Key Takeaways
- LS-family (1999-2013) and LT-family (2014+) are two separate interchange groups
- Within each family, 5.3L and 6.2L share the same block architecture
- Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, Sierra all share Silverado engines
- Used 5.3L: $600-$1,500 / Used 6.2L: $1,000-$2,000 from salvage yards
Silverado Engine Interchange Chart
| Engine | Family | Silverado Years | Also Found In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L LM7/LM4 | Gen III LS | 1999-2006 | Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Yukon, Trailblazer | Iron block. Massive availability |
| 5.3L LH6/LC9 | Gen IV LS | 2007-2013 | Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Yukon, Avalanche | Aluminum block. AFM (DOD) added |
| 5.3L L83/L84 | Gen V LT | 2014-2019/2019+ | Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Yukon | Direct injection. Not LS-compatible |
| 6.2L L92/LS3 | Gen IV LS | 2007-2013 | Escalade, Denali, Camaro SS | Aluminum block. High output |
| 6.2L L86/L87 | Gen V LT | 2014-2019/2019+ | Escalade, Denali, Tahoe RST | Direct injection. 420hp |
| 4.8L LR4/LY2 | Gen III/IV LS | 1999-2013 | Sierra, Express, Savana | Same block as 5.3L, smaller bore |
| 6.0L LQ4/LQ9/LY6 | Gen III/IV LS | 1999-2009 | Sierra 2500, Express, Savana | HD truck engine. Iron block. |
The GM LS/LT Interchange Advantage
GM produced over 100 million LS and LT engines across trucks, SUVs, cars, and vans. This means:
- Salvage yards are flooded with GM V8 donor vehicles
- Prices stay low due to extreme supply
- Parts availability (heads, intakes, cams) is unmatched
- A 5.3L from a Tahoe costs the same as one from a Silverado
Cross-Platform Donor Pool
| Engine | All Compatible Donors | Est. Salvage Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3L (Gen III/IV) | Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Avalanche, Trailblazer, Envoy | Extremely High |
| 5.3L (Gen V) | Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon | High (growing) |
| 6.2L (Gen IV) | Escalade, Denali, Silverado, Camaro SS | Moderate |
| 6.2L (Gen V) | Escalade, Denali, Tahoe RST, Silverado | Moderate (growing) |
For the broader interchange reference, see our vehicle interchange guide. For LS swap projects, check out our LS swap compatibility guide. Search for GM V8 engines at salvage yards near you.