The mere mention of iconic engine names of the muscle-car era elicits a positive reaction from anyone who recalls and reveres them. Tri-Power, Ram Air, H.O., Cobra Jet, Boss, Hemi, Six-Pack, LS6, LT-1, Stage 1, W-30, and so on, all immediately conjure up warm and fuzzy images of the days when cubes were king and enough money to buy a few gallons of Hi-Test could be collected by retrieving the loose change that had fallen between the seats.

Over the decades since then, some of these names have been applied to more modern engines. Chrysler brought back “Hemi.” GM reused “LT1” in the 1990s (without the dash between the “T” and “1”) and has again for the last few years. “LS2” had been the option code for Pontiac’s SD-455 in 1973-’74, but availability was ultimately restricted to the Trans Am and Formula. The 2005-’06 GTO received an “LS2” engine, however—the Gen IV LS. The Gen III LS engine series also sported nomenclature that, in some instances, was the same as muscle-car era engines, such as “LS6.” There are plenty of other examples, but you get the idea—recycling engine names is nothing new.

Another classic engine brand finds new revs...