Combining high horsepower and high torque with Best in Class fuel economy, the General Motors 5.3L EcoTec3 L83 V8 engine is a marvelous example of the engineering prowess that GM uses in its full-size pickup trucks. Because this engine is so popular, we thought you would like to know more about this world-class GM V8.
At Stallons Auto in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, we sell many GM trucks with this engine, so knowing more about it will help you make a better buying decision. Coming to Stallons Auto is a better buying decision, too. We’re family-owned. It’s our family helping your family, and this makes all the difference. Because our customers trust us, they refer their family and friends to us. We’re confident you will, too.
The Family of GM EcoTec3 Engines
The GM EcoTec3 5.3L V8 is part of GM’s family of EcoTec3 engines. This all-aluminum block and head engine-line consist of a smaller 4.3L V6, the 5.3L V8, and a larger 6.2L V8. The aim of this GM family of engines is to provide GM truck owners the greatest engine horsepower and torque over a wide variety of truck work situations and demands while providing the highest possible fuel economy. You'll find these engines in the 2014-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierras.
GM balances power with fuel efficiency with a mixture of high-tech engine design and testing.
GM Spends 10 million Hours Designing Its 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 Engine
GM’s Small-Block chief engineer and program manager, Jordan Lee reports that GM has over 10 million hours of computation CPU design time invested in the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine, with 6 million of those hours devoted to the advanced combustion system design alone. And over 100 different trials were modeled to bring the best combination of combustion chamber design (size, shape and piston head form), direct fuel injection, active fuel management (cylinder deactivation) and variable valve timing (VVT).
5.3L EcoTec3 V8 Engine’s Combustion Chamber Design Saves Gas
The combustion chamber is where the gasoline is ignited to drive the piston to power the engine. Design is critical to achieving the highest power and lowest fuel use. In the 5.3L EcoTec3 engine, GM has reshaped and decreased the size of the combustion chamber and optimized the contours of the piston head, which boosts power and fuel efficiency. This direct fuel injection technology burns the gasoline more completely, so no gas is wasted, producing higher horsepower and torque.
Active Fuel Management on the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 Engine
Active Fuel Management (AFM) deactivates piston cylinders that receive fuel when the engine is under a light load. When driving to or from a worksite with nothing in the pickup bed, full power is not needed. AFM will deactivate four of the cylinders, effectively making the engine operate as a V4. This saves many gallons of gas that would otherwise be consumed, driving pistons that need not be used. This allows the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 to achieve a Best in Class fuel efficiency rating of 16 MPG driving in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. This is done while generating 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. And you can use E85 flex-fuel in this engine, too.
5.3L EcoTec3 V8 Engine Uses Variable Valve Timing
Continuously Variable Valve Timing allows the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 to produce high horsepower and torque over a wide portion of the engine’s operating speed while saving fuel. This is done by changing when the engine valves open and close. Variable valve timing optimizes gasoline combustion for greater power using less fuel.
GM has designed the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine with you in mind. Giving you maximum horsepower and torque when needed and the Best in Class fuel efficiency saves you money.
Schedule a test drive with us at Stallons Auto in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to see just how well the GM EcoTec3 5.3L V8 performs in a variety of real-world scenarios.
