New 2009 Chevrolet Colorado V8 Dyno Tested at K&N in Riverside, California

A 2009 Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine rolled off the production line and made its way to one of K&N’s dynamometer rooms in Riverside, California. GM has a small fleet of test vehicles in the Los Angeles area. Vehicles are available to journalists who write for various publications.

2009 Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine on the dyno at K&N
2009 Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine on the dyno at K&N
John Stewart is writing an article for pickuptrucks.com and wanted a road test, fast. He drove from Pasadena, California about sixty miles east to K&N’s facility in Riverside, California. “K&N has a long standing policy that if you have something new and want to get it tested, just bring it in,” said Stewart. “It’s a win-win situation because I get absolute horsepower and torque numbers and K&N gets a look under the hood.”
2009 is the first year GM has produced a Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine
2009 is the first year GM has produced a Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine

2009 Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine was tested for absolute horsepower and torque numbers at K&N in Riverside, California
2009 Chevrolet Colorado with a V8 engine was tested for absolute horsepower and torque numbers at K&N in Riverside, California

Chevy’s new Colorado has a 5.3 liter V8 engine which is available on extended and crew cab models. “This truck is different, it’s also the first year GM has offered a V8 in this model,” said Stewart. “It appeals to the family who wants a truck with comfort.” The Colorado can seat up to six, is quiet and has a lot of interior space.

“K&N is the premier testing facility in the Los Angeles area,” said Stewart. “The crew at K&N is knowledgeable and we can learn a lot about a vehicle in a short time. Also, the data we received on the Colorado is reliable.” K&N did a dyno run on the 2WD with the OE filter and then put on a washable, reusable lifetime K&N air filter.

“It’s interesting how much power you can gain with small changes on a stock intake system,” said Stewart. “In this case, simply by replacing the stock Chevrolet filter with a K&N air filter we noticed an 8 horsepower increase and a 9 ft. lbs increase. That’s a big deal.”

Other features new on the midsize pickup for 2009 include:

Improved brake system which features four channel ABS with yaw control for flatter, more controlled stopping during panic stops and improved control on slippery surfaces
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, standard on all models
Fuel system control module for improved fuel economy
New ZQ8 sport suspension
Z71: higher stance, larger wheel/tire combination for improved appearance and off-road maneuverability
16-inch steel wheels replace 15-inch steel wheels on Work Truck models
New family of 16-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch wheels for LT models
Standard bedliner with Fleet Delete package
Exterior trim revisions
Two new exterior colors: Deep Navy and Aqua Blue Metallic
XM Satellite Radio standard on LT
Carpet and cloth seats now standard on Work Truck
1VL Value Package on extended and crew cabs

There are also a lot of revisions to the exterior including a ride height that is “slammed.” That means the pickups can ride on unique 18 X 8 inch aluminum wheels and low-profile sport tires. As a result the handling and maneuverability are crisper.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.