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Top 5 Absolutely Best Chevy Truck Engines Ever

The best Chevy Truck Engine ever consists of more than 270 hp and more than 300 lb. ft. These engines come in different layouts and designs despite producing impeccable power outputs and withstanding the test of time.

Our list comprises the Silverado 5.3 L V-8 and other 2.7 L and 3.0L Silverado engines. However, the Silverado’s 6.2L V-8 is the best among all of these, with its enormous power output attributed to its vast capacity and layout.

We will dive deeper into what makes these engines the best and why they are more favored above all else. Ensure to read further to know which one of these five engines is suitable for your use case since they are designed for specific applications.

Best Chevy Truck Engine Ever Comparison Table

HorsepowerTorque (lb.-ft.)Max. Tow Capacity (lb.)
Silverado’s 6.2L V-8 (Best Chevy Truck Engine)42046013,300
Silverado’s 5.3L V-8(2nd Best Chevy Truck Engine)35538311,500
Silverado’s 5.3L V-8(2nd Best Chevy Truck Engine)2853057,600
Silverado's Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel(4th Best Chevy Truck Engine)2774609,500
Silverado’s 2.7L Turbo(5th Best Chevy Truck Engine)3103489,300

Best Chevy Truck Engine

1. Silverado’s 6.2L V-8: Best Chevy Truck Engine 

The Silverado 6.2 Liter V-8 engine will give you 16 miles per gallon on the city roads and about 21 miles per gallon on the highway.
Credit: media.chevrolet.com

The Silverado 6.2 Liter V-8 engine will give you 16 miles per gallon on the city roads and about 21 miles per gallon on the highway. The powerful Chevy engine can haul up to 13,300 pounds, which is incredibly impressive.

The V-8 configuration significantly boosts the power to skyrocket it to the top of our list. It can produce up to 420 horsepower at 5600 RPM and has a torque of up to 460 lb. ft at 4100 RPM. You will not have to worry about the mileage on this beautiful engine as it is well-tuned to save you as many bucks as possible.

The transmission that is coupled with this engine is automatic. It is specifically a 10-speed automatic transmission incorporated into the Silverado’s four-wheel drive. The machine is capable of pushing the vehicles from zero to sixty miles per hour in under six seconds. THE OHV 24-valve design is housed in an aluminum block and aluminum head and features direct fuel injection.

Silverado’s 6.2L V-8 engine provides you with the highest torques and power in the lineup. You will need to purchase this particular model if you require immense power and precision. The eight cylinders are perfect for those who require an extra boost on the road when carrying a heavy load. The only downside to this big engine is the fuel economy under heavy load.

Silverado 6.2 Liter V-8 engine is available for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 in the RST, Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss, and LTZ.
Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

The Silverado 1500 from 2021 is the latest with this 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 engine with DFM. The engine is available for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 in the RST, Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss, and LTZ.

The 6.2 L V-8 Chevy truck engine is expertly estimated to work perfectly for more than 250,000 miles. That means that if you maintain it well and perform regular servicing procedures, you can easily use the engine for more than 20 years.

2021 Chevy 1500 Trail Boss 6.2L review.

Read more: LS vs. LT vs. LTZ: What Do They Mean On A Chevy?

2. Silverado’s 5.3L V-8: 2nd Best Chevy Truck Engine

The Silverado 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine with DFM comes with a maximum towing load of 11,500 pounds. There are two configurations of the engine. One can haul up to the stated 11,500 pounds while the other can only do a maximum of 10,900 pounds (this model does not feature DFM but rather comes with AFM.

The Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system in the first variant can monitor the accelerator pedal’s motions to regulate the power needed in each driving situation. On the other hand, the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system effectively manages fuel economy by paying attention to loading conditions and regulating the power output of half the engine cylinders.

It also features an aluminum head and an aluminum block with a direct fuel injection system. The OHV 24-valve design in this V-8 configuration engine can create a maximum power output of 355 hp. The torque rating of Silverado’s 5.3L V-8 engine is 382 lb. ft.

The engine models available to be used in the 2021 chevy Silverado 1500 include the LT Trail Boss, LTZ, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, WT, and High Country. You will find a Continuous Variable Valve timing system on this engine, as well as cylinder deactivation features.

Most users have reported that you can drive the engine for up to 220,000 miles without any issues. If you want to know how long a 5.3 engine lasts, experts estimate it at around 200,000 – 300,000 miles. However, this is the case if you properly maintain the engine; otherwise, you will start experiencing some fuel system issues and engine misfires. 

A review about 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8.

3. Silverado’s 4.3L V-6: 3rd Best Chevy Truck Engine

Silverado’s 4.3 L V-6 engine is rated for a maximum power output of 285 horsepower and a maximum torque of 305 lb. ft.
Credit: chevroletforum.com

Silverado’s 4.3 L V-6 engine is our third best Chevy truck engine owing to its V-6 layout configuration and impressive power output. The small-block engine does not feature Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) but instead comes with an Active Fuel Management system (AFM).

It is rated for a maximum power output of 285 horsepower and a maximum torque of 305 lb. ft. Moreover, it does not carry as much power as the Silverado 6.2L V-8 engine or the Silverado 5.3L V8 engine but is capable of towing massive weights. It is configured to haul a maximum weight of 7,600 pounds.

Like the other engines discussed above, the Silverado 4.3 L EcoTec3 V6 engine with AFM has an OHV system with an aluminum block as well as an aluminum head. The machine features a direct fuel injection system that provides a sizeable small-block 4.3-liter capacity.

4.3L V-6 Chevy engine has six cylinders configured in the V shape, typically connected at 90 or 60 degrees. You will notice that this layout makes the engine narrower and shorted than typical inline-four engines. Moreover, the 4.3L V-6 Chevy engine is more balanced at the center, which helps reduce the center of gravity. What you have afterward is an impressive engine with minimal vibration.

The weakness of this engine is in the capacity, which is smaller than its competition. You will also not be able to tow as much weight with the 4.3L V-6 Chevy engine as you would with the 6.2L V-8 Chevy engine or the 5.3L V-8 Chevy engine.

You will be happy to know that the Silverado 4.3L V-6 engine is one of the most reliable engines on the market. It is rated as one of the best engines in the Duramax Vortec lineup. It is estimated to have a lifespan of more than 400,000 miles.

Test drive and review of 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT 4.3L V6.

Read more: TH350 vs. TH400 vs. 4L60E vs. 700R4 (With Comparison Chart)

4. Silverado’s Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel: 4th Best Chevy Truck Engine

The 3.0-liter engine began production in 2019 and ended its production cycle in 2021. Credit: cadillac.com

Silverado Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel is one of a kind. It is part of the Duramax lineup of engines that were made through a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu – dubbed DMAX. The 3.0-liter engine began production in 2019 and ended its production cycle in 2021. There were very few problems located in this engine, and the only ones you may worry about are simple and easy to fix.

The Duramax 3.0L Turbo diesel engine features an inline-six configuration, unlike the other engines we have talked about. This makes it a bit bigger and less balanced than the 4.3L V-6 Chevy engine. If you were to compare the 4.3L V-6 Chevy engine and this inline engine, then the 4.3L V-6 Chevy engine will have more stability and fewer vibration issues.

The 3.0-liter engine has a turbocharged aspiration system in vehicles like the 2020 – current Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC, Sierra 1500, 2021 to present Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, and GMC Yukon.

Silverado’s 3.0-liter engine is rated at a power output of 277 horsepower and 460 lb. ft. You can only tow a maximum of 9500 pounds with the 3.0-liter I-6 engine.

When it comes to the lifespan, Silverado’s Duramax 3.0L turbo-diesel is estimated by GM to last up to 300,000 miles with regular maintenance and servicing.

An overview of Silverado’s Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel.

Read more: Best Duramax Engine: Best Years And Worst Years

5. Silverado’s 2.7L Turbo: 5th Best Chevy Truck Engine

Silverado’s 2.7 L Turbo engine can haul a maximum load of 9,300 pounds more than our number three pick, the 4.3L V-8 engine.
Credit: media.chevrolet.com

Last but not least, the Silverado’s 2.7L engine is the fifth-best Chevy truck engine with its smaller capacity. It has an acceptable form factor that will give you enough room to place it in smaller vehicles. Keep in mind that this truck engine is not recommended for power users. Get the Silverado’s 2.7L engine if you are only looking for a daily driver for commuting and running errands.

The small engine does not provide the best fuel economy as the bigger and well-tuned ones like the Silverado’s 6.2 L V-8 engine. The turbocharged aspiration system can have a maximum power output of 310 horsepower and a maximum torque of 348 lb. ft.

Despite its lower power output, the Silverado’s 2.7 L Turbo engine can haul a maximum load of 9,300 pounds more than our number three pick, the 4.3L V-8 engine.

Like all modern direct-injected engines, the Chevy 2.7L Turbo engine’s condition is hugely dependent on the state and quality of the engine oil. So long as you keep the engine oil fresh and in good condition, then you can push the lifespan of the Chevy 2.7L Turbo engine over 200,000 miles.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2.7 Liter Turbo Engine overview.

Read more: LS1 Vs. LS2 Vs. LS3 (With Comparison Chart)

Conclusion

The Silverado’s 6.2 L V-8 engine is the most potent Chevy truck engine on the market today. You will notice that 6.2 engines are the most advanced, with features missing in the 4.3 and 5.3 like dry sump oil systems and hybrid port/direct injection. Moreover, it is the perfect engine for users who want a powerful engine for towing heavy loads.

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Author

  • Randy

    My name is Randy Worner and I am the founder of chevygeek.com. I have been working on cars and trucks for almost 45 years. For the last 36 years I have taught Automotive / Diesel Technology classes for UTI, Snap On Tools, Chrysler, Pepboys, Lone Star College, NAPA and TBC Corporation. I also own a technical writing company known as Supreme Technical Services. It is ASE Gold Seal certified and Blue Seal Certified Author of auto/truck repair information.

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