The GM TurboMax engine — sometimes called the GMC TurboMax or Chevy TurboMax — is a gas motor that GM built for use in light-duty truck applications. The TurboMax is based on another General Motors engine, the 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder L3B motor. The L3B was first released in 2019 and has been used in the Cadillac CT4-V, the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and various other GM cars and SUVs.
The TurboMax is a high-output version of the L3B. It’s incredibly robust for its small size and can produce 310 horsepower and an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque. If those torque levels seem exceptional for a four-cylinder motor, you’re not wrong. But GM designed the TurboMax specifically for use in light-duty trucks and SUVs, a group of vehicles that rely on high low-end torque outputs for things like towing trailers and driving off-road. The motor includes various performance upgrades, including lengthened piston strokes for improved combustion and compression, a powerful turbocharger to increase engine airflow, a three-position camshaft to improve timing and reduce excess valve heat, and many more high-output components.
Finally, GM modeled the TurboMax engine after diesel motors. It features a fully forged bottom end, meaning it can handle increased power without the risk of developing stress-based damage or malfunctions. It can tow up to 9,600 pounds and get up to 19 combined city and highway miles per gallon. Considering the engine’s diminutive size and its quarter- and half-ton applications, the GM TurboMax represents a promising glimpse into the future of powerful and efficient yet small engines.
