Well, General Motors’ 3.0-liter Duramax diesel — first used in 2019 — has the same cylinder count as the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel that FCA (pre-Stellantis Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles) debuted in 2014. Both mills are also turbocharged. But beyond that, these two engines have what can be a surprisingly large number of physical differences that continue to affect their performance as well. In fact, despite their 3.0-liter descriptions, they don’t even have the exact same displacement. The Duramax, as originally used in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (and GMC Sierra 1500), had a displacement of 183 cubic inches; The EcoDiesel, which debuted with the 2014 Ram 1500 (and Jeep Grand Cherokee), measures in at 182 cubic inches.
What is arguably more significant are the engine configurations. The Bowtie brand was based on a smooth running inline configuration with all six cylinders in one row, while the Ram was based on a more traditional V configuration with more compact dimensions and a lower center of gravity.
Now, before we dive into the details, let’s understand exactly which engines we’ll be focusing on today. Both the Duramax and EcoDiesel have had multiple generations, but the Ram’s lead means it’s the third-generation EcoDiesel — available from about 2020 to 2023 before it’s discontinued — that best overlapped the first-generation Duramax. The last unit was in production from about 2019 to 2024. The latest Duramax diesel engine is still an option not only for the Silverado, but also for the recently updated 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
Read more: The 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
The gears are gearing up, because we’re going to start by checking out the engine specs to see how they compare physically. The foundation for the Duramax diesel is a lightweight aluminum block topped with an aluminum head. While the heads for the EcoDiesel are also aluminum, the block is made from compacted graphite iron. The benefits of CGI include much more strength at much less weight than regular iron, which is why Dodge and Ram still use iron blocks in some vehicles today. Still, with those materials in play, the Chevy engine weighs 467 pounds, making it nearly 40 pounds lighter than the Ram’s 505-pound engine.
Among the few similarities between the mills, the important ones include their bore and stroke measurements. These two numbers—representing the diameter of an engine’s cylinder and the vertical distance a piston travels inside—help determine an engine’s power. So it’s probably no surprise that, along with similar power figures, the bore and stroke of each engine are within a few millimeters of each other – 84 and 90mm in the Duramax compared to 83 and 92mm in the EcoDiesel.
Furthermore, both engines can run on the same fuel, and we’re not just talking about regular diesel. The Ram EcoDiesel and Chevy Duramax are each compatible with blended diesel, such as B20, which is 80 percent typical petroleum-based fuel mixed with 20 percent diesel produced from renewable sources, from vegetable oils and animal fats.
Power and performance
2020 Ram 1500 with hood open showing EcoDiesel 3.0 V6 engine – Ram
Diesel engines are known for combining muscle and efficiency, and Chevy and Ram engines are no different. Let’s look at some 2020 models, which represent the second year of the first Duramax and the first year of the third-generation EcoDiesel. For this model year, the Chevrolet I6 delivered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque in the Silverado 1500, and the Ram’s V6 alternative was rated at 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.
How did those production ratings translate into the real world? Well, the relatively minor differences made quite a difference when it came to power draw. True, some of that comes down to the design of the trucks themselves, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the Ram 1500 could 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 the diesel peaking at 2,040 pounds versus the Chevy’s 1,870 pounds.
The flip side of the power equation is fuel efficiency. Yes, you can get better fuel economy from your diesel if you follow a few simple tips, but — despite this nasty Dieselgate business — these engines tend to get pretty decent EPA ratings right out of the box. For example, in 2020 the Duramax-powered Silverado 1500 posted an EPA line of 23 mpg city/33 mpg hwy/27 mpg combined, and the EcoDiesel Ram was rated 22/32/26—albeit with an eight-speed automatic transmission that was down two gears in the Chevy.
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