2023 Chevy Colorado Offers Dealer-Installed High-Output L3B Engine Calibration
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GM pulled the wrapper off the all-new third-generation 2023 Chevy Colorado late last July, revealing a long list of changes and updates for the pickup. Among these was a revised powertrain lineup, including the dealer-installed High-Output L3B engine calibration.
For those readers who may not know, the 2023 Chevy Colorado is available exclusively with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 gasoline engine. However, output from the boosted ‘four varies, with three levels of tune on offer depending on the trim level selected.
The base-level tune is the 2.7L Turbo, which gets its own unique RPO code (L2R). Output is rated at 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,200 rpm. Then there’s the mid-range 2.7L Turbo Plus, which is tagged with RPO code L3B and is rated at 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. Finally, the range-topping tune is the 2.7L Turbo High-Output, which is also tagged with RPO code L3B and produces 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm.
The range-topping 2.7L Turbo High-Output L3B is notable for a few different reasons. First, this range-topping engine tune is available for 2023 Chevy Colorado LT, Trail Boss, and Z71 trim levels, but only if the mid-range Turbo Plus L3B tune is selected beforehand. If these criteria are satisfied, customers can then select the range-topping 2.7L Turbo High-Output L3B tune as an LPO (dealer-installed) option using calibration code RWQ, which is somewhat unusual for GM.
| Engine | Power (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | WT | LT | Trail Boss | Z71 | ZR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo 2.7L I4 L2R | 237 @ 5,600 | 260 @ 1,200 to 4,000 | S | S | - | - | - |
| Turbo Plus 2.7L I4 L3B | 310 @ 5,600 | 391 @ 2,000 | $1,050 | $1,050 | S | S | - |
| Turbo High-Output 2.7L I4 L3B | 310 @ 5,600 | 430 @ 3,000 | - | $395 | $395 | $395 | S |
With all that in mind, the range-topping 2.7L Turbo High-Output L3B costs an extra $395 for 2023 Chevy Colorado LT, Trail Boss, and Z71 trim levels. However, as stated previously, the mid-range Turbo Plus L3B tune must be selected beforehand, priced at $1,050 in the LT. It’s also worth noting that although the Turbo Plus L3B tune is optional for the WT trim level, the 2.7L Turbo High-Output L3B tune (RWQ) is not offered for the WT trim. Check out previous GM Authority coverage for in-depth 2023 Chevy Colorado pricing information.
As a reminder, the 2023 Chevy Colorado rides on the updated 31XX-2 platform, while production will get underway this coming January at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.
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It sounds like you can get the high output in the work truck if you make friends with the dealer. If it’s just a tune calibration, you can order the mid level and talk nice to a dealer to tune it up.
After Market Tuners will LOVE the Colorado.
Huge $$$ making opportunity here.
This will be using the new Global B electrical architecture and GM will have any tuning locked down on this.
Somebody needs to hack it or build an ECU for this engine because the GM software is going to be protected. This is exactly the same as BMW’s heated seats. The lower output version is mechanically identical and effectively electronically nerfed, giving the dealer a fast sales buck for loading a tune. It would void the warranty so keep the original brain.
I’m sure BNR and Trifecta Performance are working on it as we speak. I’d be careful with the base engine. It’s not as sturdy as the higher output versions.
Cybersecurity rule 101: Any system can be broken into given enough time & effort by the attacker.
Even the C8 corvette has been cracked. Sure it’s a difficult pain in the @$$ but considering the Colorado & Canyon sell a lot more than the corvette and an aftermarket tuner could offer the upgraded tune for half the cost of what GM charges and make a nice profit.
The higher tune may require the correct existing flag (for trim level) in the ECU.
Standard output on GMC canyon.
Yes if you order it with the L3B engine. Doesn’t appear you can tune the base engine in the WT to high output.
This option was NOT listed on the option sheet when I ordered a Z71.
It was on the order guide from day one. Wouldn’t be in the normal options section but it was on the LPO options along with items like the Kicker Audio System.
How did you order the 2023 . I inquired at two dealers and they told me they are not avalible to order .
Hello, Thank you for reaching out to Chevrolet. My name is Rachel. Thank you for your interest in Chevrolet! I am not seeing ordering information for the 2023 Colorado. From Chevrolet . I don’t understand how dealers are taking orders when Chevy says they are not excepting orders
My guess is they’re not taking orders but taking a down payment on one of their allotments. Dealer may have even spec the vehicle for their customer so they can place the order once GM actually starts excepting orders.
February 5th is the day I heard when a customer can go online and actually build their truck, as all options and pricing will be available at that time…..until they change that.
The Chevy website should have the “configurator and pricing” for 2023 available on Dec 15th according to several websites related to the new Colorados.
Just ordered by 2023 Colorado last Friday 12/1/2022 and paid a deposit. The dealer said they will place the order on Dec 15 which is the first day the dealer can place the order with the factory.
Our local dealership has received 2 Colorado allocations and has ordered a Z71 and a Trail Boss already.
Sure seems like the little engine is being asked to do a lot of heavy work. Interested to see long term tests.
The engine has a 4.01” stroke. It was developed from the outset to be a truck engine. It’s shown to be good in the larger Silverado.
Except almost no one wants them if built with the little 4 banger and you can easily find the full-size truck in stock at most dealers, even in these times, because they are sloooww to sell.
But everyone is jacked for the engine in this truck. The Silverado crew and Colorado crew will weigh about the same so acceleration should be similar too.
It’s not a bad truck but only because the midsize market is so stale.
The Silverado and Colorado will be the same weight?
Is this the next Ford Flathead V8? I mean that in a good way! I foresee a potential monster here for its size and the right “hot rodders” handiwork.
Should have continued the Diesel. Torque is what moves the vehicle and its work load down the road. How many times will these engines see or even approach 5600 RPM to achieve that HP rating ? Not often.
Did you even bother to look at the stats? This engine not only has more torque than the diesel you blindly boasted about, it has it at the same 2k rpm.
Please research before spouting off next time…
2.8 Duramax 181hp @ 3400rpm and 369ftlb @ 2000rpm
2.7 Turbo 310hp @ 5600rpm and 390ftlb @ 2000rpm
I will take the diesel torque along with the gas hp and maintenance (along with the other host of benefits of gas over diesel) any day of the week. This new motor nullifies the diesel in most cases and they won’t fit the I6 in there (too big) so a turbo gas four cylinder > diesel four cylinder.
So my rights to expressing an opinion and free speech is “spouting off ” ? thanks ! We know who you voted for Mr. Know-nothing lefty…..that diesel will be running 15 years from now. While your overstressed 5600 RPM little gasser will hand-grenade as soon as it’s out of warranty. You know zero about piston speed in a reciprocating engine and what it does to swept sq. inches to produce wear. The rest of your reply is a bunch of senseless word salad showing how you stoop to quickly produce insults and invective directed at anyone daring to express a different opinion than yours without simple proof-reading. Have fun maintaining your electrical ignition systems while the diesel motors on without needing one. answer this smart-boy, if there are so many “advantages” of gas over diesel, why aren’t all the OTR truck lines running gas engines ? Oh yeah, and you got outvoted too Bwa-ha-ha.
Yes…you did spout off. You very clearly made it sound as if this new engine does not have much torque, but with a tiny bit of reading you could have clearly saw that it’s rated at up to 430 ft lbs of torque. So far, this engine has been pretty good in the Silverado from what we’ve seen. Perhaps your prediction about which one would last longer is true, but that’s a change in the subject compared to what you initially “spouted off” about.
Oh, and please don’t label me a lefty as well lol. I’m not that, but not afraid to call it when I see it.
Should have continued the Diesel, leftoid ! How many different fake names do you post on here with , leftoid ? Hilarious how you just exposed yourself Bwa-ha-ha.
Incorrect comparison.
It’s invalid to compare the peak numbers, you have to look at the entire curve. You’re going to get a narrow torque peak on the gas, whereas the diesel will hit max torque early on and hold it there.
Torque is proportional to fuel, and gas engines need to put in exactly 1 g of fuel for 14.7 g of air. You have to wait until the air state of the engine works itself out. Diesels don’t care, they can put in no fuel up to too much fuel.
That said, the old Colorado diesel was a European car diesel, timing belt, 5W-30 oil, so I have my doubts how long it’s going to last in American driving. It was stuck in the Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler Grand Voyager minivans.
The new engine has more torque than the ’22 diesel. Also, diesel is nearly $6.00/gal and unleaded is $3.59.
Read Sam’s accurate reply above and get educated about Diesel torque production vs. gas torque decline as RPM increases. Reading and quoting peak torque numbers means you actually know very little. Also, thankfully, ridiculous diesel prices, caused by Biden, are finally declining and they never even approached $6.00 in my area. $5.09 was the worst. Again, that diesel engine will be running 10-15 years from now with reasonable maintenance while the overstressed gasser will have hand-grenaded previously if used in the same user cycle.
This is a poor marketing scheme. Reminds me of the 2.0 eco tech tune. They are selling like a pc build at a ridiculous price .
Curious on the torque rating for both higher tunes at 2,000 RPM.
Could they be the same?
GM wouldn’t do that, or would they?
I was looking forward to the new Trail Boss Colorado, and now found out that GM is only going to produce a shortbed Crewcab and eliminate the Diesel Duramax.
Crew cab long bed in the 2nd gen Colorado looked goofy. Very few people want standard or extended cab trucks anymore. GM will save some dollars in manufacturing costs by only offering a crew cab short bed. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 2023 Colorado prices had been higher if they offered more bed/cab combinations.
You guys can keep those tiny, over-worked, high-compression baby 4 bangers. I’ll stick with my 2017 F-150 with the Coyote V-8. Let’s see how many miles those tiny 4 cylinders last as compared to my V-8. Not much better gas mileage, either…
You’re comparing the engine in a full size pickup to a mid size. Having said that, GM has been using the 2.7 4 cyl in the Silverado since 2019 and has proven to be a good engine. If GM feels it is good enough for a full size pickup, I’m sure it will be good enough for a mid-sized
any updated on High-Output L3B Engine Calibration cant seem to find any info about purchasing it
Has anyone actually had a dealer tune theirs like this that didn’t order it that way? GM says that you can order it with the tune included but you can have the dealer add it after the fact but now they’ve flip-flopped and said it’s not available yet.