6.2l Gmt-900 Questions

[NV5600]

I'm looking for firsthand opinions from 6.2L truck owners. I'm going to lose my gms discount soon so I want to order a 2011 and make it last. I have all year so I can take my time on this. I've settled on a GMC SLE EC/SB with the 6.2L engine and 3.73 rear gear. I don't need a fancy stereo, leather or heated this or that. I'm more interested in the drivetrain.

 

How does the 6.2 compare to the 5.3? Is it an advantage in towing at all since the peak torque is so high in the rpm range? How many rpm are you turning at highway speeds with the 3.73 gear? I had an '02 5.3/3.73 and loved it but it had a 4-speed auto. What about fuel mileage with the 6.2l? I had read somewhere that only 91 octane (or higher) fuel can be used. This truck's main duty is to get me out in the winter. I live on a gravel road that drifts badly and 4WD is a necessity. I also have a couple of trailers that I tow but never more than 3000# or so (Yamaha Rhino, mowers etc.). My current truck is a 5.3L w/3.42 and it does not like towing even that modest weight.

 

For those of you who have this engine, do you have the Chevy or the GMC? Which body style do you have and which rearend ratio do you have? Did you get the Max Trailering Package and is that the only way to get the 6.2L/3.73 combo?

 

Thanks for the info. I know it's a lot of questions but I want to make an informed decision.

[Stevens03]

I've owned a 5.3 and there's no comparison to my 6.0... and it's about the same difference between the 6.0 and 6.2.. theres just that much more punch. 5.3 to the 6.2 is absolutely no comparison. Not even in the same league. Everything about the truck is better than your current 5.3. Surprisingly, the fuel mileage is about the only thing similar compared to your 5.3

 

JMO

[absurveyor]

I owned 2 trucks with the 5.3/4.10 combo. The 5.3/3.42 combo scared me to the 6.2. If you are not towing then I see no need for the 3.73. I tow 7000 Lbs with the 6.2/3.42 combo with no problems. IMHO only get the 6.2/3.73 if you are constantly towing. The six speed trans gives you lots of gears to make it through any terrain!

 

Fuel economy- To save a lot of posts on it, the 6.2 CAN get the same mileage as the 5.3 if you drive very easy and work at it. My range varies on each tank by up to 70 miles (combined) depending on how hard I drive it. Highway range is the same on the 5.3 and 6.2. Towing mileage is the same at 70 mph. Push the go pedal and you will notice huge differences. Be careful, it is an addiction!

 

Premium fuel is recommended but not required. I am running premium during the summer towing season but may switch to regular in the winter. Less cost/less power does not matter as much in the winter for me.

[becker87]

I have the max tow package on mine and first gear is very low, don't even notice a heavy trailer behind me at low speeds. I have towed 9000 pounds of block on, im guessing, a 2000 pound trailer and acceleration or passing was not an issue.

 

Now mind you i have a leveling kit and 20s on mine but on the interstate going 80+ i only get about 12, slow down to 75 and i get about 15, slow down to 55-60 and i can get 18 to 19 no problem. I have not tested MPGs it highway speeds very much so those numbers are not set in stone but they are at least a ball park. Now in town i am averaging about 13.5, this is North Dakota city driving so it is not congested stop and go driving like in the larger cities.

 

O and its fast! and don't take the stabilitrack off, unless of course you can handle all that power!!

[obxdiver]

I have the GMC Sierra Denali 1500 with the 6.2L/3.42 403HP AWD

It is a mean truck.

3.5" factory exhaust and it sounds bad to the bone...stock.

I have not yet towed with it but I have no doubt it will tow anything I hook up to it.

[RyanbabZ71]

I owned a 2000 with the 5.3 and currently have a Tahoe with the 5.3. My 2010 Silverado doesnt have the 3.73 rear end but I dont think I could/would go back to a 5.3 after having my 6.2

[RyanbabZ71]

oh yea spend the $200 and get the trailer brake control option

[L29er]

sounds like you want the truck i just got.

 

i`ve only had it a couple weeks, and cannot recall the rpms at hiway speed. but first tank according to the DIC was 15mpg. thats with mixed 50/50 city and country driving (i live on alot of gravel road too) i`m happy with that, better then my supercharged 454 thats for sure, and it goes just as good!

 

my only complaint so far is high interior noise, which i have a TSB i found here that i will be talking to the dealership about.

 

IIRC the tow option 6.2 and 3.73 nets a capacity to pull 10600 #s. my 98 with a 454 was rated at 11000 #s. i can tell it doesn`t have the torque but its still a powerhouse. and i must add to the exhaust is very pleasing for stock!

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Stop it. You guys are making me consider trading in my Duramax on a 6.2 Silverado.

[GMSatan]

Stop it. You guys are making me consider trading in my Duramax on a 6.2 Silverado.

 

Duramax > 6.2L.

[RyanbabZ71]

Duramax > 6.2L.

 

Depends on your needs.

[becker87]

Alright since we are on the topic, well sort of since i have the 6.2 and not the duramax. I have a leveling kit on my truck and when i hook a skidstear and trailer up to it(maybe 9-10,000 pounds), it completely bottoms out and my front end is sticking way up, is it bad to ride on the leaf spring stops? To fix this should i but firestone air bags on it or raise up the rear end with blocks so my back is more level when towing. I don't tow a skidstear often but when i do i don't want the truck to look like its being overworked because i know the engine and tranny can take it.

[GPGuy]

I am very happy with my 5.3L, however there are those moments that having a 6.2L would be nice. I'd like to drive one but around here you don't see them very often.

[xc80002]

6.2 with 373s here. I wound not change a thing. 4 quads on a car hauler and one in the box I got 12 mpg on the highway at 80 mph. 373 are a perfect match with a 6 speed trans. I have the max towing package gives you the 6.2, 373 gears and a hd rear end. For 1200 bucks its a no brainer

[pm26]

6.2 with 373s here. I wound not change a thing. 4 quads on a car hauler and one in the box I got 12 mpg on the highway at 80 mph. 373 are a perfect match with a 6 speed trans. I have the max towing package gives you the 6.2, 373 gears and a hd rear end. For 1200 bucks its a no brainer

 

5 quads? I assume they are not all yours?