To gearheads, the “Tripower” name stands for three two-barrel carburetors stationed atop a Pontiac V8 engine. In 2018, General Motors has a different idea for Tripower.
The automaker announced it will bring the Tripower name out of retirement for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 pickups. However, the trucks’ Tripower engines will refer to the 2.7-liter L3B turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This time, Tripower is all about fuel efficiency, not big power.
Automotive News reported Tuesday that Mike Anderson, GM executive director of global transmission and electrification hardware engineering, said Tripower defines a trio of fuel-saving technology. Specifically, in the 2.7-liter turbo-four engine, it stands for cylinder deactivation, active thermal management and intake valve lift control.
Each technology contributes to the 2.7-liter engine’s fuel economy figures which Chevrolet hasn’t disclosed yet. The engine will replace the Silverado and Sierra’s 4.3-liter V6 engine as the volume engine and is rated at 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque.
The Tripower name was last used on the Pontiac GTO in 1966. Production of the now coveted Tripower engines began in 1957 and ended with a  389-cubic-inch V8 making 360 hp.
Comments
Marketing term to make the four banger sound more macho…
Tri-power (or using 3 carbs) was alive before 1957. Inside and outside of GM held companies. I remember Oldsmobile had a tripower option on the 1949 rocket engine.
Sounds more like ‘Triple Thrift’ than ‘Tri Power’ to me. That said, I wont criticize GM for this. I like that they are leveraging their storied and glorious past with eye catching monikers.
I hope my concept for the next performance EV from Chevrolet – the ChevellE – is right around the corner. 🙂
310 Hp 348 ft/lbs out of a 4 cyl? Color me impressed.
PUT THIS IN THE COLORADO
That would kick serious ass, which means GM wont do it. 🙂
They were referring to the V6 that this will replace. Specs on the new one are not out, yet.
The 2.7L L3B I-4 will be offered alongside the 4.3L V6 LV3, which is being carried over from the K2 gen trucks and not replaced. Specs for it are out, and can be found here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevrolet/silverado/2019-chevrolet-silverado/2019-chevrolet-silverado-powertrain/
Shawn was expressing that he was impressed 310 hp / 348 ft/pds torque out of a 4 cylinder. I was only pointing out that these specs mentioned in the article were for the 4.3L V6 and not the Turbo 4.
give me a twin turbo 3L V6 450HP
Can’t imagine a Silverado w/4cyl being able to handle a load or any meaningful towing? 300 hp is meaningful but initial start or up a hill need s cubic inches.
my initial thought was the same, but the torque curve of this motor is very interesting – flat peak torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm (where you use and need it). The dual-volute turbocharger with electronically controlled wastegate, variable displacement oil pump, electric water pump, 10:1 compression ratio, and variable valve lift all contribute to more usable low end power — so as long as it doesn’t sound like an Iron Duke they may be on to something here.
no, you need GEARS…. 10 speed auto with 3.42 or 3.73 rear axle would pull anything
If this were a V8, it would be 620HP and a 5.4L engine, which would be around 329 CID. But this V8 would be OHC and 32 valves.
2.7 turbo 4 cly, iron duke reborn ?
The numbers are impressive, but I’m not sure about a 4 cylinder engine in a full size pickup
CORVETTES HAD A 427 TRIPOWER OPTION 1967-1969, I ONCE HAD ONE ALTHOUGH NOT THE ORIGINAL ENGINE IN MY CAR. THE TRIPOWER SET-UP RAN AND SOUNDED GREAT, REGRET EVER SELLING IT.
This engine should be the base engine in the Camaro. Bump it to 335hp and 380lb-ft of torque this thing would be a true monster of a baseline Camaro. Back it with a 10-speed auto or a 7-speed manual and you have a real rocket. Right above that have a massaged 5.3L V8 pushing out 405hp and 420tq and the 6.2L pushing out 480hp/480tq and you have a hell of a lineup. The 5.3 would be the Z/28 and go back to holding the place the 98-02 Z28 held just under the SS and above the RS with a 405hp/420tq 5.3L and the 10-speed automatic. The GM Performance packages need to return for these cars as well. For the 2.7L turbo Camaros, a cold air intake, blow off valve, performance tuned ECU, performance downpipe w/ high flow cat and a dual mode by Borla exhaust system should be available along with suspension packages and brake upgrades for both non magnetic ride and magnetic ride equipped cars. Recaro seats, optional wheels, spoilers and graphics should be available as well. For the 5.3L Z/28 cars, there should be optional exhaust systems, intakes, upgraded stage 1 ECU, suspension upgrades, brake upgrades and of course the styling upgrades as well. Same for the SS-376. The red outlined black bowties really need to come back and the SS really needs that optional grille kit as shown on the new SEMA car. Of course above that you have the ZL1 which is (for all extensive purposes) a perfect Camaro. But with this setup, the Camaro has cars that fit all performance and budget brackets and also the Camaro should be a little less expensive. It’s a great car but it really needs to be $4,000-$7,000 less than what it is. They’d sell a lot better than what they’re selling now.
I think Gm should redo the Camaro and make and 2020 Camaro turbo LT 2.7 LITER, coup 10 speed, with hood scoop like old Turbo Transam of 1980,s double scoop and call it turbo CAMARO LT COUPE.