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You sent me down a calculator rabbit hole on this one. Givens: 5.3 Peak Torque = 383 lb-ft 4100 rpm 5.3 Peak HP = 355 hp 5600 rpm 2.7T Peak Torque = 420 lb-ft 3000 rpm 2.7T Peak HP = 310 hp 5600 rpm We can clearly see that the 5.3 has more horsepower than the 2.7T at the same peak RPM. But when you start calculating horsepower at the respective torque peaks, things get a little interesting. At the 5.3's torque peak, it is generating 298 horsepower. But at the RPM torque peak of the 2.7T (3,000), it is generating, at most, 218 horsepower. However, that number is going to be lower since naturally aspirated engines produce torque at a steady climb. So at 3000 rpm, it's more likely going to be producing around 360 lb-ft, which means the horsepower is only 205 at 3000 rpm. Meanwhile, the 2.7T generating 420 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm produces 239 horsepower at the same RPM the 5.3 is making 205. The torque curve of the 2.7T is very flat. While the peak is at 3,000, the slope on either side is so gentle that it would better be expressed as a range from ~1500 - ~4000 rpm. That translates to a lot more torque over a broad RPM range than the 5.3 can provide, even at peak. I haven't gotten to drive a Canyon with this engine yet, but looking into this has made me curious and I think I might take a test drive. Also, it looks like GM has quietly made nearly all versions of its trucks get the H.O. version of this engine, with only the base small trucks getting the lesser-powered version. When it originally came out, it was rated for 310hp / 348 lb-ft, basically the same spec as my 2013 5.3.

The 2.7 is a 5.3 replacement, you can't just look at the horsepower numbers. It has the horsepower of the pre-direct-injection 5.3 (310 hp) and much more torque, approaching that of the 6.2 (2.7 430 lb-ft v. 5.3 383 lb-ft v. 6.2 460lb-ft) at a significantly lower rpm (3000 rpm v 4100 rpm). And in all instances, it out torques the Ford 2.7. Swapping out my 5.3 for a 2.7T would be a power upgrade with nearly 100 additional ft-lb of torque, plus the advantage of two more gears in the box. To most people, the 2.7 will feel more energetic, though the fact that the 5.3 comes with the 10-speed while the 2.7T only gets the 8-speed will negate that a bit. The only time the 5.3 has an advantage is if you're racing these. Remember, the horsepower number is calculated based on how fast you spin the engine and what torque you get at that speed. High RPMs are not desirable in most trucks, thus they aim for a higher torque number at a lower RPM which makes the peak horsepower lower.