First rolling off the line in 1996, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana haven’t changed all that much in the decades the nameplates have been produced. That said, both models dropped the turbocharged 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel Duramax engine option for the 2023 model year. As such, we’d argue that GM’s new 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel engine would make a fine addition to the vans’ powertrain lineup.
For those readers who may not know, the Chevy Express and GMC Savana full-size vans offered the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel Duramax engine option up until the end of the 2022 model year. Output from the LWN was rated at 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and, in addition, the diesel powerplant delivered the best fuel economy when compared to the two gasoline-fueled alternatives, namely the naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV1 (rated at 276 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque), and the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T (rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque).
Now, however, the latest 2023 Chevy Express and 2023 GMC Savana don’t have any sort of diesel engine option to speak of, with the 4.3L V6 LV1 gasoline engine and 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine offered as the only two remaining powerplant options. What’s more, the 6.6L V8 L8T is no longer available to order for Chevy Express Cargo and GMC Savana Cargo configurations, although the V8 is still available in conjunction with Cutaway and Passenger van configurations.
That all said, we think GM’s latest 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine would make a fantastic addition to the full-size vans’ powertrain lineup. The LZ0 is buttery smooth in terms of power delivery, and has plenty of output as well, dishing out 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque when equipped by the current Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. Add in the impressive fuel efficiency, and the higher costs of optioning in the diesel (the LZ0 would likely cost a few thousand dollars more than the 4.3L V6 LV1) would be easily outweighed by the benefits.
To note, we’re still expecting the Chevy Express and GMC Savana to be updated at some point in the future, either with a completely new generation, or with a major refresh.
So what do you think, dear reader? Should the Chevy Express and GMC Savana offer the 3.0L I6 LZ0 turbodiesel Duramax engine? Let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments section below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Express news, GMC Savana news, Chevy news, GMC news, GM business news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
As much as that could be really cool. It’s already an engineering nightmare putting that engine in the half ton. Putting that in the van would be a disaster. They just need to put the L5P in the van the way they did the diesel early in its life.
The 2.8 was already engineered to fit. Just keep it going and and refine it as time goes on.
It time to do away with the V 8 gas and diesel. This 3.0 is a start . There is no reason that it would be the answer to a lot issues with carbon footprint print in the auto industry. There also the 2.7 4 cylinder turbo charged engine too .
Build a hotshot cab based on a cutaway dually; maybe a tag axle.
I doubt there is enough room in the van chassis for an inline six engine. The large 4 cylinder diesel was the best solution for a fuel economy engine in the vans.
What a bunch of @$$hats, dreaming about crazy sh!t. The 3.0 would fit anywhere a smallblock V8 would. The problem is diesels and large displacement gas engines are fading out as the technology merges and creates gasoline direct injection turbocharged engines. The 2.7 I4 with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft would be ideal for this van going forward and looking at gm’s engine portfolio. Keep in mind the van’s are biased towards payload over towing. And then look at Promasters, Sprinters, Transits, etc. The V8 has only lasted as long as it has because the chassis can fit it. The 2.7 is the compromise engine to replace the 4.3 and 6.6 going forward. But I know all of you dolts are gonna keep believing gm will put a 6.2 supercharged under the hood. I expect nothing less from this website or the people commenting.
You stupid idiot the 3.0 It’s one of the best engine on the market. We have 18 1500s in In our company.. Pick ups and service pick ups and we haven’t had a dime spent on those trucks. All those guys that are put stupid points on here. Ford and dodge Is sales Guys And they don’t want g m to sell any vans But they don’t realize that g m’s got the best Vans on the market.
Just update it.
The 2.7 guzzles more gas than the 4.3, and especially would in this scenario with the bigger vehicle. There’s a reason it’s not available for the Tahoe/suburban and the diesel is. That said, IDK if the 3.0 could fit here as the trucks are known for having big Snozzes you can fit anything in, these are a little more tightly packed.
Yup 4T it and give it a 2k “base engine acceptance credit”.
Yes by all means put a diesel engine those vans. Had 2 older vans with diesels and refuse to buy anything else
Examples please.
I was about ready to buy the savana with the 4 banger diesel and they D/C’d it for unknown reasons!!!! Mad at that. Id buy it with the 3.0! Bring it on please!
Diesels only make sense in semi trucks. If you buy a diesel for economic reasons you’re just kidding yourself. If you buy it for towing,400 HP and almost 500 lb ft of torque from a 6.6 V 8 will tow anything you have in your backyard with ease. Don’t drink the diesel koolaid.
So my 6.0 gas gets 13 mpg and if the diesel gets 25 why would it not make sense, plus the torque is a lot better on the diesel,and isnt downshifting everytime it smells a hill
Diesel is a Lubricant. Gasoline is a solvent. A diesel engine will outlast in heavy towing. I can’t wait to see all the whiners on the internet when their big gas turbos fail.
The 2.8 should have been hardened and used in the new Colorado/Canyon
My 2018 Colorado with the 2.8 diesel is my 5th pickup and the best truck I have owned.
The 3.0 has been praised on the internet. People that have it in there pickups love them.
It would be great in the van too. And get amazing fuel mileage..
Bad bad idea! Too many repairs on the 3.0 require taking the cab off. Yes it’s a PIA but it can be done, imagine doing the same with an Express? Not me. I’d hand that ticket back, lock my box and go home over that.
gm please wake up and get with it. come up with a updated van, im sure youre sales will increase. i no alot of people who switched to ford vans cause they didnt want to be driving anything from the 80
Yes put in a diesel engine
I think it would be good addition to the power train line up and I would replace the 4.3 with 2.7
The 3.0L is the worst engine GM makes, and it’s absolutely a nightmare to work on. I’m a GM tech at a dealership I currently have a 23′ seized. I work at a smaller shop this isn’t the first one we’ve had seized up. Then all the other stuff like broken flywheels, water control valve, leaking high pressure pumps,ECT. Then when customers accidentally fills their fuel tank with DEF and $10k later to replace everything in the fuel system. I discouraged anyone from owning that engine.
Some years had that 6.6L Diesel Duramax in them.
If that fit ,this 3.0 would as well.
Would be awesome.
Yes put the 3 liter in the van,smooth power and really good fuel mileage ,I have one in my half ton and really like it. Vans are getting really hard to get ,update them and give us a lot of options and get production roaring i would say you could sell lots of vans, When i found out that GM quit putting diesels in the van ,I went out and bought some ambulances with the 6.6 Duramax in them and repowered a 2017 express passenger van,and want to do another 2014 passenger van
Vans are no longer hard to get just saw 10 of them on a lot.
It simply will not fit
And why not the 3 liter inline 6 is 2 inches longer than the 6.6 diesel i just put in and ther is 8 inches between the radiator and the front pulley plus 3 inches in the back, if the LM2 would have a standalone harness i would have put it in my van instead of the 6.6
I”m all for diesels in a van but can the I6 fit? The 4-cylinder was just too small and that’s why nobody wanted it in it. You should have asked before you put it in. Nobody wants a 4-cylinder diesel. It’s just too small. It’s for motorcycles, at most.
As you know I’m the guy that said put a diesel in it even if it is the I6 BUT make sure it fits and has plenty of room to work around it. I use to fix my GMC V-8 right from the driver’s seat!
Oh, did I tell you I just LOVE diesel engines? BTW, this is not the engine with the DUMB *ss oil pump driven by a wubber belt that has to be inspected every 100,000 miles in which the WHOLE engine has to be taken apart?
Udder wise where do we stand in line to get one of these GMC Diesel vans?
Absolutely. I have a 21 Silverado 1500 with the LM2 3.0l diesel. Fantastic engine. The LZO would be a great addition to the van’s available engine lineup.
Please, please, please put the 3.0l l6 lzo engine in a chevy express 3500lt ext…I will order today…ship to Quigley for 4×4…my current 2012 3500lt ext Quigley has 250,000 miles on the original 6.0l v8…I need a reason to buy a new upgrade….Please…
Yeah right. It would be nice until it just dies in the middle of the road. About totaled my 1500 on the interstate over a NOX sensor. Oh not to mention the dealership has had it for 4 months now waiting on a coolant flow control valve that apparently is never going to be manufactured again. If they’re going to build junk atleast make parts to fix it.
If GM would redesign the van and make it so you can stand up in it like the Transit and Promaster with the new engine they would have a hit.
you forgot to mention put in a gps system. i mean come on its 2023
Maybe as an option but I surew would not want to have to pay for that; I NEVER use or need GPS!
4.8 v8 was good in the savana ,diesel on the way out due to carbon tax in canada diesel feul prices have bypassed regular gas price by 30 or more cents per liter when it used to be about 10 cents per liter less than regular??
Yeah about a week ago this was my idea. In a Reese’s work and passenger van to have a longer nose so that it would actually work it great. It’s time for the Savannah and express to take the lead in best work vans out there. I’ma locksmith and this is what needs to be made. Make it look like a Silverado but a van. The 2500 styling may be the best look but IT’S TIME GM MADE THE LEADING WORK VAN
Yes, it is a great work vehicle engine, smooth, efficient, powerful. As long as a straight 6 like this fits into the chassis, they should offer it. The G series vans had a gas straight 6 option and not much has changed despite the name change from the G series to the Express/Savannah, so I’d imagine there wouldn’t be much issue. I would also add the 2.7T should be added as these vehicles spend a lot of time idling, so that small engine could prove more efficient with power on top when needed to pull a full mold.
We leave in 2023 and I think ther should be no problem to make 3 l6 engine fit in the van
I wish they would bring back the 6.6 Duramax option for the Express. Contractors like myself that use these vans as a workhorse can appreciate a cargo van that can hook on to a loaded job trailer and pull it down the road with ribbons in her hair. I’m a small business owner and independent contractor and I can’t afford to have two work vehicles, I especially don’t want to buy a whole pickup just to pull the trailer. Not to mention you can’t drive them both at the same time. All I want is an affordable, powerful, bare bones work van that will last longer than the loan I take out on it but that’s too much to ask for these days.
I have a 2017 express van with the 2.8 in it and have had a few problems with it . I would buy a new van with the 3.0 its a good fit for the working mans van. My 2.8 has 138265 miles on it and i average 21 to 24 miles to the gallon . I think the 3.0 would be a good option for the chevy 3500 van.
The 3.0 L inline 6 cyl diesel would be ordered and pre ordered into oblivion. Everybody I know would want the van NOW….including myself. I trade / sell my brand new 2023 savana 12 passenger 6.6L van ( that I love) immediately …..