Over the course of its 20+ year production run, the venerable GM LS engine came from the factory in many different configurations. And that’s particularly evident when you see its displacement range. From a modest 4.8L to a whopping 7.0L, you could get an LS engine block in a wide assortment of flavors.
So if you’re thinking about an LS engine swap, LS engine build, or LS engine upgrade, the first place you’ll likely start looking is at the LS motor’s displacement. And that’s why we’re writing this series of tech posts. It’ll break down each of the LS engine’s most popular displacements, starting with the many varieties of the venerable 6.0L LS. (Spoiler alert: there’s way more than just one 6.0L LS engine.)
Learn more about each LS engine displacement:
* 4.8L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.3L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.7L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.2L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 7.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
This handy LS resource page is a good one to bookmark if you’re considering an LS crate engine for a swap, or looking for a 6.0L LS short block to use a basis for a high horsepower build.
You may also want to check out our Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
The 6.0L LS Engine Family
Available in everything from police cars to the Chevy Silverado, there are no shortage of six liter LS engines to choose from. Check out the table below, and if you find an LS that looks interesting, click the hyperlinks on the particular LS engine name (LQ4, LQ9, etc.) to learn more.
6.0L LS & Vortec Engine Spec Guide
| Years | Liter | Code | Vehicle | Cam Bolts | Reluctor | VVT | AFM | Flex Fuel | VIN (8th Digit) | Block | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-2007 | 6.0 | LQ4 | Truck | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | U | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2002-07 | 6.0 | LQ9 | Truck | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | N | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2005 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 6.0 | LS2 | GTO | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2006 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette, CTS-V | 3 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007 | 6.0 | LS2 | Corvette, CTS-V | 1 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | U | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 6.0 | LS2 | SSR. TBSS | 3 | 24x/1x | No | No | No | H | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-09 | 6.0 | LS2 | TBSS, 9-7X Aero | 1 | 58X/4X | No | No | No | H | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2008-09 | 6.0 | L76 | G8 | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2006-10 | 6.0 | L76 | Holden VZ2, VE1 | 1 | 58X/4X | No | 2009+ | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2007-09 | 6.0 | L76 | Truck/SUB | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | No | Y | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-17 | 6.0 | L77 | Caprice PPV | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | Yes | 2 | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-15 | 6.0 | L77 | Holden VE2, VF | 1 | 58X/4X | No | Yes | Yes | — | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2010-17 | 6.0 | L96 | Truck/SUV/Van | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | Yes | G | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2007-08 | 6.0 | L98 | Holden | 1 | 58X/4X | No | No | No | — | Alum. | Rectangle |
| 2011-16 | 6.0 | LC8 | CNG Fuel | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | No | B | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2008-09 | 6.0 | LFA | Hybrid Truck/SUV | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | No | 5 | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-14 | 6.0 | LY6 | Truck/SUV/Van | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | No | No | K/N | Iron | Rectangle |
| 2010-13 | 6.0 | LZ1 | Hybrid Truck/SUV | 1 | 58X/4X | Yes | Yes | Yes | J | Alum. | Cathedral |
Looking for a 6.0L LS Engine?
Here are two LS Engine Spotter’s Guides that will help:
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle
LS Engine Swap Parts Guide
Our friends over at Summit Racing developed a helpful resource that’ll give you an idea of some of the parts you’ll need to complete your LS engine swap—including specific LS swap requirements for exact vehicle models. You can check it out here:
Own a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500, has a low engine oil chime, is there a crate motor that will match up to all electrical wiring computer sensors need help send a phone number, I heard that engine is 6.0 4180e 2 nd generation my number 435-826-4154 Toby
Before pulling the engine, pull the oil pressure sender and see if the screen below it is plugged. If so, wash, rinse, and you may be surprised at your good fortune.
[…] offered by a dealer. Whatever motor was under that expansive hood has been replaced by one from the GM LS family of engines, in this case, a 6.0-liter or about 364 cubic inches). Over 20 years, an LS […]
Looking for a 6.0 LS Complete with Transmission, harness, mounts and headers for a 1997 GMC Sierra 2WD stock 4.3 Vortec. I’m out of my element but mechanic suggested this and a 6L180 Tranny. Any suggestions for least expensive complete setup and where to get would help!
I have the set up czAll me
I need to know I just bought a school bus I wanted a RV but is a school bus a good ideal? I don’t know engine s my titlls says 6.0 my brother says I got to hook up the engine at night to keep it wa???