The LM2: All New 3.0L I-6 Duramax Diesel

[DmaxStoreJake]

The 2020 Silverado and Sierra 1500 has multiple all new powertrains offered, with 5 different engines to choose from there is a good option for anybody in the light duty truck market. One of the most notable engines is the all new 3.0 liter inline six turbo diesel, this was an all new engine designed in house by General Motors. They could choose from virtually any engine architecture they wanted, GM chose the inline six for the many efficiency advantages. The inline six motor is inherently balanced, low friction, and low weight compared to some other engine architectures, all of these advantages result in a smoother, cleaner operating engine. This diesel engine weights in at only 212 KG, only 5 more KG than the 5.3 liter gasoline option that is available.

The block for the LM2 has been constructed from aluminum along with the cylinder heads, this keeps the weight at a minimum. In order to keep the strength in the cylinder walls they have inserted a metal sleeve without sacrificing any weight the a cast iron block would add. The pistons are also constructed from aluminum to keep the rotating mass down to keep the engine running efficiently. The lower crank case is extended downward to provide further stiffness and strengthening the block.

The fuel system is all new and has the highest rail pressure compared to any of the other diesels in the segment, at 2,500 bar (36,350 psi) it allows for improved atomization of the fuel in the cylinders. This allows the LM2 to have a much higher power density than the other engines within the segment. The injection system allows up to 10 injections per cycle, this will improve the combustion process resulting in a quieter operating system.

The intake system utilizes a dual intake runner manifold set up allowing them to use a swirl valve to change the length of the intake runner improving swirl effect throughout the entire RPM range, the swirl effect will allow for more efficient combustion within the cylinders. To supply the air to the engine a Honeywell turbocharger makes 29 PSI of boost, this turbo utilizes electronically controlled vanes, and ball bearing technology to provide a quick spool up off the line.

Overall GM seems to have put a lot of money, time, and effort into making a reliable and stout engine that will be more efficient and more powerful than the competition.

Power and Torque:
277 HP at 3750 RPM
460 lb-ft at 1500 RPM

[DmaxStoreJake]

The new 3.0L Duramax Diesel gets an EPA Estimated 33 miles per gallon on the highway, making it the most efficient truck in its class. By using state of the art technology GM is able to provide 33 MPG highway and 23 MPG city for rear wheel drive trucks and 29 MPG highway and 23 city for their four wheel drive trucks.

The new trucks will be plenty capable with the ability to tow up to 9,300 pounds and will have a maximum payload of 1,870 pounds. The 3.0L Turbo diesel should be able to handle heavy loads with ease using its 460 lb ft of torque. The Silverado executive chief engineer Tim Herrick says, "We designed the all-new Silverado and the all-new 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel to deliver both performance and efficiency. The engine utilizes state-of-the-art technologies to optimize every drop of fuel, and takes advantage of architectural changes to make the Silverado larger, lighter and more aerodynamic than ever before."