(Image/Wilson’s Car Sales)
The LH6 engine is a 5.3L Gen. IV aluminum engine that replaced the LM4 in 2005. It was the first Gen. IV LS truck engine and offered Active Fuel Management (AFM).
The LH6 was available in mid-size SUVs until 2009, and in GM pickups from 2007-09. For marketing purposes, it was also known as the Vortec 5300. The engine specs and information listed here is for a stock LH6 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 LH6 engine? Check out LH6 5.3L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LH6 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 LH6 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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LH6 5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Specs
LH6 Performance Specifications
| Engine Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Compression Ratio | 9.9:1 |
| Horsepower Rating | 302-315 hp |
| Torque Rating | 330-338 ft./lbs. |
LH6 Applications
| VIN 8th Digit | Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 2005-06 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer EXT |
| M | 2005-06 | GMC | Envoy XL, XUV |
| M | 2005-06 | Isuzu | Ascender |
| M | 2005-07 | Buick | Ranier |
| M | 2005-09 | GMC | Envoy Denali |
| M | 2005-09 | Saab | 9-7X 5.3i, ARC |
| M | 2006-08 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer |
| M | 2007-09 | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 |
| M | 2007-09 | GMC | Sierra 1500 |
LH6 Engine Blocks
| LH6 Engine Block Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 125771048, 12601900, 12569513, 12568573 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| 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. |
LH6 Rotating Assembly
| LH6 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 Part Number | 12649190 |
| Connecting Rod Casting Number (last 3 digits) | 143 |
| Crankshaft Material | Cast Iron |
| Crankshaft Part Number | 12574522 |
| Crankshaft Casting Number (last 3 digits) | 216 |
| Crankshaft Main Journal | 2.559 in. |
| Crankshaft Rod Journal | 2.100 in. |
| Reluctor Wheel | 24X (2005-06), 58X (2007-09) |
LH6 Cylinder Heads
| LH6 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 |
LH6 Camshaft Specifications
| LH6 Camshaft Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Years | 2005-06 | 2007-09 |
| Part Number | 12569525 | 12625436 |
| Duration @ .050 in. (int./exh.) | Not Available | 196°/201° |
| Valve Lift (int./exh.) | Not Available | 0.481 in./0.481 in. |
| Lobe Separation | Not Available | 116°+2 |
| Cam Gear Attachment | 3-Bolt | 1-Bolt |
| Cam Gear Poles | 1x | 4x |
| Active Fuel Management (AFM) | Yes | Yes |
| Variable Valve Timing (VVT) | No | No |
LH6 Valvetrain
| LH6 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. |
| Timing Chain Guide Style | Plastic Guide (2005-06), Spring Loaded Tensioner (2007-09) |
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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.
Pingback: LH6 5.3L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for LH6 Engine Mods to Maximize Performance - OnAllCylinders
Can I swap in a LM4 for a blown LH6?
Yes and no will need dod shut off in pcm/needs tuned. And timing reluctor swap or just tuned. Lol
Great oil press hot. Less cold. Bottom noise worse when or after hot.Any known pump or strainer problems? About to pull pan to look. Any advise? Runs strong!
Check the O-ring on the oil pump pick up tube where it mounts to the pump. These are usually split or badly cracked. Got this tip from a Richard Holdener YouTube segment.
Can I swap lh6 24x with a lh6 58x and have it work?
06 envoy Denali with a 2010 lh6.
Thank you
Yes Texas speed has what you need! Get at them and they will be happy to help.
Or just get it tuned for the reluctor count and you’re good to go.
I want to swap my Lh6 to get away from DoD what engine can I use ? I have a 06 envoy Denali
Just delete the DOD. I swapped to an LS9 cam and deleted the DOD. Retuned.