6.0 LS Engine: LQ4, LQ9, LS2, L76 and L96 Specs, Horsepower and Crate Engine
The 6.0 LS is GM’s 6.0-liter (364 cubic inch) LS-family V8, with a 4.000″ bore and 3.622″ stroke. GM built it from 1999 as an iron-block truck engine (the LQ4 and LQ9, later the LY6 and L96, sold in trucks as the Vortec 6000) and as an aluminum car engine (the LS2 and L76). Factory ratings run from about 300 HP in early trucks to 400 HP in the LS2 Corvette, and GM Performance sells a 452 HP 6.0L as a crate engine.
6.0 LS engine specs
| Specification | 6.0L LS |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 6.0L (364 cubic inches) |
| Family | GM Gen III and Gen IV small block (LS) |
| Bore x stroke | 4.000″ x 3.622″ |
| Block | Cast iron (LQ4, LQ9, LY6, L96) or aluminum (LS2, L76) |
| Valvetrain | Single cam in the block, pushrods, two valves per cylinder |
| Main caps | Six-bolt, cross-bolted |
| Firing order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 |
Every 6.0L shares the same bore and stroke. What changes between versions is the block material, the cylinder heads, the pistons and compression, and the electronics. The firing order is explained in our Chevy and LS firing order guide.
6.0 LS versions and horsepower
| Engine | Generation | Block | Typical use | Factory rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LQ4 | Gen III | Iron | 1999 to 2007 heavy-duty pickups, large SUVs and vans | About 300 to 325 HP |
| LQ9 | Gen III | Iron | 2002 to 2007 Cadillac Escalade, Silverado SS, Sierra Denali | 345 HP |
| LS2 | Gen IV | Aluminum | 2005 to 2007 Corvette, Pontiac GTO | 400 HP |
| L76 | Gen IV | Aluminum | 2008 to 2009 Pontiac G8 GT | 361 HP |
| L96 | Gen IV | Iron | 2010-on heavy-duty pickups and vans | About 360 HP in heavy-duty pickups |
The LY6 is the Gen IV iron-block 6.0L that came between the LQ4 and the L96 in heavy-duty trucks and vans, and it added variable valve timing. Truck ratings varied by model year and vehicle, so check the figure for the exact donor engine you are looking at.
LQ4 vs LQ9
The LQ4 and LQ9 are both Gen III, iron-block 6.0L truck engines with the same bore, stroke and basic block. The LQ9 is the high-output version: it uses flat-top pistons for higher compression (about 10:1, against about 9.4:1 for the dished-piston LQ4) and a more aggressive tune, and it was rated at 345 HP in the Escalade and Silverado SS. The LQ4 was far more common, which is why it is the usual budget 6.0 for swaps and boosted builds. Its lower compression is one reason many builders choose it for a turbocharger.
LS2 vs LQ4
The LS2 is the aluminum-block 6.0L from the 2005 to 2007 Corvette and the Pontiac GTO, rated at 400 HP. The LQ4 has the same displacement in a heavier cast-iron truck block with milder heads and cam. The LS2 suits a car build where weight matters; the LQ4 costs less and has a strong iron block.
6.0 vs 5.3 and 6.2
| 5.3L | 6.0L | 6.2L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic inches | 325 | 364 | 376 |
| Bore x stroke | 3.780″ x 3.622″ | 4.000″ x 3.622″ | 4.065″ x 3.622″ |
| Examples | LM7, LMG, LC9 (trucks) | LQ4, LQ9, LS2, L76, L96 | LS3, L92, L99 |
All three use the same stroke, so the difference comes from the bore. The 6.0’s 4.000″ bore is large enough to work with the 6.2’s rectangular-port cylinder heads, which is how GM builds its 6.0L crate engine. For the 6.2L, see our LS3 engine guide, and for every LS size, see GM LS engines explained.
The GM Performance 6.0L LS crate engine (LS364/450)
If you want a new 6.0 rather than a used truck engine, the GM Performance 6.0L LS crate engine (part 19434650) is GM’s LS364/450, which GM describes as a performance LQ9-based long block. It combines the iron 6.0L block with LS3 aluminum cylinder heads and an LS6 camshaft. These figures come from its specification list:
| Specification | LS364/450 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 364 cubic inches (6.0L) |
| Bore x stroke | 4.000″ x 3.622″ |
| Block | Cast iron, 6-bolt cross-bolted main caps |
| Crankshaft / rods / pistons | Nodular iron / powdered metal / hypereutectic aluminum |
| Camshaft | LS6 hydraulic roller, .550″ intake and exhaust lift, 204 / 218 degrees duration at .050″ |
| Cylinder heads | LS3 rectangular port, aluminum, 68cc chambers |
| Valve size | 2.165″ intake / 1.590″ exhaust |
| Compression ratio | 10.3:1 |
| Recommended fuel | Premium pump fuel |
| Maximum recommended rpm | 6,800 |
| Reluctor wheel | 24X |
| Rating | 452 HP, 441 lb-ft |
| Price | $7,285.07 |
It is sold as a long block, without the intake manifold, ignition system or front accessory drive, so you can reuse parts from an earlier LS or choose your own. GM labels it for competition and off-highway use.
Swapping a 6.0 LS
- Intake manifold: rectangular-port heads need a rectangular-port (LS3/L92-style) intake, while cathedral-port truck heads need a cathedral-port intake. The LS364/450 needs the rectangular-port type.
- Engine control: Gen III engines such as the LQ4, LQ9 and the LS364/450 use a 24X crankshaft trigger; most Gen IV engines use 58X. Match the controller to the engine, or use a standalone ECU from our engine management range.
- Weight and fit: an iron 6.0 is heavier than an aluminum LS, which matters in a light car. Mounts, oil pan, headers and accessories follow the same LS swap rules as other LS engines.
Our LS swap guide covers mounts, oil pans, accessory drives and fuel systems. See also LS accessory drive kits and all LS and LT crate engines.
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does a 6.0 LS have?
Factory 6.0L ratings run from about 300 HP in early LQ4 trucks to 345 HP in the LQ9, about 360 HP in the L96 and 400 HP in the LS2 Corvette. The GM Performance LS364/450 crate engine is rated at 452 HP and 441 lb-ft.
What is the difference between an LQ4 and an LQ9?
Both are Gen III iron-block 6.0L truck engines. The LQ9 has flat-top pistons for higher compression and a high-output tune, rated at 345 HP, while the LQ4 has dished pistons and lower compression.
Is the 6.0 LS iron or aluminum?
Both exist. The LQ4, LQ9, LY6 and L96 truck engines have cast-iron blocks, while the LS2 and L76 have aluminum blocks.
Is a 6.0 Vortec an LS engine?
Yes. Vortec 6000 is the name GM used for its 6.0L truck engines, such as the LQ4 and LQ9, which are members of the LS engine family.
What is the bore and stroke of a 6.0 LS?
4.000″ bore and 3.622″ stroke, which gives 364 cubic inches.
What is the firing order of a 6.0 LS?
1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3, the same as other LS engines.
Is there a new 6.0 LS crate engine?
Yes. The GM Performance LS364/450 is a new 6.0L long block rated at 452 HP, priced at $7,285.07 with flat $75 shipping to any US state.
Related: GM LS engines explained, LS3 engine, LSX engine, LS swap guide, LS firing order, 6.0 LS crate engine, best LS engine, all guides.
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