2019 5.3L V-8 DFM VVT DI (L84) for Chevrolet Silverado (Image/General Motors)
This is
an engine specification guide for General Motors’ fifth-generation L84 engine
that launched in 2018 for use in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra
1500. It is commonly referred to as an EcoTec3 5.3L engine and replaces
the L83.
Compared
to its predecessor the L83, the L84 has a different valley cover, centered
water pump location, and exhaust system. By centering the water pump, it allows
Gen. 4 high-mount air-conditioning and power steering pumps to be added when
the engine is swapped into older vehicles.
With changes to the Brake Controller, the vacuum pump and lines are no
longer required
It
continues to incorporate Variable Valve Timing (VVT). The engine also uses
direct injection, which shoots fuel directly into the combustion chamber
instead of the intake runner.
As
before, it has flex fuel capability. It’s
also a mild-hybrid with start/stop technology.
Versus the previous L83 or the current L82, the L84 (new for 2019) replaces AFM with the more advanced Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system. DFM has cylinder deactivation lifters on all eight cylinders rather than just four. DFM has 17 modes of operation and can run on as little as one cylinder at a time. Because the system is torque based, it uses just the right amount of cylinders to meet demand with seamless transitions.
The
information listed here is for a stock engine.
(Summit Racing’s Brian
Nutter and Paul Spurlock contributed to this article.)
Chevy L84 Engine Specs
5.3L L84 engine dimensions (Image/GM Powertrain)
L84 Performance Specifications
Engine Ratings
Compression Ratio
11:1
Horsepower Rating
355 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque Rating
383 ft.-lbs. @ 4,100 rpm
L84 Application Information
Year
Make
Model
2019-present
Chevrolet
Silverado
2019-present
GMC
Sierra
L84 Engine Block Specs
L84 Block Specs
Part Number
12620290
Material
319-T7 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, 1/2 thrust
Main Cap Style
6-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 Centerline
4.914 in.
L84 Rotating Assembly
L84 Rotating Assembly Specs
Piston Material
Hypereutectic Cast Aluminum Alloy
Piston Style
Domed (with reliefs for the exhaust valve and direct injector)
Piston Volume
0cc (net)
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
12607475
Crankshaft Material
Cast Iron
Crankshaft Part Number (Wet Sump)
12619781
Crankshaft Main Journal Dia.
2.559 in.
Crankshaft Rod Journal Dia.
2.100 in.
Reluctor Wheel
58X
Harmonic Balancer
Iron
L84 Cylinder Heads
L84 Cylinder Head Specs
Casting Number
12620214
Material
319-T7 Aluminum
Combustion Chamber Volume
57.6cc
Intake Port Shape
Rectangle
Intake Runner Volume
248cc
Exhaust Port Shape
Flat Oval
Exhaust Runner Volume
102cc
Cylinder Head Bolt Style
Torque to Yield (TTY)
Cylinder Head Bolt Size
(10) M12 x 1.75, M8 corner bolts
L84 Camshafts
L84 Cam Specs
Part Number
12619823
Duration @ .050 in. (int./exh.)*
--
Valve Lift (int./exh.)*
--
Lobe Separation Angle*
--
Cam Gear Attachment
1-Bolt
Cam Gear Poles
4X
Active Fuel Management (AFM)
Yes
Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Yes
*Specifications currently unavailable.
L84 Valvetrain
L84 Valvetrain Specs
Lifter Style
Hydraulic Roller
Lifter Link Style
Plastic Lifter Tray
Lifter Body Diameter
0.842 in.
Pushrod Dimensions
7.85 in. (long) x 0.342 (dia.)
Rocker Arm Mounting Style
Pedestal
Rocker Arm Style
Die-Cast, Roller Fulcrum
Rocker Ratio
1.8
Rocker Offset
None
Valve Spring Style
Beehive
Valve Spring Color
Natural
Intake Valve Angle
12.5° / Splayed 2.61°
Exhaust Valve Angle
12.0° / Splayed 2.38°
Intake Valve Material
Steel, Solid Stem
Intake Valve Dia.
1.928 in.
Exhaust Valve Material
Steel, Sold Stem
Exhaust Valve Dia.
1.556 in.
Timing Chain Guide Style
Spring-Loaded Tensioner
L84 Specs
L84 Intake, Throttle Body, Fuel Injector Specs & More
After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Brian Nutter studied at the Houston, TX-based School of Automotive Machinists in 1997. The early part of his automotive career included working for engine builders Scott Shafiroff and C.J. Batten, followed by several years developing performance pistons at Wiseco Piston Co. Today, Brian develops performance parts for Summit Racing Equipment and is a regular OnAllCylinders contributor. For fun, he runs his 427-powered C5 Z06 in ECTA land-speed racing, at OPTIMA® street car events, and at a mix of autocross, drag racing, and track days.
I work with a guy that has a 2015 and the lifters froze up and ruined the motor. I hope they have fixed this issue. Not a fan of AFM. Doesn’t get any better fuel mileage. To bad the 5.3 is a good engine and they ruin it with this. Nothing but problems. And very expensive to fix.
I get substantially better highway mileage with my 2018 silverado with the 5.3L AFM engine. Even with my 4WD system i can routinely obtain 22-23MPG so i have no idea where you are coming from. That said if you are so heavy footed that the 4CYL mode never turns on you will get regular mileage, maybe 20MPG highway. This system does nothing really for city driving.
It says AFM = Yes when it should say DFM right? Totally different system than AFM. If I’m not mistaken, AFM simply changes from 8 to 4 and vice versa. DFM has 17 different modes cycled in 125 millisecond increments. Both systems are crap, but there is a distinction and specific to the L84 from the L82/L83.
my 2021 gmc sierra 1500 does NOT have the variable vane oil pump wiring harness on the front timing cover. It is the L84 engine / flex fuel . I can text you a pic…if you would like. It is considered a “work truck” by GMC. My question then is …….. would it have a conventional oil pump then ? Maybe I will check with GM parts and,using my vin number….compare it to a KNOWN variable vane vin number..
2018 Silverado LTZ Z71 1500, Bought & Financed through Carvana delivered to home Kemah Texas on 2/10/24 w/ $6K cash down and payments, 66,422 Miles. Drove TEN Days 400 miles total back n forth to work, 2/20/24 leaving work Check engine light came on-Vibrations shut it down called warranty towed to shop. As of Today 4/3/24 the truck has been in the shop for 42 Days… Warranty chose to have shop replace motor vs tear down motor for cost. Installing 2020 re-man. What the heck is wrong with these chevy motors / issues now that I’m looking into this since it’s happened to me?? Chevy Man but WTF… Bryan, Kemah Texas
How can I tell if the DFM is engaged while driving my 2025 Silverado with a 5.3L engine?
My 2010 Suburban has a dashboard indicator that shows V8 or V4. I put a device on my ODB two port to lock it into V8.
If I buy a device to lock my 2025 Silverado into V8, how can I tell that it’s really running V8 all the time if there’s no indication on the dashboard?
I tried paying attention to both city driving and highway driving and I cannot tell any change in noise or RPMs when the DFM engages or disengages.
This new engine is sweet, especially the quiet cast factory headers.
I work with a guy that has a 2015 and the lifters froze up and ruined the motor. I hope they have fixed this issue. Not a fan of AFM. Doesn’t get any better fuel mileage. To bad the 5.3 is a good engine and they ruin it with this. Nothing but problems. And very expensive to fix.
How can i get a standalone wireing harness for my L84 LT 5.3 so i can put it in a 1980 Camaro
Thanks ray m
I get substantially better highway mileage with my 2018 silverado with the 5.3L AFM engine. Even with my 4WD system i can routinely obtain 22-23MPG so i have no idea where you are coming from. That said if you are so heavy footed that the 4CYL mode never turns on you will get regular mileage, maybe 20MPG highway. This system does nothing really for city driving.
It says AFM = Yes when it should say DFM right? Totally different system than AFM. If I’m not mistaken, AFM simply changes from 8 to 4 and vice versa. DFM has 17 different modes cycled in 125 millisecond increments. Both systems are crap, but there is a distinction and specific to the L84 from the L82/L83.
my 2021 gmc sierra 1500 does NOT have the variable vane oil pump wiring harness on the front timing cover. It is the L84 engine / flex fuel . I can text you a pic…if you would like. It is considered a “work truck” by GMC. My question then is …….. would it have a conventional oil pump then ? Maybe I will check with GM parts and,using my vin number….compare it to a KNOWN variable vane vin number..
2018 Silverado LTZ Z71 1500, Bought & Financed through Carvana delivered to home Kemah Texas on 2/10/24 w/ $6K cash down and payments, 66,422 Miles. Drove TEN Days 400 miles total back n forth to work, 2/20/24 leaving work Check engine light came on-Vibrations shut it down called warranty towed to shop. As of Today 4/3/24 the truck has been in the shop for 42 Days… Warranty chose to have shop replace motor vs tear down motor for cost. Installing 2020 re-man. What the heck is wrong with these chevy motors / issues now that I’m looking into this since it’s happened to me?? Chevy Man but WTF… Bryan, Kemah Texas
i hated that 4 cylinder mode. i bought a plug in bypass to eliminate it. now i have v8 all the time. best 100 bucks i ever spent.
How can I tell if the DFM is engaged while driving my 2025 Silverado with a 5.3L engine?
My 2010 Suburban has a dashboard indicator that shows V8 or V4. I put a device on my ODB two port to lock it into V8.
If I buy a device to lock my 2025 Silverado into V8, how can I tell that it’s really running V8 all the time if there’s no indication on the dashboard?
I tried paying attention to both city driving and highway driving and I cannot tell any change in noise or RPMs when the DFM engages or disengages.
Thanks