Wanted - Your Opinion 1997 Chevy 3500

NoBite · August 1, 2002

I am looking a 1997 Chevy K3500, extended cab, LWB with a 454 and automatic tranny. Wanting to upgrade from my 1993 Chevy K2500 with a 350. I pull a 4-horse trailer that is under 9,000# fully loaded. The 350 has been a heck of a motor, but since we got the new trailer, it is over-matched.

I would like your evaluation of the 1997 Chevy as a reliable pulling machine. Is there anything I should be especially aware of regarding the 1997 models?

This model has unusually low mileage. I will be taking it to a mechanic soon, but wondered if there was anything particular about that model year to be concerned about.

I'm new to this forum. Hope this post isn't too far off base for this category.

Thanks,

NoBite

western KY

RedDog · August 2, 2002

Same year as mine,, no problems. The Vortec 454 will run circles around the throttle body 350!!!

RedDog

NoBite · August 3, 2002

Same year as mine,, no problems. The Vortec 454 will run circles around the throttle body 350!!!

RedDog

RedDog, thanks for the encouragement. Now, I'd like to ask you to help me understand something about Chevy engines. How does the 1997 vortec 454 compare with the newer 6.0 vortec? Size, horsepower, torque?

I have a chart from Chevy that shows the towing capacity of the 6.0 and 8100 as well as the Duramax. I am wondering how that '97 454 fits in?

When you get right to the heart of my concern, here it is. I would like my next truck purchase to be something that will fit my needs for years to come. We currently pull a 4-horse EXISS that is fairly light because it does not have a full living quarters. But, hopefully in the next 5-7 years we will be able to upgrade to something a bit larger (and heavier). Between now and then I don't imagine we will put more than 5,000-7,000 miles/year on our tow vehicle. Then, as our job responsibilities decline we hope to spend more time traveling with the horses. I am concerned that the 454 might not be stout enough to do the job if/when we get a bigger trailer. I have been looking at diesels, too. Can't really afford the new ones, so have been confining my search to 1999-2000 models. Frankly, PSD's primarily.

That's my situation. I'm not posting this information to start a discussion of <that other truck>, just to learn more about the '97 454. Thanks for your thoughts!

jgriffin · August 5, 2002

I currently own a '97 K2500 ext cab with 454. The truck has about 40,000 miles on it and has had no problems. I tow an 8000# loaded weight travel trailer and have been very pleased with the performance.

My dad has a '99 2500 Silverado with the 6.0 and pulls a travel trailer with a loaded weight of about 8200#. My '97 seems to do a better job on grades when we travel together. The 6.0 is a good engine, but doesn't have quite the torque of the 454.

As for numbers, the '97 454 has 290 hp and 410 ft lbs torque. The 6.0 has 300 hp and, I believe, 355 ft lbs torque (I think these are the correct numbers for the '99 6.0). Horsepower is essentially the same, but torque figures are quite a bit more with the 454. The new 6.0 is essentially billed as a replacement for the 5.7 (both small blocks) and the 8.1 is positioned as a replacement for the 7.4 (454), both being big blocks.

Personally, I would prefer to tow with the 454 (over the 6.0) with the additional torque. Also, the 454 is a very stout, proven engine.

I have considered an upgrade to a new 8.1 or Duramax, but can't justify the expense (unlike many, I would like to retire sooner than later!) as the '97 will tow anything I will own in the foreseeable future.

Good luck!

Suburbanite · August 5, 2002

Have you considered power hop-ups to the 350? A supercharger would probably be the easiest (but not cheapest). As an example, the Whipple supercharger increases HP & torque by about 50% which would give the 350 the output of a BB at about 300HP & 450FTLB.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Sarah99GXE · August 28, 2002

I have a question....we have the 97 2500 with the 454 as well. The pulling power is great. We haven't had any problems with the engine in this truck. Now we are getting a camper to put on this truck (fully contained, 6 sleeper etc) I haven't seen it, but I hear it's made to fit on a long bed (should fit on ours with the tailgate down). Do you guys think the stock suspension on these trucks in general can handle that kind of weight sitting on it with no problem? I know we can 'Pull' as much weight, but I wasn't sure if it was dispositioned differently how it will effect the truck. Make sence?

Thanks for any input.

Z71IN' · September 1, 2002

I vote for a diesel... better gas mileage and a torque monster for pulling your trailer. Longevity seems to be a bit better in my experiences too, although the 454 is a GREAT engine.