The Small Block Chevrolet as we know it started out in 1955 as a 265 cubic inch V8. In the past 59 years there have been substantial strides in technology, efficiency and durability. The latest debuts in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado.
There are three all new EcoTec3 engines available on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in 2014. And they are all very impressive! The engine size may seem familiar but the technology in the cylinder heads and the direct fuel injection is nothing short of amazing!
There are three levels of technology working together that help to increase power while maintaining excellent fuel economy:
Active Fuel Management
This improves efficiency by activating or deactivating cylinders depending on load and driving conditions.
Direct Fuel Injection
This delivers very precise, high pressure sprays of fuel into each cylinder. Traditionally making more power meant burning more fuel. Direct injection lets an engine produce more energy with less fuel.
Continuously Variable Valve Timing
VVT monitors and adjusts valve open and close points. This enables the engine to produce optimum levels of torque across the entire range of engine speeds.
Starting with the 4.3L V6
This engine was designed as a pick-up truck use engine. It makes an impressive 285HP and a very robust 305 lb-ft of torque. Switching between 4 and 6 cylinders this engine has an excellent estimated fuel economy of 18 city/ 24 hwy mpg 2wd.
5.3L V8
The 5.3 will be the popular choice engine in the all new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. This workhorse produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 11,500 pounds when equipped with the Max Trailering package. All this and it still has and EPA-estimated 23 highway mpg.
6.2L V8
The 6.2L V8 is the most powerful engine Chevrolet has ever put into a light duty pick-up truck. It produces an impressive 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This power is all made possible by the “Power Trio”, Active Fuel Management, Direct Fuel Injection and Continuously Variable Valve Timing.
These three new engines represent the latest in technology offered by General Motors. Engineers logged 10 million hours of computational analysis developing these engines. Six million hours alone were spent on the combustion chamber design. It will be very interesting to see what the aftermarket produces to increase power. With the direct injection and increased compression ratio it going to make it challenging.
