"Cheap" new basic truck is $27,500!

The 2023 Chevy Silverado HD Duramax and 2023 GMC Sierra HD Duramax are set to receive engine updates with a boost in power. Now, one rumor has the total output from the upgraded diesel powerplants at more than 500 horsepower and nearly 1,100 pound-feet of torque.



Back in May, GM Authority was the first to report that the 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax engine equipped by the 2021 Chevy Silverado HD and 2021 GMC Sierra HD was due for an update, likely introduced in conjunction with the heavy duty pickups’ full model refresh / mid-cycle enhancement. The new powertrain update could send final output numbers as high as 505 horsepower and 1,085 pound-feet of torque, according to a recent report from TFL Truck.

That’s a significant boost over the current 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax power and torque figures, which is rated at 445 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 910 pound-feet of torque ta 1,600 rpm. That means the new rumored figures represent a 60-horsepower and 175-pound-feet upgrade.



As a reminder, the 2021 Chevy Silverado HD and 2021 GMC Sierra HD are also offered with the naturally aspirated 6.6L L8T gasoline engine, rated at 401 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 464 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The gasoline engine connects to a six-speed automatic, while the diesel connects to a 10-speed automatic.

Per the original GM Authority report made in May, it’s expected that both gasoline-powered HD models and diesel-powered HD models are in store for updates with the upcoming full model refresh. However, when those updates will be applied is still somewhat uncertain.



When GM Authority first reported on the powertrain updates, the refreshed models were expected to arrive with the 2023 model year. However, as a result of numerous delays and setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global microchip shortage, it’s possible the refreshed Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD will not arrive until the 2024 model year.

Check out the table below for more info on the heavy duty pickup truck powertrains currently on sale, including rivals of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Powertrain Comparison
VehicleEngineFuel TypeAspirationValvetrainHorsepower (hp @ rpm)Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
2021 Chevy Silverado HD6.6L L8T V8GasolineAtmosphericOHV 16-valve401 @ 5,200464 @ 4,000
2021 Chevy Silverado HD6.6L Duramax L5P V8DieselTurbochargedOHV 32-valve445 @ 2,800910 @ 1,600
2021 Ford Super Duty6.2L Boss V8GasolineAtmosphericSOHC 16-valve385 @ 5,750430 @ 3,800
2021 Ford Super Duty7.3L Godzilla V8GasolineAtmosphericOHV 16-valve430 @ 5,500475 @ 4,000
2021 Ford Super Duty6.7L Power Stroke Scorpion V8DieselTurbochargedDOHC 32-valve475 @ 2,8001,050 @ 1,600
2021 GMC Sierra HD6.6L L8T V8GasolineAtmosphericOHV 16-valve401 @ 5,200464 @ 4,000
2021 GMC Sierra HD6.6L Duramax L5P V8DieselTurbochargedOHV 32-valve445 @ 2,800910 @ 1,600
2021 Ram HD6.4L HEMI V8GasolineAtmosphericOHV 16-valve410 @ 5,600429 @ 4,000
2021 Ram HD6.7L Cummins I6DieselTurbochargedOHV 24-valve370 @ 2,800850 @ 1,700
2021 Ram HD6.7L Cummins I6 HODieselTurbochargedOHV 24-valve420 @ 2,8001,075 @ 1,800
 
That's the same kind of HP numbers that modern tractor-trailer trucks are putting down, and probably similar torque numbers to the early-mid 2000's 10-15 liter powerplants. Maybe @Ron or @braxton357 or @drkelly can correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Bebop said:
New trucks numbers are mind blowing.
Imagine a brand new diesel with 500hp from the factory and a full warranty :eek:
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That's like 5 80s Toyota trucks strung together in one package... and with no rust.
 
jeepinmatt said:
That's the same kind of HP numbers that modern tractor-trailer trucks are putting down, and probably similar torque numbers to the early-mid 2000's 10-15 liter powerplants. Maybe @Ron or @braxton357 or @drkelly can correct me if I'm wrong.
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Yes, kind of crazy. Engines in our trucks have ranged from 11L-16L in size over the years. 505hp from a Duramax is more HP than many of those put out, BUT even the smallest and lowest output version of the D11 put out over 1,200 lb-ft I think, and the D16 was over 2,000 lb-ft. They also were capable of doing that for over 1,000,000 miles.

My 2001 Ram CTD only puts out 235hp and 460 lb-ft :eek:
 
drkelly said:
Yes, kind of crazy. Engines in our trucks have ranged from 11L-16L in size over the years. 505hp from a Duramax is more HP than many of those put out, BUT even the smallest and lowest output version of the D11 put out over 1,200 lb-ft I think, and the D16 was over 2,000 lb-ft. They also were capable of doing that for over 1,000,000 miles.

My 2001 Ram CTD only puts out 235hp and 460 lb-ft :eek:
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Same, and somehow, it feels adequate for everything I need. Double the hp and torque would be nice, but without alot more electronics I feel like drivability would suffer. The new trucks only being autos help too, Im sure.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Same, and somehow, it feels adequate for everything I need. Double the hp and torque would be nice, but without alot more electronics I feel like drivability would suffer. The new trucks only being autos help too, Im sure.
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Yep, somehow my buddy's stock 96 F250 7.3 215hp/450ftlb manual felt pretty stout even when driven back to back with my 2012 F250 6.7 400hp/800ftlb truck. But hook a trailer to em, and go to an uphill interstate onramp and everything changes.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Yep, somehow my buddy's stock 96 F250 7.3 215hp/450ftlb manual felt pretty stout even when driven back to back with my 2012 F250 6.7 400hp/800ftlb truck. But hook a trailer to em, and go to an uphill interstate onramp and everything changes.
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Yeah, I have no doubt that I would enjoy more power. But I am also not one to bury my foot in the mat, as long as it is accelerating as needed.
 
Bebop said:
New trucks numbers are mind blowing.
Imagine a brand new diesel with 500hp from the factory and a full warranty :eek:
Click to expand...

Thats the primary reason I said what I did earlier in this thread. The primary reason i built Abraham was to disprove some innernet myths. A crown jewel d0ve headed 1970 460…with a data plate showing 365hp from the factory (overrated to begin with by 30-50hp depending on the dyno). It cost me $4k in parts alone to get to a dyno’d 500hp/500tq…and that was just with cylinder hone and reusing a 60,000 mile rotating assembly. Could have easily added another $1500 for a new bottom end. Then add another $2k in labor and margin. You’re talking $7500 to add 135hp over factory. Now double torque and triple gas milage in diesels. But folks have no idea why they can’t go buy a brand new $10,000 truck anymore.

B202BDFC-C5CC-4E86-A3D7-7722A869989E.jpeg
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paradisePWoffrd said:
Same, and somehow, it feels adequate for everything I need. Double the hp and torque would be nice, but without alot more electronics I feel like drivability would suffer. The new trucks only being autos help too, Im sure.
Click to expand...
Yep, I would like more power for those uphill on-ramps like Matt mentioned, but I also like the fact that after 20 yrs and 236,000 miles the only time a wrench has touched the engine was to change the water pump, so I am keen on keeping it stock. If I want to go fast, I will buy a Corvette.
 
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