At 364 cubic inches of displacement, the engine is rated at a respectable 360 peak horsepower and 380 lb-ft peak torque. More importantly, the engine features a relatively broad, flat torque curve and a linear horsepower curve that grows sharply. In addition to Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 pickup trucks, the 6.0L has been offered in the Suburban 2500, Yukon XL, Express, Savana, and all chassis cab trucks. All 6.0L Vortec engines are mated to GM's 6L90 automatic transmission.
The 6.0L Vortec features unique high flow cylinder heads with cathedral shaped intake ports and D shaped exhaust ports. Its sister engine is the 6.0L LC8, which features the same basic engine structure but has been engineered to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
6.0L Vortec V-8 Engine Specs
| Engine | General Motors 6.0L Vortec V-8 (Vortec 6000) | |
| RPO Code | L96 | |
| VIN Code | G (8th digit of VIN) | |
| Type | Generation IV small block V-8 | |
| Applications/Production Years | 2010 - 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, 3500 HD 2010 - 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD 2010 - 2013 GMC Yukon XL 2010 - 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 2016 - 2019 Chevrolet Suburban 3500 HD 2010 - 2020 Chevrolet Express 2500, 3500, 4500 2010 - 2020 GMC Savana 2500, 3500, 4500 |
|
| Displacement | 363.92 CID (364 CID nominal), 5.96 liters (6.0 liters nominal) | |
| Assembly Plants | Romulus Powertrain Plant, Romulus, Michigan St. Catherines Engine Plant, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada General Motors Silao Plant, Silao, Mexico |
|
| Bore | 4.00 inches (101.60 mm) | |
| Stroke | 3.62 inches (91.95 mm) | |
| Bore/Stroke Ratio | 1.10 (oversquare) | |
| Compression Ratio | 9.7 : 1 | |
| Firing Order | 1 - 8 - 7 - 2 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 | |
| Engine Block Material | Cast iron | |
| Cylinder Head Material | Cast aluminum alloy | |
| Fuel System | Sequential multi-port fuel injection, returnless fuel system | |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | |
| Ignition | Individual coil-near-plug, self-cleaning iridium tip spark plugs | |
| Valvetrain | Overhead valve (OHV), 2 valves per cylinder Standard pushrod V-8 with hollow steel camshaft Variable valve timing (VVT) Hydraulic roller lifters |
|
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.0 qts w/ filter change | |
| Lube Oil Filter P/N | ACDelco PF48 (DuraGuard) ACDelco PF48E (Professional) ACDelco UPF48R (UltraGuard Gold) |
|
| Fuel | Regular unleaded gasoline, E85 Flex Fuel compatible | |
| Horsepower | 360 hp @ 5,400 rpm | |
| Torque | 380 hp @ 4,200 rpm | |
| Governed Speed | 6,000 rpm | |
| Emissions Equipment | Catalytic converter, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) | |
| Engine Dimensions | Length | 28.97 inches |
| Width | 22.64 inches | |
| Height | 31.81 inches | |
6.0L Vortec L96 Horsepower and Torque Curve
Source: gmpowertrain.com
Though the 6.0L Vortec may be comparatively lacking in overall horsepower and torque, it exhibits a relatively flat torque curve (although peak torque is produced unfavorably high in the powerband) and a steady, sharp climbing horsepower curve. Torque remains reasonable as the engine approaches its 6,000 rpm redline.
6.0L Vortec vs 6.6L Duramax
| Model Year | Vortec Horsepower & Torque | Duramax Horsepower & Torque | ||
| 2010 | 360 hp @ 5,400 rpm | 380 hp @ 4,200 rpm | 365 hp @ 3,100 rpm | 660 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm |
| 2011 - 2016 | 397 hp @ 3,000 rpm | 765 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | ||
| 2017 - 2019 | 445 hp @ 2,800 rpm | 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | ||
The 6.0L Vortec gasoline engine has been offered alongside the 6.6L Duramax diesel since the 2010 model year. While the Duramax displays far superior performance characteristics, the 6.0L Vortec is an economical choice for buyers who require a truck with a high GVWR but aren't able to justify the additional cost of the diesel platform and/or will not utilize the diesel to its full potential. After all, the cost of ownership can prove considerably higher with modern, emissions controlled diesel engines. For heavy towing needs, there remains no alternative to the Duramax's high torque rating and favorable fuel economy under rigorous conditions.