The L96 engine is a 6.0L Gen. 4 small block engine used in GM trucks and SUVs from 2010 to 2017. It replaced the LY6 and added Flex Fuel capability.

For marketing purposes, it was also known as the Vortec 6000. The engine specs and information listed here is for a stock L96 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 L96 engine? Check out L96 6.0L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for L96 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 L96 6.0L engine.

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.)

L96 6.0L Engine Specs

L96 Performance Specifications

L96 Engine Ratings
Compression Ratio9.6:1
Horsepower Rating360 hp
Torque Rating380 ft.-lbs.

L96 Applications

L96 Applications
VIN 8th DigitYearMakeModel
G2010-17ChevroletSilverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD
G2010-17GMCSierra 2500 HD, 3500 HD
G2010-17ChevroletExpress 2500, 3500
G2010-17GMCSavana 2500, 3500
G2010-13GMCYukon XL 2500
G2010-13ChevroletSuburban 2500
G2016-17ChevroletSuburban 3500 HD

L96 Engine Block Specs

L96 Block Specs
Casting Number12576181
MaterialIron
Displacement6.0L / 364 c.i.d.
Bore Dia. 4.000 in.
Stroke3.622 in.
Deck Height9.240 in.
Bore Spacing4.400 in.
Thrust Bearing Location#3 Main
Main Cap Style6-Bolt
Main Housing Bore Dia.2.751 in.
Cam Housing Bore Dia. Bore 1/5 = 2.346 in. Bore 2/4 = 2.326 in. Bore 3 = 2.307 in.
Cam-to-Crank Centerline4.914 in.

L96 Rotating Assembly

L96 Rotating Assembly Specs
Piston MaterialHypereutectic Cast Aluminum Alloy
Piston StyleDished with valve reliefs
Piston Volume+6.7cc

Wrist Pin Dia.0.9431 in. (Full Floating)
Connecting Rod MaterialPowdered Metal
Connecting Rod StyleI-Beam
Connecting Rod Length6.098 in.
Connecting Rod Housing Bore2.225 in.
Connecting Rod BoltsM9 x 1 x 43
Connecting
Rod Part Number
12649190
Crankshaft MaterialCast Iron
Crankshaft Casting Number
(Last 3 Digits)
216
Crankshaft Main Journal Dia.2.559 in.
Crankshaft Rod Journal Dia.2.100 in.
Reluctor Wheel58x

L96 Cylinder Heads

L96 Cylinder Head Specs
Casting Numbers5364, 823
MaterialAluminum
Combustion Chamber Volume70cc
Intake Port ShapeRectangle
Intake Runner Volume257cc
Exhaust Port ShapeD-Port
Exhaust Runner Volume87cc
Intake Valve Diameter2.165 in.
Exhaust Valve Diameter1.590 in.
Cylinder Head Bolt StyleTorque to Yield (TTY)
Cylinder Head Bolt Size (10) M11 x 2 x 100, (5) M8 x 1.25 x 45

L96 Camshaft Specs

L96 Camshaft Specs
Duration @ .050 in. (int./exh.)196°/208°
Valve Lift (int./exh.)0.467 in./.479 in.
Lobe Separation Angle116°
Cam Gear Attachment1-Bolt
Cam Gear Poles4x
Active Fuel Management (AFM)No
Variable Valve Timing (VVT)Yes

L96 Valvetrain

L96 Valvetrain Specs
Lifter StyleHydraulic Roller
Lifter Link StylePlastic Lifter Tray
Lifter Body Diameter0.842 in.
Pushrod Length7.385 in.
Rocker Arm Mounting StylePedestal
Rocker Arm StyleDie-Cast, Roller Fulcrum
Rocker Ratio1.7
Rocker OffsetIntake Rocker
Valve Spring StyleBeehive
Valve Spring ColorNatural
Valve Angle15 Degrees
Intake Valve MaterialSteel, Solid Stem
Intake Valve Dia.2.165 in.
Exhaust Valve MaterialSteel, Solid Stem
Exhaust Valve Dia.1.590 in.

Other Key L96 Specs

L96 Throttle Body, Fuel Injector Specs & More
Intake ManifoldTruck-Style
Throttle Body87mm, 4-bolt
Throttle Control Electronic, Drive-by-Wire
Fuel Injector Part Number 12613412
Fuel Injector Flow50 lb./hr. @ 58 psi
Flex Fuel CapableYes
Fuel Injector Length Between O-Rings 1.730 in.
Fuel Injector Connector EV6 / USCAR
PCME38
Crankshaft Reluctor Ring58x
Camshaft Sensor LocationFront mount, 4x on cam
Oil Pan
Deep Rear Sump
Oil PumpStandard Flow
(0.96 c.i. per rev.)

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.