General Motors’ new small-block V8 engines are set to power the company’s next-generation pickup trucks, including the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The automaker says the new engines will deliver improvements in power, torque and efficiency as GM enters its sixth-generation small-block architecture.
New V8 Engines Return to 350 and 400 Cubic Inches
The L76 5.7-liter and L78 6.6-liter V8 engines will be used in GM’s next-generation light-duty trucks. The new V8 family is now on par with the other small-block engines found in the 2027 Corvette Stingrays, Grand Sports and Grand Sport Xs, which use LS6 6.7-liter V8 engines.
The L76 and L78 also mark GM’s return to the 350- and 400-cubic-inch displacement class. To develop the engines, GM used advanced modeling and simulation tools alongside proven hardware efficiency and durability testing.
GM says the new small-block V8s will continue to meet regulations while exceeding customer expectations. The engines also remove the traditional oil dipstick.
L76 and L78 Deliver More Power and Torque
GM says both new engines will deliver class-leading power and torque figures. The L76 5.7-liter V8 produces 402 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, while the company says it can tow more than rivals in the same class, with a maximum rating of 13,700 pounds when properly equipped.
The L78 6.6-liter V8 produces 481 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use higher compression ratios for more efficient combustion, larger throttle bodies for increased airflow and new intake manifolds with tuned runners.
The engines also gain displacement through an additional 6 mm of stroke. The L76 grows from 5.3 liters to 5.7 liters, while the L78 increases from 6.2 liters to 6.6 liters.
GM Reworks Fuel and Lubrication Systems
GM has also redesigned several systems surrounding the engines. A dual-fuel system combines direct and port injection on the fuel rail, with the goal of optimizing power, efficiency and emissions windows.
The new lubrication system features a continuously variable oil pump, a built-in oil cooler and reworked oil-feed locations designed to provide greater consistency in oil pressure.
V8 Engines Will Be Built in the U.S.
GM said the new engines will be manufactured in the United States at GM’s Flint Engine Operations, Tonawanda Propulsion and St. Catharines Propulsion plants. The production plans align with GM’s prior announcements about investment in North American manufacturing.
Other GM engines will also receive performance upgrades. The 3.0-liter Turbo-Diesel Duramax engine will produce 305 horsepower and 496 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 40 horsepower and 25 lb-ft of torque over the previous iteration.
All powertrains will be paired with GM’s 10-speed automatic transmission and a 34-gallon fuel tank. With the automaker’s diesel powerplant, the trucks can achieve up to 900 miles of range.
