Chevrolet Silverado Engine Overview: Stats, Facts, & What You Need to Know

2007-2013 Silverado 1500 trucks were offered with the following engines: 

• 4.3L V6 – 195 HP/260 TQ – Offered 2007-2013
• 4.8L V8 – 295 HP/305 TQ – Offered 2007-2013
• 5.3L V8 – 315 HP/338 TQ – Offered 2007-2013
• 6.0L V8 – 360 HP/375 TQ – Offered 2007-2009
• 6.2L V8 – 403 HP/417 TQ – Offered 2009-2013

Throughout the six year run of the second generation of Silverado trucks, all of the engine offerings saw minor revisions during their lifespan, with the exception of the 4.3L V6, which didn’t change at all from ’07-’13. Most of the revisions on the V8 offerings were relatively minor changes that resulted in the addition of a few horsepower and maybe a few torque, with some coming into peak power slightly earlier in the RPMs.

The 4.8L V8 was revised in 2009, making peak power at 4,600 RPM instead of 4,800 RPM. It was revised again in 2010, with it gaining an extra 7 HP, bringing the total up to 302 HP. In 2010, small tweaks to the 5.3L V8 caused it to lose 3 TQ, bringing it down to 335 TQ. The 2009 revision of the 6.0L V8 raised the RPMs of peak power from 5,500 to 5,600. 

The 2007-2013 Silverado used the Generation IV small block V8 engine in lieu of the Generation III small block V8 platform. The main benefits of the new platform are increased power and active fuel management. Chevy also introduced the larger and more powerful 6.2L V8 starting in 2009 for the Silverado in LTZ trim. 

All in all, the new engine platform proved to be successful and competitive with other comparable trucks such as the Ram 1500 and the Ford F-150. It is also worth noting that for the second gen Silverado, you could only buy one in automatic as Chevy had eliminated the manual option for this model. Prospective owners could choose between a 4 or 6-speed automatic.

2014-2018 Silverado 1500 trucks were offered with the following engines:

• 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 – 285 HP/305 TQ – Offered 2014-2018
• 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 – 355 HP/383 TQ – Offered 2014 -2018
• 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 eAssist – 355 HP/383 TQ – Offered 2016-2018
• 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 – 420 HP/460 TQ – Offered 2014-2018

The third iteration of the Chevrolet Silverado saw a condensing of engine options, with Chevy looking to hone in on the main performers. It is also during this time Chevy ramped up its efforts with making more economy-minded engines, while trying not to sacrifice power or performance.

In 2016, Chevy introduced the eAssist version of the wildly popular 5.3L engine. The eAssist system is the second version of General Motor’s belted alternator starter (BAS) Hybrid system. To put it simply, it works by using an electric motor to add power to the engine’s crankshaft through the serpentine belt. The eAssist hybrid system is able to provide start-stop, power assist, and some regenerative braking.

At first, Chevy only released the eAssist version of the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 in California, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and only available in the LT trim package. The eAssist version of the 5.3L as well as the non-hybrid version both made identical power outputs, but the hybrid version got about 2 miles more per gallon. 

In 2017, Chevy took the eAssist 5.3L V8 outside the borders of California, offering it in Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, and Washington as well. For 2018, Chevrolet decided to offer the eAssist 5.3L V8 nationwide, and made it available for the Silverado LTZ in addition to the LT.

The Silverado’s various engines all respond well to bolt-on modifications, making adding power and torque an easy feat. The top 5 power adding parts for the Silverado are:

• Cold Air Intakes
• Exhaust System
• Superchargers
• Engine Tuning 
• Camshafts

Cold air intakes are incredibly easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and will give you a solid return on your investment. Cold air intakes can deliver anywhere from 5-30 HP depending upon the intake; some will require you to retune your truck while others are a simple, no tune upgrade.

Replacing the exhaust system with a more free flowing unit will increase your horsepower and torque, while providing you with an improved exhaust note. Swapping out your stock headers for a set of aftermarket Silverado headers, like a set of long tubes, will yield you the largest increase in power as well as sound. 

Like cold air intakes, some exhaust systems will require you to retune your truck while others won’t. Upgrading your exhaust system can yield you an increase of 10-40 HP/TQ depending upon the setup; long tubes will always net you the largest increase in horsepower. 

Adding a supercharger to your Silverado will drastically increase the amount of horsepower your truck is putting out, more so than any other part mentioned above. A supercharger has the potential to increase your horsepower anywhere from 100 HP to 250 HP depending upon which model you go with as well as your supporting modifications. 

Simply tuning your Silverado will net you a healthy increase in power and torque, while also increasing your fuel economy. Retuning your Silverado will enhance driveability, while making it feel more responsive and quicker. Tuning your Silverado is easy and relatively inexpensive, making it an easy upgrade.

Lastly, replacing the camshafts in your Silverado’s engine will increase the power and torque dramatically. Upgrading the camshafts will also greatly improve the mid-range and high-end power of your truck, an area where it greatly lacks.