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Updated 2022 GMC Sierra Turbo Torque Officially Higher Than Expected: Video

General Motors unveiled the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra last October, pulling the sheets off a fully updated half-ton pickup with a long list of updates and changes. Among these was a torque boost for the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, uprated from 348 to 420 pound-feet of torque. Now, however, GM Authority has confirmed with GM that the high-output L3B in the refreshed 2022 Sierra produces even more twist than originally announced, officially rating the four-banger at 430 pound-feet of torque.

GM Authority was the first to report in December of 2021 that the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine in GM’s updated Light Duty pickup models would be SAE-certified at 430 pound-feet of torque, rather than the initially-announced figure of 420 pound-feet.

Before the debut of the refreshed 2022 Sierra, pickups equipped with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine were rated at 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 348 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Although peak torque is up on the refreshed models, peak horsepower figures will remain at 310 horsepower – the same figure as on the pre-refresh Sierra models.

The torque gains are the result of a more rigid cylinder block casting and a 30-percent-stiffer crankshaft. The boosted four maintains its fully forged bottom end.

Standard on the Sierra Pro (base model), SLE and Elevation models, the high-output turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine in the refreshed 2022 Sierra replaces the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 gasoline engine and the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline engine offered prior to the model refresh. Other engine options for the refreshed 2022 Sierra include the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine and naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, as well as the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax.

In addition to more torque from the turbo L3B, the updated 2022 Sierra also offers new exterior styling, an overhauled interior, and fresh tech like the GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous system. Under the skin, the 2022 Sierra once again rides on the GM T1 platform. Production takes place at the GM Fort Wayne plant in Indiana and the GM Silao plant in Mexico.

It’s also worth noting that – as GM Authority was the very first to report – the updated L3B engine in the Sierra’s corporate platform mate, the 2022 Silverado 1500, will also be rated at 430 pound-feet of torque.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Weird…

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  2. It needs to be efficient as well as powerful, otherwise it’s just an expensive little engine that replaced a 2.8 diesel that was held back on power and efficiency by GM, only to be discontinued after this model year.

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    1. I was just thinking, what if they made the 2.8L diesel available on the 1500 as a base vehicle engine? Being it was held back on it’s potential, that would have been nice to have. Reg cab, short box, 4×4 with the 2.8L, oh man. At this point I’d take that truck config with the 3.0 liter if they ever make it available across all trims.

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    2. The 2.8L diesel wasn’t held back, it was pushed to its last leg. Remember the 2.8 was actually a joint GM global engine all the way back from the 90’s. It’s like adding 5th gen small block engine tech to a Chevy 350. Eventually you need to scrap the engine and design a hole new block and head that was built with that tech in mind. That’s where the 3.0 comes in.

      The 2.7 should be more efficient in the Colorado. Remember the 2.7 has an “economy” grind on its VVL cams, but at 2.7L displacement, it’s already basically the 5.3 running in 4 cylinder mode. It stays in the HO cam configuration on the highway. With the Colorado/canyons smaller size, they should be able to use the 2.7’s economy.

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  3. You can Boost a 3 cylinder and make good power. But will it last? On paper, you can easily say, who in their right mind would buy a V8 engine now when you can get Turbo 4 with a similar power curve.

    Todays modern atmospheric V8 may be punny compared to modern-day boosted V6 and inline 4 cylinder engines. But they are tried and trued when NOT using complex Multi Displacement crap to save a few mpg. The transmission is key in that regard.

    Ford and now Toyota are all in on Boosted V6 engines, but they have done lots of real world testing. The Eco Boost has been around a decade and the Yota Turbo 6 was first tested in the LS500. The jury is still out on a God Motors Boosted 4. I’d hold off for a few more years. Let’s see this engine hit a quarter million miles in a 100,000 trucks first.

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    1. Fords boost V6 engines have a lot of Cam phaser and timing chain issues. Its not a good motor at all. GM 2.0t is one of the best in the world. I have not heard anything bad about the 2.7. I have terrain with 2.ot and it towes great and i have no issues with it.

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      1. That’s from poor maintenance! Changing the oil in any engine, let alone a boosted engine on a regular basis is Paramount.

        This Chevrolet 4 cylinder probably has a lot of potential. But if it’s serviced at Jiffy Lube or Wal-Mart only after the computer tells you to with recycled or cheap Kendall oil. Previous owners will be singing similar tunes about it too soon enough.

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  4. It’s a decent base engine considering what most people do with trucks these days.

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    1. Exactly, when I was in construction all full-size v6 trucks were base and parts running trucks while the v8s were the workhorses. Stop being cheap and get a v8 if you don’t want a booster engine.

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  5. Why not use the new and prove 2.7 in the traverse also a SUV that can have enough torque to pull a boat or a trailer??!🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

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    1. I believe the 2.7 will get to the Traverse after it fully reaches rwd first.

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      1. I’ve predicted an rwd Traverse after this generation, I hope this is true.

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  6. I’m excited for this motor in the Canyon/Colorado!

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  7. The specs on this engine are very similar to that of a diesel engine. Lower hp and higher torque. I think it will find a real home in the new Colorado. Especially since it looks like, for now, there will only be this one engine option in the new Colorado. That said, I wish they would put the 3.0 Diesel in the new Colorado, even if they detuned it a bit. Maybe it wont fit or there are some other reasons but I sure would like to see it.

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  8. I’m looking in to buying a new Traverse, hopefully the new 2.7 would be equipped in the Traverse soon!

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  9. The Ranger 2.3 turbo in the real world only gets around 20mpg
    What will the 2.7 get in the Twins
    Because 20 is not good enough….

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    1. Is it really possible to give a customer both High Horsepower, good low end towing Torque and stellar fuel economy in a pick up Truck?

      Toyota and Ford both claim 22 to 24 mpg in their Full Size Trucks with 10 speed transmissions. Sounds good. But most don’t expect it. The Colorado and it’s brother claim 25 but they are dogs. The Frontier and Tacoma will smoke them but you’ll pay at the pump.

      I think expectations are way too high for a Truck. I’ll gladly take 17mpg if it can give 10 years of reliability.

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  10. Do not waste your money on the 4cly.had one in a silverado and it was so bad only had truck for 6months. Was at 3 different dealers 6 times. Truck is way to heavy for that little motor. I now have 3.0 diesel sierra. It has better engine and much better transmission.

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  11. Had a 2020 Sierra with the 4cyl and loved it for city and highway cruising. Macho V8 drivers can poop all they want on it, I don’t tow and use the bed for bikes and camping cargo. Like many new pickup owners. I actually think it drives much better than my friend 2019 F150 V8.
    Only one recall and zero issues in 2 years. My concern however : why was it redesigned after just one year with stronger cylinder blocks and camshaft? To me that means the gen 1 is prone for mid to long term failure. Not a good news for resale value of the 2020 model.

    Reply

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