Chevrolet · GMC · Cadillac
Used 6.0 Vortec & LQ4 Engines for Sale
Used 6.0 Vortec V8 engines for Chevrolet and GMC 2500 and 3500 trucks, Express vans, Escalades and more, from the LQ4 and LQ9 to the LY6 and L96, matched to your VIN. Tell us the year and model and one independent supplier quotes availability, price and shipping to Texas or anywhere in the lower 48.
- Ships to all 48 contiguous states
- Fitment checked by VIN
- Free to ask
- $1,000used, typical low end
- $3,199remanufactured, from
- 6vehicle lines listed
- 2001earliest model year listed
6.0 Vortec Engine Price: Used vs Remanufactured
- 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD6.0L (VIN U, 8th digit), Gasoline$1,000–$3,281median $1,500 · 89 listings
- 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD6.0L (VIN U, 8th digit), Gasoline$1,100–$1,613median $1,300 · 95 listings
- 2005 Cadillac Escalade6.0L (VIN N, 8th digit)$1,095–$2,019median $1,500 · 81 listings
- 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD6.0L (VIN K, 8th digit, Opt LY6)$1,953–$3,583median $2,586 · 99 listings
- 2008 GMC Sierra 15006.0L (VIN Y, 8th digit, Opt L76)$2,778–$6,622median $5,817 · 79 listings
- 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD6.0L (VIN G, 8th digit, Opt L96)$1,700–$2,252median $1,995 · 100 listings
- Remanufactured9 remanufactured units listed by Powertrain Products$3,199–$4,649median $3,599 · 9 offers
Each used bar runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile of that version's asking prices, so half its listings fall inside it, and the dot marks the median. The supplier quotes your exact part, shipping and warranty.
These are part prices only. For labor and the total bill, see our engine replacement cost guide.
6.0 Vortec at a glance
| Displacement | 6.0 L (364 cu in) V8, 4.000 in bore × 3.622 in strokeSource: Wikipedia: engine table |
|---|---|
| Construction | Iron block with aluminum heads (1999 and 2000 engines had iron heads); the L76 has an aluminum blockSource: Wikipedia: 6.0 L (Gen III), Wikipedia: L76 |
| Engine codes | Gen III: LQ4 (VIN U), LQ9 (VIN N). Gen IV: LY6 (2007–2013), L96 (2010–2020, flex fuel), L76 (aluminum, AFM)Source: Wikipedia: LQ4, Wikipedia: LQ9, Wikipedia: engine table, Hollander: 2005 Silverado 2500 HD (VIN U), Hollander: 2005 Escalade (VIN N), Hollander: 2008 Silverado 2500 HD (LY6), Hollander: 2012 Silverado 2500 HD (L96), Hollander: 2008 Sierra 1500 (L76) |
| Output | 300–335 hp (LQ4), 345 hp (LQ9), 361 hp and 385 lb-ft (LY6, L96)Source: Wikipedia: engine table |
| Compression | 9.40:1 (LQ4), 10.00:1 (LQ9), 9.60:1 (LY6), 9.70:1 (L96), 10.40:1 (L76)Source: Wikipedia: engine table |
Which 6.0 Vortec do you have?
LQ4 (VIN U, Gen III)
The common iron-block 6.0 in Silverado and Sierra HD pickups, Suburban and Yukon XL 2500s, Express and Savana vans and the Hummer H2. Hollander splits it into two part numbers: early (mostly 2001–2002 donors) and later (2003–2007 donors).
Source: Wikipedia: LQ4, Hollander: 2002 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L options, Hollander: 2005 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L optionsLQ9 VortecMAX (VIN N)
The high-output 6.0 with 10:1 flat-top pistons, 345 hp and 380 lb-ft. Built for the Escalade, then the Silverado SS, Sierra Denali and the Classic VortecMAX pickups.
Source: Wikipedia: LQ9, Hollander: 2005 Escalade 6.0L options, Hollander: 2004 Silverado 1500 6.0L optionsLY6 (2007–2009 HD trucks)
The Gen IV iron-block truck engine with variable valve timing, 361 hp and 385 lb-ft. Hollander files the Silverado 2500 HD, Sierra 2500 HD and Express 2500 versions under one part number.
Source: Wikipedia: LY6, Hollander: 2008 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L options, Hollander: 2008 Express 2500 6.0L optionsL96 (2010–2019 HD trucks, vans to 2020)
Essentially the LY6 with flex-fuel capability. Hollander uses one part number across 2011–2019 Silverado 2500 HD donors.
Source: Wikipedia: L96, Hollander: 2012 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L options, Hollander: 2018 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0L optionsL76 (2007–2009 half-ton)
An aluminum-block 6.0 with Active Fuel Management in some Silverado and Sierra 1500s, Suburban 1500s, Avalanches and Yukon XLs. Not interchangeable with the iron-block HD engines.
Source: Wikipedia: L76, Hollander: 2008 Sierra 1500 6.0L optionsCheck before you buy a used 6.0 Vortec
- Read the 8th digit of your VIN. On Gen III trucks U is an LQ4 and N an LQ9. For later trucks send the full VIN: Hollander gives the LY6, L96 and L76 separate part numbers.
- Iron or aluminum block? The HD trucks and vans use iron-block engines; the 2007–2009 half-ton L76 is aluminum with Active Fuel Management. They are not the same part.
- Gasoline, CNG or hybrid? Hollander lists CNG and hybrid 6.0s under their own numbers. Tell the supplier if your truck is anything other than gasoline.
- Get mileage, testing and warranty in writing. Ask for the donor vehicle's mileage, how the engine was tested, what is included, the warranty term and the freight cost to your ZIP before you pay.
Known 6.0 Vortec wear points
- Wikipedia notes that some early LS-series engines had piston slap for the first few minutes after a cold start, and reports lifter failures on 2005–2016 Gen IV engines with Active Fuel Management, which includes the L76. (Wikipedia: LS known issues)
- Jasper, an engine remanufacturer, lists cracked heads leading to coolant loss, oil consumption from piston problems, low oil pressure and broken exhaust manifold bolts among the GM Gen III and IV V8 problems its rebuild addresses. (Jasper Engines: GM V8 Gen III/IV)
Vehicles that used the 6.0 Vortec
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and 35002001–2019
- GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 35002007–2019
- GMC Sierra 15002007–2009
- Chevrolet Silverado SS2003–2007
- Cadillac Escalade2002–2006
- Chevrolet Express 25002008–2009
See the sourced table (6 rows)
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and 3500LQ4 to 2007, LY6 2007–2009, L96 2010–2019 | 2001–2019 |
| GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500LY6 2007–2009, L96 2010–2019. Wikipedia also lists LQ4 Sierra HDs before 2007 | 2007–2019 |
| GMC Sierra 1500L76, some versions only | 2007–2009 |
| Chevrolet Silverado SSLQ9 | 2003–2007 |
| Cadillac EscaladeLQ9; AWD from 2002, 2WD 2005–2006 | 2002–2006 |
| Chevrolet Express 2500LY6. Wikipedia also lists LQ4 vans 2003–2007 and L96 vans 2010–2020 | 2008–2009 |
Heavy-duty pickups and vans are largely absent from the U.S. EPA vehicle records, so each row is backed by Wikipedia plus Hollander yard records. Wikipedia also lists the 6.0 in the Suburban and Yukon XL 2500, the Hummer H2, the GMC Savana, the Yukon Denali and the hybrid Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Silverado and Sierra (LFA and LZ1); no second source here covers those, so they are left off the table. Always confirm by VIN.
6.0 Vortec questions
How much does a used 6.0 Vortec engine cost?
Used-yard asking prices for a 6.0 Vortec typically ran $1,000 to $6,622 on October 22, 2026. That range runs from the lowest version's 25th percentile to the highest version's 75th percentile, across 6 versions (543 priced listings). Remanufactured units were listed from $3,199 to $4,649 (9 offers). Prices vary by version, mileage and shipping, so the supplier quotes your exact part.
What is the difference between the LQ4 and the LQ9?
The LQ9 is the high-output version, with 10:1 flat-top pistons that add about 20 hp, for 345 hp. Wikipedia puts the LQ4 at 9.40:1. The two have different VIN codes (U and N) and different part numbers.
Will an LY6 replace my LQ4?
Not as a straight swap. The LY6 is a Gen IV engine with variable valve timing and its own part number. Give the supplier your VIN and they quote the engine your truck was built with.
Is the L96 the same as the LY6?
Almost. Wikipedia describes the L96 as essentially identical to the LY6, except that the L96 is flex-fuel capable. Hollander still lists them under different part numbers.
Related engines and transmissions
Delivering to Texas? See Houston, Dallas, San Antonio or El Paso.