L59 5.3L Engine Specs: Performance, Bore & Stroke, Cylinder Heads, Cam Specs & More

The L59 engine is a 5.3L Gen. III iron-block engine used in GM trucks and SUVs between 2002 and 2007. It is essentially the flex-fuel version of the LM7. 

For marketing purposes, it was also known as the Vortec 5300. The engine specs and information listed here is for a stock L59 engine.

Mechanically similar, General Motors’ LS and LS-based Vortec engines wound up on almost every branch of the GM family tree: Chevy, Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac, Buick—heck, even Saab, Hummer, and Isuzu got some LS love.

Since LS and Vortec engines are so common, they’ve become the go-to performance and swap engines of the modern era.

These motors are capable of making a lot of horsepower, and respond well to upgrades like turbos, superchargers, high-flow cylinder heads, intake systems, cams, and nitrous oxide.

[Looking to upgrade your L59 engine? Check out L59 5.3L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for L59 Mods to Maximize Performance.]

The aftermarket is strong, crate engines are available, and used motors are often cheaply sourced through junkyards.

Summit Racing has created a series of comprehensive guides for each engine in the LS family, so engine builders and tuners can have a handy reference for their projects.

This specific guide is for the GM L59 5.3L Vortec 5300.

You can find more LS engine spec guides and LS-related information here.

(Summit Racing’s Paul Spurlock and Brian Nutter contributed to this article.)

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L59 5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Specs