Comparing GM’s 4-Cylinder “Baby” Duramax Turbo Diesels: 2.5L XLD25 vs. 2.8L XLD28
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While the North American-market 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon are unquestionably better than their International-market cousin, there is one thing that the New World can’t get in its midsize truck just yet: a diesel engine. But an oil burner, specifically the 2.8-liter, inline four-cylinder “Baby Duramax”, will become available in the 2016 Colorado and 2016 Canyon in the latter part of 2015. Let’s take a look at what we know about the motor that has been enthusing so many truck enthusiasts.
For starters, the 2.8L Duramax XLD28 has a smaller brother — the 2.5L Duramx XLD25. The two Thailand-built motors are part of the same commonrail turbo-diesel engine family featuring Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 16 valves, a 16.5:1 compression ratio, and direct injection and intercooling. That’s where the similarities end.
The difference of 0.3 liters in displacement, along with the larger bore and stroke, gives the 2.8L XLD28 more oopmh over the 2.5L XLD25. How much more? 37 horsepower and 80 pound-feet of torque more, to be exact.
Check out the specifications for both of the Baby Duramaxes just below. But keep the following in mind:
- The figures are from the International-market Colorado, which is available with a manual transmission mated to either the 2.5 or the 2.8.
- The specs could change (for better or for worse) by the time the engine get federalized and makes its way to North America.
| ENGINE: | 2.5L DURAMAX I4 | 2.8L DURAMAX I4 |
|---|---|---|
| DISPLACEMENT (CU IN): | 152.5 | 169.4 |
| ENGINE TYPE: | COMMONRAIL TURBO DIRECT INJECTION WITH INTERCOOLER | |
| ENGINE CONFIGURATION: | DOHC 16-VALVE | |
| CYLINDER CONFIGURATION: | INLINE 4-CYLINDER | |
| FUEL: | DIESEL | |
| POWER (HP @ RPM): | 163 @ 3600 | 200 @ 3600 |
| TORQUE (LB-FT @ RPM): | 280 @ 2000 | 324 @ 2000 (MANUAL); 360 @ 2000 (AUTO) |
| STROKE (IN): | 3.7 | 3.937 |
| BORE (IN): | 3.62 | 3.7 |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 16.5:1 | 16.5:1 |
| ENGINE: | 2.5L DURAMAX I4 | 2.8L DURAMAX I4 |
|---|---|---|
| DISPLACEMENT (CCM / L): | 2499 / 2.5 | 2776 / 2.8 |
| ENGINE TYPE: | COMMONRAIL TURBO DIRECT INJECTION WITH INTERCOOLER | |
| ENGINE CONFIGURATION: | DOHC 16-VALVE | |
| CYLINDER CONFIGURATION: | INLINE 4-CYLINDER | |
| FUEL: | DIESEL | |
| POWER (kW @ RPM): | 120 @ 3600 | 147 @ 3600 |
| TORQUE (Nm @ RPM): | 380 @ 2000 | 440 @ 2000 (MANUAL); 500 @ 2000 (AUTO) |
| STROKE (MM): | 94 | 100 |
| BORE (MM): | 92 | 94 |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 16.5:1 | 16.5:1 |
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Are these engines supposed to be produced in the U.S. or will the be imported?
Still somewhat a mystery, since there’s nothing official yet.
They are currently being used in several Asian countries. It is hard to say where they are making them now but I would assume overseas.
“The two Thailand-built motors are part of the same commonrail turbo-diesel engine family featuring Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 16 valves, a 16.5:1 compression ratio, and direct injection and intercooling.”
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What, international customers can order a diesel and a manual?? What do they do with the fries, and Iphone in stop and go city traffic?
I still think GM messed up there, I see many Tacomas with manuals, people who like small trucks, also like manual transmissions, instead they made (hopefully wrong) assumptions about the stupid American driver.
Maybe if they figure out a way to get more people to drive a manual in America… I guess i will just have to stick with my 1997 chevy s10 zr2 for a while longer.
As soon as these things hit the junkyards and are affordable the v8 in my s10 blazer is getting pulled out and a 2.8 liter is going back in it. Gonna be great to answer its just a 2.8 and run the factory emblems when people ask about what it has in it while sitting on dana 60s with 35 inch tires.
These trucks are going to need another 20hp easy or they’re going to feel sluggish passing and merging on American highways.
HP gets all the glory while Torque does all the work…
The 2.8-liter diesel for the U.S. and Canadian Colorados and Canyons will be sourced in Thailand.
I’d like to disagree that the NA version of these trucks are “unquestionably” better. That is a matter of opinion. The international trucks are closer in size to what would be considered a vehicle that would not cannibalise sales from the Silverado/Sierra. And I happen to prefer the looks of the international trucks as well. Another point: These trucks are available across Central and South America with diesel engines so it is incorrect to say that the “New World” can’t get them yet. Let’s not forget that Central America (including the Caribbean) and South America are a part of the “New World”…and were considered to be so for quite some time before North America. Christopher Columbus, after all, never set foot in North America…not in 1492…not ever.
I’d like to disagree that you’re not a douche that nit picks every single thing.
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I would like to see a terrain or mini van with the diesel as I hear they get great economy. GM has a minivan with this engine in Asia.
Where can we buy this engine, by itself, in a crate and ready for installation?
and let GM design it with oil pump with a belt drive that requires transmission removal to service it. $1,000 service requirement, another GM failure.
Can I upgrade my 2.5l version into 2.8l by using 2.8l’s cylinder head, pistons, and rods?