The Rumors of the V8’s Death Were Greatly Exaggerated: Meet GM’s New Small Block V8
For years, the story went that the V8 was living on borrowed time. Then GM went and did the opposite. This week, the automaker pulled the wraps off its new Small Block V8, a pair of fresh engines built for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. And for families who tow, haul, and keep a truck for the long haul, it is very good news.
The New Small Block V8 Comes in Two Sizes
GM is offering two of them. The first is a 5.7-liter V8 that makes 402 horsepower. The second is a 6.6-liter V8 that steps up to 481 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque. That bigger engine is now the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 you can get in any light-duty truck, and not by a little. In plain terms, both engines picked up a real bump in muscle over the ones they replace. GM did it the old-fashioned way, with more displacement, higher compression, and a longer piston stroke. So the power is there the moment you press the pedal, without a turbo doing the heavy lifting.
What It Means When You Are Towing
The 5.7-liter V8 can tow up to 13,700 pounds in the Silverado. That is plenty for a big travel trailer, a loaded boat, or a couple of side-by-sides on a long weekend. Funny enough, the smaller V8 actually out-tows the bigger one on paper, because towing comes down to gearing and setup as much as raw power. So do not assume you need the biggest engine to pull your camper. For most families, the 5.7-liter lands right in the sweet spot of power, capability, and price.
Smarter on Gas Than It Sounds
A V8 has a reputation for drinking fuel, so GM worked to soften that. Both engines can shut down cylinders when you are simply cruising, which means you are not burning all eight cylinders’ worth of gas on the highway. A smarter oil pump and an automatic stop/start system pitch in too. GM has not released official EPA fuel economy numbers yet, so we will hold the final judgment. Still, the goal is clear: keep the V8 feel while trimming the fuel bill.
The Quirk You Will Notice: No More Dipstick
Here is a change that will catch some people off guard. The new trucks drop the traditional oil dipstick. Instead, you check the oil level right on the truck’s screen, and GM says a sensor handles the reading for you. It is a small thing, but it is exactly the kind of detail you will want to know before your first oil change. Old habits die hard in the garage.
Why GM Is Betting on the V8
While much of the industry chases electric power, GM is spending real money to keep the V8 alive. The company put $888 million into its Tonawanda, New York plant for these engines, with more work happening in Flint, Michigan and St. Catharines, Ontario. GM President Mark Reuss says the new engines will rack up more than 1.5 million miles of real-world testing before the trucks reach dealers later this year. The message is simple: plenty of buyers still want a V8, and GM plans to give them one.
The Full Spec Rundown for the Gearheads
Want the numbers without the fluff? Here is the full 2027 Silverado and Sierra engine lineup, side by side.
| Engine | Displacement | Horsepower | Torque | Max Tow (Silverado) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Block V8 (L76) | 5.7L | 402 horsepower | 428 lb-ft | 13,700 pounds |
| Small Block V8 (L78) | 6.6L | 481 horsepower | 501 lb-ft | 9,700 pounds |
| TurboMax I4 | 2.7L | 350 horsepower | 455 lb-ft | Not released |
| Duramax Diesel I6 | 3.0L | 305 horsepower | 495 lb-ft | Not released |
| Official EPA fuel economy figures have not been released. Towing varies by cab, axle, and package. (Source: GM) | ||||
For the true gearheads: the 6.6-liter V8 runs a 12.5:1 compression ratio, up from 11.5:1 on the outgoing 6.2-liter, along with a 6mm longer piston stroke. Both V8s pair direct and port fuel injection, add a variable-displacement oil pump, and keep GM’s Dynamic Fuel Management, which can shut off cylinders on the fly. The 6.6-liter also asks for 0W-30 oil, and yes, you read that dipstick note right.
The bottom line? The V8 is not going quietly, and GM’s new Small Block V8 lineup just gave truck families two strong reasons to stick with it. We cover new vehicles from a family point of view here at GT: Garage Talk®, from our family reviews to hands-on conversations like our Mazda CX-5 family safety interview. We will put these engines to the test the GT: Garage Talk way, from the driver’s seat and the family hauler, so keep an eye out for our full review.