Over the course of its 20+ year production run, the venerable GM LS engine came from the factory in many different configurations. And that’s particularly evident when you see its displacement range. From a modest 4.8L to a whopping 7.0L, you could get an LS engine block in a wide assortment of flavors.
So if you’re thinking about an LS engine swap, LS engine build, or LS engine upgrade, the first place you’ll likely start looking is at the LS motor’s displacement. And that’s why we’re writing this series of tech posts. It’ll break down each of the LS engine’s most popular displacements, starting with the many varieties of the venerable 6.0L LS. (Spoiler alert: there’s way more than just one 6.0L LS engine.)
Learn more about each LS engine displacement:
* 4.8L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.3L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.7L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.2L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 7.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
This handy LS resource page is a good one to bookmark if you’re considering an LS crate engine for a swap, or looking for a 6.0L LS short block to use a basis for a high horsepower build.
You may also want to check out our Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
The 6.0L LS Engine Family
Available in everything from police cars to the Chevy Silverado, there are no shortage of six liter LS engines to choose from. Check out the table below, and if you find an LS that looks interesting, click the hyperlinks on the particular LS engine name (LQ4, LQ9, etc.) to learn more.
6.0L LS & Vortec Engine Spec Guide
| Years | Liter | Code | Vehicle | Cam Bolts | Reluctor | VVT | AFM | Flex Fuel | VIN (8th Digit) | Block | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2007 | 6.0 | LQ4 | Truck | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | U | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2002-07 | 6.0 | LQ9 | Truck | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | N | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2005 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 6.0 | LS2 | GTO | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2006 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette, CTS-V | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette, CTS-V | 1 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 6.0 | LS2 | SSR. TBSS | 3 | 24x/1x | No | No | No | H | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-09 | 6.0 | LS2 | TBSS, 9-7X Aero | 1 | 58X/4X | No | No | No | H | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2008-09 | 6.0 | L76 | G8 | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2006-10 | 6.0 | L76 | Holden VZ2, VE1 | 1 | 58X/4X | No | 2009+ | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2007-09 | 6.0 | L76 | Truck/SUB | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-17 | 6.0 | L77 | Caprice PPV | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | Yes | 2 | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-15 | 6.0 | L77 | Holden VE2, VF | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | Yes | — | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2010-17 | 6.0 | L96 | Truck/SUV/Van | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | Yes | G | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2007-08 | 6.0 | L98 | Holden | 1 | 58X/4X | No | No | No | — | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-16 | 6.0 | LC8 | CNG Fuel | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | No | B | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2008-09 | 6.0 | LFA | Hybrid Truck/SUV | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | No | 5 | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-14 | 6.0 | LY6 | Truck/SUV/Van | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | No | K/N | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2010-13 | 6.0 | LZ1 | Hybrid Truck/SUV | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | Yes | J | Alum. | Cathedral |
Looking for a 6.0L LS Engine?
Here are two LS Engine Spotter’s Guides that will help:
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle
LS Engine Swap Parts Guide
Our friends over at Summit Racing developed a helpful resource that’ll give you an idea of some of the parts you’ll need to complete your LS engine swap—including specific LS swap requirements for exact vehicle models. You can check it out here:
Own a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500, has a low engine oil chime, is there a crate motor that will match up to all electrical wiring computer sensors need help send a phone number, I heard that engine is 6.0 4180e 2 nd generation my number 435-826-4154 Toby
Before pulling the engine, pull the oil pressure sender and see if the screen below it is plugged. If so, wash, rinse, and you may be surprised at your good fortune.
[…] offered by a dealer. Whatever motor was under that expansive hood has been replaced by one from the GM LS family of engines, in this case, a 6.0-liter or about 364 cubic inches). Over 20 years, an LS […]
Looking for a 6.0 LS Complete with Transmission, harness, mounts and headers for a 1997 GMC Sierra 2WD stock 4.3 Vortec. I’m out of my element but mechanic suggested this and a 6L180 Tranny. Any suggestions for least expensive complete setup and where to get would help!
I have the set up czAll me
I need to know I just bought a school bus I wanted a RV but is a school bus a good ideal? I don’t know engine s my titlls says 6.0 my brother says I got to hook up the engine at night to keep it wa???
I have a sick so I just want to know what kind of horsepower I could get out of it without putting boost what type of Cam and what else kind of ingredients could you throw me a small list
I had an 02 Denali c3 awd 1500 extcab truck with the 6.0. I out a k&N Cold air, either a spacer or upgraded throttle body. I ran a superchip tuner in it. I ran 9 mm wires on it with I think MSD coils. I put only one MagnaFlow exhaust for performance back pressure on it like only ran one out the back like stock and it was 3inch all the way back. The truck was around 450 hp or more. It had 265 michelins on it that made it ride smooth but I could roll out about 15 mph stomp it and light them up white smoke and all four tires. I put an electric fan it also. This truck was no joke it really surprised me. I was going to change the intake out with a supercharger intake the work great in them you need to use good oil with the ls engines or you will have lifter problems. I used a bunch of different quality additives so I wouldn’t have that problem. The tuner was a ight and day difference with the 9mm wires and throttle body spacer or upgraded throttle body. The oil pump don’t hold up when your running that much horse power and you got your tuner set for each gear to redline you got to be careful but man is that a badass truck to do up grades on. It would leave that Toyota tundra supercharged version and that is a fast truck right there.
6.0 what type of ingredients to use no boost want to drive around
I need to replace the thermostat sensor and thermostat housing. My engine is L96 6.0L 2014 Chevy Silverado. I can’t find parts listed for that size engine. What parts are interchangeable?
what do i need to swap a stock 6.0l LS Gen 3 engine with a 4L80 transmition into a vehical with a stock 4.8l LS Gen 4 engine with a 4L60 transmition
Yes I’m looking to put a 6.0 or 6.2 in my 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4×4 base model.
I’m wanting to know if I can use my computer or do I need to get the wire harness and computer with the 6.0. I’m sure I do need if for the 6.2 liter.
Let me know what you find out and I’ll let you know what I find out you can email me at boggyboy22@aol.com boggyboy8602@gmail.com or Facebook Joel okun niceville Florida. It would be easier with a parts truck honestly. I’d like to find and awd Denali 04 05 parts truck and that would make it easy and also you could swap out the drivetraun also
I have a 2011 Silverado 2500 with a bad 6.0 engine. It also has a good 6 speed transmission. I have a 2007 Silverado 3500 with a good 6.0 and a good 4l80 transmission. Will the engine be a direct fit with the 6 speed? Are all sensors compatible? Only difference I see on your chart is 07 is AFR – yes, and 2011 is AFR – no. What is AFR?
I have a 09 Express, vin code k, Ly6. the engine seems pretty much worn-out hours wise and considering a GM replacement. I was wondering if engine part #12629992 or19209705 was a direct fit or supersedes the 19209063 engine I believe is a direct fit.
I was told a vortex 6 L engine in a eight speed transmission and transfer case would be a good fit for a 79 jeep Cherokee I was just wondering if that is true
How many SSR Chevrolet in 2005 came with an 6.0 LS -2 400 HP engine
Hey Dennis, from what I can tell, ALL 2005 SSRs came with the 6.0 LS2 V8 engine.
…
The LS2 was somewhat unusual in the LS family as it had both a “car” version and a “truck” version. The SSR got the truck version. You can find more info on the LS2 “truck” engine here. Hope this helps.
Will a 2006 6.0 gmc engine , fit I my 2009 gmc?
Looking to swap out 1998 7.4 vortec in dually truck any suggestions
All you Techhie truck guys are COOL, the sharing of your info/experience rocks! HELP! I have a very nice 1987 GMC 1500, 4X4 short bed, loaded air/Gold Medal (1988 Olympics Special Edition) with a second replacement POS 305/307 and NO emissions or a/c stuff (to include brackets) left, stripped down, and driveway mechanic-ed to death. I want to put ANY version of a LS 6.0L (1999-2014?) in it. I can go get a donor truck. Many questions. This is my first foray into an LS swap/upgrade. Really looking for easiest (no jokes please), best direct-fit application. (one of my questions is: will AWD do the same as 4X4? I thunk no, thus have only been researching 4X4). I am retired 100% service disabled vet. Thanks all for any input, Dave
I have a 6.0 LQ4? that I bought taken apart. The pistons are dished and have valve reliefs. The rings are top 1.2 middle 1.5 bottom 2.5. Can you give me some kind of idea what I have. Maybe the year. Thanks!
Here, this article should help: How to Identify an LS Engine