GM engines: LS, LT, Vortec and Duramax

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

GM’s best-known modern engines are the LS and LT small-block V8s in the Corvette and Camaro, the 5.3L and 6.2L V8s in Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade, the 2.7L turbo four, and the Duramax diesels. CarWhere covers 16 engines and 3 transmissions with years, GM-rated output, 40 documented problems and 19 NHTSA recalls.

The same engine is shared across Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, so these pages serve all three brands. GM identifies each engine by a three-character RPO code — L84 for the current 5.3, L87 for the truck 6.2, L5P for the current 6.6 Duramax — and that code is how parts, recalls and service bulletins are matched to a vehicle.

Engine family overviews

6.6L Duramax: every generation compared — GM has built six generations of the 6.6L Duramax V8 diesel: LB7 (2001–2004, VIN digit 1), LLY (2004.5–2006, 2), LBZ (2006–2007, D), LMM (2007.5–2010, 6), LML (2011–2016, 8) and L5P (2017–present, Y).

LS small-block V8s (Gen III/IV)

LS small-block V8s (Gen III/IV): model years and peak GM-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems
LS1GM 5.7L LS1 V8 (Gen III small-block)	1997–2004	350 hp / 375 lb-ft	1
LS3GM 6.2L LS3 V8 (Gen IV small-block)	2008–2017 · 2010–2015	436 hp / 424 lb-ft	2
LS7GM 7.0L LS7 V8 (Gen IV small-block)	2006–2015	505 hp / 481 lb-ft	1

LS1 years, specs and problems — The LS1 is the 5.7-liter all-aluminum V8 that launched GM's Gen III small-block family in the 1997 Corvette at 345 hp.
LS3 years, specs and problems — The LS3 is GM's 6.2-liter Gen IV small-block V8, introduced in the 2008 Corvette at 430 hp and 424 lb-ft.
LS7 years, specs and problems — The LS7 is GM's 7.0-liter (427 cu in) dry-sump small-block V8, built for the 2006–2013 Corvette Z06 and reused in the 2014–2015 Camaro Z/28.

LT small-block V8s (Gen V)

LT small-block V8s (Gen V): model years and peak GM-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems
LT1GM 6.2L LT1 V8 (Gen V small-block)	2014–2024	460 hp / 465 lb-ft	1
LT4GM 6.2L LT4 supercharged V8 (Gen V small-block)	2015–present	668 hp / 659 lb-ft	2
LT2GM 6.2L LT2 V8 (C8 Corvette)	2020–present	495 hp / 470 lb-ft	0

LT1 years, specs and problems — The modern LT1 is GM's 6.2-liter Gen V small-block V8 with direct injection and Active Fuel Management.
LT4 years, specs and problems — The LT4 is GM's supercharged 6.2-liter Gen V V8.
LT2 years, specs and problems — The LT2 is the 6.2-liter Gen V small-block V8 mounted behind the driver in the C8 Corvette Stingray since the 2020 model year.

Truck and SUV gasoline engines

Truck and SUV gasoline engines: model years and peak GM-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems	Recalls
5.3L V8GM 5.3-liter small-block V8 (Vortec 5300 / EcoTec3)	1999–2007 · 2007–2014 · 2014–present · 2019–present	355 hp / 383 lb-ft	3	3
6.2L V8 (L86 / L87)GM 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 truck and SUV engine (L86 and L87)	2014–2020 · 2019–present	420 hp / 460 lb-ft	3	1
2.7L TurboMaxGM 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (L3B TurboMax, L2R, L4B)	2019–2026 · 2023–present · 2027–	350 hp / 455 lb-ft	2	0

5.3L V8 years, specs and problems — The 5.3L V8 is GM's most common truck and SUV engine.
6.2L V8 (L86 / L87) years, specs and problems — The L87 is the 6.2-liter V8 in 2019-and-later Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 pickups and 2021-and-later Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade, rated at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft with Dynamic Fuel Management.
2.7L TurboMax years, specs and problems — The 2.7L TurboMax is GM's turbocharged four-cylinder for full-size and midsize pickups.

Duramax diesel engines

Duramax diesel engines: model years and peak GM-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems	Recalls
LB7 DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax LB7 V8 turbo-diesel (RPO LB7)	2001–2004	300 hp / 520 lb-ft	2	1
LLY DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax LLY V8 turbo-diesel (RPO LLY)	2004.5–2006	310 hp / 605 lb-ft	3	0
LBZ DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax LBZ V8 turbo-diesel (RPO LBZ)	2006–2007	360 hp / 650 lb-ft	3	0
LMM DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax LMM V8 turbo-diesel (RPO LMM)	2007.5–2010	365 hp / 660 lb-ft	3	0
LML DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax LML V8 turbo-diesel (RPO LML)	2011–2016	397 hp / 765 lb-ft	2	1
L5P DuramaxGM 6.6L Duramax L5P V8 turbo-diesel (RPO L5P)	2017–2023 · 2024–present	470 hp / 975 lb-ft	2	5
3.0 DuramaxGM 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbo-diesel (LM2, LZ0)	2020–2022 (trucks); 2021–2024 (SUVs) · 2023–present	305 hp / 495 lb-ft	3	3

LB7 Duramax years, specs and problems — The LB7 is the first 6.6L Duramax, used in 2001–2004 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups and identified by an 8th VIN digit of 1.
LLY Duramax years, specs and problems — The LLY is the second-generation 6.6L Duramax, used from mid-2004 through 2006 in Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups and identified by an 8th VIN digit of 2.
LBZ Duramax years, specs and problems — The LBZ is the third-generation 6.6L Duramax, used in 2006 and 2007 (Classic body) Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups and identified by an 8th VIN digit of D.
LMM Duramax years, specs and problems — The LMM is the fourth-generation 6.6L Duramax, used in 2007.5–2010 Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups and identified by an 8th VIN digit of 6.
LML Duramax years, specs and problems — The LML is the fifth-generation 6.6L Duramax, used in 2011–2016 Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups and identified by an 8th VIN digit of 8.
L5P Duramax years, specs and problems — The L5P is the current 6.6L Duramax, used in Silverado and Sierra heavy-duty pickups since the 2017 model year and identified by an 8th VIN digit of Y.
3.0 Duramax years, specs and problems — The 3.0 Duramax is GM's inline-six turbo-diesel for half-ton trucks and full-size SUVs.

Automatic transmissions

Automatic transmissions: model years and peak GM-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems	Recalls
4L60EGM Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic	1993–2013	—	3	1
8L90GM Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed automatic	2015–present	738 lb-ft rated	2	0
10L80GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 ten-speed automatic	2017–present	—	2	4

4L60E years, specs and problems — The 4L60E is GM's electronically controlled four-speed automatic, used from 1993 to 2013 in Silverado and Sierra pickups, Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, Corvettes and Camaros.
8L90 years, specs and problems — The 8L90 is GM's eight-speed rear-drive automatic, introduced in the 2015 Corvette and used in 2015–2018 Silverado and Sierra pickups, Camaros, Escalades and Yukons.
10L80 years, specs and problems — The 10L80 is the ten-speed rear-drive automatic GM co-developed with Ford, which builds its version as the 10R80.

Know which engine and transmission a GM vehicle was ordered with.

GM builds the same truck with several engines, transmissions and axle ratios. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Chevrolet VIN into the factory-ordered option codes (RPOs) on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Chevrolet build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the LS3 and the LT1?

Both are 6.2-liter GM small-block V8s. The LS3 (2008–2017 · 2010–2015) is a Gen IV engine with port fuel injection, rated up to 436 hp / 424 lb-ft; the Gen V LT1 (2014–2024) adds direct injection and variable valve timing and is rated up to 460 hp / 465 lb-ft.

Which Duramax is in my truck?

The 6.6L Duramax ran in six generations, from the LB7 Duramax (2001–2004) to the L5P Duramax (2017–2023 · 2024–present). The engine RPO code on the glovebox label (or the VIN’s eighth character) identifies it; the 6.6 Duramax overview lists each generation’s years and output.

What years of the 5.3 have lifter problems?

The most documented 5.3 issue is oil consumption on afm engines (2007–2014). The 5.3 V8 page lists symptoms, affected years and what to check before buying.

Is there a recall on the GM 6.2 L87 engine?

Yes. NHTSA campaign 25V274 (2025-04) covers 2021–2024 Cadillac Escalade/ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon/Yukon XL with the 6.2L V8 (L87). Enter the VIN on NHTSA’s recall lookup to see whether a specific truck or SUV is included and whether the remedy has been done.

What vehicles have the 4L60E transmission?

The 4L60E is GM’s rear-drive four-speed automatic (1993–2013), used across light-duty Silverado and Sierra pickups, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and older Camaro and Corvette models. The 4L60E page lists applications and common failure points.

How do I find out which engine my Chevy or GMC has?

The engine is encoded in the eighth character of the VIN, and the three-character engine RPO code (such as L84, L87 or L5P) is printed on the glovebox Service Parts Identification label. A build sheet decodes the factory-ordered RPO codes recorded for the VIN.

Sources

Each engine page lists its own detailed sources. Key references across the guide:

GM newsroom — product information and specifications — General Motors
NHTSA recalls database — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Safety Recall 25V274: 2021–2024 GM trucks and SUVs with the 6.2L V8 (connecting rod / crankshaft) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Safety Recall N252494000 – L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion (dealer bulletin, Revision 11, January 2026) — General Motors (filed with NHTSA)
Recall 04V376: 5.3L (L59) fuel rail crossover tube retainer screws — NHTSA
Service Bulletin 10-06-01-008M: Engine Oil Consumption on Aluminum Block/Iron Block Engines with Active Fuel Management (Dec. 2014) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
Engineering Information: Oil Leaking From Oil Pan (2019–2020 Silverado/Sierra 1500, 2.7L L3B) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
Engineering Information: Engine Oil Leak Found Around the Center of Vehicle (2024, 2.7L L3B/L2R) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
Recall 24V797: 10-speed transmission control valve failure, rear-wheel lock-up (diesel trucks and SUVs) — NHTSA
Recall 26V083: trucks repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797 — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.