L83 5.3L V8 Gen V direction injection engine images
 

We recently took delivery of our 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD with the 5.3L L83 engine. We plan to use this vehicle as a development vehicle for 2014 based truck products and also for initial development of our Gen V V8 products since the 2014 CK trucks are the first vehicles to get the new Gen V GM direct injection V8 engines.

The 2014 C7 Corvette will get a 6.2L version of this engine (dubbed the LT1) and I am sure the Camaro will end up with versions of this engine as well so I thought this might be of interest to Camaro5 forum members.

I will use this thread to post some pictures of the L83 related engine components and then also the performance testing results (dynamometer and acceleration testing) from the vehicle. The 2014 Silverado performed very well compared to the previous generation Silverado so this should be a good sign for the next generation powertrain in the Camaro.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of some of the testing and results as well (think of the video as the Cliffs Notes version of this thread):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJMjqX1Anz8

Crankshaft related images
 

Here is an image of the L83 Gen V V8 engine cast iron crankshaft. 92mm (3.622") stroke, just like the previous engines. Weighs 53.8 lbs.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...2&d=1371588012

And here is the same crankshaft next to a Gen IV V8 crankshaft:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...3&d=1371588342

I am looking forward to this engine, since the current 5.3L is highly modable and they can be beasts!!

L83 camshaft
 

Here is an image of the Gen V V8 L83 camshaft next to a Gen IV camshaft (extra lobe that is wider than the others is at the back of the engine and drives the high pressure fuel pump):

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...4&d=1371588916

Silverado engine compartment
 

Engine compartment with L83 engine:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...5&d=1371590640

with intake removed but sound deadening material still over injectors and rail:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...6&d=1371590686

with sound deadening pad removed, showing injectors and rails and valley tray:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...7&d=1371590722

thermostat housing and engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor now mounted in water pump assembly (no longer in cylinder head):

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...8&d=1371590775

Very cool that you guys did gasoline versus E85 test runs, as these things are rated about 25 to 30 HP/TQ higher on E85. The dyno appears to show this difference as well. (I'm assuming the dyno results you have are just HP and not TQ?)

Can you not get a TQ reading? Apparently on E85 the TQ is rated at 416 which is pretty incredible. These new engines are going to be making some killer power. I'm betting the 6.2 will do 480 - 500 TQ on E85 with the stock tune.

Thanks for posting this.

Vacuum pump
 

The L83 truck engine runs a belt driven mechanical vacuum pump in order to generate vacuum for the brake booster. The C7 Corvette will likely get an electric pump. I assume the Camaro will also go electric.

Here is an image of the pump (attached to the block on the driver side low in the accessory drive):

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...9&d=1371590922

Image of vacuum line that goes from the pump to the brake booster:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...0&d=1371590957

MAF sensor
 

The L83 engine runs an eight wire mass airflow (MAF) sensor. Gen IV engines had a five wire sensor with two wires are for the intake air temperature and 3 wires are for the mass airflow. The added three wires are for a humidity sensor.

Here is an image of that sensor in the Silverado duct work (passenger side):

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...1&d=1371591165

DI fuel pump
 

The L83 runs a mechanical fuel pump off of an extra lobe on the camshaft. The pump is mounted at the back of the engine in the valley. The pump is fed low pressure fuel by a PWM controlled electric fuel pump mounted in the fuel tank.

Here is an image of the mechanical DI pump as it sits in the valley of the engine:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...2&d=1371591307

During testing of the vehicle, we recorded fuel pressure levels in the high pressure side of the system of 425 psi to 2200 psi.

Fuel pressure in the low pressure (lift pump) side of the system ranged from around 40 to 90 psi averaging between 46 to 55 psi depending on the test.

E92 ECM
 

Here is an image of the E92 ECM mounted in the vehicle.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...3&d=1371591681

Note the added security measures installed on the ECM (aka plastic ZIP tie). Ours no longer has a ZIP tie. http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...lies/smile.png

Here is an image of the new E92 ECM next to an E38 ECM (the ECM used in the 2007-2013 CK trucks) for comparison:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...4&d=1371592353

More inputs and outputs (I/O) and the E92 has the built in high voltage drivers for the direct injection injectors.

2014 Silverado chassis dynamometer graph, stock on gasoline
 

Here is a chassis dynamometer graph of the truck as we received it. This is tested on our Dynojet 248 chassis dynamometer. The abrupt end of the data is due to the factory speed governor.

This is on gasoline (roughly 9% alcohol content according to the on-board alcohol sensor).

307 hp at 5200 RPM and 332 lb-ft at 4200 RPM at the rear wheels. OEM rating on gasoline is 355 hp at 5600 RPM and 383 lb-ft at 4100 RPM. Power is right where it should be, especially when you take into account that this is with the 6L80 automatic transmission.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...5&d=1371508433

2014 Silverado acceleration testing results, gasoline
 

Here are some of the acceleration performance testing results when tested on gasoline.

Best on gasoline is 7.5 seconds 0-60 mph and 15.94 seconds and 90.75 mph in the quarter mile. 1/4 data is with NHRA roll-out.

Gasoline testing was with 1/4 tank of fuel. The truck weighs 5340 lbs with 1/8 tank of fuel and no driver. This is with the vehicle fully up to temperature as you would drive it on the street.

Truck specifications:
4WD, short bed, crew cab, 3.08 gear

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...6&d=1371510326

Stock 2014 Silverado vs stock 2010 Silverado
 

Here are some acceleration testing results compared to a stock 2010 Silverado 5.3L 4WD truck.

Both are 4WD, both have the 5.3L engine, both have the 6L80 transmission. The 2014 has a 3.08 and the 2010 has 3.42 axle. The 2014 is a crew cab, short bed. The 2010 is an extended cab, standard bed.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...7&d=1371510473

2014 Silverado E85 vs gasoline testing chassis dynamometer results
 

The 2014 L83 engine is rated at 380 hp on E85 (vs 355 hp on gasoline) and 416 lb-ft on E85 (vs 383 lb-ft on gasoline).

We ran the truck down to about an 1/8 of a tank and then filled it up with E85. Pump E85 never tests at 85% alcohol since they have to dilute the alcohol itself with gasoline for transportation in order to make it no longer consumable by humans. Then we still had some fuel in the tank as well. So before switching to E85 the on-board alcohol sensor read 9% alcohol content and after switching it read 65% alcohol content.

Attached is a graph comparing gasoline vs E85. The speed governor has been removed in order to allow us to test to a higher speed on the chassis dynamometer.

On gasoline the peak power is 302 hp and 332 lb-ft and on E85 that increased to 321 hp and 355 lb-ft.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...8&d=1371510935

2014 Silverado E85 vs gasoline acceleration testing
 

Given the fairly significant increase in power for the L83 on E85, we thought it would be worthwhile to go back and retest the acceleration performance on E85 fuel.

As expected from the chassis dynamometer data, the performance did improve.

Impressive performance numbers for a stock 5300+ lbs truck (200+ driver and a full tank of fuel so we were over 5600 lbs).

I did two runs on E85. They were virtually identical in performance so I didn't do any more runs since the data was so repeatable.

0-60 mph was a best of 6.96 seconds (6.97 on the run displayed in the attached graph). This was an improvement of 0.5 seconds over the best gasoline run.

1/4 elapsed time dropped to 15.51 seconds at 93.5 mph, for an improvement of 0.4 seconds and 2.7 mph.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...9&d=1371511423

Saw this on LS1tech :) Can't wait until we see more and more!

Thanks for the great information! It all sounds very similar to the LFX V6. Flat torque curve, high pressure fuel pump ran off of cam lobe, and great E85 gains are all the benefits of cam phasing and DI.

This engine on E85 in the Camaro would give the current L99/LS3 a run for the money. The 6.2 should be a real killer.

Thanks so much for doing this ! I really like the numbers for this engine.

very interesting.

Looking forward to the LT1 making it into the Camaro.

Like a bit of gas ever stopped a seasoned wine-o. :bonk:



(appreciate the info BTW!)

Too bad this engine didn't help GM in the grand scheme of things as the 2014 Truck Tests are out. That and I don't see whyt people are so excited for the 6.2 as it's damn near 100% carry over from 2013.

No one is overly excited about the 2014 6.2... this pertains to the future inclusion of the LT1 in the Camaro line and in the new '14 'Vette which is absolutely NOT 100% carryover.

this is pretty interesting! thanks for posting!

The new di 6.2 only shares 2 or 3 things with the old pfi 6.2.

I just picked up my new 2014 Sierra this week. 2WD crew cab 3.42 rear gear. Best truck I've ever driven and yes I drove the Dodge and Ford before I got the Sierra. I'm looking forward to what LPE can do with these trucks.

Congrats FrankT,

It's good to see that you're enjoying your new Sierra! We hope everything remains that way :thumbup:.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

My bad.

ok, I'll be the first to ask... Why does it have the two "dips" in the power graph?

The "dips" are gear shifts.

Graham.

I think the MAF is the same as the LFX motor, expensive too !!!

I pick up my 2014 Sierra Friday!!!!:thumbup:

I test drove it and man is it quiet in the cab or what? And Im no Ford fan and had co-workers telling me to get Dodge. Well I dont like Dodge. I prefer Chevy and GMC. Unfortunately the 2014 Chevrolet pickups look like shit. GMCs look terrific!

Congratulations Wizard1183,

Great to hear that you're getting a new Sierra! You must be excited! Let us know how much you like it when you pick it up on Friday.

:thumbup:

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Jason, great intro to the new Gen V engine. Really enjoyed your info. However, one thing either you or Graham might comment on is the bell housing bolt pattern being different. At least at SEMA show the Gen V on display had the top/center bolt offset on the block; I assume to obtain room for the high press fuel pump. Seems to me that the older bell housings on manual and auto trannies will line up except for that bolt. What do you guys think? :iono:

Congrats.

I must be in the minority as I feel the new Chevys look just fine. Not completely awsome, but I think they are attractive.

Dodge still gets the nod on looks for me.

I was really leaning toward the Dodge. I wanted one with the eight speed auto, but they are hard to find. When I did test drive one, it really seemed to shift a lot. This worried me about long term reliability on the trans. Dodge doesn't have a good history with auto trannys. Driving the GMC made my decision for me. Power is good, and fuel mileage is getting better the more miles I put on it. Also, it's the most comfortable truck I've ever driven.

OK.. different way of measuring power than (over here they tend to do it in one gear).

I thought the "dips" were actually some kind of power losses like on a Honda engine when VTEC kicks in... But admitted, I didn't look at the scales on the graph either :)

Our dynos here are typically done in a single gear as well, but on this truck I don't think there is any way to hold it in a single gear. I could be wrong though...not sure really!

:)

Well, the Sierra is an excellent truck. I love it. Theres only one issue I have. AFM! Wtf were engineers thinking with this? It works when it wants to. Makes no sense. Up to 55mph it goes to V4 as long as you arent giving it gas or on cruise control. At 65 sometimes it goes on sometimes it doesnt. Its a shitty excuse to say you're saving gas. THey defintely need a manual mode. THis is my first AFM vehicle. Other than that, the truck is excellent. Quiet, comfortable,powerful and looks great!

The AFM in my 2007 Silverado was the same way not to mention it was noisy and you could feel it. In the long run on the older 5.3 it lead to premature wear (lifters & valve springs) and other issues. I honestly thing the new engines and supposed "new technology" will just have it's own set of new problems.