GMC Sierra 1500 Caught Testing At The EPA – What Could It Signal?
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GM unveiled a major refresh for the fourth-generation GMC Sierra 1500 with the 2022 model year, with subsequent model years introducing a selection of smaller updates and changes. Now, GM Authority spy photographers have caught this particular GMC Sierra 1500 testing wearing some interesting exhaust outlets, indicating possible changes to the powertrain.
What we’re looking at is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Portable Emissions Measurement System, or PEMS, which, as the name suggests, measures emissions levels from the exhaust. The exhaust outlets are rounded and distinctly different from the standard exhaust tips equipped by the GMC Sierra 1500. This particular model appears to be the SLE trim level, which is available with three engine options, including the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine, rated at 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque.
However, this particular model is also obviously running a dual exhaust system, which, on SLE trim levels, is included and only available with the X31 Off-Road Package, which in turn requires either the L84 gasoline engine of the LZ0 diesel engine. Additionally, the X31 package includes a hard badge on the bedsides, which we’re not seeing in these pictures, unless of course the fence is hiding it from view.
Regardless, the presence of the EPA PEMS on this model indicates possible changes for the GMC Sierra 1500. One possibility is that either the L84 gasoline engine or LZ0 diesel engine will be updated, and thus requires retesting. Another possibility is the addition of a dual exhaust system for the L3B gasoline engine, although this scenario is less likely.
We want to know – what do you think is happening here? What changes are in store for the GMC Sierra 1500? What changes would you like to see? Let us know by posting in the comments section below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Just more intrusion by the EPA.
The L8T 6.6 gas would be my guess. I think this engine is the only gas engine that should be used in a vehicle that weighs over 5,000 lbs. it was designed recently as a heavy duty engine for heavy duty work. All the V8’s available currently started out as performance motors for the Corvette. The L8T was designed as a heavy duty truck engine. Designing engines around fuel economy as opposed to ruggedness and dependability is a bad idea. As it turns out these small boosted engines don’t really get any better mileage and have more mechanical problems than a basic V8. Maybe (hopefully) the engineers at GM realize this and that’s why GM is about to invest a billion dollars in the next generation of V8’s.
There is no way GM is stuffing the 6.6 in a 1500, it’s a horrible fit for the half ton. Drinks fuel like a drunken sailor and has no power (its tuned and designed for durability, not horse power). It works great in the 2500, the 1500 use case is completely different.
I’m not sure on any changes but the exhaust is probably modified to fit a road load or dyno.
Round tubes to route exhaust out of the building.
At some time they used to do that.
How about the a version of the L3B that includes all the updates they made for the Colorado?
I wish this was for the surpercharged v8
I have the GMC 1500 with the 6.2 gas motor, it sure likes the gas I feed it and doesn’t seem to have the power it should when pulling my boat… It seems to have all kinds of power when not pulling, but when you drop a pin into the bumper hitch, it’s a completely different truck…
It would be nice to see the additional turn signal on the side mirrors or somewhere on the front (sides) of the vehicle. “Somerhing nice”