Can the 2.7L(L3B) Turbo Engine get the HO Tune Upgrade After they Hit the Lot?

3597 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by TMFish, 10 d ago

jgoodwin

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I recently ordered a brand new 2023 Trail Boss with the standard 2.7L L3B. I didn't realize until after it was too late to change the order that there is an option to upgrade to the HO tune with 430 lb-ft of torque. My question is can or will the dealership have the ability to flash the computer with this tune once the truck is delivered?. I called my local dealership service department and they had no clue what I was talking about in-regard to the HO tune. I also read on GM Authority that the L3B HO tune will be a dealer installed option? Can anyone clarify or confirm that this is something the dealerships will be able to perform as an upgrade after the fact?

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DieselDrax

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Welcome to the forums! Yes, this has been discussed before and GM has said the Plus version of the L3B can be upgraded to the HO version.

tfltruck.com

Yes! You Can Tune ZR2-Level Torque to Your Base 2023 Chevy Colorado, With One Catch

Chevrolet dealers will be able to tune your new Colorado pickup's "Turbo Plus" engine up to ZR2 levels of torque, but there is one important caveat to consider.

tfltruck.com

Reactions: 3

jgoodwin

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply! Once the truck gets delivered I will be showing the local Chevy dealership this article and paying for the HO upgrade!

2019RedZR2

· #4 · 1 mo ago

What has not been discussed yet is : what exactly are the differences between the turbo plus engine and the actual L3B that is in the ZR2 Colorado.

It was said by the lead engineer of the L3B engine that the L3B has a forged bottom end and a forged crankshaft and many "diesel like parts."

Not exactly sure what parts, if any, or maybe all the stronger parts are used in the turbo plus engine, but I have not seen or heard anything definitive either way. Important things to know before you electronically max out the power of your engine.

If the HD & forged parts are not used in the turbo plus engine, not sure I would increase the power, at the cost of longevity. But that's just me.

Regardless, accurate information is important. We will all know eventually. But the waiting is tough. I just hope our truck gets built & delivered and they don't start playing games with "market adjustment fees", like other brands are doing. The old "bait & switch" tactic doesn't work well with me. Or the "pay a monthly or yearly fee" for your vehicle options.

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DieselDrax

· #5 · 1 mo ago

2019RedZR2 said:
What has not been discussed yet is : what exactly are the differences between the turbo plus engine and the actual L3B that is in the ZR2 Colorado.

It was said by the lead engineer of the L3B engine that the L3B has a forged bottom end and a forged crankshaft and many "diesel like parts."

Not exactly sure what parts, if any, or maybe all the stronger parts are used in the turbo plus engine, but I have not seen or heard anything definitive either way. Important things to know before you electronically max out the power of your engine.

If the HD & forged parts are not used in the turbo plus engine, not sure I would increase the power, at the cost of longevity. But that's just me.

Regardless, accurate information is important. We will all know eventually. But the waiting is tough. I just hope our truck gets built & delivered and they don't start playing games with "market adjustment fees", like other brands are doing. The old "bait & switch" tactic doesn't work well with me. Or the "pay a monthly or yearly fee" for your vehicle options.

I think you're a little confused, the Turbo Plus and HO are both the same L3B but with different tunes. Only the base Turbo engine is physically different and not an L3B, it's the L2R, and as such there is no factory tune available to increase output. There will probably be aftermarket tunes available at some point. Apparently the L2R doesn't have the same forged parts as the L3B and has some other features missing compared to the L3B.

Reactions: 4

2019RedZR2

· #6 · 1 mo ago

That could very well be.
I was under the impression that there were 3 power levels all being 2.7L engine but that each one had slight differences because of the power levels. And that the only engine that got all the goodies was the ZR2 and above.

Do they all share the same turbo ?

Bossfess

· #7 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

Spoke to my service manager and parts guy tonight at the stealership to clear this up.

Chevrolet Only:

The 2.7L Turbo (RPO code L2R) = 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,200 rpm.
The 2.7L Turbo+(RPO code L3B) = 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.
The 2.7L Turbo H.O. is also (RPO code L3B) = 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm.
Only two engines/blocks and two transitions exist in the Colorado lineup for 2023.
All three options share the BorgWarner B03DV snail.

Re-flashes will be available dealerships on the Turbo+ L3Bs once the equipment and software become available from GM.
Good video explaining the science and tech used in these engines A lot of memes in the comment section as well

ptb_nuggets

· #8 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

Does anyone know if the H.O. tune is technically a dealer installed option, or if ordered, will it show up at the dealer already having been tuned?

I ask because my truck is stuck somewhere in the Wentzville Twilight Zone, and my dealer just offered me a Trail Boss that is showing up this week. This incoming one has the HO tune, but i won't be towing anything for the foreseeable future, and only doing light to moderate offroading. All that extra torque will end up being a waste of gas for me (however noticeable or not), so i'm trying to figure out what my options are...

EDIT: I found a window sticker for a different truck, and the H.O. tune IS listed as dealer install.

Reactions: 1

DieselDrax

· #9 · 1 mo ago

@ptb_nuggets When the HO option is added it's a dealer-installed option, when the truck comes standard with the HO tune it comes that way from the factory.

For example, all Canyons come with the HO from the factory. Window sticker - GMLBL_PROD_0042 (laurabuickgmc.com)

Whereas the Turbo+ with the HO upgrade lists the HO calibration as an option installed by the dealer - GMLBL_PROD_0042

Reactions: 1

2019RedZR2

· #10 · 1 mo ago

Glad you cleared this up. Apparently I was mistaken & thought there was 3 different engine tunes that also included different internal parts (depending on which engine you ordered.) So, I apologize if it caused anyone confusion.

Still waiting for our dealer to tell us "when our order is accepted".

You would think that a business that is for profit, would instantly accept the order, because they do in fact, want your money. But what do I know.

The only thing customers are concerned with is the build date and delivery date. I could really care less about any other codes.

Lol, soon, we may have to help build our own vehicles because no one wants to work anymore. Lol

ptb_nuggets

· #11 · 1 mo ago

DieselDrax said:
@ptb_nuggets When the HO option is added it's a dealer-installed option, when the truck comes standard with the HO tune it comes that way from the factory.

For example, all Canyons come with the HO from the factory. Window sticker - GMLBL_PROD_0042 (laurabuickgmc.com)

Whereas the Turbo+ with the HO upgrade lists the HO calibration as an option installed by the dealer - GMLBL_PROD_0042

Yeah, that definitely sounds right, thank you. I asked my sales rep about it yesterday and he just replied that the HO tune is factory installed on a Trail Boss, so it's a "let's do the opposite of Jim Cramer" situation.

It's hilarious (and also not funny) that this forum collectively knows more about these brand new trucks that few have even seen in person, than the dealerships selling them.

TrailBossColorado

· #12 · 18 d ago (Edited)

Has anyone inquired about getting the tune yet ? I bought mine off right off the truck last week and did not know about this. I will take a look at my window sticker and see if its on there, if not I am going to get it

724Bravo

· #13 · 11 d ago

TrailBossColorado said:
Has anyone inquired about getting the tune yet ? I bought mine off right off the truck last week and did not know about this. I will take a look at my window sticker and see if it's on there, if not I am going to get it

If you purchased a Trail Boss then it's already tuned or it's capable of the factory flash dealer installed.

I just picked up my 2023 Z71 and noticed the dealer installed "2.7L High Output Calibration (DLR INSTALL)" on my sticker, I also forgot to ask if it was indeed installed lol I'll ask when I go in for service. I did a search online and found this:

burgertuning.com

JB4 Tuner for 2023+ Chevrolet Colorado 2.7L Turbo (BETA)

Power gains of up to 85whp and 120wtq to the wheels on a stock Chevy Colorado without the risks of flashing! 5 year warranty. Fast Free Shipping in USA.

burgertuning.com

burgertuning.com

I don't know anything about this mfg but for the $$$ this may be a better tune than the factory flash, I'd like to know if anyone has tried this tune and what the results were.

Reactions: 1

TrailBossColorado

· #14 · 11 d ago

724Bravo said:
If you purchased a Trail Boss then it's already tuned or it's capable of the factory flash dealer installed.

I just picked up my 2023 Z71 and noticed the dealer installed "2.7L High Output Calibration (DLR INSTALL)" on my sticker, I also forgot to ask if it was indeed installed lol I'll ask when I go in for service. I did a search online and found this:

JB4 Tuner for 2023+ Chevrolet Colorado 2.7L Turbo (BETA)

Power gains of up to 85whp and 120wtq to the wheels on a stock Chevy Colorado without the risks of flashing! 5 year warranty. Fast Free Shipping in USA.

burgertuning.com

I don't know anything about this mfg but for the $$$ this may be a better tune than the factory flash, I'd like to know if anyone has tried this tune and what the results were.

My truck is capable of the tune but was not purchased ahead of time so its not on the window sticker
I have talked on Facebook to someone that was able to add it after the fact so it is possible, my dealer is clueless to it yet though

Udi

· #15 · 11 d ago

I'm trying to understand why some models have the LB3 without HO to begin with. This thread is all about how easy it is to re-tune the LB3 to HO but are there and advantages to the LB3 without the HO tune? The only advantage I can guess is better fuel efficiency, is that the reason?

I will be going on a very long road trip with my new Z71, pulling a 4,500lb travel trailer. I would think that the truck will tow better with the HO tune. Is that correct, or will the engine RPM run higher all of the time to achieve that high torque?

Just trying to think about all of these angles before going to the dealer to make this change.

TMFish

· #16 · 10 d ago

How would you confirm that the HO calibration has been done?

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