LY2 4.8L engine: specs, donor vehicles & swap notes
The LY2 is a 4.8 L iron-block Generation IV engine built 2007–2009, rated 260–295 hp. It came in 5 vehicle applications, including Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500/3500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| RPO | LY2 |
| Family | Generation IV |
| Years | 2007–2009 |
| Displacement | 4.8 L / 293 ci |
| Horsepower | 260–295 hp |
| Torque | 295–305 lb-ft |
| Bore × stroke | 3.78 × 3.268 in |
| Compression | 9.08:1 |
| Block | iron |
| AFM/DOD | No |
| VIN 8th digit | C |
| Reluctor | 58x |
| Throttle | Drive-by-wire |
| Firing order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 |
| Oil capacity | 6.0 qt |
| Oil filter | 89017524 / PF48 |
| Spark plug | 12571164 / 41-985 |
| Plug gap | 0.040 in |
| Head casting | 799 |
- Weak cast pistons. Fix: A set of forged pistons should be high on your priority list.
- Piston ring lands snap under boost heat. Fix: Install a four-corner steam kit.
- Stock rocker trunnions. Fix: You will want to install a trunnion kit for added reliability.
Iron/Alum. heads
The LY2 specs above are not yet confirmed against GM documents; GM ratings varied by year and vehicle.
How the LY2 differs from the other 4.8 L Gen IV engines
The LY2 is one of the two 4.8 L Gen IV engines we list: L20, LY2. From our engine table:
- Compression 9.08:1, the highest of the group.
- Up to 295 hp from the factory; the L20 makes up to 302 hp.
- No VVT (the L20 has it).
- Built 2007–2009.
Swapping the LY2: what to plan for
- Computer: the LY2 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).
- Drive-by-wire throttle. Plan on the pedal and throttle body that match the LY2, and a computer that runs drive by wire; the base Holley Terminator X is cable-only (the X Max does drive-by-wire). More: drive-by-wire pinout.
- From a truck or SUV (Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Yukon): 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): 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 LY2
From our Gen IV refresh list, the parts that are specific to the LY2. 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 LY2 has its knock sensors on the side of the block. |
| GM Gen IV camshaft position sensor 12591720 (58x engines) | 12591720 | 58x LY2: the cam sensor lives in the front cover. |
| Chevrolet Performance 58x crankshaft position sensor 12703627 | 12703627 | 58x LY2: the crank sensor is behind the starter. |
From real tunes: 4.8 L on a Gen IV computer
What these settings look like in the 51 naturally aspirated pump-gas tunes for 4.8 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 LY2, 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 | 525 rpm to 825 rpm | 550 rpm | 51 (middle 80%) |
| Warm idle airflow, in gear | 6.2 g/s to 9.1 g/s | 7.0 g/s | 49 (middle 80%) |
| Idle spark (around 800 rpm) | 13° to 18° | 18° | 51 (middle 80%) |
| Power enrichment (PE) lambda | 0.79 to 0.85 | 0.83 | 49 (middle 80%) |
| WOT spark at 5,000 rpm, about 0.9 g/cyl | 9.5° to 23.5° | 16.5° | 51 (middle 80%) |
For starting values matched to your LY2'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 LY2
Where to find an LY2 at the junkyard: 5 vehicle applications below. Confirm it from the RPO sticker in the glovebox or the 8th VIN digit (for the LY2: C).
| Vehicle | Years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500/3500 | 2008–2009 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2007–2009 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2007–2009 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2007–2009 |
| GMC Yukon | 2007–2009 |
Buying a used LY2
A used LY2 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 LY2: C) before you buy.