Engine and Transmission
The Silverado 3500HD comes standard with a 6.6-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine producing 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque.
6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel (avail.) 445 HP 910 LB-FT 10-speed auto.
Performance. The Silverado 3500HD is available with two engine options: a 6.6-liter gas V-8 with 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque or 6.6-liter turbodiesel V-8 rated at 445 hp and 910 lb-ft.
6.6L L5P Features
This next-generation redesign offers more horsepower and torque than ever — an SAE-certified 445 horsepower (332 kW) and net 910 lb. -ft. (1,234 Nm) — to enable easier, more confident hauling and trailering.
With the Silverado 3500, the Chevy 1-ton truck, it's about payload and towing. This is the class of truck you will want to be looking at when hauling and heavy towing are the number one priority and is meant to be used as a daily work truck.
Heavy-Duty (2500 and 3500): For more intensive hauling needs, the heavy-duty trucks provide more robust capabilities. These models are more specialized to accommodate heavier towing capacities.
While the 2500 HD and the 3500 HD are both capable of 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque, the big difference between the two is towing and payload capacity. Even with the turbo-diesel engine, the 2500 HD has a maximum towing capacity of 14,500 lbs and a maximum payload capacity of 3,817 lbs.
Duramax Engines has an excellent reputation for reliability. Each model year is associated with problems, especially when the engines reach 100,000+ miles. However, while Cummins engines may continue to edge out Duramax in terms of overall reliability, Duramax fans love their higher horsepower.
Cummins Vs.
The current Cummins engine is a 6.7-liter inline-six, while the Duramax is a 6.6-liter V8. The Duramax leads with horsepower, but the Cummins is the king of torque with numbers up to 1,000 ft-lbs depending on the truck.
The latest addition to Ram's extensive line of high-quality vehicles is the new 2021 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty. This vehicle delivers the highest torque rating you'll ever find in a diesel pickup truck. With a torque of up 1,750 lb. -ft., Ram is the first brand to achieve this torque milestone in the automotive world.
Duramax engines can be found in Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, such as the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. Their high horsepower and torque outputs directly compete with Cummins engines, as well as PowerStroke. In addition to durability, Duramax engines are known for their quiet performance.
Known internally at Banks as the Super-Turbo, this blown and twin-turbo'd 6.6L Duramax engine was built for a military-spec offshore boat. Though this LBZ-based engine was intended for use in the ocean, there's no reason one of these babies couldn't end up in the engine compartment of your next project.