GM Gen 5 engines were first introduced in 2014 in Corvettes and GM trucks and 2016 in Camaros. This engine series is becoming popular for engine swappers because of its direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, and allows for high horsepower potential while maintaining good fuel efficiency. It's a great option for those looking to swap a peppy motor into a classic car or truck or any vehicle you're looking to provide a performance boost. Not to mention it's readily available and has improving after-market support.
The Two Pain Points for Gen 5 LT Swaps
However, one thing that's become a pain point for some hotrodders is the lack of a hydraulic power steering pump (GM has switched to electric power steering assist) and the AC compressors are variable displacement and aren’t recommended for after-market AC systems.
Kwik Performance has some solutions to those problems. Let’s talk about Gen V truck engines first since those are the most plentiful in salvage yards.
Gen 5 LT Truck Engines: L83/86 (2014-19) and L84/87 (2020+)
There are two series: The L83/86 running from 2014 through 2019 and the L84/87 running from 2020 on. The first series is identified by the water pump pulley being offset to the driver’s side of the engine while the second series places the pulley in the center of the engine.
Here at Kwik Performance, our design philosophy is to use as many of the original front drive components as possible. So that meant the space available to add a hydraulic power steering pump and after-market AC compressor ended up being on the passenger’s side for the L83/86 and on the driver’s side for the L84/87.
In an ideal world, we would place the power steering pump on the driver’s side and the AC compressor on the passenger’s side like we did for the Chevy LS engine series. But, with the Gen V LT brackets we had to compromise. The work-around is to have longer power steering hoses for the L83/86 and longer AC hoses for the L84/87.
For Gen 5 LT truck engines from 2014-19 check out our Kwik part number K10702 . And if you’re using a 2020 and later truck engine, look for the K10581 kit.
Gen 5 LT Camaro Engines: 2016 and Later
Now, let’s talk about the 2016 and later Camaro Gen 5 engines.
We do have a bracket system that allows for you to add a hydraulic power steering pump and a Sanden AC compressor just outside the driver's side cylinder head. That’s the good news.
We recently re-designed our L83/86 bracket with an additional idler pulley that moves the belt path low enough to clear the lower throttle body of the Camaro intake. See this page of our website for more information: https://www.kwikperf.com/collections/lt-gen-5/products/lt-truck-14-19-ac-alt-ps-bracket-k10702
Frequently Asked Questions
What years are considered Gen 5 LT engines?
GM Gen 5 LT engines were first introduced in 2014 in Corvettes and GM trucks and in 2016 in Camaros. They are still in production today.
How do I tell the difference between an L83/86 and an L84/87 truck engine?
Look at the water pump pulley. On the L83/86 (2014-19), the pulley is offset to the driver's side of the engine. On the L84/87 (2020 and later), the pulley is centered on the engine.
Why can't I use the factory Gen 5 AC compressor in my swap?
The factory Gen 5 AC compressors are variable displacement units designed for the OEM system. They are not recommended for aftermarket AC systems, which is why a Sanden compressor is the preferred solution for swap builds.
Does the Gen 5 LT engine have a hydraulic power steering pump?
No. GM switched to electric power steering assist on Gen 5 LT engines, so there is no hydraulic pump from the factory. Kwik Performance bracket kits add a Type 2 hydraulic power steering pump for builders who need it.
Which Kwik Performance bracket kit do I need for my Gen 5 truck engine?
For 2014-19 L83/86 truck engines, use K10702. For 2020 and later L84/87 truck engines, use K10581.
Give us a call if you’d like more details about how to assemble this system. 417-955-1467 or info@kwikperf.com