The LS is considered to be one of the most popular engine series ever. The LS family managed to reach this level of fame for several reasons, but mostly for offering the type of bang for the buck performance that was unheard of until it first appeared. When we think of LS engines, we normally think of a sporty-looking vehicle like the Chevrolet Corvette.

While we aren’t wrong in correlating the powerful LS with sporty cars, some of these engines have also been used in trucks and SUVs for General Motors. The company developed an LS version known the LY6 engine for this very purpose. This iteration of the LS is also known as Vortec 6000 and featured many similarities to other LS engines, including its performance-driven nature.

The General Motors LY6 engine is considered to be one of the more iconic truck engines made by this company. Today, we’ll discuss what makes it so special and why it’s so popular.

LY6 Engine Specifications

The LY6 engine is a Gen 4 LS. It’s a 6.0-liter unit that was offered in the GM’s trucks and SUVs between 2007 and 2010. As we mentioned earlier, the engine was also called the Vortec 6000 but had the same specifications. The different name was purely a marketing thing. Since the LY6 was used in heavy-duty applications like on trucks and SUVs it made use of a cast-iron block.

Interestingly, it has the same bore (4 inches) and stroke (3.6 inches) as the engine that it replaced (LQ4). It also shares similarities with some other LS engines. For instance, it uses variable valve timing. As you’d expect with an engine developed for use in a truck and SUV application, it prioritizes torque over horsepower. That doesn’t mean it’s a slouch. On the contrary, it makes 361 HP at 5,600 RPM and 385 lb-ft and 4,400 RPM. For reference, the LS7 engine which was developed for use in sports cars makes 505HP and 470 lb-ft.

Keep in mind that the LY6 numbers were measured while the engine was running on 87 octane fuel. One can expect higher numbers with higher quality gas. Despite being a torquey truck engine, the LY6 redlines at 6,000 RPM which is even more impressive when you factor in that this is a 6.0-liter pushrod V8. The compression ratio, meanwhile, is 9.6:1. The LY6 engine also makes use of rectangle port cylinder heads just like the ones seen on the L92/LS3. However, it does miss out on the sodium-filled exhaust valves found on the LS3. 

What Did LY6 Engines Come In?

The LY6 engine can be found in four popular offerings from General Motors:

• 2007–2009 GMC Sierra HD
• 2007–2009 Chevrolet Silverado HD
• 2007–2013 Chevrolet Suburban 3/4 ton
• 2007–2013 GMC Yukon XL 3/4 ton

What Makes the LY6 Engine So Good?

As you can tell by the list above, the LY6 engine was used to power behemoth vehicles. Despite this, the engine delivered what was considered to be a very impressive performance. To give you an idea, the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was said to have swift acceleration, with a 0-60 MPH time of 6.9 seconds. The engine also got the massive truck to cover a quarter-mile in just 16 seconds. 

Many said that these figures would have been even more impressive if not for the slow-shifting four-speed transmission. While its performance in stock form is certainly impressive, it’s what this engine can achieve with modifications that make it so good. Many consider the LY6 to be a low-cost, iron-block alternative to the performance-focused LS3 as it can achieve similar levels of performance with the right modifications.

Can the LY6 Engine Be Modified?

LS engines in general have good potential in terms of tuning and modifications. The LY6, meanwhile, with its strong iron block takes things to the next level. It also has the upgraded connecting rods introduced with the Gen 4 LS engine and a compression ratio that’s suited to handle boost. As we mentioned before it also got the rectangle port heads which is quite unusual as truck engines normally get cathedral-port heads. 

As with most engines, you can begin modifying the LY6 with simple bolt-ons like a cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust. These modifications – even though minor – should be paired with an ECU tune. Without one, you could risk running an unoptimized air-fuel ratio which will most certainly take away from your engine’s performance instead of helping increase it. 

Reports also suggest that switching to an electric fan from a mechanical one helps reduce the load on the engine. If you wish to step things up a bit in terms of modifications, the engine can be equipped with a bigger camshaft and more powerful injectors. It’s important to select the right cam to get the performance you are looking for. The aftermarket cam will dictate the powerband of the engine.

If you decide to run a supercharger, turbocharger, or nitrous, you can get cams designed for that specific purpose. These cams alter exhaust duration to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. It’s recommended that you pair the cam upgrade on the LY6 along with other changes like a different timing chain, lifters, and stronger pushrods. 

How Much HP Can an LY6 Handle?

You might be surprised reading things like turbochargers, superchargers, and nitrous, but the LY6 is a good candidate to handle a large amount of power. While these engines start life in trucks, it’s quite common for them to end up being used in a drag-spec machine. 

The LY6 can handle a nitrous oxide kit with stock internals. A 200-shot kit is one of the most common choices. The only real limiting factor that’s stopping the engine from being able to run more nitrous is the tight piston ring gap. That said, some changes can be made to improve performance.

As we mentioned before, the LY6 is a beast of an engine. It can be easily equipped with turbochargers and make big power even with a single unit. You can make close to 650 HP using a simple turbo kit with not much else in terms of modifications. You could also upgrade the internals and go for a twin-turbo set up to make over 1000 HP. Lastly, you could also go down the supercharger route and while it’s easier to install than a turbo, don’t expect gigantic power gain. A supercharger is a good option for someone looking to make more torque at lower RPMs. 

One must run a reworked fuel system and tune it to make the most of any of the aforementioned modifications.

What Is the Difference Between LQ9 and LY6?

General Motors had a few different versions of its 6.0-liter V8. The two with the most potential though were the LQ9 and LY6 engines. The LQ9 was an improved version of the LQ4. The LQ9 ran higher compression and featured flat-top pistons. That said, it made the same amount of power and torque at 345 HP and 380 lb-ft. 

When you compare the LQ9 and the LY6 engine, it was the latter that has a slightly higher compression ratio (9.6:1 vs. 9.4:1). That said, the LY6 had a lot more potential as it used rectangle port heads, meaning that could flow a lot more air. Due to these reasons, many consider the LY6 to be an iron block counterpart to the LS3. The LY6 also came with VVT while the LQ9 missed out on it.

Does the LY6 Engine Have Problems?

Yes, the LY6 engine has some problems, but none of them are major or dealbreakers. Here are four of the most common problems:

Fuel Economy 

Are we really complaining about the fuel economy on a 6.0-liter V8? Well, we have to mention it because it’s one of the most highly reported problems. Owners are having trouble achieving over 17-18 MPG, but this engine wasn’t fuel-efficient, to begin with. That said, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.

TPS Failure

The TPS or throttle position sensor on the LY6 engine is known to fail quite early on. A failing TPS will cause the engine to run rich and affect the acceleration. It will also illuminate the check engine light and a correspondent error code. Luckily, fixing this problem is quite easy and not too expensive. 

AFM System Problem

The AFM (active fuel management) system is a feature that deactivates 4 of the 8 cylinders when not required in order to save fuel. 

However, multiple reports suggest that this system causes major problems like oil consumption and lifter failure. It is also said to cause problems with the oil life monitoring system. The best way to deal with this problem is to permanently disable the active fuel management system.

LY6 Engine – Availability

Since LY6/Vortec 6000 engines are so common, they’ve become the go-to swap option. While engines like the LS3 and LS7 can cost upwards of $10,000, the LY6 can be had for much less than half that. 

While the engine doesn’t have the same performance right out of the box, it takes well to modifications. A low-mileage example of the LY6 can be picked up for around $2000. There are many examples available on online marketplaces which means you don’t have to worry about availability. 

Let’s Us Take Care of That LY6 Engine

We know what it takes to keep the LY6 engine in good shape — OEM-quality spares and good service. And we’ve got you covered in both aspects. Browse our shop and get the parts you need! We’ll ensure that you experience the best customer service while you’re at it because we love V8s just as much as you do!