However, General Motors’ 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine — first introduced in 2019 — has the same number of cylinders as FCA’s (pre-Stellantis Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles) 3.0-liter EcoDiesel that debuted in 2014. Both mills are also turbocharged. But beyond that, these two motors can have a surprisingly large number of physical differences that also affect their performance. In fact, despite their 3.0-liter specs, they don’t even have the same precise displacement. The Duramax, originally used in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (and GMC Sierra 1500), clocked in at 183 cubic inches of displacement; The EcoDiesel, which premiered with the 2014 Ram 1500 (and Jeep Grand Cherokee), measured 182 cubic inches.
There is no doubt that engine layouts are more important. The Bowtie brand relied on a smooth-running inline configuration with all six cylinders in a row, while the Ram relied on a more traditional V setup with its more compact dimensions and lower center of gravity.
Now, before we dive deep into the details, let’s understand which engines we are going to focus on today. Both the Duramax and EcoDiesel have had multiple generations, but Ram’s head start means it’s the third-gen EcoDiesel — available from roughly 2020 to 2023 before it’s discontinued — that overlaps with the first-gen Duramax. The last unit was in production from around 2019 to 2024. The latest Duramax diesel is still an option for not only the Silverado, but also the recently updated 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
Read more: 383 Stroker Engine: Why the Chevy Small Block is Still a Muscle Car Favorite
Engine characteristics
2022 Chevrolet Duramax Diesel Engine in Chevrolet Tahoe – Chevrolet
Gearheads are ready, as we’ll begin by examining the engine’s technical specs to see how they compare physically. The base for the Duramax diesel is a lightweight aluminum block with an aluminum head. While the heads for the EcoDiesel are also aluminum, the block is made of compacted graphite iron. CGI advantages include more strength at much less weight than regular iron, which is why Dodge and Ram still use iron blocks in some vehicles today. After all, with those ingredients in play, the Chevy engine weighs 467 pounds, making it about 40 pounds lighter than the 505-pound Ram motor.
Among the few similarities between mills, important ones include their bore and stroke measurements. These two numbers—representing the diameter of the engine cylinder and the vertical distance traveled by the piston inside—help determine engine power. So it’s no surprise that, with identical output ratings, the bore and stroke from each engine are within a few millimeters of each other – 84 and 90 mm in the Duramax compared to 83 and 92 mm in the EcoDiesel.
Additionally, both engines can run on the same fuel, and we don’t just mean regular diesel. The Ram EcoDiesel and Chevy Duramax are each compatible with blended diesel fuel like B20, which is 80% specific petroleum-based fuel with 20% diesel made from renewable sources ranging from vegetable oils and animal fats.
Power and performance
2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 3.0 V6 Engine With Open Hood – Ram
Diesel engines are known for combining muscle and efficiency, and Chevy and Ram engines are no different. Let’s take a look at some of the 2020 models, which represent the second year of the first Duramax and the first year of the third-generation EcoDiesel. For this model year, Chevrolet’s I6 delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque in the Silverado 1500, and Ram’s V6 alternative was rated at 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
How did those output ratings translate to the real world? Well, when it came to pulling power, the relatively small difference made up for a fairly wide disparity. True, part of that comes down to the design of the trucks themselves, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,560 pounds with the EcoDiesel — when properly equipped — and the Silverado was limited to 9,300 pounds. The Ram also led the way for payload, with a 2,040-pound diesel high point versus 1,870 pounds from the Chevy.
The flipside of the power equation is fuel efficiency. Yes, you can get better fuel economy out of your diesel if you follow a few simple tips, but — despite that whole ugly Dieselgate business — these engines get pretty decent EPA ratings out of the box. For example, in 2020, the Duramax-powered Silverado 1500 put up an EPA line of 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway/27 mpg and the EcoDiesel Ram was rated 22/32/26 — albeit with an eight-speed automatic transmission that was down to a two-speed cogsbox.
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