L96 6.0L engine: specs, donor vehicles & swap notes
The L96 is a 6.0 L iron-block Generation IV engine built 2010–2020, rated 361 hp. It came in 6 vehicle applications, including Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD. Things to know: it has variable valve timing.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| RPO | L96 |
| Family | Generation IV |
| Years | 2010–2020 |
| Displacement | 6.0 L / 364 ci |
| Horsepower | 361 hp |
| Torque | 385 lb-ft |
| Bore × stroke | 4.0 × 3.622 in |
| Compression | 9.70:1 |
| Block | iron |
| AFM/DOD | No |
| VIN 8th digit | G |
| Reluctor | 58x |
| Stock cam | Duration 196°/208° @.050 in. int./exh.; valve lift 0.467"/0.479" int./exh.; 116° LSA; 1-bolt gear, 4x; AFM No, VVT Yes. |
| Firing order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 |
| Head casting | 5364, 823 |
- Exhaust manifold bolt failure. Fix: Replace broken bolts with updated hardware during manifold service.
- Oil pressure sensor failure. Fix: Replace the oil pressure sensor.
- Valve cover and gasket leaks. Fix: Replace valve cover gaskets.
Iron/Alum. heads, VVT, E85-capable
The L96 specs above are not yet confirmed against GM documents; GM ratings varied by year and vehicle.
How the L96 differs from the other 6.0 L Gen IV engines
The L96 is one of the nine 6.0 L Gen IV engines we list: L76, L77, L96, L98, LC8, LFA, LS2, LY6, LZ1. From our engine table:
- Iron block. Among the 6.0 L Gen IV engines, the L96 shares it with the LC8, LY6; the L76, L77, L98, LFA, LS2, LZ1 are aluminum.
- No AFM. The L76, L77, LFA, LZ1 have it, so the L96 is the easier cam-swap candidate of the group.
- Compression 9.70:1, within the group's 9.6–10.9:1 spread.
- Up to 361 hp from the factory (5th of the nine 6.0 L Gen IV engines we list; the group tops out at 400 hp).
- Variable valve timing. Also on the L76, LC8, LY6, LZ1.
- Built E85-capable (flex fuel) from the factory. Swapping an L96 onto E85 still means wiring the flex sensor and setting up the tune for it.
- Built 2010–2020.
Swapping the L96: what to plan for
- Computer: the L96 has a 58x crank. An E38 or E67 matches it; a 0411/P59 also needs a 58x-to-24x converter box and its own sensor and knock-sensor wiring. Throttle and wiring have to suit the computer too. More: how to wire your LS (the full checklist for your engine and computer).
- VVT: on a VVT L96 the cam phaser and VVT timing cover change what bolts on: only some water pumps clear a VVT timing cover, and a non-VVT cam needs a VVT delete and a tune. More: accessory drives.
- From a truck or SUV (Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD, Chevrolet Suburban 2500, Chevrolet Suburban 3500HD, GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD and 1 more): truck accessory drive spacing (the farthest forward of the three), and the factory truck oil pan hangs low; most car swaps need a swap pan. More: accessory drive spacing · oil pans.
- From a van or work truck (Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500/3500/4500): the accessory drive and intake differ from the pickups; check what comes with it before you plan brackets (not confirmed in our data).
Refresh parts for the L96
From our Gen IV refresh list, the parts that are specific to the L96. Seals, gaskets and the upgrades worth doing on any Gen IV with the engine out are in the full refresh list, next to every torque spec.
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| Part | GM part # | Why for this engine |
|---|---|---|
| LSXceleration Gen IV LS knock sensor 28-23730 | 28-23730 | The L96 has its knock sensors on the side of the block. |
| GM Gen IV camshaft position sensor 12591720 (58x engines) | 12591720 | 58x L96: the cam sensor lives in the front cover. |
| Chevrolet Performance 58x crankshaft position sensor 12703627 | 12703627 | 58x L96: the crank sensor is behind the starter. |
From real tunes: 6.0 L on a Gen IV computer
What these settings look like in the 329 naturally aspirated pump-gas tunes for 6.0 L engines on Gen IV computers (E38, E67 and the 24x E40) in our tune library (as of 2026-10-15). Every RPO of this size is pooled, not only the L96, and so are all cams, heads and builds: that is why the ranges are wide. Use them to spot a value that is far outside what works, not as your numbers.
| Setting | Range | Median | Tunes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot idle target | 550 rpm to 850 rpm | 700 rpm | 327 (middle 80%) |
| Warm idle airflow, in gear | 6.0 g/s to 12.3 g/s | 8.0 g/s | 326 (middle 80%) |
| Idle spark (around 800 rpm) | 13° to 20° | 15° | 329 (middle 80%) |
| Power enrichment (PE) lambda | 0.78 to 0.87 | 0.83 | 322 (middle 80%) |
| WOT spark at 5,000 rpm, about 0.9 g/cyl | 12.0° to 25.0° | 19.0° | 329 (middle 80%) |
For starting values matched to your L96's cam, injectors and fuel, use the turn-on tune builder. Always finish on a dyno, and read our safe tuning limits before any wide-open pass.
Donor vehicles with the L96
Where to find an L96 at the junkyard: 6 vehicle applications below. Confirm it from the RPO sticker in the glovebox or the 8th VIN digit (for the L96: G).
| Vehicle | Years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500/3500/4500 | 2010–2020 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD | 2010–2019 |
| Chevrolet Suburban 2500 | 2010–2013 |
| Chevrolet Suburban 3500HD | 2016–2020 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD | 2010–2019 |
| GMC Yukon XL 2500 | 2010–2013 |
Buying a used L96
A used L96 has no single part number, so this page does not link a search. Confirm the engine from the RPO sticker or the 8th VIN digit (for the L96: G) before you buy.
Next steps
- Plan a swap with the L96
- Find a cam for the L96
- What the L96 tune needs
- Compare every LS donor engine
- Size injectors and fuel pump
- LS torque specs
- Swap guides by vehicle