Chevrolet L20 Specifications
| Engine Model: Chevrolet L20 |
| Engine Type: 4-cycle 8-cylinder OHV 16-valve liquid-cooled gasoline |
| Total Displacement: 293 cu.in (4.81 L) |
| Rated Engine Power: 285-302 Hp (213-225 kW) at 5400 rpm |
| Fuel System Type: Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
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The Chevrolet L20, a 4.8-liter Vortec V8, was produced
by General Motors from 2010 through 2017 as the entry-level powerplant in the
Gen IV small-block engine family. It served predominantly in Chevrolet and GMC
full-size trucks, vans, and SUVs, valued for its functional simplicity. Its most
defining characteristic is the absence of the Active Fuel Management (AFM)
system, a feature present on many of its larger-displacement siblings.
This omission has resulted in a reputation for robust durability, as it
eliminates the primary failure point - hydraulic lifter collapse - that affects
other Gen IV engines. The L20 utilized advanced engine management features of
its era, including variable valve timing and a 58X crankshaft position encoder,
blending modern efficiency with the proven foundation of the small-block
architecture.
Engine Type: 90-degree Gen IV V8, overhead valve (OHV) design.
Displacement: 4.8 L; 4,807 cc (293 cu.in).
Bore: 96.01 mm (3.780 in).
Stroke: 83.00 mm (3.267 in).
Compression Ratio: 8.8:1.
Power Output: 285-302 hp (213-225 kW) @ 5,400 rpm, varying by vehicle
application and GVW rating.
Torque Output: 295-305 lb-ft (400-414 Nm) @ 4,600 rpm.
Maximum Engine Speed: 6,000 rpm.
Firing Order: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.
Material: Cast iron.
Configuration: Deep-skirt design with cross-bolted main bearing caps for
increased structural rigidity.
Bore Spacing: 111.76 mm (4.400 in).
Main Bearings: 5-bolt main bearing caps; N2, N3, and N4 are cross-bolted.
Crankshaft: Cast nodular iron with undercut and rolled fillets.
Connecting Rods: Powdered metal I-beam design.
Pistons: Hypereutectic cast aluminum alloy, flat-top design with valve reliefs.
Piston Pins: Full-floating, retained by pin retainers.
Camshaft: Hydraulic roller camshaft; single cam-in-block location.
Material: Cast aluminum. Casting Numbers: Primarily 799
and 243; these feature “cathedral” port design for optimized flow velocity.
Valvetrain: OHV with 2 valves per cylinder (16 total); actuated by hydraulic
roller lifters, pushrods, and roller rocker arms.
Valve Arrangement: Intake and exhaust valves arranged in a staggered pattern.
Intake Valve Diameter: 50.80 mm (2.000 in).
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 38.10 mm (1.500 in).
Rocker Arm Ratio: 1.7:1.
Variable Valve Timing (VVT): Camshaft phaser located on the front of the
camshaft, adjustable up to 60 deg of camshaft angle. Combustion Chamber: 63.0 cc
(3.84 cu.in) nominal volume.
Type: Sequential multi-port fuel injection. Fuel Rail:
Returnless-style system with a fuel pressure regulator integrated into the fuel
pump module. Injectors: Top-feed, high-impedance injectors.
Flex-Fuel Capability: Equipped with sensors and programming for operation on
gasoline, E85 ethanol, or any mixture thereof; fuel composition sensor detects
ethanol percentage.
Fuel Pressure: 400-460 kPa (58-67 psi) at the fuel rail under operating
conditions.
Throttle Body: Electronically controlled (drive-by-wire) with a 78.0 mm (3.07
in) bore diameter.
Type: Full-pressure, positive displacement gear-type
oil pump. Oil Pump: Variable displacement design for reduced parasitic loss;
mounted to the front of the crankshaft.
Oil Capacity (with filter): 5.7 L (6.0 qt).
Oil Pressure: 276-414 kPa (40-60 psi) at operating speed.
Recommended Oil Viscosity: SAE 5W-30.
Oil Pan: Stamped steel; configurations vary between truck and van applications
with front or rear sump. Oil Filter: Cartridge-style or spin-on, depending on
chassis application; location on the driver’s side of the engine block.
Type: Pressurized, liquid-cooled with centrifugal water
pump.
Water Pump: Belt-driven with a cast aluminum housing.
Thermostat: Wax-pellet type, located in the water pump inlet housing.
Thermostat Opening Temperature: 90°C (194°F).
Coolant Capacity: 14.5 L (15.3 qt) for a complete system with standard radiator;
varies with chassis and heater core configuration. Coolant Type: Dex-Cool
(organic acid technology) extended-life antifreeze. System Pressure Cap: 110 kPa
(15 psi) nominal.
Ignition System: Coil-near-plug (CNP) individual
ignition coils for each cylinder; triggered by a 58X crankshaft position sensor
and 1X camshaft position sensor. Crankshaft Position Sensor: 58-tox (58X)
reluctor wheel mounted on the crankshaft, providing 58 pulses per revolution for
precise timing control. Camshaft Position Sensor: Single-tooth (1X) reluctor
wheel integrated with the camshaft phaser. Starter: Permanent magnet
gear-reduction starter, mounted on the passenger side of the engine block.
Alternator: Internally regulated, output rating varies from 140 to 220 amperes
depending on vehicle specification. Engine Management: GM E38 or E78 Engine
Control Module (ECM) with CAN bus communication. Emissions: Evaporative emission
control system with purge solenoid; positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system
integrated into valve covers. Exhaust Manifolds: Cast iron, log-style with
provisions for oxygen sensors upstream and downstream of the catalytic
converters.
Engine Weight (dry): 209.0 kg (460 lb)
Overall Length: 737.0 mm (29.0 in)
Overall Width: 711.0 mm (28.0 in)
Overall Height: 673.0 mm (26.5 in)
Spark Plugs: Iridium-tipped; gap pre-set to 1.02 mm
(0.040 in); replacement interval 160,000 km (100,000 mi). Engine Oil Capacity
(with filter): 5.7 L (6.0 qt). Engine Oil Change Interval: 8,000-12,000 km
(5,000-7,500 mi) based on Oil Life Monitoring System.
Coolant Capacity: Varies by chassis; standard truck system approximately 14.5 L
(15.3 qt). Coolant Change Interval: 240,000 km (150,000 mi) or 5 years. Air
Filter: Dry paper element; replacement interval per vehicle maintenance
schedule. Drive Belt: Single serpentine belt with automatic tensioner;
inspection interval 40,000 km (24,000 mi).
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) plus 70 deg
of rotation
Main Bearing Cap Bolts (M12): 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) plus 80 deg of rotation
Cylinder Head Bolts (M11): 30 Nm (22 lb-ft) plus 90 deg
Crankshaft Balancer Bolt: 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) plus 140 deg
Camshaft Sprocket Bolt: 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) plus 50 deg
Intake Manifold Bolts: 10 Nm (89 lb-in) plus 90 deg
Valve Rocker Arm Bolts: 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) plus 30 deg
Exhaust Manifold Bolts: 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) plus 90 deg
Spark Plugs: 15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
Oil Pan Bolts (M8): 25 Nm (18 lb-ft) for through-bolts
Oil Pan Bolts (M8): 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) for blind bolts
Water Pump Bolts: 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) for M6; 30 Nm (22 lb-ft) for M8
The L20 engine was
factory-installed in the following models:
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 2010-2013 model years; available in 2WD and 4WD
configurations.
Chevrolet Express: 2010-2017 model years; installed in 2500 and 3500 series
vans.
GMC Sierra 1500: 2010-2013 model years.
GMC Savana: 2010-2017 model years; installed in 2500 and 3500 series vans.
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