-specific, so always order by model year and engine.
What changed between generations
- C5: new hydroformed frame, rear-mounted transaxle and the first LS engine.
- C6: exposed headlights, more power and the 7.0-liter Z06; the Grand Sport returned for 2010.
- C7: the Gen V LT1 with direct injection, a new aluminum frame on all models, and the Stingray name back.
- C8: the engine moved behind the driver for the first time in a production Corvette.
Corvette parts we carry by generation
- Supercharger kits: East Coast Supercharging Paxton NOVI kits for the C5, C6 and C7, or by engine: LS1, LS3, LS7 and LT1.
- Cooling, intake and exhaust: DeWitts radiators for the C5, C6 and C7, a CORSA intake and Kooks headers for the C7, and a Performance Design tunnel ram for the LT2 engines of 2020-2025 Corvettes, all on our Corvette parts by generation page.
Engine specs side by side: LS engine specs, LS1 vs LS6 and LS2 vs LS3.
More guides: C6 vs C7 Corvette · LS7 problems · LT1 problems · LS1 problems · how long an LT1 lasts.
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