Looking for a full‑strength, rugged V8 heart for your Chevy/GMC truck or LS swap project? This CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE is the classic workhorse engine that’s built to last. Known for topping 300,000 miles with minimal issues and routinely outliving the rest of the vehicle, the CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE delivers real torque, reliability, and upgrade potential . Elegant in its simplicity, available in both long‑block crate versions and full dressed options with accessories and harnesses.
Engine Specification Sheet CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE
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Engine family: GM LS‑series Gen‑III Vortec V8
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VIN code: “U” denotes LQ4 version
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Displacement: 6.0 L (366 ci)
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Block: Cast‑iron truck block (six‑bolt mains), internally balanced
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Heads: Aluminum cylinder heads (early production cast‑iron heads on ’99–2000 units)
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Crank & rods: OEM steel crank, forged rods
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Pistons: Hypereutectic (dished top), truck compression ratio
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Cam & valvetrain: Hydraulic roller cam, 1.7:1 rocker arms, timing chain drive
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Power output: ~300–325 hp and ~360–380 ft‑lb torque in most stock states; ATK high‑output long‑block builds rated ~460 hp
What’s Included
You can offer this engine in one of two configurations, depending on listing:
Option A: Long‑Block Only
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Fully assembled bottom and short block with oil pan, timing set, rods, pistons, crankshaft
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Aluminum heads, valve covers, timing cover
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No accessory drive, fuel system, wiring harness, or ECU included
Option B: P/B/A – “Plug & Play” Setup
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Everything in Option A, plus accessory drive components, water pump, intake manifold, throttle body, sensors, harness, and ECU
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Ready to bolt into most Silverado HD trucks (2001–07) or popular LS swap chassis
Construction & Quality (Applicable to remanufactured/long‑block builds) CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE
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Each unit is fully disassembled and cleaned or tanked, with full inspection for cracks or casting flaws
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Machining includes deck surfacing, bore honing or align honing of main bores
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All moving parts replaced: bearings, rings, lifters, gasket set, timing chain/tensioners, oil pump, freeze plugs, etc.
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Dynamically tested under pressure and spin‑tested for compression and durability
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Comes with a multi‑year warranty—commonly 3‑year/36,000 mile base, upgradeable to 5‑year/60k depending on supplier (see ATK, Atlas offerings)
Common Known Issues & Buyer Confidence Section
Reliability
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The CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE is widely respected: many owners report reliable performance well beyond 300,000 miles, sometimes over 400,000 km, often in heavy‑duty use
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Reddit users frequently describe these as “bulletproof,” even under demanding workloads
Known issues to consider:
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Water pump leaks or failure – common symptom: coolant leaking from the front; replacement is straightforward
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Exhaust manifold bolts may break – especially on driver side; extraction requires manifold removal or machine‑shop work
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Knock sensors – occasionally fail, located under intake (requires intake removal); replacing sensors and gaskets is recommended
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Throttle position sensor (TPS) failures cause drivability issues or idle roughness without necessarily tripping check engine light
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Low oil pressure / ticking noise on warm idle – often caused by oil pickup tube O‑ring failure, especially on high‑mileage units; replacement solves pressure drop
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Active Fuel Management (AFM) problems – not present on most truck CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE (AFM was more typical of half‑ton/LY6 variants); if your engine has AFM, recommendation is to delete for longevity
Why This Engine Stands Out CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE
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Versatile platform: swaps into half‑ton or HD Chevy/GMC trucks (2001–07), SUVs like Suburban/Yukon/H2, or popular swap platforms (Corvette, Camaro, custom builds)
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Upgrade-ready: easy to upgrade cam, heads, intake, headers—foundational LQ4 block supports much higher horsepower with minimal modification
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Plug‑and‑play availability: when ordering dressed units with harness, installation is weekend‑ready for experienced DIY or pro garages
Price & Value Breakdown
Use comparative pricing to justify listing price:
Configuration | Typical Market Price* | Notes |
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Long‑block CRATE (remanufactured, balanced) | $3,400–3,900 USD | OEM spec, tested build, warranty included |
Dealer or swap‑ready dressed unit with harness/ECU | $4,000–4,500+ | Includes everything needed to drop in and go | | |
Used complete engine with harness (high‑mileage) | $1,000–1,500 | Often sold privately (e.g. Shoppok, Kijiji listings) |
> Prices over vary by mileage, accessories included, warranty, shipping availability and seller location.
Offer your asking price along similar lines. For example:
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$1,400 USD for a complete used engine with harness (with mileage noted)
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$3,800 USD for a fully assembled reman long-block
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Bundle deals if buyer trades a core or orders machine work upgrades
Condition & Mileage
(Adjust these details per actual engine):
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Model year: 2004 Silverado 2500HD LQ4 (VIN U)
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Mileage: ~170,000 miles (~274,000 km), mostly highway
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Condition: Runs strong, recently serviced (brakes/alternator/water pump)
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Known issues addressed: Exhaust manifold bolts replaced, pick‑up O‑ring refreshed, TPS cleaned
Installation Notes & Compatibility CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE
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Compatible with 2001–2007 Chevy Silverado HD, Sierra HD, Suburban/Yukon XL/Caddy Escalade, H2 models
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If fitted with programmable ECU, may require tuning via HPTuners or similar if engine swapped to another chassis
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Note: Non‑AFM block is preferred for reliability; if yours has AFM (less common in HD 2500/3500), AFM delete recommended
Maintenance Recommendations
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Use SAE 5W‑30 or 10W‑30 engine oil, capacity approx 6 quarts (with filter) Replace oil every 5,000–7,500 miles, more often under towing/off‑road conditions
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Use quality oil filter (e.g. AC Delco PF46 or equivalent)
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Be ready to replace water pump, knock sensors, and IPT pickup O‑ring as preventative maintenance
Buyer Assurance & Contact Info
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Inspection welcome: Local pickup or shipping with crate option available
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Warranty: Offered on reman long‑block builds (typically 1–3 years or 36k miles; upgrade options available)
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Core trade‑in accepted (if you have a working block), to reduce cost or shipping surcharge
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Clean title documentation for truck of origin available
Summary
This CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE is a proven, dependable, upgrade-ready V8 platform—whether you’re rebuilding an HD truck, swapping into custom chassis, or building a high-performance machine. With solid power, strong parts support, and a stellar reputation for longevity, it’s an excellent investment engine.
Condition: Carefully maintained, recently serviced, O-ring pickup fluid checked, manifold bolts addressed, etc.
Configurations: Choose between a turn-key long‑block or plug‑and‑play full dressed setup
Price: Reflects quality, reliability, and value compared to new crate engines
Assurances: Tested build, trustworthy documentation, support offered—plus warranty on reman builds
Ready to roll
Whether you’re hauling heavy loads, doing trail runs, or building your next LS swap project, this CHEVY SILVERADO 6.0 LQ4 ENGINE is a rugged powerhouse waiting under your hood.