The Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE (376 ci) V‑8 engine introduced in the 2019 model year as part of General Motors’ Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE family. It features direct injection (SIDI), variable valve timing (VVT), overhead valve (push‑rod) design, and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) that can activate or deactivate any combination of cylinders depending on load
Key figures:
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420 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 460 lb‑ft @ 4,100 rpm
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Compression ratio: 11.5:1
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Materials: aluminum block & heads, forged internals
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Used in various GM trucks and SUVs like Chevy Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Yukon; Cadillac Escalade from 2021 onward
Why Choose an Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE?
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Factory match: Ideal for late‑model (2021+) Suburbans that originally came with the L87.
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High output relative to the 5.3 L L84, while paired with GM’s 10‑speed automatic.
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Critical fitment: It aligns with OEM electronics and supports DFM and stop/start systems.
Where to Buy One — New or Remanufactured Crate Engines
Michigan Motorz – New GM Crate Engine
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Part number: 1382563
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Price: Listed lower than usual, e.g. $7,249 (was $7,999)—includes engine block, heads, timing components, oil pan, balancer, flywheel, valve covers, etc.
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Core charge: $2,000 refundable (within continental USA)
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Warranty: 2‑year limited
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Shipping: Freight‑shipped in custom engine crate; oil/fluid drained; return shipping of core covered
Michigan Motorz – Remanufactured Engine
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Rebuilt to the equivalent of new; fully disassembled, cleaned, worn parts replaced.
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Priced ~US $5,979.00 on eBay listing (as of mid‑2024). Seller offers two‑year warranty
International Sellers
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Malex Motorsports (Australia) lists a brand‑new L87 (SKU 12740076) at AU $9,999 (~US $6,700), shipping from Sydney .
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Pace Performance (USA) shows SKU 12740076 for US $2,546.60—but appears to omit core or warranty details; may reflect low‑cost bare assembly .
Pricing Comparison & Total Cost
Vendor | Condition | Price (USD) | Core Charge | Warranty | Notes |
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Michigan Motorz (New) | Brand new new GM | ~$7,249 | $2,000 refundable | 2‑yr limited | Freight shipped; built by GM |
Michigan Motorz (Remanufactured) | Rebuilt | ~$5,979 | likely ~2k core | 2‑yr limited | Lower price, used but remanufactured |
Pace Performance (bare) | New assembly | ~$2,546 | Unknown | Not specified | Probably no core credit or warranty |
Malex Motorsports (Australia) | New GM | ~US $6,700 | Unknown | Not stated | International shipping from AUS |
Important: GM may charge a $7,000 core deposit on engine replacements through dealerships; private sellers/brokers typically offer lower amounts (~$2,000) for return credits.
Reliability & Known Issues
While the Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE is powerful, users on forums and Reddit highlight frequent main bearing and lifter failures, especially in 2020–2023 vehicles. Many report catastrophic failures at low mileage (sometimes under 20,000 mi) .
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One user in a 2021 Suburban Z71 had to replace the engine four times by ~86,000 mi
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A class‑action investigation by NHTSA has listed over a thousand complaints about sudden engine failures and GM’s backorder issues on replacement engines
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Numerous stories report wait times between 4–8 months for replacement engines from GM dealers; the pipeline is severely backlogged
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Some suggest installing an AFM delete kit, cam and lifter swap, and re-tune to prevent cylinder deactivation system failures (~ US $6K–9K)
What to Expect with a Purchase
A. Condition → New vs Reman vs Used
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New Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE: Highest reliability, full warranty, but highest net cost (with core deposit).
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Remanufactured engines: Lower cost, but some risk in quality or previous wear; still come with warranty.
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Used/low‑mile engines (eBay): Cheapest, but zero warranty and unknown history. Example listings with ~42,000 mi go for ~$6,700
B. Shipping & Core Return
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Freight shipping is standard. Michigan Motorz offers free return freight in USA for core.
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Buying internationally adds customs duties and more shipping complexity.
C. Installation & Warranty
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Internal install cost via dealer can exceed US $10K–18K (labor + parts), per Reddit reports .
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If done by your own mechanic, ensure warranty is transferable and documented.
D. Ongoing Reliability
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Even with a new crate unit, failure risk remains. Best preventive steps include staying alert to oil knock, lifter noise, and using premium gasoline.
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Some owners report failures occurring under 10,000 miles, and GM rarely extends coverage beyond original warranty unless lemons laws apply
Is the Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE Still Worth Buying Today?
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Yes, if you want OEM performance, exact OEM fit, and plan to keep the Suburban or other GM vehicle long‑term.
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Be cautious, though: due to high failure rates and backlog of replacements, a failure—even early in life—means prolonged downtime.
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Many owners now avoid 6.2L until GM re-engineers problematic parts or you opt to mechanically delete DFM.
Detailed Buyer’s Checklist of Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE
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Verify your application: Ensure your Suburban year/model originally came with L87 (e.g. 2021+ high trims).
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Choose condition: Decide new, remanufactured, or used based on budget/risk appetite.
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Confirm warranty and core terms.
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Request recent shipping and stock information: due to backorder issues reported as of early 2025, stock may be limited
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Check seller reputation and return policy.
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Factor install costs: Dealer labor could run US $10K+, depending on area and warranty status
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Consider upgrades: Aftermarket cam + lifter deletes to disable DFM may reduce risk but also reduce fuel efficiency.
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Ask about core charge: Are they honoring refundable core, or is it rolled into price?
Summary Recommendation
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Best Balance: A new GM crate Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE from Michigan Motorz (~US $7,200 + core) gives OEM parts with warranty and return core service. Shipping within USA is straightforward.
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Budget Option: The remanufactured version (~US $6,000) is cheaper but carries inherent reman risk.
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Avoid used engines unless deeply discounted and verified.
Sample Purchase Story (Hypothetical)
You find a 2021 Suburban owner listing a remanufactured Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE on eBay for US $5,979. You confirm it includes full rotating assembly and comes with Michigan Motorz’s standard 2‑yr warranty. You’re told the core charge is $2,000 refundable if shipped back. Total purchase cost comes to ~$8,000 with freight from Michigan to your location.
Installation by your trusted mechanic costs another $3,000. You drive it, but after about 20,000 mi, lifter failure occurs. You recall manufacturer liability; you file warranty claim with Michigan Motorz. They arrange return of the engine (you pay return shipping but core refund covers most). You receive another rebuilt engine. Still inconvenient, but out-of-pocket cost minimized.
Important Caveats Of Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE
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Timeline expectations: Even new engines may face delayed shipping if GM supply chain is impacted. Backorder delays have been reported between 4–8 months Recurring failure risk: Reddit engineers and users consistently report repeated failures—even on replacements.
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Legal recourse: Some owners are pursuing lemon‑law claims or class‑action due to systemic failures; documenting your experience may help if yours fails .
Conclusion
If you’re hunting for a replacement Chevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE, your top-tier option is a new GM crate engine (e.g. Michigan Motorz part 1382563) with warranty and core exchange. A remanufactured engine offers lower cost but possibly lower lifespan. Used engines are cheapest but highest risk.
Unfortunately, no engine choice solves the known reliability concerns tied to theChevy Suburban L87 6.2l V8 ENGINE’s main bearings and lifter systems. If you choose to move forward, budgeting carefully—both for upfront cost and installation, and for the possibility of failure down the road—is essential.