GM Vortec Engines

The Vortec engines were designed for performance, fuel efficiency, durability and low maintenance. GM engineers incorporated Vortex science into their engines to create a better air-to-fuel mixture through the combustion process. This research worked to increase horsepower without losing efficiency thus the Vortec engines were created.

Vortec is a trademark that is on a line of piston engines for GM trucks. It was first used in 1986 on a 4.3-liter V-6 but now covers a wide range of engines. The newer naming system, names Vortec engines by their approximate displacement.

• – These were built in New York and is an OHV Straight-4truck engine. As per the naming system the displacement is 2.2 liters. Found in the Chevrolet S-10/ GMC Sonoma and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy.

• – is a DOHC 2.8-liter that’s part of the Atlas engine family. It produces 175 hp.

• – is a DOHC 2.9-liter also in the Atlas family. It produces 185 hp with 195 ft lb of torque.

• – a DOHC 3.5-liter engine that produces 220 hp and is optional on the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon regular and extended cab trucks.

• – new in 2007, this engine produces 242 hp producing 242 ft lb torque.

• - this 4.2-liter engine was on the ‘Ward’s 10 Best Engines’ every year from 2002 to 2005. The 2007 model offers 291 horsepower with 277 ft lb.

• – is based on the Chevrolet small-block V-8. It first appeared in 1985 in the GMC Syclone. Many modifications later, the multi-port injected LU3 engine was introduced in 2002 with the LG3 showing up soon after.

• – is a third generation small block V-8 truck engine. This engine is a 4.8-liter offering between 270-296 hp with 285-305 ft lb of torque. The difference depending on the model year and vehicle.

• – this is a Vortec 4800 LY2 is one generation up from the LY2 making it a fourth generation small block V-8 truck engine. The LY2 is the smallest of the Generation IV Vortec family. This engine offers 295 hp with 305 ft lb of torque.

The Vortec 5000 L30 is a V-8 truck engine. It is built on the Generation I small block design from Chevrolet. In 2003, it was replaced by the 4.8 LR4 in the full-size vans. In the vans, it produces 230 hp with 290 Net Flywheel Torque. This engine has a hydraulic roller cam.

• – the LM7,LM4,L59, and L33 or the Vortec 5300 is a V8 truck engine. Offering 285-295 hp and with 325-335 ft lb torque. The 5300s are but in Canada, Us, and Mexico.

• – introduced in 1999 and considered the common variety of the 5300s.

• – was only produced for a short time and was an aluminum version of the LM7.

• – this was an aluminum block version of the LM7. It offers 15 hp more. It was only available on extended cab 4WD pickup trucks.

• – introduced in 2002, this was a flexible fuel version of the LM7.

• – this line of engine was first introduced in 2005. There are four versions of the 5300 in production. The LY5 and LMG are iron block version. The LH6 and LC9 are aluminum block versions.

• – this version replaced the LM4 in 2005 and was the first of the Generation IV small block V-8 truck engines to be produced. This is an aluminum block model. • – new in 2007, this Vortec 5300 is a replacement for the LM7 Generation III. In the SUV vehicles it offers 320 hp with 340 ft lb of torque. In pickup trucks, it offers 315 hp with 338 ft lb of torque.

• - this is the Flex Fuel version of the LY5.

• – This is the FlexFuel version of the LH6 and is used for 4WD models. In SUV models, it offers 310 hp and 335 ft lb of torque.

• The LC9 Vortec 5300 is the FlexFuel version of the LH6, and is found in 4WD models. SUV applications are rated at 310 hp (231 kW) and 335 ft lb (454 N•m) of torque.

The Vortec 5700 L31 is a V-8 truck engine. The L31 was replaced by the 5.3-liter 5300 LM7. This 5700 has 255 hp with 330 ft lb torque.

• – the Vortec 6000, LQ4 is a V8 truck engine. It offers 300-325 hp with 350-370 ft lb of torque.

• – also called the HO 6000 or VortecMAX is a high-output version of the Vortec 6000 that was originally designed for Cadillac. It offers 345 hp and 380 ft lb of torque. The LQ9s were built in the US.

• – This Generation IV small block V8 truck engine replaced the LQ4 and now features variable valve timing.

• – is also a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine and has variable cam phasing. It produces 367 hp with 375 ft lb of toque. Production of this version was started in 2006.

The Vortec 6200 is an all aluminum engine was the first mass produced with variable valve timing. This system can adjust between two settings. It produces 403 hp and offers 417 ft lb of torque in the Cadillac. In the HUMMER and the GMC Yukon Denali it offers 380 hp and 415 ft lb of torque.

This version was introduced in 1996 and produced for five years until it was replaced by the Vortec 8100. The 7400 V8 has multi-port fuel injection with 2 valves per cylinder. This version offered more power with 290 hp and 410 ft lb of torque. 8100 The 8100 is a V8 truck engine. Introduced in 2001 full size trucks. It’s an all-iron block with two valves per cylinder. The model offers 225-340 hp with the torque ranging from 360 - 455 ft lb.

The version is used in the 26 ft U-Haul. They are no longer being installed in the Silverado HD trucks.