8 Facts About the 2009-12 Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with LS V8 Power
GM was not offering a lot of practical LS powered options before the 5th generation Camaro debuted in 2010, but one bright spot was the 2009-2012 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Let's find out more about this mid-sized V8 trucks.
1. Could Have Had a V8
When the new GMT355 based Colorado and Canyon replaced the 10 year old Chevy S10 truck it was a huge leap forward in every way, except one. The new modern four and 5 cylinder motors made plenty of power compared to the old V6, but they lacked the low end torque that truck buyers love. Almost from day one truck buyers complained about the lack of a torque-y V8 option. GM listened and in 2009 began to offer the aluminum block 5.3 liter V8 in extended cab and crew cab Colorados and Canyons.
2. Colorado SS SEMA Truck
Well before GM would allow the public to buy V8 powered small truck, they had to tease all of us with a few show trucks. The nearly production looking Chevy Colorado SS truck that appeared at the SEMA show in 2005 was the first of these. It featured a 400hp 6.0 liter motor and heavy duty 4 speed automatic, plus the bigger brakes from the Trailblazer SS and wheels from the Silverado SS. If nothing else, this show truck showed thousands of guys at the aftermarket equipment show just how easily an LS motor could be slipped into the GMT355 frame. A body kit similar in looks to the SS show truck would premier on the Colorado Xtreme in 2006.
3. Colorado Cruz Concept
Slightly after the Colorado SS was shown, the much more radical Colorado Cruz debuted, with a 6.2 liter V8 and T56 6 speed manual. Obviously the fenders have massive flares fitted, to cover the huge wheels and tires; You can't see them but Brembo brakes are there, too. The interior was fitted with Sparko sport seats and race harnesses. The factory never offered a V8 in the regular cab truck, but with the prices on these trucks coming down in the used market, plenty of home builders have built them.
4. On-Road or Off-Road Performance
From the introduction, the Colorado and Canyon were offered in 3 different flavors of suspension: Basic Z85, raised (even in the 2WD) off-road oriented Z71, or sporty lowered ZQ8. When the V8 trucks were introduced, you could get them in all 3 suspension set ups as well. The relatively light and compact truck, with over 300lb-ft of torque, made a great off-road choice for tight trails. With no Camaro in the line up at the time, the ZQ8 was one of the cheapest everyday performance options, being more practical and almost as fast as a Mustang GT.
5. 5.3 Liter LH8 Specs
The all aluminum LS based LH8 5.3 liter V8 in the Colorado and Canyon is the same one used in the Hummer H3 Alpha, and similar to the motors used in the full sized trucks. In order to fit the V8 in the smaller truck it was modified slightly and uses a more restrictive exhaust, which results in it making just 300 hp at 5200 rpm, instead of the 315 the larger trucks are rated at, and 320 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. It is EPA rated at just 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, but can tow more than 6000 lbs. As installed the LH8 motor is not much to look at, but it can be dressed up with things like the Corvette intake and engine cover to make it really pop.
6. Performance Numbers
The crew cab Colorado/Canyon weighs in at just over 4000 lbs, and the extended cab version is about 3600 lbs, so it is certainly no lightweight, but with the V8 0-60 mph comes in less than 7 seconds, or 6.5 seconds in the lighter version. Drag racing the crew cab you should be able to get low 15 seconds in the 1/4 mile bone stock (with the sticky Goodyear Eagle on the ZQ8), and high 14 seconds with an extended cab. On the skidpad the ZQ8 will pull more than .8 G with stock tires and suspension, and of course the off-road version will corner with less grip.
7. Rarity
There was nothing limited about the production of these trucks, GM made as many as they could sell, but it isn't easy to find one for sale today. Production numbers of V8 trucks were just lumped in with all the rest, and since they are not considered collectible (yet?) no one has an accurate number of V8 Canyons and Colorados. However, what does exist is V8 trucks by percentage, with Colorados getting V8 motors in 3.5-7.6% depending on year, and Canyons 1-13.3% V8 powered. Based on reports online, it is speculated that less than 1500 V8 Chevy Colorado trucks were produced each year, and even fewer GMC Canyons.
8. Price
If you can find one of these trucks for sale near you, the good news is they are not expensive. You should be able to buy one in good condition for between $10,000 and $15,000 depending on what cab, drive and suspension configuration it has. The only problem now is finding the one you want, but these trucks have proven to be reliable and easy to mod daily drivers or project vehicles and the new Colorado doesn't offer a V8. These trucks are also great for light duty (up to 6500 lbs) towing of your LS powered race car to the track.
For help in fixing of maintaining any LS powered car or truck click over to the How-To section here in LS1Tech.com!