Have Silverado w/ 5.3 - will I do OK with the new 2.7?

andy r · May 10, 2023

I have a 2015 Silverado with the 5.3 engine. Once in a while I pull a 5000 pound tractor on a trailer or pull a 12 foot livestock trailer. Mostly concerned about pulling a 6000 - 6500 pound Jayco travel trailer down the Interstate at 60 mph which I have done easily with the 5.3. Chevrolet dealer says I should buy the 2.7 engine in a new Silverado. Seems small to me. 5.3 has around 355 horse power while the 2.7 with a turbo has 310. I really question the decision to buy the 2.7 engine. There is hardly any difference in miles per gallon. The 5.3 runs about $1500 more as an individual item. I have viewed a youtube video of the development of the 2.7 and it does look to be a tough engine. Just don't know if it can compete on the interstate. Anyone running a 2.7 and pulling a moderate load? Thank you.

Dean · May 10, 2023

10 speed transmission makes a big difference. Should be OK so long as within towing limit recommended by Chevrolet.

355 HP from 2015 5.3? Hard to believe.

Indiana Ken · May 10, 2023

You state the fuel mileage is similar however, do the engines require the same fuel grade to make their HP numbers? Premium fuel (93 octane) costs much more than regular (87 octane). I suspect the 2.7 is turbo-ed and many times these engines require 93 octane. Look for a foot note that reads "testing conducted with premium".

rrman61 · May 10, 2023

Yep 355 hp at 5600 rpm

Scott 730 · May 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 10:05:27 05/10/23) Yep 355 hp at 5600 rpm

I hate these horsepower numbers games. You can't tow a trailer coast to coast at 5.6k rpm's. What is the horsepower and torque rating of the 2 engines in question at 1,8000 - 2,500 rpm's where the truck would normally run at highway speed????

RBnSC · May 10, 2023

You're right. I know it's a different world but years ago we had several 3/4 ton pickups with 350s, all struggled when you put a trailer behind them. My brother bought one with a 454. It wasn't a race horse but it didn't care what you put behind it. 10 mpg rain or shine.
Ron

Sprint 6 · May 10, 2023

A couple customers of mine have them that I service. The 2.7 is a solid performer, but the noise level is unacceptable for the price point. Engine sounds like a 22R in a 1980's Toyota.

Bob Bancroft · May 10, 2023

I can't answer your question. I can tell you that I went from a 5.3 to the now defunct 4.3 V6 in my 2019 Silverado. With the 6 speed transmission it does everything the 5.3 did, on less fuel. I do notice it will downshift while running 80 MPH on the interstate. But the drop from 6th to 5th only shows up on the tachometer, and both gears are still overdrive. Mileage also drops when driving over 60 MPH. If I ever buy another new truck it would then be the little 4 cylinder, assuming something hasn't changed by then.

And this may be apples and oranges, but I have owned 3 of the same 4 cylinder turbocharged diesels which had absolutely amazing power for their size. Going way past the naturally aspirated 6 cylinder version of the same engine. So I wouldn't be afraid to give the GM 4 cylinder a go.

jdr1943 · May 10, 2023

5.3 is a proven engine why gamble on a 4 banger?

JMOR · May 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 12:08:43 05/10/23) 5.3 is a proven engine why gamble on a 4 banger?

2

Sprint 6 · May 10, 2023

Personally, I wouldnt touch any modern gm product with a 10 foot pole. gm has even managed to take the reliability out of the 5.3. I have customers with the original Gen 3 5.3 with 300K+ on them. Contrast that with the Gen 5 5.3 that I've put camshafts in under 100K. The modern 5.3 also suffers from mechanical fuel pump failures that fill the crankcase with gas. The Gen 5 4.3 is no better, same fuel pump issues, and gm is trying to make the 4.3 completely obsolete, I just waited 11 months for a long block 4.3 for a 2014 that spontaneously spun a rod bearing.

DoubleO7 · May 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 11:14:23 05/10/23)

(quoted from post at 10:05:27 05/10/23) Yep 355 hp at 5600 rpm

Click to expand...

I hate these horsepower numbers games. You can't tow a trailer coast to coast at 5.6k rpm's. What is the horsepower and torque rating of the 2 engines in question at 1,8000 - 2,500 rpm's where the truck would normally run at highway speed????

The turbo is there to get the ''acceptable'' acceleration from stop to 65 that the general public expects in a vehicle no matter the driveline.

Once up to highway speeds and in that 1,800 to 2,500rpm range the turbo is not doing much to improve power at that low rpm.I

AFAIK

Fawteen · May 10, 2023

I find it difficult (impossible, actually) to believe that you'll get the same lifespan and MPG from a 4 or V6 turbo pulling it's guts out as you will from a V8 loafing along.

Even with the relatively minor towing I do, I wouldn't even consider a turbo V6, much less an inline 4.

jon f mn · May 10, 2023

What about the V-6 turbos in the f150s? Never heard anything seriously wrong with them and they have an excellent reputation for pulling.

BarnyardEngineering · May 10, 2023

(quoted from post at 09:08:43 05/10/23) 5.3 is a proven engine why gamble on a 4 banger?

Proven junk.

To my knowledge they STILL haven't figured out a solution to the seizing AFM lifters on the 5.3L that goes way back to 2014.

Geo-TH,In · May 10, 2023

Please research class action lawsuits.
Here is just one.

General Motors Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over 2.4L Engine Oil Consumption.

Someplace I read another Class action because the 4 cylinder wasn't delivering the mpg as promised.

Another place I read to stay away from 4 cylinder turbo, problems with turbos..

I wouldn't want a turbo, just another thing to repair.

It's your money, do what you want.
You won't talk me into a turbo or a 4 cylinder, period.

moresmoke · May 10, 2023

My experience with the small displacement turbo gas engines is that they can get some pretty good mpg numbers. If all the stars are aligned correctly. Wind or cold or a heavy load will knock them down to worse than a large displacement engine.

Geo-TH,In · May 10, 2023

My friend has an older F250. The turbo was expensive. I think it was over $4k. His Turbo didn't last 100K.

ss55 · May 10, 2023

Consider what percentage of your miles are pulling a heavy trailer and what percentage are running almost empty.

Geo-TH,In · May 10, 2023

Good point. 93 octane is about a buck more. OUCH.

Have Silverado w/ 5.3 - will I do OK with the new 2.7?

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