Trifecta Working On Chevy Silverado Turbo 2.7L Engine Calibration
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The Chevy Silverado is offered with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, which, in factory stock form, produces a maximum of 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. Now, however, Trifecta Performance says it’s upping the ante with a native tune that boosts output by 44 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque at the wheels.
Turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine
For those readers who may be unaware Trifecta Performance is a tuning shop based in Snohomish, Washington that specializes in upgrading the go in a variety of GM platforms. As GM Authority covered previously, Trifecta has had a crack at tuning Global B-based platforms like the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and C8 Corvette, which is no easy task, especially when natively tuning the factory ECU rather than utilizing a “piggyback” solution that could result in reliability problems, inoperable features, diagnostic trouble codes, and other issues.
Now, Trifecta Performance is turning its tuning prowess to the Chevy Silverado and turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. In a recent post to social media, Trifecta states that it went about natively tuning the L3B to make some serious gains, with the pickup producing a dyno-verified 306 horsepower at 4,940 rpm and 414 pound-feet of torque at 2,370 rpm, representing gains of 44 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque compared to the standard tune.
As Trifecta states, output was measured at the wheels, rather than at the crankshaft, the latter of which is typically how most automakers rate and advertise power and torque levels. Assuming an estimated 17-percent drivetrain loss, Trifecta calculates crankshaft horsepower at 357 ponies and crank torque at 484 pound-feet with the new tune. Trifecta adds that tuning and dyno runs were performed with premium fuel, or 92 octane.
For those looking to squeeze a little more from their Chevy Silverado and the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B, either for the sake of performance or towing, a Trifecta tune looks like it could be exactly what’s needed.
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Did Trifecta ever disclose what happens to Estimated\Actual MPG as a result of their native tune?
That is a good question. I would also be curious as to what impact that tune would have on the factory warranty. When I purchased my 2020 AT4, I opted for the 5.3 as opposed to the 6.2 (which I didn’t need but wanted) because I had a fear of the election outcome & I didn’t want to absorb the cost of premium fuel, based on my reason I made the correct choice. The cost of filling my Harley tank (requires premium) pains me when I flash back to the cost of filling my ’57 six stick Chevy back in the sixties high school days. I guess I am just saying the 4 cyl with a tune & requiring premium fuel doesn’t make sense to me as long as a 5.3 option is available.
I have a 6.2L in my 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 and the owner’s manual *recommends* 91 octane, but unlike your Harley does NOT *require* 91 octane. So I run 87 octane unless I am going to tow my RV at which time I will fill with premium. No issues with regular gas. Same MPG as 5.3L but more HP and torque with 6.2L. 👍
Yeah, I have been told that, concerning the regular vs premium. I have talked to friends & even strangers & it is a 50/50 response. I guess it is just me, for instance, if I go to the dentist & he recommends me getting a root canal procedure, chances are I will follow the advice. That recommend word just leaves too much mystery. I thank you for the input & enjoy your Sierra.
I absolutely agree with you and understand why you’re being cautious. Enjoy your AT4. Very nice truck 👍
Is the noise in the 2.7 Turbo engine when taking off the Turbo itself ? Sounds like exhaust
unless something has changed, the Harley Davidson service info says to use a good quality unleaded gasoline. Use at least 91 (95 RON) pump octane (R + M)/2. this is because they are air cooled, run hot to meet emissions and lower octane gas will detonate sooner, especially in warm temps. I would never run less than 91 octane in my Harley, nor in my cars that “Recommend” higher octane fuel. I also look for non ethanol fuel to avoid premature damage to fuel system gaskets and o-rings, but I do believe that is less required these days than in the past.
Yeah, I have been riding Harleys for over 50 years & never even thought about putting anything but premium in them. I live in Jersey & have a camp up in the Adirondacks & I use the bike when I go up there in spring & summer. Where I am going with this is that non-ethanol is readily available up there. There are lots of old tractors & equipment. I put the non -eth in my bike & truck & they run better & gas milage increases. Do not know where you live but it seems that riding defensively keeps getting to be a bigger challenge . Thanks for input, enjoy the ride.
I have a 2017 GMC Denali with a 6.2 and I run 93 octane and I have 9000 miles on it has the average milage over the 9000 miles is 22.9 and that far better than any 5.3 that I know of so using the higher octane has paid me back in spades not only does it burn a lot cleaner but gives far better gas milage. and I have all that extra power when I need it. I have owned a bunch of 5.3’s and none of them gave anywhere near as much milage as this 6.2.
Both the 5.3 and the 3.0 diesel get better mileage, so why get the 4 banger with no resale value? The only advantage I can see is having it in a base truck for the lowest initial investment as long as you plan to drive it a long time.
Seems better than the 4.3 V6 though. Power and Fuel economy
Those 4 cylinders are absolute boat anchors on the lots. They are going to really have to incentivize them in order to unload them. Honestly, why would you even bother with a 4 cylinder in a full size truck?
I’ve had a Trifecta Elite tune installed in my Sonic LTZ turbo for 4 years now. It’s mind blowing when you flip the switch and the tune overrides the stock ECM. The difference is night and day. Turns my little Sonic into a pissed off little beast that’ll shred the front tires if I ask it to. No reliability issues whatsoever and fuel mileage definitely increases with the tune engaged. Throw in a ZZP CAI, and it’s definitely an entertaining little car to drive. My wife doesn’t like driving my car because she says it too “squirrely”. LOL
Hi I own a chevys 2015 silverado with a 5.3 and I also tow a 28 foot camper that weighed 9000 lbs only on vacations and long weekends also im a retired mastér technition and i worked on just about ever thing on The road This 4 cylinders is not going to last if your going to tow any thing over 2500 lbs like my V8 would
The Trifecta tune on my ’19 Colorado ZR2 3.6L gave me noticeably more power, but even more important is that it changes the shift points on the 8 speed depending on needed power, so it won’t hunt or go into a higher gear so quickly. Actually get a little better mileage, although I use 89 or 91 octane now. Still not sure about the 4 cylinder being the only choice in the new Colorado, I’ll give it a year and wait for the reviews before I upgrade.
A lot of people, including myself, are not going to like paying extra for 91 octane. Keep it at 87.
Trifecta requires 93 octane which is not available in California. 91 is about $0.40 more a gallon. My question is why does trifecta tune need the higher octane rating since premium has the same combustability as regular and only difference is the pre-detonation performance. Then the tune must be advancing the timing in the engine because the compression ratio is not changing.
If I run regular in my built 283 which has a 9.5:1 compression ratio it knocks like crazy. Premium doesn’t knock at all.
If you don’t know why performance applications need higher octane don’t get a performance tune. To get more performance you have to increase boost (on turbos) and advance timing (NA or turbo), this is how you get more HP/torque. Where do you think HP/torque are gained?? There’s no HP fairy. You have to maximize the energy in the burning fuel which means advancing timing to the edge, higher octane let’s you get closer to the edge without blowing up the engine giving you more power. You can only grab a small gain on 87.
I’m liking the 2.7, the latest factory numbers are 310hp and 430 torque. how can you argue with that, throw in the tunability of a turbo engine and you are off to the races. You get 6.2 litter power. its lighter to. I looked at the engineering improvements and its impressive. only time will tell though, but I’m in.