How much horsepower does a 3500 Duramax have?
In its latest form, the 3500 Duramax is rated at 470 horsepower, with 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Across generations, horsepower has varied with engine updates and emissions rules that shaped output over time.
Current ratings for the 3500 Duramax
The most recent Duramax 6.6L V8 in the Silverado 3500HD is rated at 470 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. This rating is published by GM and applies to most configurations of the 2024–present trucks.
- 2024–present: 470 hp, 1,000 lb-ft
Note: Power can vary slightly with driveline, axle ratio, and cab/bed configuration. The 470 hp figure serves as the baseline for typical builds.
Horsepower over time
Over the life of the Duramax in the 3500HD, horsepower has climbed through several generations, with the current peak reaching 470 hp in the latest models.
- 2017–2023: 445 hp, 910 lb-ft
- 2011–2016: 397 hp, 765 lb-ft (LML)
- 2007–2010: 360 hp, 660 lb-ft (LBZ)
Older generations (pre-2011) varied more due to evolving emissions controls and tuning. In general, they produced roughly between 275 and 397 hp and 460 to 765 lb-ft of torque, depending on year and model.
What horsepower means for towing and daily use
Horsepower influences acceleration and top speed, but in heavy-duty pickups like the Silverado 3500HD, torque is often more critical for towing and payload. The Duramax’s strength lies in high torque at low RPM, delivering robust pulling power for heavy workloads.
Bottom line
For most buyers today, the Silverado 3500HD with the Duramax 6.6L V8 delivers 470 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque in 2024–present models. Earlier years offered lower horsepower, with a broad range that reflected updates over time.
Summary
The 3500 Duramax currently peaks at 470 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Duramax variant in the heavy-duty lineup. For those considering older model years, expect progressively lower horsepower figures depending on the year and configuration.
How much horsepower does a 2025 6.6 Duramax have?
The 2025 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel has 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. This engine is available in heavy-duty trucks like the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado HD and is paired with a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission.
You can watch this video to learn more about the 2025 Duramax Silverado's performance: 1mThe Fast Lane TruckYouTube · Jan 30, 2025
- Horsepower: 470470470 hp
- Torque: 975975975 lb-ft
- Transmission: 10-speed Allison automatic
- Peak Torque: 90%90 %90% of peak torque is produced from 1,5501 comma 5501,550 to 2,8502 comma 8502,850 rpm for strong performance when towing.
- Towing Capacity: The diesel engine provides a max available trailering weight of up to 36,00036 comma 00036,000 lbs.
How many miles per gallon does a GMC 3500 6.6 Duramax get?
Heavy-duty models like the Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 also benefit from the 6.6L Duramax® Turbo-Diesel V8 engine. While the primary focus of these trucks is power and towing capacity, they still offer impressive fuel efficiency for their class, averaging around 14-16 MPG on highways, depending on the load.
Is a 6.7 Cummins better than a 6.6 Duramax?
The Cummins 6.7L is generally favored for higher torque and towing capacity, while the Duramax 6.6L often has a slight edge in horsepower and a reputation for a smoother, quieter ride. The Cummins is an inline-6 engine, and the Duramax is a V8. Performance can vary by specific model year, with the latest iterations of each engine being very competitive.
This video compares the power, torque, and other specifications of Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke engines: 1mTruck MasterYouTube · Dec 2, 2020
Cummins 6.7L
- Configuration: Inline-6
- Torque: Higher torque, with the High Output version reaching up to 1,075 lb-ft, making it ideal for heavy towing.
- Horsepower: Generally lower horsepower than the Duramax, but still powerful.
- Driving feel: Often described as having a strong, low-end pull, feeling less phased by heavy loads at lower RPMs.
- Engine history: A long-established brand with over 100 years of history, used in Ram trucks since 1989.
This video provides an overview of the performance of the 2024 Silverado Duramax and 2023 High Output Cummins: 58sBen HardyYouTube · Apr 8, 2023
Duramax 6.6L
- Configuration: V8
- Horsepower: Generally higher horsepower, with some models reaching up to 470 horsepower.
- Torque: Lower torque than the Cummins, but still very capable.
- Driving feel: Often praised for a smoother, quieter ride, with a driving feel that can feel quicker at wide-open throttle.
- Engine history: Has been used in GM vehicles since 2001.
Which one to choose?
- Choose the Cummins 6.7L if: Your priority is the highest possible towing and hauling capability, and you value the strong, low-end torque for heavy loads.
- Choose the Duramax 6.6L if: You want more horsepower for quicker acceleration and prefer a smoother, quieter, and more refined driving experience.
How much HP does a 3500 Duramax have?
470 hp
The engineering buff was done with the intent of providing the 3500 HD with more power for climbing grades and when trailering up steep hills. The Duramax V8 also now makes 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque.
