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My thoughts about the gas powertrain remaining unchanged


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I know there are some people that are upset about the continuation of the L96/6L90 combo in the gas trucks. While it would be nice to see a more powerful engine in the mix I can understand why the decision was made. The auto industry (especially in the truck market) is wrapped up in "spec wars" that don't always translate into real world performance. My job allows me to examine, drive and sometimes tow with about every truck combination there is. Ford and Dodge both have higher HP/TQ gas options in their HDs. Have you driven them? If not, you should. You will have a new respect for the 6.0. I have driven and towed with a 2015 F250 6.2L and also driven a 6.4L Ram. In my opinion they both "feel" less powerful and slower than the current GM gas trucks. My personal truck is the heaviest 3/4 ton gas configuration they make and in daily driving and towing it just feels more powerful than the competition.

 

One of the reasons I opted for the gas engine was the durability and longevity this combo is known for. If I would have thought it felt underpowered I would not have bought it. Numbers don't always tell the story. Go and drive the competition and let us know your thoughts.

 

-Eli

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I agree on the Ford 6.2 feeling less powerful. Compared to my 1500 with a 5.3 that thing was a turd (had the Ford as a rental). It never seemed to want to drop down a gear, always felt like it was lugging itself along. We have two box trucks at work with the L96/ 90e combo and those things have more pep than my 5.3, very solid drive train as well

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I did actually get the chance with an 2013 F350 6.2 we took in on trade (regular cab 4x4). Not sure if it was the gearing or the transmission but, it didn't feel as quick as my 15 nor as responsive.

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After owning the 6.0L for a while, then buying new a regular 1500 5.3 since the tow numbers weren't far off, I don't really think the difference was that noticeable. Actually, the 5.3 rode worse. Then while driving my brother 6.6L duramax, I see its the only way to go if you want a true HD truck, and it rode/sounded the best.

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Tune the 6.0!!! I agree I had a rental Ford F-250 with the 6.2 and it was such a weak feeling engine. I also had the 2500 ram with the 5.7. Can't understand why they still have two gas engines but that's why I don't make the big bucks.

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Tune the 6.0!!! I agree I had a rental Ford F-250 with the 6.2 and it was such a weak feeling engine. I also had the 2500 ram with the 5.7. Can't understand why they still have two gas engines but that's why I don't make the big bucks.

GM used to build a 6.0 and 8.1, never drove one but I bet those 8.1 big blocks were bad ass

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I had the 8.1. Pretty much the same mileage as a 6.0 but more power. If it was still an option, I would have gotten another one. Had that 2006 been a crew cab, I would still have it. i just sold it a few months ago becuase the extended cab wasn't enough room. Best truck I have ever owned.

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GM used to build a 6.0 and 8.1, never drove one but I bet those 8.1 big blocks were bad ass

You bet right. They have the Ally trans and are just great. Although the mileage was definitely worse than a 6.0.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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I never find my 6.0 lacks power and my CC Dually High country weighs 7800 pounds with me and a full tank. My 08 Dually extended cab with a Duramax was exactly the same weight so these new HD trucks are not light vehicles.

In 2010 I was selling Fords and the gas engine Fords felt like dogs and the Superduties road like lumber wagons.

If a customer came in after test driving a Ram or GM gasser they would always comment on how gutless the Ford gassers felt. As I always post, the main reason I went with the 6.0 gas engine was to get the extra 670 pounds of payload as I have a 5000 pound slide in camper. The fact I saved a pile of money was nice as well but I could have got an LT Duramax for no more money than the High Country with a 6.0, but a truck is just a big toy for me right now and I love all the bling on my High Country. I don't have a Harly or a boat. I love trucks.

Here is another interesting point. I like to buy the 7 year bumper to bumper warranty for just piece of mind. I know that most time these things are a waste of money but they are simply an insurance policy and every year you drive your vehicle without an accident you could call your car insurance a waste of money. This is life. Anyway, you can negotiate prices on these long warranties and over 8 years ago I had to pay 500.00 more for a 7 year warranty on my 08 Duramax than I did on my 16 gasser. This is simply because of the extremely high cost of major diesel repairs.

So back to the main topic about GM staying with a tried and proven power train. I say GOOD.I never would have ordered a brand new power train. I did that back in 04 when I was driving a 2000 F350 with the great proven 7.3 Powerstroke and I bought a new 2004 F350 with the infamous 6.0 Powerstroke which is now known as the sick-0

It was a rare day when one of those dogs did not get hauled into our dealership. I only had mine 6 months and I was towed in 3 times. When something works, don't fix it. Well done GM.

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I know there are some people that are upset about the continuation of the L96/6L90 combo in the gas trucks. While it would be nice to see a more powerful engine in the mix I can understand why the decision was made. The auto industry (especially in the truck market) is wrapped up in "spec wars" that don't always translate into real world performance. My job allows me to examine, drive and sometimes tow with about every truck combination there is. Ford and Dodge both have higher HP/TQ gas options in their HDs. Have you driven them? If not, you should. You will have a new respect for the 6.0. I have driven and towed with a 2015 F250 6.2L and also driven a 6.4L Ram. In my opinion they both "feel" less powerful and slower than the current GM gas trucks. My personal truck is the heaviest 3/4 ton gas configuration they make and in daily driving and towing it just feels more powerful than the competition.

 

One of the reasons I opted for the gas engine was the durability and longevity this combo is known for. If I would have thought it felt underpowered I would not have bought it. Numbers don't always tell the story. Go and drive the competition and let us know your thoughts.

 

-Eli

 

Very true. The 6.0L always compared very favorably to the Ford 6.2L and Ram 6.4L. For 2017, the Ford 6.2L has improved H.P. and torque numbers, but more significantly the transmission in the 250 will change from the HD Torq-Shift 6 to a beefed up version of the 6 speed used in the F-150. The HD Torq-Shift seemed to rob a lot of the 6.2L's power. Nonetheless I think the L96 will still at least hold it's own.

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On paper, this thing is under-powered compared to the competition. Realty seems to be different. TFL truck ran the 3 gassers up the Ike gauntlet and the 6.0L won on time. Yep, this is one semi-real world experience that may or may not prove anything and its been covered many times.

 

But for me, the proof was during my recent trip out West into Yellowstone, pulling nearly 8,000 pounds in the form a travel trailer and the truck was fully loaded (6 passengers and gear). I only felt a little under-powerd one time! And that was going up a 6% grade and I got stuck behind a semi and then tried passing. The truck handled amazing the whole trip. It was in excess of 100* outside at times, we were running the A/C all the time and the engine temps never moved. Trans temps never exceeded 190, and most of the time were around 160-170*. So aside from the lousy gas mileage, this truck took everything I could throw at it and it seemed to enjoy it.

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I would have preferred they had an upgraded 454. Add the VVT like the 6.0L and some other little tweaks and it would be a killer engine. I always did like the 454 and had good luck with them. Just plain run them to death and pull the side of the barn down with them. There is more than ample room in the engine compartment to put a big block.

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