The fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 made its grand debut in October, breaking cover with a long list of changes and updates, including a significant torque boost for the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. General Motors gave the boosted four-banger a few updates that resulted in an increase of peak torque to 420 pound-feet. But now, the actual peak torque number may be a bit higher than advertised.
GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter that the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine in the fully refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 could end up producing an SAE-certified 430 pound-feet of torque, as opposed to General Motors’ initial estimate of 420 pound-feet.
We went to General Motors directly for comment. However, the automaker simply doubled-down on its original estimates, saying that “maximum torque is GM-estimated at 420 pound-feet (569 Nm) for the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine.”
For those keeping track, the story is exactly the same for the Sierra’s corporate relative, the 2022 Silverado 1500.
The turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine was originally introduced to the GMC Sierra model line with the fully overhauled (redesigned and re-engineered) 2019 model year, while the 2022 model year refresh ushers in a new High Output version of the four-cylinder. In terms of output, the L3B was previously rated at 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 348 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm, with the model refresh upping torque figures to 420 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. Meanwhile, horsepower ratings are identical between the refreshed 2022 model year and pre-refresh models.
| Model Year | Engine | Horsepower @ RPM | Torque @ RPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 Sierra 1500 | Atmospheric 4.3L V6 LV3 | 285 @ 5300 | 305 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm |
| 2019-2021 Sierra 1500 | Atmospheric 5.3L V8 L82 | 355 @ 5600 | 383 @ 4100 |
| 2019-2021 Sierra 1500, 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited | Turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B Regular Output | 310 @ 5600 | 348 @ 1500 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 Refresh | Turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B High Output | 310 @ 5600 | 430 @ 1500 |
Beyond the turbocharged 2.7L LB3, the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 has several other engines on offer, including the naturally-aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, as well as the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, both of which are part of the GM EcoTec3 engine family. The 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax is the fourth and final engine on offer.
Perhaps even more importantly, the 2022 GMC Sierra refresh also features a completely overhauled cockpit on SLE and above models, headlined by a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an entirely new center stack with a 13.4-inch display running a new infotainment system, a new center console, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistant system, and a whole lot more.
Under the skin, the refreshed Sierra 1500 continues to ride on the GM T1 platform, with production taking place at the GM Fort Wayne plant in Indiana, plus the GM Silao plant in Mexico.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It should also be noted that the “old” interior in the Pro trim gets a nice enhancement for 2022. More standard features including dual zone climate as standard.
I’m really impressed with the setup. The standard 4×4 with the 2.7 now will make more ground torque with the 8 speed and the single speed transfer case as my older 5.3 with a 4l60 and 2 speed transfer case. Even the most stripped down truck of this generation is an upgrade over my mid trim older.
Isn’t production also at Oshawa Ontario
Yes, a report came out yesterday that Oshawa will be gearing up for the production of the updated trucks by early next year.
The 8 inch Screen should have also been standard on the refreshed Pro Trim level, thus completely eliminating the 4 inch screen, that’s almost equivalent to someone still having a 22 inch Screen TV in their home, let that s#!÷ go, overall, the updates in general are really good.
The screen is now standard 7″.
Okay, that’s decent enough based on it’s interior layout.
I have never seen a 22” CRT TV, 19”,21”23”,26” yep, no 22.
That’s almost as much torque as the (much) larger 6.2L, imagine making a V8 based on the 2.7L I4, I know that the result would be more complex than just adding the numbers but a 5.4L twin turbo making around 600Hp and 800Lb/ft of torque would be something more interesting than Ram and Ford supercharged V8’s.
Ram and Ford supercharged V8’s are also pushrods, and therefore small and compact and damn reliable for their power output. Doubling this as a V would make a huge and heavy as well as expensive motor with lots of parts, points of failure and a nightmare to work on…. like the EB 3.5 HO Ford uses in the GT. You do bring up an interesting fact that GM 2 years ago published a patent for a high output high efficiency engine that would be possible in I4, I6 and V8 configurations that would use a super charger and intercooler to lower the predetonation point on a large displacement engine with a compression ratio up to 15.5:1. A high efficiency LT4 would be a crazy motor to replace the L86
Jorge, don’t know why you got downvoted, not a practical solution, but we can all still dream right?
Man that’s a lot of plastic. I like gm and all but good grief that front end looks cheap.
Yeah but that is just the Base Model Truck with the optional X31 Package.
It’s also 2022 these companies continue to up the prices of these vehicles but use cheap plastic parts. I mean come on man really?
Agree here, but they aren’t alone. Ram, Ford and Toyota are just as quilty. Nissan has the least amount of exterior plastic on the titan, but I must add I wouldn’t buy one regardless
For crying out loud GM add two cylinders to this engine to make it a proper inline six, now with Ram coming out with the tornado inline six its needed more than ever.
I wouldn’t worry about the tornado. It still only displaces 3L, and if it’s based off the FCA 2.0 turbo, will be less technological than the 2.7. It probably won’t get much more if any more power. I’m a little let down. I though the tornado was supposed to replace the hemi and displace 4L and make over 400 hp and more than 500 ft lbs, but instead it looks like it’s lining up to be a more cost effective mid level engine in the ram to increase the efficiency of volume trucks, not a true flagship motor.
Chevy’s website with for the 2022 Silverado now lists the 2.7 as having 430 lb-ft of torque, so I’d say it’s pretty official at this point.
I would instead like to know how this 4 cylinder turbo is rating lower MPG than literally everything else in it’s class in the volume 4WD models! My friend’s jaw dropped to the ground when we looked at several 2022 Silverado’s with this engine and saw mileage figures of 17/20!!!! How does a 4 cylinder newly designed mill get 4 less highway MPG than a F-150 4X4 with the 2.7 EB V6 which ironically has a combined figure of 20? Even Toyota’s larger V6 turbo rated 17/23 in 4X4 configuration. It looks like they have also lowered the ratings with zero explanation again on the volume 5.3/ 8 speed and 10 speed combinations to a terrible 15/20 which is what the larger more powerful 6.2 is also rated for making this the third consecutive drop since 2018 despite 8 and 10 speed transmissions and Dynamic cylinder shutdown.
This begs the question what in the world is the 2.7’s mission here? More and more torque is great but this is supposed to be an entry level engine with mileage, price and emissions in mind. It was enough to dissuade my friend from even considering a Chevy/GMC truck. GM needs to get its act together and figure out why it has lowest in class MPG ratings in these high gas priced times.