The 350 Is Back: 2027 Silverado Engine Options Explained
The biggest news under the hood of the 2027 Silverado 1500 is a number truck people have been saying for decades: 350. GM's new 5.7L V8 displaces exactly 350 cubic inches, and the figure is cast right into the block. Its bigger sibling, the 6.6L, measures 400 cubic inches. Add an upgraded 2.7L TurboMax and a refreshed 3.0L Duramax, and the 2027 Silverado has four engines that cover everything from fleet work to heavy towing.
If you missed our first look at the truck itself, start with everything that changed on the all-new 2027 Silverado 1500.
Why does the 350 small-block matter?
The 350 matters because it was the default Chevy V8 for generations of trucks, muscle cars and hot rods, and the 2027 Silverado brings that exact displacement back in a modern Gen 6 engine. Every GM small-block since 1955 has used the same 4.40-inch bore spacing, and more than 100 million of them have been built. The new Gen 6 engines keep that spacing, so in a very literal sense they're still part of the same family.
Gen 6 also revives two other famous displacements. The 6.6L Silverado V8 is a 400, and the related LS6 6.7L going into the Corvette is a 409.
How much power does the 5.7L L76 V8 make?
The 5.7L L76 V8 makes 402 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 428 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. It replaces the 5.3L, which made 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, so that's a gain of 47 horsepower and 45 lb-ft. Bore and stroke measure 3.78 by 3.86 inches, it uses a cast-iron crankshaft, and it runs on regular 87-octane fuel.
This is the engine to pick if you tow heavy. GM engineers said heavy towers historically bought the 5.3L, so they built the Max Trailering package around its successor. With that package the 5.7L is rated to tow up to 13,700 pounds, which GM says is best in class, and it carries up to 2,170 pounds of payload. It uses a 3.23 axle ratio. Towing and payload vary by configuration, trim and packages, so confirm the rating on the specific truck you're considering.
How much power does the 6.6L L78 V8 make?
The 6.6L L78 V8 makes 481 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 501 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. It replaces the 6.2L (420 hp, 460 lb-ft), adding 61 horsepower and 41 lb-ft, and GM says it's the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the half-ton class. Bore and stroke are 4.06 by 3.86 inches, and it gets a forged steel crankshaft and an active exhaust.
Premium fuel is recommended. It'll run on regular, but with reduced performance. Its tow rating is 9,700 pounds and payload is 1,510 pounds, both lower than the 5.7L, which tells you how GM sees it: this is the performance V8, mostly found on High Country and ZR2, not the trailer specialist.
What's new inside the Gen 6 V8s?
Both Gen 6 V8s get a 6 mm longer stroke than the engines they replace, higher compression, larger throttle bodies, new tuned-runner intake manifolds and dual fuel injection (direct plus port). They're still overhead-valve pushrod engines with two valves per cylinder and variable valve timing, built with an aluminum block, cast-iron cylinder liners and aluminum heads.
The port injection is the interesting part. A GM engineer said it was added mainly to meet future emissions rules by lowering particulates. There's a side benefit drivers will notice: the port injectors also run at warm idle, which makes the engine quieter when you're sitting still.
Oiling got a major rework too. There's a continuously variable oil pump, an on-engine oil cooler relocated next to the oil pan, reworked oil feeds for steadier pressure and larger main bearing feeds. GM engineers reported the oil spec as 0W-30 dexos1 Gen 3, which is thicker than the 0W-20 the previous V8s used. Confirm that in your owner's manual before your first oil change.
Do the new Silverado V8s have a dipstick or a thermostat?
No to both. The new V8s have no dipstick. An oil level sensor in the pan reports the level on the in-cab screen, alongside oil pressure and the Oil Life Monitor.
There's also no conventional thermostat. Instead, a valve sends coolant where it's needed among the block, the heads, the oil cooler and the transmission cooler. Our 2027 Silverado 1500 maintenance schedule covers what this means for routine service, and the Knudtsen Chevrolet service department can answer specific questions once these trucks start coming in.
What is Dynamic Fuel Management V0 mode?
V0 is a new Dynamic Fuel Management mode that shuts off all eight cylinders when you're coasting downhill. DFM continues to run the engine on eight cylinders, four, or rotating patterns depending on load, and V0 adds a zero-cylinder state for coasting. A GM engineer said the internal components were beefed up for the new system. GM also planned more than 1.5 million miles of real-world validation on these engines before trucks reach dealers.
Production starts at Flint Engine Operations in Michigan, with added capacity coming in New York and Ontario.
What changed on the 2.7L TurboMax?
The 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder now makes 350 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 455 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm, up from 310 hp and 430 lb-ft. GM gave it a new turbocharger, upgraded fuel injection, redesigned pistons, better active thermal management and improvements to noise and vibration. It also moves from an 8-speed to the 10-speed automatic. GM says it delivers the best standard torque in the class.
Don't write it off as the cheap engine. It has the highest payload of the four at 2,340 pounds and tows up to 9,400 pounds with a 3.42 axle ratio. For a contractor hauling materials in the bed, that payload number matters more than horsepower.
What's new on the 3.0L Duramax diesel?
The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six makes 305 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 495 lb-ft at 2,750 rpm, and it's the only diesel offered in a half-ton pickup. Updates include revised pistons, turbo vane changes, a next-generation NOx sensor, better sealing, injector corrosion protection and revised DEF level indicators.
GM estimates 27 mpg highway in 2WD form. With the available 34-gallon tank, that works out to more than 900 miles of highway range. It tows up to 12,000 pounds with 1,870 pounds of payload and uses a 3.23 axle.
Which 2027 Silverado engine should you choose?
Pick the 5.7L if you tow heavy, the Duramax if you drive long highway miles, the TurboMax if you haul in the bed, and the 6.6L if you want the quickest, best-sounding truck. That's the short version.
The 5.7L is our default recommendation for most truck buyers who pull a camper or a big boat. It's the max-tow engine, it runs on regular gas, and it gives you a V8 without the premium fuel bill. The Duramax suits heavy interstate mileage, and the TurboMax suits payload-first buyers. The 6.6L is the emotional pick, and that's fine; just know it's mostly paired with High Country and ZR2, and it isn't the towing leader.
Engine availability depends on trim, so check our 2027 Silverado trim levels guide and the 2027 Silverado 1500 overview to see which combinations exist. When you're ready to talk through the right setup for your trailer and your commute, contact the Knudtsen Chevrolet sales team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2027 Silverado 5.7L really a 350?
Yes. The 5.7L L76 displaces exactly 350 cubic inches, and "350" is cast into the block.
Which 2027 Silverado engine tows the most?
The 5.7L V8, rated up to 13,700 pounds with the Max Trailering package, which GM says is best in class. Ratings vary by configuration.
Does the 6.6L V8 need premium fuel?
Premium is recommended. The 6.6L will run on regular, but performance is reduced. The 5.7L runs on regular 87 octane.
How do I check the oil without a dipstick?
An oil level sensor in the pan reports the level on the in-cab screen, along with oil pressure and the Oil Life Monitor.
Is there a hybrid engine for the 2027 Silverado?
No. The four engines are the 2.7L TurboMax, 5.7L V8, 6.6L V8 and 3.0L Duramax diesel.