LY6 vs L96 vs LQ9

All three are iron-block 6.0 L truck engines with the same 4.0 × 3.622 in bore and stroke. The LQ9 is Gen III; the LY6 and L96 are Gen IV with VVT.

	LQ9	LY6	L96
Family	Generation III	Generation IV	Generation IV
Years	2002–2007	2007–2013	2010–2020
Displacement	6.0 L (364 ci)	6.0 L (364 ci)	6.0 L (364 ci)
Power	345 hp	361 hp	361 hp
Torque	380 lb-ft	385 lb-ft	385 lb-ft
Bore × stroke	4.0 × 3.622 in	4.0 × 3.622 in	4.0 × 3.622 in
Compression	10.00:1	9.60:1	9.70:1
Block	iron	iron	iron
AFM/DOD	no	no	no
VVT	no	yes	yes
Direct injection	no	no	no
VIN 8th digit	N	—	—

Key differences:

• Compression: LQ9 10.00:1, LY6 9.60:1, L96 9.70:1
• VVT: LQ9 no, LY6 yes, L96 yes

Heads: the LY6 uses L92/LS3-style rectangle-port heads (from our engine table), which need a rectangle-port intake — see heads & intakes.

Specs are GM ratings as published; power varied by year and vehicle. Confirm any engine by the RPO code on the glovebox/console sticker.