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GM’s New 4.3 Liter V6 EcoTec3 Engine Rated At 18 MPG City, 24 MPG Highway

General Motors has released fuel economy numbers for its all-new 4.3 liter V6 engine (production code LV3) that will serve as the standard engine in the K2XX-based 2014 Silverado and 2014 Sierra. Part of the new EcoTec3 engine family, the new six-banger is rated at 18 MPG city/24 MPG highway in 2WD applications, and 17/22 in a 4WD applications. Making 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, the LV3 allows the 2014 Silverado and Sierra to achieve the highest-available payload rating in the segment of 2,108 pounds while being capable of towing up to 7,200 pounds.

The 18/24 MPG rating bests that of the Ford F-150’s 3.7 liter V6, which is rated at 17/23, but falls short of the highway rating of the 3.6 liter V6 in the RAM 1500, which gets 17/25 thanks to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Although not officially confirmed, the 2015 Silverado and Sierra are also expected to receive 8-speed gearboxes over the next year.

The 4.3L V6 LV3 engine is joined by the larger 5.3L V8 L83 and range-topping 6.2L V8 L86.

Check out how the LV3-powered Silverado and Sierra stack up against their direct competitors here.

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Comments

  1. The fF150 ecoboost gets 365 hp/420 lbs.ft with 16/22 mpg.
    The base Ford V6 gets 302 hp/278 lbs.ft with 17/23 mpg.
    This Chevy V6 gets 285hp/305 lbs.ft with 18/24 mpg.
    Base Chevy V8 gets 355 hp/383 lbs.ft with 16/23 mpg.
    Base Ford V8 gets 360 hp/380 lbs. ft with 15/21 mpg.

    So the base Chevy V6 is just slightly more competitive than the base Ford.
    The base V8 has a good legs up over the Ford base V8 due to mpg.
    And the base V8 looks to be competitive with the ecoboost. (gains a little mpg for a little power loss)

    Not a bad place to be. Are ecoboost trucks getting the epa MPG numbers in real life?

    Reply
    1. Notably, Ford hasn’t direct injected the 3.7 V6 yet.

      It’s not a bad place to be, but an 8-speed gearbox would have improved those highway numbers.

      Reply
  2. Ecoboost are not getting epa for the most part. The epa numbers are taken with no load and lower speeds than most people drive. When driven like a normal vehicle instead of hiper mileing, they are well down from the epa. I know two f-150 owners, one ecoboost and one old 5.4L. They V8 is getting much better mileage, it just isn’t that good for power.
    GM’s engines are impressive. I’m looking forward to seeing the big engines specs.

    Reply
  3. These trucks are just rhetorical hype. There is no substance to them at all. A 4.3L V6 in today’s market not getting over 300hp? Rubbish. What’s the point when GM’s own 3.6L as in the Impala is putting out 305? And are we supposed to be impressed with 18/24? For what reason? We’re supposed to accept mediocrity because of “brand loyalty”? What about the loyalty that the brand has to the customers? The loyalty that says we deserve the absolute best. If this is the best that GM can do then the past is destined to repeat itself. I think I need to just tune these vehicles out because every time I read a propaganda release from these spin doctors I get pissed off even more.

    Reply
    1. Richard, you must not drive a truck, or pull a trailer with it. GM’s 3.6 does not have the powerband that a truck needs. A high revving low torque engine is fine in a car, it’s terrible in a truck. That’s the problem with the ford and the ram, the minute you push the throttle, the tranny shifts down a couple gears and the engine ramps up to 5000rpm. trucks need torque. HP figures are just bragging rights, they mean nothing. That’s why GM’s old 5.3L had more HP than the ford 5.4L but struggled to pull the same size trailer, torque wasn’t there.

      Reply
    2. Richard do you really want a car based engine on a truck?

      Reply
  4. Richard… take a midol man and have some respect for the General. Horsepower is not the name of the game for trucks. No substance? Mediocrity? You sound rediculous. Its called BASE engine for a reason. Alot of other Chevy v6 engines are north of 300hp but well below that in torque. And the mileage is actually impressive for such a HUGE truck. 8speeds will only improve on this too. Im not sure what you really expect from such a vehicle? This has been the battle for years…trying to please customers like you…which seem to always have something to whine about. You sound like a Toyota owner haha

    Reply
  5. Richard all you do is bitch. Please shut up because you obviously don’t own a truck as cdnsolman said. They used the 4.3 because it’s more cost effective than the 3.6. It’s in the same family as the 5.3 and 6.2. I happen to like the idea of the 4.3, it provides the most torque among standard v6’s which is important when doing things trucks do, such as towing and hauling instead of being dumb and bitching which is your expertise.

    Reply
    1. You can voice your opinion without looking like a fool next time.

      Reply
  6. I personally commend GM for staying focused on the Mission: New improved platform, New improved engines, improved capabilities, strong brand language/identity whats not to like. Richard at one time brought some good dialogue to GMA until the trucks were introduced. I miss the old Richard with a more balanced approach. Richard wanted the Tundra approach not the strong Chevy/GMC brand identity approach.

    Reply
  7. Wow, Tough crowd. While richard’s comments are a little over the top, i have to agree the numbers are mediocre. I’ve heard alot of negative comments about 3.6 for towing but its a good engine and would have worked fine. I just towed 5k of patio slate for 2towing hours

    Reply
  8. What is the idle fuel burn for a GM 4.3 Liter V6 EcoTec3 LV3 Engine? GPH?

    Reply
  9. LV3 v6 max bore capable?

    Reply

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