General Motors’ 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine, first used in 2019, has the same number of cylinders as the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine launched in 2014 by FCA (formerly Stellantis Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). Both engines are also turbocharged. But beyond that, there can be a surprising number of physical differences between the two motors that also affect their performance. In fact, they don’t even have the exact same displacement, despite having a 3.0-liter displacement. The Duramax was originally used in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (and GMC Sierra 1500) with a displacement of 183 cubic inches; the EcoDiesel debuted in the 2014 Ram 1500 (and Jeep Grand Cherokee) with a displacement of 182 cubic inches.
Undoubtedly more important is the engine layout. The Bowtie brand relies on a smooth-running inline configuration with all six cylinders in a single bank, while Ram relies on a more traditional V-shaped setup with more compact dimensions and a lower center of gravity.
Now, before we get into the details, let’s take a look at which engines we’ll be focusing on today. Both the Duramax and EcoDiesel have been around for multiple generations, but the Ram’s lead means the third-generation EcoDiesel (which was available from roughly 2020 to 2023 before being discontinued) most overlaps with the first-generation Duramax. The latter will be produced from approximately 2019 to 2024. The latest Duramax diesel engine is not only an option in the Silverado, but also in the recently updated 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
Read more: 383 Stroker Engine: Why Chevy’s small-block remains a muscle car favorite
Engine features
Chevrolet Tahoe 2022 Chevrolet Duramax Diesel Engine – Chevrolet
Gearboxes get ready, as we’ll start by checking out the engine’s technical specs to see how they physically compare. The basis of the Duramax diesel engine is a lightweight aluminum block with an aluminum head on top. While the EcoDiesel’s cylinder head is also made of aluminum, the cylinder block is made of compacted graphite iron. The advantages of CGI include greater strength and lighter weight than regular iron, which is part of the reason why Dodge and Ram still use iron blocks in some vehicles today. Regardless, factoring in those materials, the Chevy engine weighs 467 pounds, nearly 40 pounds lighter than the 505-pound Ram engine.
Among the few similarities between milling machines, important ones include their bore and stroke measurements. These two numbers represent the diameter of the engine’s cylinder and the vertical distance the piston travels inside, and help determine the engine’s power. So it’s no surprise that, in addition to similar output ratings, each engine’s bore and stroke are within a few millimeters of each other – 84mm and 90mm for the Duramax, and 83mm and 92mm for the EcoDiesel.
Additionally, both engines can run on the same fuel, and we don’t just mean regular diesel. Both the Ram EcoDiesel and Chevrolet Duramax are compatible with diesel blends such as B20, which is a blend of 80 percent typical petroleum-based fuel and 20 percent diesel made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats.
Power and performance
2020 Ram 1500, hood open to reveal EcoDiesel 3.0 V6 engine – Ram
Diesel engines are known for their combination of power and efficiency, and Chevy and Ram engines are no exception. Let’s take a look at some 2020 models that represent the second year of the first-generation Duramax and the first year of the third-generation EcoDiesel. In this year’s model, Chevy’s I6 offers 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque in the Silverado 1500, while Ram’s V6 replacement is rated at 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
How do these output ratings translate to the real world? Well, when it comes to pulling power, a relatively small difference results in a pretty big difference. Granted, part of that is the design of the truck itself, but there’s no denying that the Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,560 pounds when equipped with EcoDiesel, while the Silverado’s towing capacity is limited to 9,300 pounds. The Ram also leads in payload, with the diesel topping out at 2,040 pounds compared to the Chevy’s 1,870 pounds.
The other side of the power equation is fuel efficiency. Yes, you can get better fuel economy from diesel if you follow a few simple tips, but – despite the whole ugly Dieselgate business – these engines do tend to get pretty good EPA ratings right off the bat. In 2020, for example, the Duramax-powered Silverado 1500 had an EPA line of 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg combined, while the EcoDiesel Ram was rated 22/32/26—despite being equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is two gears lower than the Chevy’s.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest automotive news delivered straight to your inbox and add us as your preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Jalopnik.