(Image/Super Chevy)
Before you begin your engine project, you need to know exactly what you have—and when it comes to General Motors’ 3rd and 4th generation LS small blocks, that may not be an easy question to answer.
How Do I Know Which LS Engine I Have?
There are more than 40 variations, including the LS-based Vortec truck engines.
The similarities between them make several LS parts interchangeable, but there are critical differences too. To ensure you’re using the the right parts, you need to know which LS engine you’re starting with.
There are two easy ways:
1. The 8th digit of the VIN
2. By visual inspection
The easiest way to tell the difference is to check the 8th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the original vehicle. (See below.)
If you don’t have the VIN, you can still identify the engine by visual inspection if you know what to look for. The LS experts at Summit Racing created an interactive tool to help you easily make a positive ID by answering a few questions.
Check out the interactive tool here
Just answer a few basic questions and the tool will be able to tell you what LS engine you have (or at least really narrow down your options).
Please note that this guide is intended for stock engines. If the engine you are looking at has been modified, the guide may not give you the right answer.
How to ID an LS Engine by VIN
Chevrolet’s LS and LS-based Gen III and Gen IV small-block engines are generally known by their RPO code. You can determine the RPO code if you have the VIN from the original vehicle.
- Locate the 8th digit of the VIN.
- Consult the tables below to identify your engine.
[NOTE: Take care not to confuse the letter “B” and the number “8,” or the letter “O” with the number “0.”]
Gen. 3 LS Car Engines
| 8th Digit of VIN | RPO Code | Displacement | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | LS1 | 5.7L | LS1 |
| S | LS6 | 5.7L | LS6 |
Gen. 3 LS Truck Engines (Vortec)
| 8th Digit of VIN | RPO Code | Displacement | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Block | |||
| V | LR4 | 4.8L | Vortec 4800 |
| T | LM7 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| Z | L59 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| U | LQ4 | 6.0L | Vortec 600 |
| N | LQ9 | 6.0L | Vortec H.O. 6000, VortecMax |
| Aluminum Block | |||
| P | LM4 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| B | L33 | 5.3L | Vortec H.O. 5300 |
Gen. 4 LS Car Engines
| 8th Digit of VIN | RPO Code | Displacement | Common Name (Notes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | LS4 | 5.3L | LS4 (FWD Only) |
| U | LS2 | 6.0L | LS2 |
| Y | L76 | 6.0L | L76 |
| 2 | L77 | 6.0L | L77 |
| W | LS3 | 6.2L | LS3 |
| J | L99 | 6.2L | L99 |
| P | LSA | 6.2L | LSA (Supercharged) |
| T | LS9 | 6.2L | LS9 (Supercharged) |
| E | LS7 | 7.0L | LS7 |
Gen. 4 LS Truck Engines (Vortec)
| 8th Digit of VIN | RPO Code | Displacement | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Block | |||
| C | LY2 | 4.8L | Vortec 4800 |
| A | L20 | 4.8L | Vortec 4800 |
| J | LY5 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| 0 (zero) | LMG | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| 4 | LMF | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| K | LY6 | 6.0L | Vortec 6000 |
| G | L96 | 6.0L | Vortec 6000 |
| Aluminum Block | |||
| M | LH6 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| 3 | LC9 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| L | LH8 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| P | LH9 | 5.3L | Vortec 5300 |
| H | LS2 | 6.0L | LS2 |
| Y | L76 | 6.0L | VortecMax |
| 5 | LFA | 6.0L | Vortec 6000 (Hybrid) |
| J | LZ1 | 6.0L | Vortec 6000 (Hybrid) |
| 8 | L92 | 6.2L | Vortec 6200 |
| 2 | L9H | 6.2L | Vortec 6200 |
| F | L94 | 6.2L | Vortec 6200 |
…
NOTE: You can find engine specs and detailed engine upgrade advice for every LS and LS-based Vortec truck engine in one place: The Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
Pingback: LS Engine Spotter's Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine - OnAllCylinders
Pingback: LS Engine Spotter's Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle - OnAllCylinders
Pingback: LS Engines 101: An Introductory Overview of the Gen III/IV LS Engine Family - OnAllCylinders
Pingback: LS3 Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LS3 Mods to Maximize Performance - OnAllCylinders
Pingback: LS2 Car Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LS2 Car-Engine Mods to Maximize Performance - OnAllCylinders
Will 2008 LC9 Drop in 2007 GMC pickup with LH6 engine
Externally, most LS engine blocks (regardless of displacement) are darn-near identical save for engine accessory configurations and different intake manifold designs. So physically yes, it should fit in the engine bay without significant issue. The LC9 should also mate to your transmission, as all LS engines share identical output shafts and crank flanges.
You’re also in luck that your truck was a 2007 model, as that means you had the later version of the LH6 engine that shares a 58X reluctor wheel and the E38-style computer with the LC9.
Summit Racing’s LH6 Spec Guide and LC9 Spec Guide are good resources to bookmark.
Pingback: LFA 6.0L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LFA Engine Mods to Maximize Performance - OnAllCylinders
Pingback: LZ1 6.0L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LZ1 Engine Mods to Maximize Performance - OnAllCylinders
I have a 5.3 envoy engine with the number on back left upper marks 12566910. what engine is this. will it fit in my GMC envoy 2005 serial # 1GKET16M856195030 XL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW
THANKS
GEORGE GARNER
Decoding the VIN (I work in parts at a gm dealer) your engine is a LH6 5.3L. It is an early version of the AFM system.
THANKS GEORGE GARNER
Serial nr plate on side of block reads PM005028 . Am having trouble with starter not meshing with flexplate. Has holley 4brl n hedman headers. What is it really?????
I have a 2000 4×4 ls 5.3 my Mil is off.how do I start my motor back running
Pingback: LS Engine Spotter's Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle
Pingback: LS2 Car Engine Specs: Performance, Bore & Stroke, Cylinder Heads, Cam Specs & More
Pingback: L76 6.0L Car Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for L76 Car Engine Mods to Maximize Performance
I have purchase a 2001 6.0.LQ4 Question correct me if I’m wrong.. Date cord state B011. 2/1/01 IS THIS RIGHT. Next it has a 3 bolt cam. Numbers on back of block. 12551364.or 12331364?. # SO WHAT GEN ,IS THIS THANKS.
As the chart refers the LQ4 is a GEN 3.
How to identify block out of car or truck where to look for number and how cross type
Hello. So I recently purchased a 2010 Silverado regcab no bells and whistles….yet. its cherry dude like 30k meticulously maintained. I’ve always heard great things in regards to its design I however was unaware this small block was a sleeping monster. I’ve heard you can remove certain inhibitors to unlock power. I was also hoping you could help me out with tuning advice. Thanks Wolf
A 2010 most likely has AFM (CYLINDER DEACTIVATION). If not your good, if so there are get arounds. If you have a 5.3 a few easy upgrades would be:
* port and polish the heads.
* take the pistons for a 4.8L (flat tops) and the
connecting rods for a 6.0L and pair them to give you
engine flat top pistons.
* add a hot cam (nothing radical. This is also when you
would want to change out the AFM lifters if needed.
* finally do a basic programmer tune.
This would give a good power up and with the right tune even add MPG.
To the writer of this article. At the end you note not to confuse a B for a 8 or a O for a zero. You do know that to prevent this at least for the letter O there is no letter O. There is no O, L, or Q.
I have a 2012 Silverado 5.3 (Vortec5300). 8th digit in my VIN is “7”. Not seeing that in the table for GEN IV LS truck engines?
Any help?
Hello, I have a gen 4 4.8 or 5.3 motor. I don’t know the vin and am using this motor as a swap into a 1969 chevy truck. Engine block is stamped 12567177. That’s all I can find other than the “IV” and the 4.8/5.3. Where do I go from here to identify the motor. I also need a ecm/pcm and wiring harness. Any help is appreciated.
I have a 2011 Sierra and 8th digit is a 0. Looks like an LMG 5.3. Is that a good engine to install a blower or turbo on?