The L98 is a 6.0L, Gen. 4, small block aluminum engine used in GM’s Australian Holden vehicles between 2006 and 2010.
The L98 is a slightly modified version of the L76. The main difference is the absence of displacement on demand (DoD) tech. Redundant AFM/DoD hardware was eliminated for the L98, and offered a slight power increase over the L76.
The engine specs and information listed here is for a stock L98 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 L98 engine? Check out L98 6.0L Engine Upgrade Guide: Expert Advice for L98 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 L98 6.0L engine which was exclusive to Holden vehicles in Australia for model years 2006-2010.
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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L98 6.0L Engine Specs
L98 Performance Specifications
| Engine Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Compression Ratio | 10.4:1 |
| Horsepower Rating | 355 hp |
| Torque Rating | 384 ft./lbs. |
L98 Applications
| VIN 8th Digit | Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 2006 | Holden | SS Thunder Ute |
| N/A | 2006-08 | Holden | WM - Statesman/Caprice |
| N/A | 2006-10 | Holden | Ute (manual only from 2008-10) |
| N/A | 2009-10 | Holden | VE - Commodore (manual only from 2008-10) |
| Note: The Australian vehicles use a different format for Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN). The 8th digit is NOT the engine code in an Australian VIN code. | |||
L98 Engine Blocks
| L98 Block Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 12568952 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Displacement | 6.0L / 364 c.i.d. |
| Bore Dia. | 4.000 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. |
L98 Rotating Assembly
| L98 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 |
| Crankshaft Material | Cast Iron |
| Crankshaft Part Number | 12588613 |
| Crankshaft Main Journal | 2.559 in. |
| Crankshaft Rod Journal | 2.100 in. |
| Reluctor Wheel | 58x |
L98 Cylinder Heads
| L98 Cylinder Head Specs | |
|---|---|
| Casting Numbers | 5364, 823 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Combustion Chamber Volume | 70cc |
| Intake Port Shape | Rectangle |
| Intake Runner Volume | 257cc |
| Exhaust Port Shape | D-Port |
| Exhaust Runner Volume | 87cc |
| Intake Valve Diameter | 2.165 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Diameter | 1.590 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 |
L98 Camshaft
| L98 Cam Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Camshaft Part Number | 12625439 |
| Duration @ .050 in. (int./exh.) | 196°/208° |
| Valve Lift (int./exh.) | 0.478 in./0.466 in. |
| Lobe Separation | 116° |
| Cam Gear Attachment | 1-Bolt |
| Cam Gear Poles | 4x |
| Active Fuel Management (AFM) | No |
| Variable Valve Timing (VVT) | No |
L98 Valvetrain
| L98 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 | Offset Intake |
| Valve Spring Style | Beehive |
| Valve Spring Color | Natural |
| Valve Angle | 15 Degrees |
| Intake Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Intake Valve Dia. | 2.165 in. |
| Exhaust Valve Material | Steel - Solid Stem |
| Exhaust Valve Dia. | 1.590 in. |
Other Key L98 Specs
| Throttle Body, Fuel Injectors, Oil Pan Specs & More | |
|---|---|
| Intake Manifold | Car-Style |
| Throttle Body | 90mm, 4-bolt |
| Throttle Control | Electronic (Drive-by-Wire) |
| Fuel Injector Part Number | 12576341 |
| Fuel Injector Flow | 42 lb./hr. @ 58 psi |
| Flex Fuel Capable (E-85) | No |
| Fuel Injector Length (between O-Rings) | 1.500 in. |
| Fuel Injector Connector | EV6-USCAR |
| Computer | E38 |
| Crankshaft Reluctor Ring | 58x |
| Camshaft Sensor Location | Front Timing Cover, 4x |
| Oil Pan | Varies By Model |
| Oil Pump | High Volume (1.26 c.i. per rev. @ 33 psi) |
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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.
[…] [Every engine spec you’ll need for an L98 project can be found here: L98 Car Engine Specs: Performance, Bore & Stroke, Cylinder Heads, Cam Specs & More.] […]
Thankyou
Horsepower Rating 355 hp??????
Uhm no
Try 362 horsepower.
The L98 engine is rated at 270 Kilowatts
746 watts equals ONE Horsepower
Therefore 270,000 watts divided by 746 watts equals 362 Horsepower not 355
I rest my case.
361.9302949061662 to be exact! I rest my case
Can I rest my peace
Can anyone provide the difference in weight between a Dart Alloy block and the original factory casting, and the comparison to a cast iron block please?