As mentioned, all generations of the LS engine line are produced by General Motors. The LS4 engine was originally released in 2005 and was used in GM vehicles until the company phased it out in 2009. In its stock form, the LS4 motor is capable of producing a modest 303 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque. General Motors built the engine into several of its front-wheel-drive vehicles, including the Chevy Monte Carlo SS, Chevy Impala SS, Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, and the Buick LaCrosse Super.
Though the LS4 engine was discontinued in 2009, like many other GM engines it remains available through independent sellers. It might not be as desirable as other crate motors, due to its transverse orientation limiting its use to front-wheel-drive cars, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find one. According to our research, tuners and gearheads can snag one of these rare engines for around $1,000. That said, you’ll have to search various websites, and you may have to settle for a rebuilt or used engine instead of a factory-new crate motor.
