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What engine does my 2011 Silverado have?

Your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado likely has one of several engine options available for that model year. The most common engine choices for the 2011 Silverado include a 4.3-liter V6, a 5.3-liter V8, or a 6.2-liter V8.

Determining Your 2011 Silverado's Engine

To determine the exact engine in your 2011 Silverado, you can check the vehicle identification number (VIN) or look for an engine identification tag under the hood. The VIN, which is typically located on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb, will have a code that indicates the engine type. Alternatively, the engine identification tag, usually found on the engine block or intake manifold, will list the engine displacement and other details.

Common 2011 Silverado Engine Options

4.3-liter V6 engine: This was the base engine option for the 2011 Silverado. It produced 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

5.3-liter V8 engine: A popular choice, this engine produced 315 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque.

6.2-liter V8 engine: The top-of-the-line engine option, this 6.2-liter V8 generated 403 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque.

The engine size and performance specifications can vary depending on the specific trim level and configuration of your 2011 Silverado. Checking the VIN or engine identification tag is the best way to determine the exact engine in your vehicle.

What 5.3 engine is in a 2011 Silverado?

Engine for 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3 Flexfuel Gasoline V8 LMG 316HP.

How do I tell what motor is in my 2011 Chevy Silverado?

Identify Chevy LS Engines by VIN
Chevrolet's 3rd and 4th generation small block engines are generally known by their RPO code. You can determine the RPO code if you have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the original vehicle. Locate the 8th digit of the VIN. Consult the tables below to identify your engine.

What year 5.3 to stay away from Chevy?

You should avoid GM 5.3L engines from the 2007-2010 model years, particularly 2007 and 2008, due to common issues like excessive oil consumption from the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, and other problems like transmission and 4-wheel-drive issues. The 2014-2016 models are also problematic, with frequent issues related to the A/C, transmission, and steering.
Years to avoid

2007-2010: Early versions of the second-generation GMT900 platform are known for problems with the Active Fuel Management system, leading to excessive oil consumption.
2007: Besides AFM oil consumption, this year also saw engine problems and transmission issues.
2008: This model is frequently cited as one of the worst due to oil consumption and faulty Takata airbags, which posed a serious safety risk.
2014-2016: This range had frequent issues with A/C, transmissions, steering, and other electrical systems.

Years to consider

1999-2006: Generally considered reliable, with later models (2004-2006) being particularly solid.
2011-2013: These years within the GMT900 generation saw reliability improvements.
2018: This model year is often cited as being more reliable compared to other years in the K2XX generation.

How do I tell what engine is in my Silverado?

You can determine your Silverado's engine by checking the 8th digit of the VIN, which corresponds to an engine code, or by looking at the RPO code sticker located in the glove box or on the driver's side door jamb. If those aren't an option, you may be able to identify it by searching the engine block casting numbers found on the engine itself, often on the back passenger side, or by looking for emissions tags or stickers under the hood.

This video demonstrates how to find your engine size using the RPO code: 59sCoverman66YouTube · Mar 7, 2022
1. Check the VIN

The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) often indicates the engine type. You can find the VIN on your driver's side door jamb or dashboard.
Use a VIN decoder or a Chevrolet/GM VIN chart to translate the 8th digit into your specific engine (e.g., 'R' for a V8, 'K' for a V6).

2. Look at the RPO code sticker

Find the RPO (Regular Production Option) sticker, which is typically in the glove box, on the driver's side door jamb, or sometimes on the underside of the hood.
The sticker lists various codes; search for the specific engine code, which will often start with letters like 'L' for trucks (e.g., LMG or LY5 for a 5.3L engine).

This video shows where to find the RPO sticker and how to identify your engine code: 1m613 BuildsYouTube · Jan 15, 2020
3. Find the engine block casting number

Locate the engine block itself, usually towards the back on the driver's or passenger's side.
Look for a series of numbers cast into the metal, which may be covered in grime and require cleaning to see.
Enter the number into an online search engine to get details about the engine, such as its size and displacement.

This video demonstrates how to identify your engine block with casting numbers: 53sZanes GarageYouTube · Mar 19, 2020
4. Search under the hood

Some modern engines have a plastic engine cover that displays the engine size (e.g., "3.3L").
Look for an emissions "catalyst" sticker on the underside of the hood or on the air filter box. This sticker often lists the engine size in liters.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.