| Family
| Type
| RPO
| Name
| Displacement (Liters) |
| 122
| I4
| L43
| 2200
| 2.2 |
| LN2
| 2200
| 2.2 |
| Atlas
| LK5
| 2800
| 2.8 |
| LLV
| 2900
| 2.9 |
| I5
| L52
| 3500
| 3.5 |
| LLR
| 3700
| 3.7 |
| I6
| LL8
| 4200
| 4.2 |
| Gen. I-E
| V6
| LB4
| 4300
| 4.3 |
| L35
| 4300
| 4.3 |
| LF6
| 4300
| 4.3 |
| LU3
| 4300
| 4.3 |
| LG3
| 4300
| 4.3 |
| V8
| L30
| 5000
| 5 |
| L31
| 5700
| 5.7 |
| Gen. III
| LR4
| 4800
| 4.8 |
| L33
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LM7
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LM4
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| L59
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LQ4
| 6000
| 6 |
| LQ9
| HO 6000
| 6 |
| Gen. IV
| LY2
| 4800
| 4.8 |
| LH6
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LY5
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LMG
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LC9
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| LH8
| 5300
| 5.3 |
| L76
| 6000
| 6 |
| LY6
| 6000
| 6 |
| LFA
| 6000
| 6 |
| L92
| 6200
| 6.2 |
| Big-Block
| L19
| 7400
| 7.4 |
| L18
| 8100
| 8.1 |
Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of
piston engines for
General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in 1986 on a 4.3 L
V6 but is now used on a wide range of different engines. Modern Vortec engines are named for their approximate
displacement in
cubic centimeters.
I4
2200
The
Vortec 2200 (RPO codes
L43 and
LN2) is a OHV
straight-4 truck engine. It is entirely different from the
Iron Duke. The 2200 uses an iron block and aluminum 2-valve
pushrod cylinder head. Output is 120 hp (89 kW) and 140 ft·lb (190 N·m). Displacement is 2.2 L with an bore and stroke. 2200s were built in
Tonawanda, New York.
LN2 applications:
2800
The
Vortec 2800, or
LK5, is a DOHC 2.8 L
straight-4 in the
GM Atlas engine family. It produces 175 hp (130 kW) and 185 ft·lb (251 N·m) of torque.
The
Vortec 2800 is standard equipment on the
Chevrolet Colorado and
GMC Canyon. It is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission built by Aisin, or a GM 4-speed Hydra-matic automatic transmission.
2900
The
Vortec 2900, or
LLV, is a DOHC 2.9 L
straight-4 in the
GM Atlas engine family. Displacement is increased from the
Vortec 2800 it replaces to produce 185 hp (138 kW) and 195 ft·lbf (263 N·m) of torque. First used in the 2007 Chevy Colorado, 2007 GMC Canyon, and 2007
Isuzu i-290.
I5
3500
The
Vortec 3500, or
L52, is a DOHC 3.5 L
straight-5 in the
GM Atlas engine family. It produces 220 hp (164 kW) and 225 ft·lb (305 N·m) of torque.
The
Vortec 3500 is optional on Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon regular and extended cab trucks. It is standard on the Crew Cab Colorado/Canyon, and the
Hummer H3.
3700
The
Vortec 3700, or
LLR, is a DOHC 3.7 L
straight-5 in the
GM Atlas engine family. Introduced in 2007, the engine has increased in displacement from 3.5 L in the
Vortec 3500 to 3.7 L, producing 242 hp (180 kW) and 242 ft·lbf (327 N·m) of torque. This engine is only offered with the HydraMatic 4L60e automatic trannsmission in the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Hummer H3, and Isuzu i-370 trucks.
I6
4200
The
Vortec 4200, or
Atlas LL8, is a 4.2 L
straight-6 in the
GM Atlas engine family. It has four valves per cylinder and is a double-overhead cam (DOHC) design. Introduced in 2002 for the
Chevrolet TrailBlazer,
GMC Envoy, and
Oldsmobile Bravada, the engine is also in use in the
Buick Rainier,
Saab 9-7, and the
Isuzu Ascender. The engine was rated at and until the 2007 model year when the GMT360 platform received an increase to and . The Vortec I6 engine was on the
Ward's 10 Best Engines list every year since its introduction in 2002 through 2005.
V6
4300
The
Vortec 4300 is a 90°
V6 truck engine, replacing the
Chevrolet 250 in light trucks and and 90-degree V6s in passenger cars. The 4300 is based on the
Chevrolet small-block V8, and first appeared in 1985 with the
throttle-body injected LB4 in passenger cars; light trucks and vans had carburetors until 1987. In 1991, the limited-edition
GMC Syclone featured a and turbocharged and intercooled
LB4 with the first use of multi-port fuel injection on a Vortec V6. The
central-port injected L35 (Vin 'W') debuted in 1992; the cylinder block was slightly changed, a balance shaft was added to remove minor vibrations, and better breathing yielded . Another CPI engine, the
LF6, joined in 1996 with the introduction of Vortec cylinder heads, while the LB4 was retired after 1998. In 2002, GM introduced a new
multi-port injected LU3 engine, and a
LG3 variant appeared soon after. This engine's origins date back to 1955, when the original Chevy small-block V-8 was introduced.
All Vortec 4300s use a cast iron block and heads and bore and stroke, both of which are the same as a 350, which gives them a displacement of . Connecting rods still measure although the rod journal diameter is . 1992 and later cylinder blocks used a different timing cover since these engines used a balance shaft (some 1992 production cylinder blocks for the LB4 with TBI induction used the 'traditional' front timing chain cover from the small block Chevrolet). They are OHV engines with two valves per cylinder and are produced in Tonawanda, New York and Romulus, Michigan. Power output of the new LU3/LG3 engines is to and to .
4300 applications:
LU3 applications:
LB4 applications:
V8
4800
LR4
The Vortec 4800 LR4 is a Generation III small block V8 truck engine. Displacement is with a 96.01 mm bore and 83 mm stroke. It is the smallest of the Generation III Vortec truck engines and was the replacement for the 5.0 L 5000 L30. The LR4 produces to and to , depending on the model year and application. LR4s are manufactured at St. Catharines, Ontario and Romulus, Michigan.
LR4 applications:
LY2
The Vortec 4800 LY2 is a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine. Like its LR4 predecessor, it gets its displacement from a 96.01 mm bore and 83 mm stroke. The smallest member of the Generation IV Vortec engine family, it is unique in that it is the only member of that family that does not feature either variable valve timing or Active Fuel Management. It is rated at 295 hp (220 kW) and 305 ft·lbf (414 N·m) of torque for all applications.
LY2 applications:
5000
The
Vortec 5000 L30 is a
V8 truck engine. Displacement is 5.0 L. It is a based on the
Generation I small-block from
Chevrolet. It was replaced by the 4.8 L
4800 LR4 for the 2003
full-size vans. In Van configuration it produces Net Flywheel at 4,600 rpm and 290 Net Flywheel Torque at 2,800 rpm. The engine uses a hydraulic roller cam and high flowing, fast burn style vortec heads. Differences include bore and stroke, intake valve size, and smaller combustion chambers.
L30 applications:
5300
Generation III
The
Vortec 5300, or
LM7/LM4/L59/L33, is a
V8 truck engine. It is a stroked (by 9 mm) version of the
Vortec 4800 and replaced the
5700 L31. L59 denoted a
flexible fuel version, while the LM7 was the standard version of the engine.
Power output is 285-295 hp (213-220 kW) and torque is to . Displacement is 5.3 L from 96.01 mm bore and 92.00 mm stroke. Vortec 5300s are built in St. Catharines, Ontario, Romulus, Michigan, and Silao, Mexico.
LM7
The LM7 Vortec 5300 was introduced in 1999, and can be considered the "garden variety" version of the Generation III 5.3 liter V8's.
LM7 applications:
LM4
The LM4 was an aluminum block version of the LM7, and had a short production life. It should not be confused with the L33.
LM4 applications:
L33
The L33 was an aluminum block version of the LM7, and was referred to as the Vortec 5300 HO in marketing materials. Power increased by , to , over the LM7, and torque was unchanged. It was only available on extended cab 4WD pickup trucks.
L33 applications:
L59
The L59 Vortec 5300 was introduced in 2002, and was a flexible fuel version of the LM7. Power and torque ratings matched that of the LM7.
L59 applications:
Generation IV
First introduced in 2005, the Generation IV Vortec 5300 engines share all the improvements and refinements found in other Generation IV engines. At present, four versions of the 5300 are in production: 2 iron block versions (LY5 and LMG) and 2 aluminum block versions (LH6 and LC9). All versions feature the Active Fuel Management system.
LH6
The LH6 with Active Fuel Management replaced the LM4 for 2005, and was the first of the Generation IV small block V8 truck engines to go into production. It is the aluminum block counterpart to the LY5.
LH6 applications:
LY5
Introduced in 2007, the LY5 Vortec 5300 is the replacement for the LM7 Generation III engine. For SUV applications, it is rated at 320 hp (239 kW) and 340 ft·lbf (461 N·m) of torque; for pickup truck applications, it is rated at 315 hp (235 kW) and 338 ft·lbf (458 N·m) of torque.
LY5 applications:
LMG
The LMG Vortec 5300 is the flexible-fuel version of the LY5. Power and torque ratings for SUV and pickup truck applications are the same as each application's LY5 rating.
LMG applications:
LC9
The LC9 Vortec 5300 is the Flex-Fuel version of the LH6, and is found in 4WD models. SUV applications are rated at 310 hp (231 kW) and 335 ft·lbf (454 N·m) of torque.
LC9 applications:
LH8
The LH8 Vortec 5300 is a variant of the 5.3 L Gen IV small block V8 modified to fit in the engine bay of the GMT 345 SUV and GMT 355 trucks. It produces at 5200 rpm and at 4000 rpm. It has a displacement of .
LH8 applications:
5700
The
Vortec 5700 L31 is a
V8 truck engine. Displacement is 5.7 L. It is the last production
Generation I small-block from
Chevrolet. The cylinder heads feature combustion chambers very similar to those of the
LT1 V8, but without the reverse-flow cooling. As such, the L31 head is compatible with all older small-blocks, and is a very popular upgrade. It offers the performance of more expensive heads, at a much lower cost. It does, however, require a specific
intake manifold (a Vortec head has four bolts attaching the intake manifold as opposed to the traditional six bolts per head). The L31 was replaced by the 5.3 L
5300 LM7. The 2002
model year was the final year for the L31 5.7 L small block V-8 whose origins date back to 1955. The Vortec 5700 produces and of torque. It is currently being produced as a crate engine for marine applications and automotive hobbyists as the "ramjet 350" with minor modifications.
L31 applications:
TBI L31 applications
- 1996 G-Series vans over 8,500 GVW w/ 4L80E transmission
Special applications
6000
Generation III
LQ4
The
Vortec 6000, or LQ4, is a
V8 truck engine. It is a bored version of the
Vortec 5300. Displacement is from 101.6 mm bore and 92 mm stroke. It is an iron/aluminum (2000
model year engines had cast iron heads) design and produces to and to . LQ4s are built in
Romulus, Michigan and
Silao, Mexico.
LQ4 applications:
LQ9
The
Vortec HO 6000 or
VortecMAX is a special high-output version of the
Vortec 6000 V8 truck engine originally designed for
Cadillac. This engine was introduced in other truck lines as VortecMAX for 2006. It features high-compression (10:1) flat-top pistons for an extra and , bringing output to 345 hp (257 kW) and 380 ft·lb (515 N·m). LQ9s are built only in
Romulus, Michigan. GM also listed it as based on LS architecture.

LQ9 Applications:
Generation IV
LY6
The Vortec 6000 LY6 is a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine. It shares the same bore and stroke as its LQ4 predecessor, and also features variable valve timing.
LY6 applications:
L76
- See also the automotive L76
The Vortec 6000 L76 is a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine and features
variable cam phasing, along with
Active Fuel Management. It can be considered the replacement for the Generation III LQ9 engine. It produces 367 hp (265 kW) at 5400 rpm and 375 ft·lb (495 N·m) at 4400 rpm. Production started in late 2006.
L76 applications:
LFA
The Vortec 6000 LFA is a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine. The LFA variant is used in the GM's hybrid GMT900 trucks and SUVs. Major features include Active Fuel Management, a late-intake valve timing system, and a higher 10.8:1 compression ratio. It produces 332 hp at 5100 rpm and at 4100 rpm.
LFA applications:
6200
The 2007
Cadillac Escalade has a 6.2 L
Vortec 6200 (RPO
L92) engine. It is an all-aluminum design which, while still a
pushrod engine, boasts
variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-
overhead cam V8 engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. This engine produces 380 hp (301 kW) and 417 ft·lb (565 N·m) in the
GMC Yukon Denali/XL Denali and in the GMC Sierra Denali, and underrated at and in the Hummer and in the Cadillac Escalade.
Applications:
7400
The
Vortec 7400 (RPO
L29) was a
truck version of the
Chevrolet Big-Block engine. Introduced in 1996, it was produced for five years until being replaced by the
Vortec 8100. Even though it was introduced as the Vortec 7400 in 1996, it was basically a 454 big-block with parts more suitable for use in light-duty trucks and more advanced technology.
The V8 features MPFI (multi-port fuel injection) and 2 valves per cylinder. Among the many improvements was more power for the gasoline engines. The Vortec 7400 big block V8 has a 107.95 mm bore, 101.6 mm stroke, produces at 4000 rpm and at 3200 rpm.
8100
The
Vortec 8100 (RPO
L18) is a
V8 truck engine. It is a redesigned
Chevrolet Big-Block engine and was introduced with the 2001
full-size pickup trucks. It retains the same bore centers as the old 7.4 L big-blocks, but stroke was upped by 9.4 mm to reach for a total of 107.95 mm bore and 111 mm stroke. It is an all-iron engine (block and heads) with two valves per cylinder. Power output ranges from to and torque from to . Vortec 8100s are built in
Tonawanda, New York. The Vortec 8100 is the engine used in the largest Uhaul, their truck. GM stopped installing big block V-8's in the Silverado HD trucks, when the GMT-800 series was discontinued in 2007.
L18 Applications:
See also
References