3.0L Duramax I-6 Diesel Specs & Information
While the new 3.0L Duramax has yet to be proven, it's a technological revelation with a great deal of innovative, unique, and never-before-seen features. The cast aluminum engine block offers significant weight savings, but utilizes iron cylinder liners for more robust wear protection and reliability. The deep skirt engine block design places the bottom of the engine block well below the centerline of the crankshaft and utilizes a lower crankcase extension attached to the main bearing caps (often referred to as a girdle) for added rigidity and strength. Hypereutectic aluminum pistons and forged steel connecting rods transmit power to the forged steel crankshaft, which is secured in place by a total of 7 nodular iron main bearing caps.
The 3.0L Duramax is rated up to 277 horsepower at 3,750 RPM and 460 ft-lbs of torque at 1,500 RPM. Furthermore, GM claims the engine produces 90% of peak torque by 1,250 RPM (414 lb-ft) and maintains peak torque from 1,500 to 3,000 RPM, giving the engine a relatively broad torque curve. At just over 5,000 RPM, the Duramax features a remarkably high max engine speed for a diesel engine (and more particularly, an inline engine).
Active thermal management is amongst the unique features of the 3.0L Duramax, which employs a series of 3 electronically actuated valves in the engine cooling system to manage the distribution of coolant through the engine block. By targeting specific coolant pathways, engine warm-up times are reduced and an ideal engine operating temperature is maintained under grueling ambient conditions. Ceramic glow plugs promise quick engine starting and GM suggests that the engine block heater is only necessary when temperatures drop below - 22° F.
An electronically variable intake manifold effectively shortens/lengthens intake runners via flap valves to perpetually optimize airflow based on operating conditions. While this technique does not necessarily have a major role in overall power development, it significantly contributes to providing a broad torque curve and general engine responsiveness.
The 3.0L Duramax utilizes the 10L80 ten speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with Ford Motor Company (Ford designation 10R80). Like the Ford variant, the 10L80 features automatic start-stop technology designed to shut down the engine once the vehicle is brought to a complete stop and promptly restart the engine when takeoff is desired.
3.0L Duramax Engine Specs
Engine: |
3.0L Duramax diesel |
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GM RPO Code:: |
LM2 |
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Vin Code: |
T |
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Assembly Location: |
Flint Engine Plant, Flint, Michigan |
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Applications: |
2020 - current Chevrolet Silverado 1500 |
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Configuration: |
Inline 6 (I-6) |
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Displacement: |
182.6 CID, 2.99 liters |
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Bore: |
3.307 in (84 mm) |
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Stroke: |
3.543 in (90 mm) |
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Bore/Stroke Ratio: |
0.93 (undersquare) |
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Firing Order: |
1 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 4 |
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Engine Block Material: |
Cast aluminum w/ iron cylinder liners |
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Cylinder Head Material: |
Aluminum alloy |
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Compression Ratio: |
15.0 : 1 |
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Injection System: |
Direct injection |
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Aspiration: |
Turbocharged, intercooled |
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Valvetrain: |
Dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), chain driven |
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Reciprocating Assembly: |
Hypereutectic cast aluminum pistons |
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Fuel: |
Ultra-low sulfur diesel, maximum B20 biodiesel blend |
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Engine Oil Capacity: |
7.0 quarts w/ filter change |
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Engine Oil Spec: |
SAE 0W-20 DexosD diesel engine oil |
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Horsepower: |
277 hp @ 3,750 rpm |
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Torque: |
460 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm |
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Max Engine Speed: |
5,000 rpm (electronically governed) |
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Fuel Economy [2]: |
2WD config: |
23 mpg city, 33 mpg hwy, 27 mpg combined |
4WD config: |
23 mpg city, 29 mpg hwy, 25 mpg combined |
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Engine Dimensions: |
Length: |
35.75 inches (908 mm) |
Width: |
35.98 inches (914 mm) |
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Height: |
35.55 inches (903 mm) |
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Engine Weight: |
467 lbs |
[1] 42.8 psi absolute pressure; converts to approximately 28 psi gauge pressure at sea level.
[2] Fuel economy based on 2021 model year Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 models.
3.0L Duramax Horsepower & Torque Curve

3.0L Duramax Horsepower and Torque Graph
Page Information
Last update: 12/10/2021
Copyright: Diesel Hub (dieselhub.com), all rights reserved
Source(s): GM press releases, Silverado/Sierra brochures, factory spec sheet, owners manuals, 3.0L Duramax diesel supplement, and vehicle configuration guides (gmpowertrain.com, gmc.com, chevrolet.com, and in print form)