Over the decades, Chevrolet has powered its Silverado trucks with different gasoline and diesel engines to cater to its different pickup buyers. What are these engines? Here's what our research uncovered.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500's engines for the past two generations are as follows:
- 4.3-liter LV3 GM EcoTec3 V6
- 5.3-liter L83 GM EcoTec3 V8
- 5.3-liter L84 GM Ecotec3 V8 with eAssist
- 6.2-liter L86 GM Ecotec3 V8
- 2.7-liter L3B Turbocharged I4
- 2.7-liter L3B Turbocharged High-Output I4
- 5.3-liter L82 GM Ecotec3 V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM)
- 6.2-liter L87 GM Ecotec3 V8 with DFM
- 3.0-liter LM2 Duramax Diesel I6
- 3.0-liter LZ0 Duramax Diesel I6
Would you like to know more about recent and current Silverado engine options? Read on, because we've also included these mills' respective power outputs, fuel efficiencies, and maximum towing capacities.
2018 Silverado Engine Options
For several years now, the Silverado line has always been able to snatch a podium spot for America's best-selling trucks. Although the Ford F-Series has been the grand prize winner for decades, the Silverado is often a strong second or third-placer.
From 2014 to early 2019, the third-generation Chevrolet Silverado offered three different gasoline engine options.
4.3-liter LV3 GM EcoTec3 V6
The 4.3-liter LV3 EcoTec3 V6 engine is the smallest member of GM's 5th-generation "Small Block" engine design that replaced the previous Vortec series. The EcoTec3 engine family has three key features:
- Direct fuel injection
- Automatic and seamless cylinder deactivation and activation
- Continuously variable valve timing (CVVT)
Although direct injection and CVVT are highly desirable features for power and efficiency, the EcoTec3 family's cylinder deactivation capability is probably the most interesting.
In light load driving scenarios, two of the 4.3-liter V6's cylinders automatically shut down, and the engine operates as a V4. When the driver steps on the gas pedal for more power, the powertrain control module (PCM) automatically activates the two dormant cylinders to unleash the engine's full V6 power.
According to Chevrolet, the cylinder activation and deactivation shift are almost unnoticeable because the process happens within only 20 milliseconds. This fuel-efficient engine can give the Silverado 1500 a combined fuel efficiency of 20 miles per gallon (mpg).
The 4.3-liver LV3 Ecotec3 V6 engine produces a maximum of 285 horsepower and a best-in-class 305 lb.-ft. of torque during its period. When powering a properly-equipped Silverado 1500, this mill can give a maximum towing capacity of 7,600 pounds.
5.3-liter L83 GM EcoTec3 V8
Next in the EcoTec3 family is the middle child, the 5.3-liter L83 V8 gasoline engine. Although the L83 shares the same technological highlights as the smaller LV3 engine, the mechanics are a bit different. This time, four of the L83's eight cylinders can automatically deactivate or activate based on load.
The 5.3-liter L83 ekes out significantly more power at 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. With this power, a properly-equipped Silverado 1500 can tow up to 11,100 pounds.
Despite the additional power, an L83-powered 2WD Silverado 1500 can still match the combined fuel efficiency of the V6 Silverado at 20 mpg.
Whereas the 4.6-liter Ecotec3 V6 is a torque class leader, the 5.3-liter Ecotec3 V8 makes the Silverado the most fuel-efficient V8 pickup at the time.
6.2-liter L86 GM Ecotec3 V8
Last in the EcoTec3 family is the biggest among the "Small Block" engine designs - the 6.2-liter L86 Ecotec3 V8. Again, the EcoTec3 technology allows this V8 to operate as a V4 engine under light loads.
Because of the added displacement, the L86 puts out the highest power among the EcoTec3 siblings. With a maximum of 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, this V8 can give a properly-equipped Silverado 1500 a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds.
With its bigger engine displacement, we can expect the L86 to have a lower fuel efficiency than its smaller siblings. However, an L86-powered 4WD Silverado only trails by 3 miles every gallon, with a combined fuel economy of 17 mpg.
2023 Silverado Engine Options
For the 4th-generation Silverado (2019 to present), Chevrolet initially carried over the two smaller EcoTec3 engines - the 4.3-liter LV3 EcoTec3 V6 and the 5.3-liter L82 Ecotec3 V8 with DFM. From 2019 to 2022, the Silverado had the following engine options.
- 4.3-liter LV3 GM EcoTec3 V6
- 2.7-liter GM L3B Turbocharged I4
- 5.3-liter L84 GM Ecotec3 V8
- 5.3-liter L82 GM Ecotec3 V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM)
- 6.2-liter L87 GM Ecotec3 V8 with DFM
- 3.0-liter LM2 Duramax Diesel I6
However, in 2022, the Silverado discontinued the two aforementioned EcoTec3 engines to cut the engine options down to four.
Chevrolet retained the 5.3-liter L82 EcoTec3 V8 as well as the 6.2-liter L87 EcoTec3 V8 for the 2022 and newer Silverado 1500. For the 2023 Silverado, these engines put out the same horsepower and torque ratings as they did before. However, the towing capacities that they help achieve are now higher.
- 5.3-liter L82 EcoTec3 V8 - Max trailer weight of 11,300 pounds
- 6.2-liter L87 EcoTec3 V8 - Max trailer weight of 13,300 pounds
Along with the two retained EcoTec3 engines, here are the two other additions to the Silverado 1500's engine options.
2.7-liter GM L3B Turbocharged I4
Introduced by General Motors in 2019 for the Silverado and the Sierra 1500 trucks, the 2.7-liter L3B turbocharged I4 gasoline engine is made to fit modern trends in truck design.
Even with a smaller displacement than its 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 predecessor, the turbocharged 2.7-liter L3B brings more power than the older base Silverado engine. At 310 hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque, the L3B can also give a properly-equipped 2019 Silverado 1500 a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds.
The smaller, turbocharged L3B also recorded a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for a 2019 Silverado 2WD.
In 2022, General Motors updated the 2.7-liter L3B engine along with the model refresh of the Silverado and the Sierra. Although this new, high-output L3B still has 310 hp, its longer piston stroke helped achieve a whopping 420 lb.-ft. of torque even at a low engine speed of 1,500 rpm.
With the high-output 2.7-liter L3B, a properly-equipped 2022 Silverado 1500 can tow a maximum of 9,600 pounds.
3.0-liter Duramax I6 Diesel
Affectionately called the "Baby Duramax" by diesel aficionados, the 3.0-liter Duramax I6 diesel is one of the smallest members of the Duramax diesel engine family. Its bigger brother, the 6.6-liter Duramax V8, is better known for powering GM's 2500 and 3500 trucks.
Nevertheless, the 3.0-liter Baby Duramax can hold its ground in terms of power, especially for the smaller 1500 models. With a relatively small displacement, this diesel powerhouse puts out 277 hp and an amazing 460 lb.-ft. of torque.
When properly equipped, a 3.0-liter Duramax-powered Silverado 1500 can tow a maximum of 9,500 pounds.
Even with all this power, the Baby Duramax is still very fuel-efficient. This little diesel mill can get 26 mpg for a 2WD Silverado 1500 and 24 mpg for a 4WD one.
For the 2023 model, however, Chevrolet decided to give the Silverado 1500 the newest 3.0-liter LZ0 Duramax engine to replace the LM2 Duramax. Although the LM2 was well-received by Silverado customers and enthusiasts, the LZ0 aims to outshine its diesel predecessor.
Compared to the LM2, the 3.0-liter Duramax LZ0 has 10 percent more horsepower (305 hp) and 7.6 percent more torque (495 lb.-ft.). With this power, the LZ0 can help a properly-equipped Silverado 1500 to tow a maximum trailer weight of 13,300 pounds. This is the same rating for the 6.2-liter V8 option.
Even if the new Baby Duramax LZ0 can match the 6.2-liter EcoTec3's towing capacity, the former does not lose its fuel-sipping qualities. A 2023 Silverado 2WD with the 3.0-liter LZ0 diesel engine can still squeeze 26 miles out of a gallon, the same as the older Duramax LM2.
How Much Does A Silverado Truck Cost?
Are you in the market for a new half-ton Silverado? Since you've read this far about the engine options, you may also want to check the Silverado's current prices.
- WT 2WD Regular Cab, Standard Bed - $36,395
- WT 4WD Regular Cab, Standard Bed - $40,995
- WT 2WD Crew Cab, Standard Bed - $42,395
- LT Trail Boss 4WD Crew Cab, Short Bed - $57,095
- High Country 2WD Crew Cab, Short Bed - $61,595
- ZR2 4WD Crew Cab, Short Bed - $70,195
These starting prices are accurate as of November 2022.
Wrapping Up
The 2022 and 2023 Silverado 1500 comes with four different engine options to cater to the needs and demands of Chevrolet's full-size truck buyers. These are the base 2.7-liter turbo I4 gasoline, the mid-range 5.3-liter Ecotec3 gas V8, the big 6.2-liter Ecotec3 gas V8, and the 3.0-liter Baby Duramax diesel I6.
Thank you very much for reading. We hope this article gave you an idea about the best Chevy Silverado engine for your needs and budget.
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