Everything You Need to Know About the GM 2.7-Litre I-4 Turbo L3B Engine
GM 2.7-liter I-4 Turbo L3B Engine was first seen in 2019 in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. These cars delivered SAE-certified horsepower of 310 with a torque of 348 lb-ft. Over the past years, the engine has received multiple upgrades and the 2022 models of the same trucks. This not only resulted in better output but higher torque and increased performance.
Specifications
| Type | 2.7-litre I-4 Turbo |
| GM RPO Code | L3B |
| Displacement | 2.7 litres |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Valvetrain | continuously variable valve timing, variable valve lift, dual-overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, tri-power valvetrain with an Active Fuel Management |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 |
| Block Material | 380 T5 cast aluminum |
| Cylinder Head Material | 356 T5 cast aluminum |
| Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Bore x Stroke (in. / mm) | 3.63 x 4.01 / 92.25 x 102 |
| Air Delivery | Single dual-volute turbocharger with electronically controlled wastegate and intercooler system. 22-psi / 1.5 bar max boost |
| Fuel Delivery | High-pressure direct injection (3000 psi / 20 MPa) and electronic throttle control with Active Fuel Management |
| Ignition System: | High-energy coil-on-plug |
| Additional Features | Continuously variable oil pump, engine oil cooler, electric water pump, Active Thermal Management, automatic stop/start, exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head |
Working As A Truck Engine
To generate the strong but low-end torque one expects in a truck, the GM L3B turbo engine was equipped with a long piston stroke which measures 4.01 inches. This is the distance the piston will travel up and down in the cylinder. The travel time helps to improve the combustion and better compression ratio.
The longer the stroke, the higher the pressure of the pistons against the cylinder walls and, therefore, more friction. This is elevated in the 2.7-litre turbo engine with an offset crankshaft. The materials used to construct the crankshaft and the connecting rods are forged steel to support the cylinder pressure created with the turbo charge.
On the other hand, the piston is made of tough aluminum alloy with a cast iron groove ring insert. The entire GM truck engine features a design to deliver a turbocharged performance in a truck. These are the best gm truck engine options similar to the rigorous durability and high standard already seen in the Silverado’s V8 engine.
Special Valvetrain Precision Control
Valvetrain Offers More Explicit Control
The 2.7-litre turbo L3B engine boasts of many innovative features, the valvetrain being one of them. This is GM’s first time using an active fuel management or cylinder deactivation system on a four-cylinder engine. In addition, the engine enables high and low lift valve profiles and continuously variable valve timing.
Dual-Volute Turbocharger Makes More Torque
The 2.7-litre turbo L3B engine features a dual-volute turbocharger. This helps to enhance the engine’s performance, reliability, and efficiency. It has a quicker response time than a conventional turbo engine and is also known to deliver better low RPM torque protection.
Additional Features Offered
Dual Balance Shaft With Double Speed
This engine’s dual balance shaft mechanism helps to smoothen the engine block. This helps provide a substantially low RPM for the torque.
3 Position CamShaft
The CamShaft helps to improve heat transfer and promotes efficient valve cooling. The intake and the exhaust CamShafts in this engine come with an 8mm roller timing chain.
Electric Water Pump
This engine also features an ECM-controlled electric water pump. This comes with a three-way rotary valve. The pump supplies coolant to the passenger compartment efficiently and helps keep the engine cool and smooth transmission.
Active Thermal Management
This is one of the most unique features of the new L3B engine. The pressurized air passes through an intercooler, which helps lower the temperature by about 130 degrees F. What this does is keep the engine cooler.
DFI – Direct Fuel Injection
The engine has a spark ignited direct fuel injection. The direct injection system works with a high-energy coil-on-plug, which electronically controls the ignition system and maximizes the compression ratio.
Integrated Exhaust For Heat Recovery
Oil Jets For More Cooling
The engine features oil jets located in the block. The feature of these jets is not only to boost performance but to help with effective temperature control. The oil jet targets the underside of the piston and the cylinder valve to provide an extra layer of cooling, friction-reducing oil. This, in turn, helps reduce the piston temperature, which allows the engine to last longer and work more powerfully.
Stop/Start Technology For Fuel Efficiency
One of the highlights of the L3B engine is the stop/start technology. It automatically stops the engine in traffic and starts when you’re ready to drive. This helps increase fuel efficiency, especially in city driving. In addition, a driver-selectable system shuts the engine at stop lights and other stop-and-go situations. Then, all the driver needs to do to restart the engine is take the foot off the brake.
Vehicle Applications
| Vehicle | Transmission | Power (hp / kW) @ RPM | Torque (lb-ft / Nm) @ RPM |
| 2019 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 348 / 471 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Limited | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 348 / 471 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2019 – 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 348 / 471 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 348 / 471 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2022 – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 430 / 569 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2022 – 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic MQE | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 430 / 569 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2020 -2023 Cadillac CT4 Premium Luxury | 10-Speed Hydra-Matic MQA | 310 / 231 @ 5500 | 350 / 475 @ 1500-4000 |
| 2020 – 2023 Cadillac CT4-V | 10-Speed Hydra-Matic MQA | 325 / 242 @ 5500 | 380 / 515 @ 2000-4000 |
| 2023 – present Chevrolet Colorado (Turbo Plus) | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic 8L80 MFC | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 391 / 530 @ 2000 |
| 2023 – present Chevrolet Colorado (High Output) | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic 8L80 MFC | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 430 / 583 @ 3000 |
| 2023 – present GMC Canyon (High Output) | 8-Speed Hydra-Matic 8L80 MFC | 310 / 231 @ 5600 | 430 / 583 @ 3000 |
The Main Purpose
The 2.7-litre L3B engine was designed to replace the 4.6-litre V6 engine. It delivers 9% more horsepower, 14% torque, and enhanced performance. The engine weighs 36 kg less than its predecessor and is more fuel efficient by consuming 13% less fuel. It’s also better with emissions.
Alternate L2R Variant
Along with the L3B, GMC introduced an L3R engine, a more cost-effective version. This engine has a lower output and is currently used exclusively for the 2023 and higher versions of the Chevrolet Colorado WT and LT trims.
Get an L3B Turbo Engine Today!
Now that you know how impressive this engine is, you might want to look for it the next time you upgrade your vehicle. It’s the future of engines, and it’s here to stay.