GM / Chevy LM4 Vortec 5300

GM / Chevy LM4 (Vortec 5300)The GM / Chevy LM4 is a 5.3 l (325 cu.in.) natural aspirated V8 90° four-stroke gasoline engine from a Generation III small block V8 truck engine series. The LM4 engine is an aluminum block version of the LM7 and it was produced from 2003 to 2005.

The GM LM4 Vortec 5300 features a V8 90° aluminum cylinder block with a five-bearings crankshaft, two aluminum heads, a single one-piece cast camshaft, and two valves per cylinder (16 in total). The LM4 has a sequential multi-port fuel injection system and a 78.0 mm electronic throttle body. The engine used a “Coil-Near-Plugs” ignition system with a composite distributor, low-resistance spark plug wires, and platinum-tipped spark plugs.

The compression ratio rating is 9.5:1. Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 96.0 mm (3.78 in) and 92.0 mm (3.62 in), respectively. The engine produced from 294 PS (216 kW; 290 HP) at 5,200 rpm to 304 PS (224 kW; 300 HP) at 5,200 rpm. The LM4 Vortec 5.3 engine has a torque rating between 441 N·m (45.0 kg·m, 325 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm and 454 N·m (46.3 kg·m, 335 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm.

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine codeGM / Chevy LM4 Vortec 5300
LayoutFour stroke, V8
Fuel typeGasoline (petrol)
Production2002-2005
Displacement5.3 L, (325 cu in)
Fuel systemSequential multi-port fuel injection
Power adderNone
Power output 294 PS (216 kW; 290 HP) at 5,200 rpm
304 PS (224 kW; 300 HP) at 5,200 rpm
Torque output 441 N·m (45.0 kg·m, 325 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm
454 N·m (46.3 kg·m, 335 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm
Firing order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Dimensions (L x W x H):
Weight

Cylinder block

The GM LM4 Vortec has an aluminum cylinder block with a five-bearings crankshaft supported system. The crankshaft journal diameter is 65.0 mm (2.55 in), the crankpin diameter is 53.3 mm (2.09 in).

The cylinder bore is 96.0 mm (3.78 in), piston stroke is 92.0 mm (3.62 in) and the compression ratio rating is 9.5:1. The GM LM4 motor has two compression and one oil control rings. The connecting rod’s length is 154.89 mm (6.098 in).

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloyAluminum
Compression ratio:9.5:1
Cylinder bore:96.0 mm (3.78 in)
Piston stroke:92.0 mm (3.62 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):2 / 1
Number of main bearings:5
Cylinder inner diameter (standard):96.000-96.018 mm (3.7795-3.7802 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard):96.000 mm (3.7795 in)
Piston pin outer diameter: 23.997-24.000 mm (0.9448-0.9449 in) (2003-2004)
23.950-23.957 mm (0.9429-0.9431 in) (2005)
Piston ring side clearance:Top0.045-0.080 mm (0.0018-0.0031 in)
Second0.040-0.078 mm (0.0016-0.0031 in)
Oil0.012-0.200 mm (0.0005-0.0079 in)
Piston ring end gap:Top0.23-0.44 mm (0.0091-0.0173 in)
Second0.44-0.70 mm (0.0173-0.0276 in)
Oil0.18-0.75 mm (0.0071-0.0295 in)
Connecting rod small end diameter24.000 mm (0.9449 in)
Connecting rod big end diameter:56.505-56.525 mm (2.2246-2.2254 in)
Connecting rod center distance:159.38 mm (6.275 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter:64.993-65.007 mm (2.5588-2.5593 in)
Crankpin diameter:53.318-53.338 mm (2.0991-2.0999 in)
Crankshaft center distance:46 mm (1.81 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder heads are made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. It LM4 Vortec 5.3 uses 862 or 706 cylinder heads. The camshaft is driven by a single chain. The timing chain transmits the rotational movement from the crankshaft to the camshafts. Valves are operated via pedestal mounting rocker arms.

The intake valve diameter is 48.0 mm (1.89 in) the exhaust valve diameter is 39.4 mm (1.55 in), respectively. The intake duration is 190°, and the intake valve lift is 11.60 mm (0.457 in), the exhaust duration is 191°, the exhaust valve lift is 11.84 mm (0.466 in). The lobe separation angle is 114°.

Cylinder head
Block head alloyAluminium
Valve Arrangement:OHV, chain drive
Cylinder head height:120.2 mm (4.7323 in)
Valves:16 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake valve timing:190°
Exhaust valve timing:191°
Valve head diameter:INTAKE48.0 mm (1.8898 in)
EXHAUST39.4 mm (1.5512 in)
Valve length:INTAKE
EXHAUST
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE7.955-7.976 mm (0.3132-0.314 in)
EXHAUST7.955-7.976 mm (0.3132-0.314 in)
Valve spring free length:INTAKE52.9 mm (2.0827 in)
EXHAUST52.9 mm (2.0827 in)
Camshaft lobe lift:INTAKE6.96 mm (0.274 in)
EXHAUST6.82 mm (0.2685 in)
Camshaft journal diameter:54.99-55.04 mm (2.165-2.1669 in)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • Step 1: 30 Nm (3.06 kg·m; 22.14 ft·lb)
  • Step 2: Turn all bolts: 90°
  • Step 3: Turn all bolts excluding the medium length bolts at the front and rear of each head: 90°
  • Step 4: Turn all medium length bolts at the front and rear of each head: 50deg;

Maintenance data

Compression pressure
Standard12.5 kg/m2 / 300 rpm
Minimun7.0 kg/m2 / 300 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders1.0 kg/m2 (15 psi) / 300 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles)up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil 5W-30, 10W-30
Oil type API
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity)5.7 L (6.02 US. qt, 5.02 Imp. qt.)
Oil change interval, km (miles)12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Oil Pressure 41 kPa at 1,000 rpm
124 kPa at 2,000 rpm
165 kPa at 4,000 rpm
Ignition system
Spark plugAC Delco: 41-985 Iridium
Spark plug gap1.01 mm (0.0398 in)

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT2003–2005
Isuzu Ascender2003–2004
GMC Envoy XL2003-2004
Chevrolet SSR2003–2004
Buick Rainier2004
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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