The LY5 engine is a 5.3L Gen. IV iron-block engine used in GM trucks and SUVs between 2007 and 2009. For marketing purposes, it was also known as the Vortec 5300. The information listed here is for a stock LY5 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.
[NOTE: Looking to upgrade your LY5? Read: LY5 5.3L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LY5 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 LY5 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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LY5 5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Specs
LY5 Performance Specifications
| Engine Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Compression Ratio | 9.9:1 |
| Horsepower Rating | 315-320 hp |
| Torque Rating | 338-340 ft./lbs. |
LY5 Applications
| VIN 8th Digit | Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| J | 2007-09 | Chevrolet | Avalanche |
| J | 2007-09 | Chevrolet | Silverado |
| J | 2007-09 | Chevrolet | Suburban 1500 |
| J | 2007-09 | Chevrolet | Tahoe |
| J | 2007-09 | GMC | Sierra |
| J | 2007-09 | GMC | Yukon, Yukon XL |
LY5 Engine Blocks
| LY5 Engine Block Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 12576177, 12576178, 1589779 |
| Material | Iron |
| Displacement | 5.3L / 325 c.i.d. |
| Bore Dia. | 3.780 in. |
| Stroke | 3.622 in. |
| Deck Height | 9.240 in. |
| Bore Spacing | 4.400 in. |
| Thrust Bearing Location | #3 Main |
| Main Cap Style | 6-Bolt |
| Main Housing Bore Dia. | 2.751 in. |
| Cam Housing Bore Dia. | Bore 1/5 = 2.346, Bore 2/4 = 2.326, Bore 3 = 2.307 |
| Cam-to-Crank Centerline | 4.914 in. |
LY5 Rotating Assembly
| LY5 Rotating Assembly Specs | |
|---|---|
| Piston Material | Hypereutectic Cast Aluminum Alloy |
| Piston Style | Flat Top |
| Piston Volume | 0cc |
| Wrist Pin Dia. | 0.9431 in. (full floating) |
| Connecting Rod Material | Powdered Metal |
| Connecting Rod Style | I-Beam |
| Connecting Rod Length | 6.098 in. |
| Connecting Rod Housing Bore | 2.225 in. |
| Connecting Rod Bolts | M9 x 1 x 43 |
| Connecting Rod Casting Number (last 3 digits) | 143 |
| Crankshaft Material | Cast Iron |
| Crankshaft Casting Number (last 3 digits) | 216 |
| Crankshaft Main Journal | 2.559 in. |
| Crankshaft Rod Journal | 2.100 in. |
| Reluctor Wheel | 58x |
LY5 Cylinder Heads
| LY5 Cylinder Head Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 799, 243 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Combustion Chamber Volume | 65cc |
| Intake Port Shape | Cathedral |
| Intake Runner Volume | 210cc |
| Exhaust Port Shape | D-Port |
| Exhaust Runner Volume | 75cc |
| Intake Valve Diameter | 2.000 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Diameter | 1.575 in. |
| Cylinder Head Bolt Style | Torque to Yield (TTY) |
| Cylinder Head Bolt Size | (10) M11 x 2 x 100, (5) M8 x 1.25 x 45 |
LY5 Camshaft Specifications
| LY5 Camshaft Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Duration @ .050 in. (int./exh.) | 196°/201° |
| Valve Lift (int./exh.) | 0.481 in./0.481 in. |
| Lobe Separation | 116°+2 |
| Cam Gear Attachment | 1-Bolt |
| Cam Gear Poles | 4x |
| Active Fuel Management (AFM) | Yes |
| Variable Valve Timing (VVT) | No |
LY5 Valvetrain
| LY5 Valvetrain Specs | |
|---|---|
| Lifter Style | Hydraulic Roller |
| Lifter Link Style | Plastic Lifter Tray |
| Lifter Body Diameter | 0.842 in. |
| Pushrod Length | 7.385 in. |
| Rocker Arm Mounting Style | Pedestal |
| Rocker Arm Style | Die-Cast, Roller Fulcrum |
| Rocker Ratio | 1.7 |
| Rocker Offset | None |
| Valve Spring Style | Beehive |
| Valve Spring Color | Natural |
| Valve Angle | 15 Degrees |
| Intake Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Intake Valve Dia. | 2.000 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Exhaust Valve Dia. | 1.575 in. |
Other Key LY5 Specs
| Throttle Body, Fuel Injectors, Oil Pan Specs & More | |
|---|---|
| Intake Manifold | Truck-Style |
| Throttle Body | 87mm, 4-bolt |
| Throttle Control | Electronic (Drive-by-Wire) |
| Fuel Injector Part Number | 12580681 |
| Fuel Injector Flow | 29.6 lb./hr. @ 58 psi |
| Flex Fuel Capable (E-85) | No |
| Fuel Injector Length (between O-Rings) | 1.900 in. |
| Fuel Injector Connector | EV6 |
| Computer | E38 |
| Crankshaft Reluctor Ring | 58x |
| Camshaft Sensor Location | Front mount, 4x on cam |
| Oil Pan | Deep rear sump |
| Oil Pump | Standard flow (0.96 c.i. per rev.) |
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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.
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I love 5.3L, would love to put one in my 1966 chevy impala. I have a 2000 Yukon with 268,000 miles on it.
FYI…The 2000 5.3L is not the same engine as this one.
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I just traded for a 2012 Colorado 3LT v8 ext cab 5.3. 18,700 mile.
Orginal rubber but dry rot. Clean as a pen. I cant find out the exact about the engine looking for an engine cover which was missing. What a sleeper. No name, no badge, no nonsense vehicle. What a find, thank you Lord.
What engine plant manufactures this engine?
Hello there just wondering, I’m wanting to get a ly5 iron block as going turbo, will that block go out to a 4.00″ bore to fit ls7 heads.. Cheers
It will not. Besides, LS7 heads require a 4.125 bore.
I followed your recommendations to the letter adding a stage 2 cam, lay springs, delete kit, timing chain, but I cant find your recommendation for the one bolt cam sprocket to the three bolt sprocket. I believe I found the correct summit gm sprocket but I would like to hear your recommendation.