OK the old Silverado is 10 years old,, how did that happen? And I got a flyer from my chevy dealer about a deal on a 25 Silverado. Now Im not really ready for a new truck the old 5.3 is a work horse. But the flyer is talking about a 2.7 Turbomax. So has anybody had any real world experience with this baby turbo 4 cylinder ? Going one line you find some good some bad reviews, I just cant seem to wrap my head around a 4 cylinder in a truck, I dont tow anything, well not right now but there may be a camper in the future. Anyways anybody know anything about then in real life?
Gear heads
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Addage of a Snail Addict: An engine block has only a certain amount of power it can give over its lifetime, how fast you burn it up is your choice.
A small cylinder has less available surface area than a large cylinder, so it can do that much less work over its lifetime. Boosting an engine increases the fuel/air ratio by increasing the limiting factor in a naturally aspirated engine: air. However, the more pressure there is the more heat there is, that works against the oil and accelerates wear. Car guys, gocart guys, chainsaw guys, tractor guys, it doesn't matter what you "want," physics doesn't care; physics follows rules, and the rules apply to everyone equally, even if they don't like it.
To answer your question, you will get a large amount of power out of a small engine for a limited amount of time, but it's not magic, so when the little engine is done it's done, no two ways about it.
A small cylinder has less available surface area than a large cylinder, so it can do that much less work over its lifetime. Boosting an engine increases the fuel/air ratio by increasing the limiting factor in a naturally aspirated engine: air. However, the more pressure there is the more heat there is, that works against the oil and accelerates wear. Car guys, gocart guys, chainsaw guys, tractor guys, it doesn't matter what you "want," physics doesn't care; physics follows rules, and the rules apply to everyone equally, even if they don't like it.
To answer your question, you will get a large amount of power out of a small engine for a limited amount of time, but it's not magic, so when the little engine is done it's done, no two ways about it.
My better half has one in her 24" GMC Canyon AT4, It's sporty little thing for sure. It gets good gas mileage and rides and handles well. She's had it a year now and only has 3500 miles on the clock, but she loves it.
Runs With Scissors
Well-known member
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L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
I will be interested to see the responses.
I am not getting into this "Vietnam", and "have no dog in this fight"....but I will give "my take".
In general, I am a little old school, and say "There is no replacement for displacement"
HOWEVER......I love my "little straight-6 Cummins".
It's not the biggest, but it's legendary in regards to reliability, but boasts only "modest HP/torque"
So if you are getting mixed reviews, I might "think twice"
Not sure how long that motor/trans combo has been around, but I would feel a lot better if it had "stellar reviews"
I am not getting into this "Vietnam", and "have no dog in this fight"....but I will give "my take".
In general, I am a little old school, and say "There is no replacement for displacement"
HOWEVER......I love my "little straight-6 Cummins".
It's not the biggest, but it's legendary in regards to reliability, but boasts only "modest HP/torque"
So if you are getting mixed reviews, I might "think twice"
Not sure how long that motor/trans combo has been around, but I would feel a lot better if it had "stellar reviews"
Neighbor loves his, great fuel milage, but engine will need to come out at 200,000 mi for the timing belt between the engine and trany.
I test drove one in '23 before I found my 6.2l. The salesman (a youngster) did not tell me about the engine size and to be fair I didn't ask. One step on the accelerator and I asked. After having a '19 Silverado with 5.3l, I noticed the slower response immediately. Not much, but enough to take note.
The truck doesn't weight less, just a smaller motor to push it. No thanks. I want my truck to work more than just taking my wife to get her hair done!
The truck doesn't weight less, just a smaller motor to push it. No thanks. I want my truck to work more than just taking my wife to get her hair done!
Seems like all the manufacturers have jumped on the "small turbocharged engine" bandwagon. Ford started it 14 years ago with the first Ecoboost. Toyota quit making the V8 Tundra, now all you can get is a 3.5l twin-turbo just like what Ford has. Dodge (Ram???) went to a twin-turbo straight 6 in their 1500 that has fantastic power numbers. Now GM has joined the rest.
Can't speak about the GM turbocharged 4 since I've never owned one. But I bought an F150 3.5 Ecoboost new in 2016 and drove it 9 trouble-free years, including some towing. The way it drove, the responsiveness - I'm glad I got it instead of the V8. Great truck. If you specify the max tow package in an F150 you'll get the 3.5 Ecoboost engine, not the V8. Reason is, much better torque numbers at lower rpms, just like a diesel. I can tell you this from personal experience though...not towing, the truck would easily get 20 mpg or better. Hook a trailer behind it and the mileage plummeted to 10 - 12 mpg.
The secret to long life in these little turbocharged engines is regular maintenance - especially oil changes. Like the Hedgehog says in his post above - oil takes a beating in a little engine with a turbocharger. F150 Ecoboost owners have found from experience to change their oil AT LEAST every 5000 miles, not Ford's recommmended 10,000 mile interval. Do frequent oil changes, frequent spark plug changes (yes, they take a beating in a turboed engine also) and those engines can last a long time.
The problem area now - both for Ford and GM - is that new 10 speed transmission they co-developed. My F150 had the old 6 speed - very reliable. Lots of problems with that new 10 speed automatic - much more so than with the engines.
Can't speak about the GM turbocharged 4 since I've never owned one. But I bought an F150 3.5 Ecoboost new in 2016 and drove it 9 trouble-free years, including some towing. The way it drove, the responsiveness - I'm glad I got it instead of the V8. Great truck. If you specify the max tow package in an F150 you'll get the 3.5 Ecoboost engine, not the V8. Reason is, much better torque numbers at lower rpms, just like a diesel. I can tell you this from personal experience though...not towing, the truck would easily get 20 mpg or better. Hook a trailer behind it and the mileage plummeted to 10 - 12 mpg.
The secret to long life in these little turbocharged engines is regular maintenance - especially oil changes. Like the Hedgehog says in his post above - oil takes a beating in a little engine with a turbocharger. F150 Ecoboost owners have found from experience to change their oil AT LEAST every 5000 miles, not Ford's recommmended 10,000 mile interval. Do frequent oil changes, frequent spark plug changes (yes, they take a beating in a turboed engine also) and those engines can last a long time.
The problem area now - both for Ford and GM - is that new 10 speed transmission they co-developed. My F150 had the old 6 speed - very reliable. Lots of problems with that new 10 speed automatic - much more so than with the engines.
I hear you! Got two of them with the 5.9. One with the automatic and one 6 speed manual. I have a feeling they will easily outlive me!
My 2001 has 216K miles and no rust. Got it in Georgia. I need to put a NOT FOR SALE sign on it, because young guys always ask. It's my stock trailer pulling workhorse.
Maybe not obvious, but engines with turbos work harder for their displacement to produce the same amount of HP. To do that, they are more complicated with more parts to break.
However, if you live at elevation, it might be worth it. Turbos don't suffer from the same amount of power loss at elevation.
However, if you live at elevation, it might be worth it. Turbos don't suffer from the same amount of power loss at elevation.
Yeah…I didn’t PLAN it…but I joined the Cummins-Club last Sept when My little Ram 1500 got totaled in KY and I had to get something to tow the Aistream back home. The Ram dealer had only one truck with Ramboxes….a Ram 2500 LImited, and it has a Cummins 6.7 … and, now I’m HOOKED!
What a fun machine to drive and tow-with!
Yup! All that low end torque - seems like the engine never needs to go above 2000 rpm - is really addictive. Pulling a steep hill and the transmission doesn't need to shift down, even at altitude, just makes me smile.
PHPaul
Well-known member
Equipment
B2650, Pronovost snow blower, Landpride rotary mower, Howard tiller, box blade
Precisely why I didn't replace my 2013 Tundra with another Toyota. Loved that truck and would've bought another in a heartbeat if the 5.7 was still available.
Because reasons, GM and Dodge were not even on the maybe list, a 2024 Ford F250 Super Duty with the 6.8 "Minizilla" V8 is parked in my driveway.
GibbyESS9
Active member
Equipment
2020 Bx23s,BX2672 plow, Titan Forks, Land Pride 48” BB, FEL, Bestco Flail mower
Skeets,
I just bought 2025 GMC sierra 1500 AT4 with the baby max diesel some call it. Love it Quiet, great mileage and I have towed a few small trailers with it no problem. I went from 201 Sierra 2500 6.0 gas to this and I am veery impressed. Diesel does cost more But on the highway I am averaging 30-31 mpg. Probably get even better if I slow down. My old gasser I got 12-15 around town and highway.
I just bought 2025 GMC sierra 1500 AT4 with the baby max diesel some call it. Love it Quiet, great mileage and I have towed a few small trailers with it no problem. I went from 201 Sierra 2500 6.0 gas to this and I am veery impressed. Diesel does cost more But on the highway I am averaging 30-31 mpg. Probably get even better if I slow down. My old gasser I got 12-15 around town and highway.
Daren Todd
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Lifetime Member
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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
Is it a diesel or gas ? I dont recall seeing or hearing anything about a 4 banger diesel, might be worth a look