Cubic inches vs liters – this is a debate that has gone on for as long as the internal combustion engine has existed. Some gearheads prefer to measure engine size in cubic inches, while others like to state the same in liters. Although there is nothing wrong with using either of these units, it can confuse most people. That’s what we are trying to clear up today. Do you know how many cubic inches is 6.2 L? If not, you must stick around until the end.
Knowing the difference between cubic inches and liters might come in handy when purchasing a new vehicle. After all, it’s just as contentious of a topic as comparing a V6 vs a V8 engine. Not only that, as bigger engines generally perform better, this can give you an idea about the performance of a vehicle as well.
Before proceeding, we thought of giving you a brief introduction to both cubic inches and liters. With that out of the way, let’s get started.
What Are Cubic Inches
Cubic inches are a unit of measurement used in the Imperial measurement system. This unit is mainly used in the United States. Generally, one cubic inch is equal to the volume of a cube with its length, width, and height set at one inch. Some American manufacturers prefer to state the engine displacement in cubic inches.
The “Godfather” engine holds the record for being one of the biggest engines ever made, with the displacement of an eye-watering 1005.8 cubic inches.
This massive engine is made by an American organization named Sonny Leonard Racing Engines.
Thanks in part to its sheer size, this naturally aspired powerplant makes 2150 horsepower along with 1500 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, it is important to mention that this engine runs on 112-octane race fuel as well.
Now that you have an idea about cubic inches, let us focus our attention on how to measure engine displacement in liters. Oh, and if you’re unsure of what the latter means, do check out our guide on what does liter mean in an engine, for more insight.
Engine Displacement In Liters
Rounding the engine size up or down to the nearest liter is a practice followed by many vehicle manufacturers. For example, a 1480cc engine will be badged as a 1.4-liter, while one with 1320cc will be classified as a 1.3-liter engine.
As you may already know, the power of an engine increases will its size. This is mainly due to the fact that cylinders with higher volume can accommodate more fuel and air, which increases their power output.
It is important for you to understand that the total engine capacity is divided across its cylinders. For example, in a four-cylinder engine with a 2.0-liter capacity, each cylinder will contain 500cc worth of fuel and air. The more fuel and air that each cylinder burns, the more overall power the engine will produce.
LS3 Engine
When looking into how many cubic inches is 6.2 L, there is one engine that deserves some special attention. We are of course talking about the mighty Chevrolet LS3. It belongs to Chevy’s lineup of “Luxury Sport” small block engines.
For many decades, these have been some of the go-to choices for gearheads looking for the perfect mix of reliability and performance. The LS1 was the first engine of the series, and it made its debut all the way back in 1997.
Originally, it was capable of producing 345 horsepower, which was a mighty figure for an engine of its size. Chevrolet used aluminum in the construction of this engine, which had a positive effect on the overall performance.
Over the years, the design and technologies used for the construction of LS engines continued to improve. The 6.2-liter LS3 engine provides the perfect example of this. It has an aluminum block along with rectangular-port heads to deliver maximum performance.
Moreover, the LS3 came as the standard engine in both the C6 Corvette and the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro SS. Some of the most powerful GM vehicles made during the late 2010s came with an LS3 under the hood. A few of the most iconic ones include,
- Chevrolet Corvette C6
- Pontiac G8 GXP
- Chevrolet SS
- Chevrolet Camaro SS
Cars With LS3 #1 – Chevrolet Corvette C6
Originally launched back in 2005 as a replacement for the outgoing C5 model (just be wary of the C5 Corvette model years to avoid), the C6 Corvette quickly developed a cult following for its powerful engine and perfect handling.
With a curb weight of under 3250 pounds, this was one of the lightest Corvette models released up to that time. Furthermore, the near 50 – 50 weight distribution helped this Corvette to handle like it is on rails.
Initially, the C6 launched with a 400-horsepower LS2 under the hood. Three years later, it got an upgrade which we can’t ignore when looking for answers to “how many cubic inches in 6.2 L” Can you guess what it is?
If you guessed “It got an LS3”, you are on the money! The 6.2-liter engine replaced the aging LS2, bumping up the horsepower of the Corvette to 436. Additionally, a power-enhancing dual-mode exhaust system was made available as well.
The powerful LS3 was mated to either a Tremec six-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. If you are on a tight budget and looking for a powerful sportscar, the LS3-equipped C6 Corvette is worth consideration.
Also, speaking of Corvettes, you can learn more about its history with our detailed write-ups. Previously, we’ve looked at the common problems with the C8 Corvette, the background of the split rear window Corvette, and the price of the 2022 Chevy Corvette.
Cars With LS3 #2 – Pontiac G8 GXP
The Pontiac G8 GXP was one of the first vehicles to hop on the performance family sedan bandwagon. Often referred to as a four-door Corvette, this car held the accolade of being the most powerful Pontiac road car ever produced.
Powered by the 415 horsepower LS3, the G8 GXP could complete the 0 to 60 MPH sprint in just 4.7 seconds. Not only that, but it could complete the quarter mile in just 13.3 seconds as well. Similar to the Corvette, the G8 also gave drivers the choice of either a manual or an automatic transmission.
The G8 had powerful brakes that allowed it to stop on a dime as well. It came from the factory equipped with four-piston Brembo brake calipers, which had enough bite to bring this sedan to a standstill from 70 MPH in just 156 feet.
The suspension was equally impressive as it was equipped with rear stabilizer bars which kept the car firmly planted on the road. The 19-inch polished alloy wheels added to the sporty appearance of the vehicle.
Cars With LS3 #3 – Chevrolet SS
The Chevy SS can be considered the spiritual successor of the Pontiac G8 GXP. This sports sedan initially launched in 2014 and continued to be sold, albeit slowly, until Chevy discontinued it three years later.
Much like its predecessor, the SS was a rebadged Holden too. Under the hood was the familiar 6.2 liter LS3 V8, making 415 horsepower along with a similar amount of torque. Regardless, both of them are some of the best sports sedans that you can buy used.
Power was delivered only to the rear wheels, and you had to take care of the gearshifts yourself through the six-speed Tremec manual transmission.
Although it had the heart of a sportscar under the hood, the SS had space to carry the whole family around. Head and leg room is plenty, and there is a huge trunk to carry all your stuff at the back as well.
In addition, this sedan is equipped with the incredible GM Magnetic Ride suspension. This technology ensured maximum comfort to the occupants, no matter the road that you are on.
Cars With LS3 #4 – Chevrolet Camaro SS
The final LS3-powered vehicle we’ll be taking a look at in our discussion on how many cubic inches is 6.2 L is the Chevrolet Camaro SS. The Camaro has been an icon of the car world since it first went on sale during the late 60s.
From the beginning, the Camaro was powered by monstrous V8 engines, and this tradition continued with the fifth generation as well. The Corvette-derived LS3 first made its way under the hood of the Camaro during the late 2000s.
Here, it made an impressive 426 horsepower, along with 420 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the tested-and-proven design of this V8 meant that it had a much more relaxed maintenance schedule when compared with its competitors.
The Camaro SS was one of the quickest muscle cars at the time. If you put the pedal to the metal, this pony could gallop to 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. That’s an impressive figure considering how heavy this vehicle was. Flat out, this LS3-powered beast will fly all the way until it reaches its top speed of 155 miles per hour.
But, if a Camaro SS is a bit too costly for you, you could consider the underrated Catfish Camaro. Or, get a Camaro V6, and get a twin turbo kit for it. Now that you know more about the performance of the 6.2-liter engine, let us explore how you can convert cubic inches to liters and vice versa.
Cubic Inches To Liters
In order to convert cubic inches to liters, you have to multiply the given value by 0.016387. This is due to the fact that the value of 1 cubic inch is equal to 0.016387. So, if you were wondering how many cubic inches is 6.2 L, now you know how to find out the answer for yourself!
Liters To Cubic Inches
On the other hand, if you want to learn how to convert liters to cubic inches, here’s your answer. In order to do this, all you have to do is to multiply the given liter value by a factor of 61.0237441. As you might have guessed, this is because there are 61.0237441 cubic inches in a liter.
6.2 L V8
It is safe to say that the 6.2-liter V8 engine is one of Chevy’s greatest inventions. Belonging to the General Motors small-block platform (such as the 400 small block and the 283 Chevy engine), the 6.2 L V8 replaced the company’s exciting lineup of Northstar engine variants.
Since its introduction in 1995, this engine has become the GM’s powerplant of choice to be used in other rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The 6.2-liter V8 is one of the most powerful engines made by Chevrolet.
Because of the parts-sharing between GM brands at the time, you could also assess the reliability of the Chevy 6.2 by looking at the list of GMC 6.2 engine problems. It is naturally aspired and produces 420 horsepower along with 460 lb-ft of torque. In 2005, Chevy equipped this engine with their Active Fuel Management system.
However, Chevy later updated this system to the latest Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) technology, which had the main goal of providing the maximum fuel economy without affecting engine performance.
The DFM system contains 17 different engine patterns and has the ability to mix them continuously to optimize engine efficiency. Furthermore, this system has the ability to switch off half of the engine’s cylinders, essentially turning it into a four-cylinder. This is mainly done under heavy traffic and city driving conditions.
Some of GM’s most powerful engines can trace their origins back to this old-school V8. For example, the L92 became the first 6.2-liter truck engine to be used in a Chevrolet. In fact, it remains an engine option in the Chevy lineup to this day.
The supercharged LT5 is another 6.2-liter V8-derived engine. It holds the accolade of being the most powerful Chevy engine ever produced. And, it’s one of the most powerful engine ever fitted in a car.
LS3 Crate Engine
As you already learned how many cubic inches is 6.2 L, you might be interested in getting one of these powerful engines fitted to your own vehicle as well. This is where crate engines come in.
In the simplest of terms, a crate engine is an engine sold on its own, without a vehicle accompanying it. They get their name from the crates manufacturers use to ship them out in.
People choose to go for crate engines due to many reasons. Two of the most common ones include,
- Â To Replace A Blown Engine
- As A Performance Modification
1. To Replace A Damaged Engine
The main reason why people elect to go for a crate engine is to replace one that has already bitten the dust. Although destroyed engines can be rebuilt, it is a time-consuming process that takes a lot of money and resources. Oftentimes, it is more cost-effective to get a crate engine like the LS3, which even comes with a warranty.
2. As A Performance Modification
Swapping in a crate engine in place of the powerplant of your vehicle will give you a significant boost in performance. This is often the case with classic cars. You see, most classics originally came out of the factory with engines that are generally considered to be underpowered in modern-day terms.
Doing a V8 swap is one of the best ways of bypassing this issue. We’ve looked at engine swaps numerous times before, including doing a Mazda RX8 motor swap, a Miata engine swap, the Hellcat Miata, and a Honda engine swapping, as well as the Mazda RX8 LS swap.
Not only that, some gearheads perform crate engine swaps to achieve the specific combination of engine and car that they want. If you have ever seen a classic Camaro or Chevy C10 with a modern LS3 under the hood, you exactly know what we are talking about.
However, we must mention that the Chevrolet LS3 is not the only crate engine out on the market. There are a variety of these powerplants to choose from. Here are a few things that you should keep an eye on when selecting a crate engine for yourself.
- Engine Manufacturer
- Specifications
- Engine Dimensions
- Cost
- Tuning Capability
Let us take a look at how the LS3 matches up to the competition in each of these areas.
How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L #1 – Engine Manufacturer
The first thing you should take into consideration when selecting a crate motor is its manufacturer. You see, many front-running automotive brands compete in the crate engine segment, and there are some cars that fit certain engines better than others.
The Ford Mustang provides a great example. Most people prefer to use Coyote engines in this case, as they belong to the same brand and have better compatibility. The same goes for Dodge vehicles and Hemi engines as well.
But, the LS3 crate engine is one notable exception in this aspect. General Motors have designed these engines to be easily swapped into any vehicle you desire. This is one main reason why LS swaps have become such a phenomenon in recent years.
How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L #2 – Specifications
After choosing a platform, the next thing you should pay attention to is the specifications of the engine. The Chevrolet LS3 crate engine is one of the most powerful choices on the market. In its factory form, this engine makes 430 horsepower along with 424 lb-ft or torque.
Chevrolet uses aluminum in the construction of the LS3. When compared to regular iron-block engines, this has several benefits. Two of them include reducing the overall weight and allowing better cooling. The connecting rods are made of powdered metal, and nodular iron is used in the crankshaft construction.
How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L #3 – Engine Dimensions
You should also take the engine dimensions into consideration when selecting a crate engine. If you choose an engine that is too big, you might have some issues when the time comes to swap the engine into your vehicle. However, some components like the battery can be moved to the vehicle’s trunk to give you some additional space.
How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L #4 – Cost
Cost is another important factor you should consider when performing a crate engine swap. A complete 6.2-liter LS3 crate engine will set you back around $10,000. For the price, you’ll get the engine block and all accompanying accessories such as,
- The Oil Pan
- Ignition System
- Throttle Body
- Fuel Injector
- EFI Manifold
- Water Pump
- Exhaust Manifolds
- Balancers
- Automatic Transmission Flexplate
You’ll also have to think about whether you want a short block vs a long block. However, keep in mind that you might have to swap out the included oil pan for another, as it won’t suit all installation applications.
How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L #5 – Tuning Capability
The final thing that any gearhead should take into consideration before pulling the trigger on an LS3 engine swap is the future tuning opportunities it offers. Luckily, Chevy’s line of LS engines has great aftermarket support. You can find everything from superchargers and turbochargers to custom camshafts out on the market.
LS3 vs LT1
On the surface, both the LS3 and LT1 look like they share several common characteristics. However, once you start taking a deeper dive, the differences between these two engines start to appear.
As you might have already guessed, both these engines are made by General Motors. Furthermore, both have a V8 configuration and the same displacement of 6.2 liters. However, the latest “Generation V” LT1 engines set themselves apart from the LS3 in several key areas.
It has a new camshaft design and uses a new tri-lobe camshaft. Additionally, the LT1 engine uses a new high-pressure oil pump as well. This increases the engine power output by introducing more fuel into each cylinder.
Whereas the LS3 only had Variable Valve Timing on a few select models, the LT1 adds it as a standard feature across the range. All these differences account for an increase in both horsepower and torque. The LT 1 engine specs show a maximum power output of 455 horsepower, along with 460 lb-ft or torque.
This makes it a great alternative to the tried and tested LS3.
Verdict
In this article, we mainly focused on finding out the answer to the question “how many cubic inches is 6.2 L?” In addition, we gave you information on how to convert cubic inches to liters and vice versa.
Not only that but also we took a look at the popular 6.2-liter Chevrolet LS3 engine. If you were on the lookout for a crate engine to swap into your car, we hope that you found the information in this article helpful.
FAQs On How Many Cubic Inches Is 6.2 L
How Many CC In A Liter
CC stands for cubic capacity, which is a measurement of the displacement of a car engine. When it comes to cars, 1 liter is equal to 1000cc.
How To Calculate Cubic Inches
Calculating the engine displacement in cubic inches requires you to multiply several values. In order to calculate this value, you should first multiply the stroke of the crankshaft by the cylinder bore area. Once you get the answer, multiply it by the number of cylinders to get the cubic inch value.
What Does Liter Mean In Engine
The total capacity of an internal combustion engine is measured in liters. Generally, the bigger the engine, the more liters it will have.
What Is Engine Displacement
In the simplest of terms, engine displacement refers to the volume of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. It is measured in several units, including liters and cubic inches. Engines that produce large amounts of power typically have more displacement than smaller ones.
What Year Is The Best Chevy 350 Engine
The Chevy 350 is one of the most well-known small-block V8 engines. 1970 is considered by many to be the best year of this classic engine. Other years like 1992 and 2002 are also top contenders for the title of best Chevy 350 engine year.
