2.7 Turbo 4 Fan Club

the wanderer · February 16, 2021

15 minutes ago, heymrdjCW said:

I agree, it is a derogatory term.

However, I meant the sound it conveys. Your definition aside, a 6000RPM 5.3L on an on-ramp doesn’t sound throaty or powerful, it doesn’t sound like a Ford 534 or a Vortec 8100. It sounds strung out and winded.

I dunno. There are plenty of v8's that sound awesome under load, mine sure does (I don't have a 5 3). Toyota's Tundra and the Nissan Titan sound great, as do the various hemi's. Haven't heard a Ford 5.0 in a while. I think a lot of it has to do with GM purposely tuning the exhaust etc to make their new v8's more refined, but I bet some subtle exhaust tweaks and air intake changes would help.

I do agree though that older v8's sound even better. I watch a few youtube channels where guys fix up these old beaters and man do those thing sound nice.

Prozak · April 5, 2021

Not sure how but my 2020 Silverado 4Cyl Crew Cab 2WD is only getting 15.8MPG combined. Mainly city driving. What gas are y'all running?

Jaolered · July 22, 2021

Hey all,

Has anyone seen any improvements with a Cold air Intake? I've seen a few people say it smooths out the transmission on the 2.7. I love my 2.7 (10,000 miles with a lifetime average of 22.7) but it definitely feels a little rough from 0-25 mph. Once you're cruising this is the best engine to drive.

Mike Borowski · July 23, 2021

3 hours ago, Jonathan Akers said:

Hey all,

Has anyone seen any improvements with a Cold air Intake? I've seen a few people say it smooths out the transmission on the 2.7. I love my 2.7 (10,000 miles with a lifetime average of 22.7) but it definitely feels a little rough from 0-25 mph. Once you're cruising this is the best engine to drive.

I have the AFE intake on my 2.7. It’s smoothed out acceleration from a stop and definitely added some sound. The turbo and (surprisingly) the little engine sound pretty decent under throttle now. From a stop… power is pretty much instant and there’s more response across the RPM band. I definitely think it’s worth it for the $350 or so.

Mike Borowski · July 23, 2021

I tried making a video. Not great using my iPhone. Windows up because of traffic. Stock exhaust and just an intake.

Depends on what you listen to it on, it doesn’t do it justice. It isn’t as bassy as it sounds with speakers and not as raspy as it sounds on a phone. It sounds pretty good! You can’t really hear the sucking sound in the video. But the turbo and intake are a little louder especially with windows down.

Afe Intake 2.7

Bill Reinhardt · July 23, 2021

Got a few questions for those with the 2.7L, hopefully you guys can help me out.

I'm interested in the 2021 Elevation models. Having a hard time deciding between the 5.3 and the 2.7 for my use. For how I use a truck, payload is key. It will be my primary means of transport as well (75% city/25% highway). With that said, it seems like the 2.7L is right up my alley as the payload is north of 1800 lbs and gets the best city mileage of the lineup.

However, it seems like there are comments of turbo or transmission lag when passing on the highway. Wondering if these comments are justified? From some of the video reviews I've seen, the reviewer will give it some juice to represent a pass, the engine will rev up, then the reviewer will count 1 or 2 seconds until the truck actually spools/shifts, then finally accelerates. Does not appear to have that issue from a stop. If anyone could share their experience, that'd be appreciated.

If the lag is real, it would probably annoy the hell out of me. I also have to ask if the issue goes away with the 5.3L, or if it's an 8-speed problem (or both). My local dealerships are getting a few more trucks in over the coming weeks that I can go and drive to find out for myself, but just wondering what the tribal knowledge is on this topic before hand.

Edited July 23, 2021 by Bill Reinhardt

Mike Borowski · July 23, 2021

57 minutes ago, Bill Reinhardt said:

Got a few questions for those with the 2.7L, hopefully you guys can help me out.

I'm interested in the 2021 Elevation models. Having a hard time deciding between the 5.3 and the 2.7 for my use. For how I use a truck, payload is key. It will be my primary means of transport as well (75% city/25% highway). With that said, it seems like the 2.7L is right up my alley as the payload is north of 1800 lbs and gets the best city mileage of the lineup.

However, it seems like there are comments of turbo or transmission lag when passing on the highway. Wondering if these comments are justified? From some of the video reviews I've seen, the reviewer will give it some juice to represent a pass, the engine will rev up, then the reviewer will count 1 or 2 seconds until the truck actually spools/shifts, then finally accelerates. Does not appear to have that issue from a stop. If anyone could share their experience, that'd be appreciated.

If the lag is real, it would probably annoy the hell out of me. I also have to ask if the issue goes away with the 5.3L, or if it's an 8-speed problem (or both). My local dealerships are getting a few more trucks in over the coming weeks that I can go and drive to find out for myself, but just wondering what the tribal knowledge is on this topic before hand.

I drove both back to back. They felt equal in the power department. The 5.3 sounds better obviously. I have no transmission lag and I think there’s plenty of passing power. Either way it sounds like you’ll be happy.

Bill Reinhardt · July 24, 2021

3 hours ago, Mike Borowski said:

I drove both back to back. They felt equal in the power department. The 5.3 sounds better obviously. I have no transmission lag and I think there’s plenty of passing power. Either way it sounds like you’ll be happy.

Thanks for the insight! Yea I figured I cant go wrong with either for what I need. The 2.7L certainly intrigues me with being a newer design. Glad to hear that you have no lag or delay when shifting.

Jaolered · July 25, 2021

On 7/23/2021 at 12:53 PM, Mike Borowski said:

I tried making a video. Not great using my iPhone. Windows up because of traffic. Stock exhaust and just an intake.

Depends on what you listen to it on, it doesn’t do it justice. It isn’t as bassy as it sounds with speakers and not as raspy as it sounds on a phone. It sounds pretty good! You can’t really hear the sucking sound in the video. But the turbo and intake are a little louder especially with windows down.

Afe Intake 2.7

Oh yeah that's definitely better! Not sure if you remember pre-CAI days, but the 2.7 likes to do some weird rpm hunting for the first few seconds of acceleration, where you can hear the engine giving inconsistent throttle. I'm gunna have to snag this once it goes on sale. AFE's CAI is pushing $500 right now... Thanks!

Jaolered · July 25, 2021

On 7/23/2021 at 5:10 PM, Bill Reinhardt said:

Got a few questions for those with the 2.7L, hopefully you guys can help me out.

I'm interested in the 2021 Elevation models. Having a hard time deciding between the 5.3 and the 2.7 for my use. For how I use a truck, payload is key. It will be my primary means of transport as well (75% city/25% highway). With that said, it seems like the 2.7L is right up my alley as the payload is north of 1800 lbs and gets the best city mileage of the lineup.

However, it seems like there are comments of turbo or transmission lag when passing on the highway. Wondering if these comments are justified? From some of the video reviews I've seen, the reviewer will give it some juice to represent a pass, the engine will rev up, then the reviewer will count 1 or 2 seconds until the truck actually spools/shifts, then finally accelerates. Does not appear to have that issue from a stop. If anyone could share their experience, that'd be appreciated.

If the lag is real, it would probably annoy the hell out of me. I also have to ask if the issue goes away with the 5.3L, or if it's an 8-speed problem (or both). My local dealerships are getting a few more trucks in over the coming weeks that I can go and drive to find out for myself, but just wondering what the tribal knowledge is on this topic before hand.

Man, I'm telling you this 2.7 really shines with it's torque. I've pulled up hills in 8th gear on this thing at 55-60mph and the truck barely goes over 1,600 rpm. Plenty of passing power but I'd recommend a pedal commander if that's your thing (this engine hates to go wide open throttle). In regular driving you'll never notice the turbo lag, and honestly the turbo makes for a much better towing experience. Like Mike said, it definitely doesn't sound like a 5.3, but in daily driving you would never know it was a 4 cylinder - It seems like it never has to work hard to get the job done.

Jaolered · July 25, 2021

On 1/4/2021 at 1:15 PM, Custom2020T2.7l said:

Hey guys and gals,

I am the proud owner of a Silverado 2020 custom 4x4 with a crew cab and 6.5 feet box. I am a foreman/forest technician for a tree planting company and logging trees in the winter(foreman) in northern Canada. I use the truck for my personal use and for work. The truck has a little over 28k km on it and about 19-20k of it has been on gravel roads, a lot of it on badly maintained or unmaintained road. So far I love the truck and the engine, powerful smooth quite economical driving at very low speed on old logging roads. I've towed trailers without any problems on bad roads, thru mud pits, up steep rocky hill, nothing I threw at it phased it. In short I love that engine.

My girlfriend has a Sierra Elevation with a 5.3l engine and going from one to the other doesn't change much from one truck to the other aside from the engine noise and the fact that the 2.7l has more grunt down low. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between both engines in normal or spirited driving.

The only things that could be improved are that dreaded 8 spd transmission, when driving normally it work ok but when you step on it, its slow to react and dim witted. The other thing I discovered latter in the season when we had lots of rain is the rear brake get full of dirt and wear prematurely. On that point my personal opinion is the placement of the rear brake which is behind the disk brake. I discover that a lot of dirt gets into every holes around the brake caliper and provoke a premature wear of the brake pads. I think that GM knows about it because they replaced the rear brake pads for free after only 25k km. I'll see how it goes next summer.

To finish here is a couple pics of my pride and joy.

Glad you like it! Where did you get the "2.7L Turbo" badge?

kc classic · July 25, 2021

I can attest to the 2.7. It is much better than the v-6 I had in my silverado. And better mileage. Never go back to a 6 or an 8.

2.7fanboy · July 26, 2021

20 hours ago, kc classic said:

I can attest to the 2.7. It is much better than the v-6 I had in my silverado. And better mileage. Never go back to a 6 or an 8.

I've owned an F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, 2 Rams with the old Hemi and etorque Hemi, and now the Silverado with the 2.7L. To be honest I chose the 2.7L because that's the only engine offered here in CA on 4wd custom crew cab models with the 6.5 bed. I was really expecting a rental car type engine, but to my surprise the the 2.7L is my second favorite behind the 3.5L Ecoboost and suits my driving style better than the Hemi. I drive a combination of heavy city traffic and 100+ mile highway trips about once a month. The 2.7L has enough power to easily hit 85mph without a trailer.

The other thing I haven't seen people mention is the payload. Half ton trucks these days have really poor payload ratings. I think my F-150 was around 1,400 and the Ram was 1,500. The Silverado is the first half ton truck I've owned that has a payload close to 2,000 lbs. On top of that the front end of the truck feels really light with the 2.7L engine. Also, here in CA Chevy knocks $2k off MSRP for choosing the 2.7L engine. Really a solid value and I'm sold on turbo 4's. Wonder if we will ever get a twin turbo 4.

About the only knock I have against the engine is that the 4 cylinder whine is a bit annoying when in tow haul mode. Otherwise the engine is super quiet and sometime completely silent when cruising at highway speeds.

Edited July 26, 2021 by 2.7fanboy

f8l vnm · July 26, 2021

3 hours ago, 2.7fanboy said:

I've owned an F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, 2 Rams with the old Hemi and etorque Hemi, and now the Silverado with the 2.7L. To be honest I chose the 2.7L because that's the only engine offered here in CA on 4wd custom crew cab models with the 6.5 bed. I was really expecting a rental car type engine, but to my surprise the the 2.7L is my second favorite behind the 3.5L Ecoboost and suits my driving style better than the Hemi. I drive a combination of heavy city traffic and 100+ mile highway trips about once a month. The 2.7L has enough power to easily hit 85mph without a trailer.

The other thing I haven't seen people mention is the payload. Half ton trucks these days have really poor payload ratings. I think my F-150 was around 1,400 and the Ram was 1,500. The Silverado is the first half ton truck I've owned that has a payload close to 2,000 lbs. On top of that the front end of the truck feels really light with the 2.7L engine. Also, here in CA Chevy knocks $2k off MSRP for choosing the 2.7L engine. Really a solid value and I'm sold on turbo 4's. Wonder if we will ever get a twin turbo 4.

About the only knock I have against the engine is that the 4 cylinder whine is a bit annoying when in tow haul mode. Otherwise the engine is super quiet and sometime completely silent when cruising at highway speeds.

Good Write up , I'm also a fan of the 2.7. This is a great little engine GM gave us .

As far as Payload goes, i think you know the more features you have, the less payload you get. Custom is a nice in between which gives you some features but also a truck with really good capability.

Jaolered · July 28, 2021

On 7/26/2021 at 9:54 AM, 2.7fanboy said:

I've owned an F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost, 2 Rams with the old Hemi and etorque Hemi, and now the Silverado with the 2.7L. To be honest I chose the 2.7L because that's the only engine offered here in CA on 4wd custom crew cab models with the 6.5 bed. I was really expecting a rental car type engine, but to my surprise the the 2.7L is my second favorite behind the 3.5L Ecoboost and suits my driving style better than the Hemi. I drive a combination of heavy city traffic and 100+ mile highway trips about once a month. The 2.7L has enough power to easily hit 85mph without a trailer.

The other thing I haven't seen people mention is the payload. Half ton trucks these days have really poor payload ratings. I think my F-150 was around 1,400 and the Ram was 1,500. The Silverado is the first half ton truck I've owned that has a payload close to 2,000 lbs. On top of that the front end of the truck feels really light with the 2.7L engine. Also, here in CA Chevy knocks $2k off MSRP for choosing the 2.7L engine. Really a solid value and I'm sold on turbo 4's. Wonder if we will ever get a twin turbo 4.

About the only knock I have against the engine is that the 4 cylinder whine is a bit annoying when in tow haul mode. Otherwise the engine is super quiet and sometime completely silent when cruising at highway speeds.

I will say I wish I drove an Ecoboost before pulling the trigger on the Silverado, but I was just worried about reliability (Found On Road Dead). How do the F150 2.7 and 3.5 compare to the GM 2.7? Can't really find much on youtube about how they drive.