GM / Chevy LM7 Vortec 5300

GM / Chevy LM7 (Vortec 5300)The GM / Chevy LM7 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 engine was manufactured in St. Catharines, Ontario and Romulus, Michigan from 1999 to 2007.

The GM LM7 (Vortec 5300) features V8 90° cast-iron 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 LM7 has a sequential multi-port fuel injection system and 78.0 mm (3.07 in) throttle body. The engine used a “Coil-Near-Plugs” ignition system.

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 273 PS (201 kW; 270 HP) to 299 PS (220 kW; 295 HP). The engine has a torque rating between 427 N·m (43.5 kg·m, 314.7 ft·lb) and 454 N·m (46.3 kg·m; 335.0 ft·lb).

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine codeGM / Chevy LM7 (Vortec 5300)
LayoutFour stroke, V8
Fuel typeGasoline (petrol)
Production1999-2007
Displacement5.3 L, (325 cu in)
Fuel systemSequential multi-port fuel injection
Power adderNone
Power output 273 PS (201 kW; 270 HP)
290 PS (213 kW; 285 HP)
299 PS (220 kW; 295 HP)
Torque output 427 N·m (43.5 kg·m, 314.7 ft·lb)
441 N·m (45.0 kg·m, 325.0 ft·lb)
454 N·m (46.3 kg·m; 335.0 ft·lb)
Firing order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Dimensions (L x W x H):
Weight

Cylinder block

The GM LM7 Vortec has a cast-iron 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 compression ratio rating is 9.5:1. The GM LM7 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 alloyCast-iron
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)
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 LM7 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 (1.8898 in) the exhaust valve diameter is 39.4 mm (1.5512 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 115.5&deg for 1999 modes and 114° for 2000-2007 engine models.

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
Cadillac Escalade 2WD2002–2005
Chevrolet Avalanche2002–2006
Chevrolet Express2003–2007
GMC Savana2003–2007
Chevrolet Silverado 15001999–2007
GMC Sierra 15001999–2007
Chevrolet Suburban2000–2006
GMC Yukon XL 15002000–2006
Chevrolet Tahoe2000–2006
GMC Yukon2000–2006
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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2 Comments

  1. i am looking for fuel pressure spec for 2004 chev tahoe 5.3 letter
    t. i also need a fuel pump for it to go into a 1972 chevelle malibu used three delpi pumps last week 2 of them worked without strainer in a bucket but with strainer they wont pump and last one wouldn’t work period they run but wont pump. looking for good pump only for $200.00 – $250.00

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