The L87 is a 6.2-liter, eight-cylinder engine from General Motors that’s used in a range of pickup trucks and SUVs. Featuring an OverHead Valve (OHV), or “push-rod” design in a “V” configuration, the L87 is part of GM’s Gen V Small Block engine architecture that’s known in trucks and SUVs as EcoTec3.
The L87 is part of the second-generation EcoTec3 engine family, and is the direct successor to the GM L86 engine. It was first launched in the all-new 2019 Silverado 1500 (fourth generation) and 2019 Sierra 1500 (fourth generation).
| Displacement: | 6.2L / 376 cu. in. |
| Aspiration: | Natural |
| Vehicles: | Chevy Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade |
| Introduced: | 2019 model year |
| Discontinued: | – |
| Predecessor: | L86/ Gen 3 Small Block |
| Successor: | – |
| Assembly: | Tonawanda, NY |
Overview
GM Authority discovered references to the motor in the 2019 Silverado order guide and 2019 Sierra order guide on April 21st, 2018.
The 6.2L with DFM — the largest and most powerful gas V-8 in the segment — is SAE-certified at 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm) and is paired with a Hydra-Matic 10-speed automatic transmission.
“The increased variability of Dynamic Fuel Management means the engine will operate more often with a reduced number of cylinders, which saves fuel across the board,” said Lee. “Better yet, the transitions are transparent, and because the system is torque-based, you’ve always got that satisfying feeling of power on demand that comes from Chevy’s Gen V Small Block V-8 engines.”
The engines also feature driver-selectable stop/start technology that helps save fuel in stop-and-go traffic. The 6.2-liter L87 was initially offered in LTZ and High Country models.
Notably, the 6.2-liter L87 earned recognition as one of Wards 10 Best Engines in 2018. For the competition, WardsAuto editors evaluated every all-new or significantly improved engine or electric propulsion system available in production vehicles in the U.S. Vehicles must have had a starting MSRP less than $64,000, with the editors scoring eligible vehicles on horsepower, torque, technology, observed fuel economy, relative competitiveness and noise characteristics.
Specifications
| Engine family: | EcoTec3 |
| GM RPO code: | L87 |
| Displacement: | 6.2-liters |
| Configuration & Cylinders: | V8 |
| Vehicle Engine Orientation: | Longitudinal |
| Aspiration: | atmospheric (naturally aspirated) |
| Compression ratio: | 11.5:1 |
| Valve configuration: | Overhead Valve (OHV) |
| Valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Assembly site: | GM Tonawanda plant, New York, USA |
| Valve lifters: | 2 |
| Firing order: | 1 – 8 – 7 – 2 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 |
| Bore x stroke: | 4.065 x 3.622-inches (103.25 x 92 mm) |
| Fuel system: | SIDI (Spark Ignited Direct Injection) |
| Fuel Type: | Premium Fuel |
| Maximum Engine Speed: | 6,000 RPM |
| Materials | |
| Block: | Cast Aluminum |
| Cylinder head: | Cast Aluminum |
| Main bearing caps: | Cast Nodular Iron |
| Crankshaft: | Forged Steel |
| Camshaft: | Billet Steel |
| Connecting rods: | Forged Powder Metal |
| Emissions Controls | |
| Auto Engine Stop/Start | |
| Catalytic Converter | |
| Three-Way Catalyst | |
| Positive Crankcase Ventilation | |
| Dynamic Fuel Management / Dynamic Skip Fire | |
Vehicle Applications
| Model Year | Make | Model | Transmission | Power (hp / kW @ RPM) | Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ RPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 and newer | Cadillac | Escalade | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQC) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2021 and newer | Chevrolet | Suburban | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQC) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2021 and newer | Chevrolet | Tahoe | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQC) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2019 and newer | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQB) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2019 and newer | GMC | Sierra 1500 | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQB) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2021 and newer | GMC | Yukon | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQC) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
| 2021 and newer | GMC | Yukon XL | GM 10-Speed Automatic (MQC) | 420 / 313 @ 5600 | 460 / 624 @ 4100 |
Related Engines
The 6.2L L87 is part of the GM EcoTec3 Engine Family, and is a bigger and more powerful version of the 5.3L L84.
To elaborate, the L87 is an upgraded version of the 6.2L V8 L86 that it succeeds, while the L84 is an upgrade of the 5.3L V8 L83 that it succeeds. Both the L86 and L83 were used in the GM K2 platform trucks and SUVs, while the L87 and L84 are used in the GM T1 platform trucks and SUVs that succeed vehicles on the K2 platform.
The L87, L84, L86 and L83 engines are all part of the GM EcoTec3 engine family.
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