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2.8L Duramax LWN

The 2.8L Duramax is an inline 4 cylinder turbodiesel based on the VM Motori A428. The engine platform was introduced to the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size truck platforms for the 2016 model year. For 2017, availability of the 2.8L Duramax was expanded to Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana product lines. The small displacement engine offers exceptional fuel economy, with two wheel drive models earning an EPA estimated 30 mpg on the highway, without sacrificing the capability one would expect from a mid-size pickup truck. In van applications, it's touted as a more efficient alternative to the available V-8 gas engines.

2.8L Duramax LWN Engine Specs & Information

General Motors was a major stakeholder in Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori during the development of the A428. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) would later buy their stake in the the company, however GM retained licensing rights to the A428 in the United States as part of the agreement. All 2.8L Duramax diesels are assembled at the General Motors Rayong Complex in Rayong, Thailand. The engine is rated at a peak 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Since its inception, the horsepower and torque ratings have remained unchanged, likely due to a lack of competition as GM is currently the only automaker offering a mid-size truck with a turbodiesel engine option in the U.S.

GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado applications employ a GM 6L50 six speed automatic transmission, while Express and Savana vans utilize a GM 8L90 eight speed automatic transmission to manage the engine's power. The 2.8L Duramax features a Denso high pressure common rail injection system with solenoid-type fuel injectors, a Honeywell (Garrett) variable geometry turbocharger, and dual overhead camshafts with 4 valves per cylinder.

2.8L Duramax I-4 Engine Specs

Engine:

2.8L Duramax

Type:

4 stroke diesel

Manufacturer:

General Motors [1] (VM Motori design, see footnote)

Assembly Plant:

GM Rayong Plant, Rayong Thailand

Applications/Production Years:

2016 - current Chevrolet Colorado
2016 - current GMC Canyon
2017 - current Chevrolet Express 2500, 3500
2017 - current GMC Savana 2500, 3500

GM RPO Code:

LWN

Displacement:

2.778 liters (2.8 liters nominal), 169.45 CID (170 CID nominal)

Configuration:

Inline 4 cylinder

B10 Life:

Not specified

B50 Life:

Not specified

Bore:

3.70 inches (94.0 mm)

Stroke:

3.94 inches (100.0 mm)

Bore/Stroke Ratio:

0.94 (undersquare)

Compression Ratio:

16.5 : 1

Firing Order:

1 - 3 - 2 - 4

 2.8L Duramax cylinder numbers

Engine Block Material:

Grey cast iron

Cylinder Head Material:

Cast aluminum alloy

Intake Manifold Material:

Composite

Exhaust Manifold Material:

Cast iron

Injection System:

Direct injection
Denso high pressure common rail
Solenoid type fuel injectors
29,000 psi max injection pressure (2,000 bar)

Aspiration:

Turbocharged and intercooled (air-to-air intercooler)
Honeywell/Garrett variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), water cooled

Reciprocating Assembly:

Forged steel crankshaft
Forged steel connecting rods
Aluminum alloy pistons
Powdered metal camshafts with sintered cam lobes

Valvetrain:

Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC)
4 valves per cylinder (16 valve)

Cold Start Aid(s):

Traditional glow plug system, 1 per cylinder

Engine Oil Capacity:

6 quarts w/ filter change

Engine Oil Spec [2]:

Ambient temp > -20° F

SAE 5W-30

Ambient temp < -20° F

SAE 0W-40

Fuel:

Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD), up to B20 biodiesel compatible

Emissions Equipment:

Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV)
Exhaust gas recirculation, cooled (EGR)
Diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with DEF injection

Horsepower:

181 hp @ 3,400 rpm

Torque:

369 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel Economy:

4x2 Colorado/Canyon (2019 -2022)

20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, 23 mpg combined

4x4 Colorado/Canyon (2019 - 2022)

19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined

Max Engine Speed:

5,000 rpm

Engine Weight:

~ 520 lbs

Engine Dimensions:

Length:

25.4 in (645 mm)

Width:

25.8 in (655 mm)

Height:

34.1 in (865 mm)

[1] 2.8L Duramax is based on the VM Motori A428; GM retained a license to manufacturer the 2.8L diesel after FCA acquired GM's ownership in VM Motori.

[2] SAE 0W-40 engine oil is listed as suitable for any temperature, however is only recommended as a cold weather engine oil. If ambient temperature is expected to drop below -20° F, 0W-40 engine oil should be used. For all other operating conditions, 5W-30 is the preferred engine oil viscosity. A full synthetic engine oil is recommended, but not required by GM.

2.8L Duramax Horsepower & Torque Curve

2.8L Duramax horsepower and torque graph

2.8L Duramax diesel horsepower and torque graph
Source: gmpowertrain.com

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Page Information

Last update: 12/01/2021

Copyright: Diesel Hub (dieselhub.com), all rights reserved

Source(s): 2016 - 2022 Colorado/Canyon build sheets/vehicle specifications, 2.8L Duramax diesel supplement manuals, and additional material provided by General Motors (gmfleet.com, gmc.com, chevrolet.com, gmpowertrain.com, and in print form)