5.3 Or 4.8

[concept carbon]

Hi, Im new to the forum. I have done some searching and cant find a definite answer. I have decided to order a new 2011 silverado tonight but I cant decide on 5.3 6speed or 4.8 4 speed.

 

I'm under the impression from dealer that the 5.3 is better on gas because of the 6 speed is this correct?

 

I don't need the 5.3 for towing all I tow is a snowmobile trailer and a small alum boat, which my POS toyota tacoma had no issues before, so a 4.8 would be a drastic improvement.

 

The deal breaker for my is fuel economy. Searching has allot of mixed results more then likely im reading allot of posts on the older 5.3

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thank jay

[RyanbabZ71]

Out of those 2 options I wouldnt go with anything less than the 5.3 for numerous reasons.

 

After having 2 5.3's and 1 6.2 I would not purchase another 5.3 unless I absolutely had to. Gas Milage isnt a concern of mine

[dlewis1111]

Hi, Im new to the forum. I have done some searching and cant find a definite answer. I have decided to order a new 2011 silverado tonight but I cant decide on 5.3 6speed or 4.8 4 speed.

 

I'm under the impression from dealer that the 5.3 is better on gas because of the 6 speed is this correct?

 

I don't need the 5.3 for towing all I tow is a snowmobile trailer and a small alum boat, which my POS toyota tacoma had no issues before, so a 4.8 would be a drastic improvement.

 

The deal breaker for my is fuel economy. Searching has allot of mixed results more then likely im reading allot of posts on the older 5.3

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thank jay

 

Certain trim level trucks are going to come standard with the 5.3, like the LTZ and certain packages. The 4.8 is generally considered for the WT, LS, and some LT's. I think you will find that most dealers order them with 5.3's. I have owned both and they are very capable engines.

 

I must say that gas mileage is not a concern of mine. It's a truck and I expect it to eat fuel and handle like I was driving a wet sponge.

[Stevens03]

Out of those 2 options I wouldnt go with anything less than the 5.3 for numerous reasons.

 

After having 2 5.3's and 1 6.2 I would not purchase another 5.3 unless I absolutely had to. Gas Milage isnt a concern of mine

 

Amen! The fun factor with the 6.2L is night and day over the 5.3 and the mileage isn't that far off.

[concept carbon]

Hi, Im new to the forum. I have done some searching and cant find a definite answer. I have decided to order a new 2011 silverado tonight but I cant decide on 5.3 6speed or 4.8 4 speed.

 

I'm under the impression from dealer that the 5.3 is better on gas because of the 6 speed is this correct?

 

I don't need the 5.3 for towing all I tow is a snowmobile trailer and a small alum boat, which my POS toyota tacoma had no issues before, so a 4.8 would be a drastic improvement.

 

The deal breaker for my is fuel economy. Searching has allot of mixed results more then likely im reading allot of posts on the older 5.3

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thank jay

 

Certain trim level trucks are going to come standard with the 5.3, like the LTZ and certain packages. The 4.8 is generally considered for the WT, LS, and some LT's. I think you will find that most dealers order them with 5.3's. I have owned both and they are very capable engines.

 

I must say that gas mileage is not a concern of mine. It's a truck and I expect it to eat fuel and handle like I was driving a wet sponge.

 

 

I would be getting an LT, most trucks at my local dealers are in the 4.8 weird. So I may have to wait 2 months to get a 5.3 ordered with the options I want. I don't expect to have great gas millage just want to know which one is better, If the 4.8 is better then I would sacrifice the power for the ease of getting a truck now over 2 months and not to mention the 2 grand price increase. I should mention I would be going with a 3.42 rear end.

 

I live about 40mins from work and half of the drive is hyway. Thanks for the quick reply s

[txab]

5.3

[ryan_hermanutz]

Having a 4.8 with 3.42 gears I know exactly what you will have. I went with the 4.8 purely for the fact that it didn't have AFM and I really didn't need a 6.0. The motor is great and has plenty of power for what I need, but given the opportunity again I would get the 6-speed even if it came with AFM motor.

[tanked_darren]

After driving my truck, and then the newer 6-speeds at my work, I would buy the 6-speed regardless of motor.

[rodram]

for me ... if I wanted a new light duty truck I would go with the 4.8L / 4-sp / 3.73 gears .. for general running around, daily commute, and occasionally towing a little boat...

 

... and if I needed a new truck to haul some moderate loads and pull a travel trailer (within limits), then I would go with the 6.2L / 6-sp.. / 3.73 gears

 

.. you will notice that neither of these choices includes an AFM engine

 

.. you asked about fuel consumption .. I would not worry about the difference in fuel consumption between any of these engines in the 1500's ... but I WOULD worry about the OIL CONSUMPTION in a 5.3AFM engine!!!!

[blevenson]

After driving my truck, and then the newer 6-speeds at my work, I would buy the 6-speed regardless of motor.

 

 

IMO, after having two Sierras with the 4.8 4sp combo, and having made the jump to the 5.3 6sp for the third truck, the 6sp is the way to go. Much smoother, stronger, etc.

 

I have had the 3.42 in all three trucks, and coupled with the 6 sp it is noticably stronger/faster and mileage is about 1-2 mpg better with the 5.3 6sp.

[Jay69]

My vote is the 6 speed tranny, had 2 of them, love them.

 

As far as the 5.3 and AFM, I'm taking a chance on it! Loving it so far.

[tyhuck]

5.3 with the 6 speed. My wifes Tahoe has that setup and I love it. Its great on gas for a truck, and for the price difference, the extra HP is great to have just in case you need it. Its kinda like buying 4wd. Its great to have, and if you ever get into a situation where you absolutely need it, youll be glad you payed for it (in purchase price and gas).

 

Ive also heard that the 4.8 is kind of a joke. As far as I am concerned, GM has never made a decent "economy" V8. The 5.0 used to get the same milage as the 5.7 and lacked all of the pep. Ive heard the 4.8 is the same way when compared to the 5.3. There's no replacement for displacement.

[concept carbon]

for me ... if I wanted a new light duty truck I would go with the 4.8L / 4-sp / 3.73 gears .. for general running around, daily commute, and occasionally towing a little boat...

 

... and if I needed a new truck to haul some moderate loads and pull a travel trailer (within limits), then I would go with the 6.2L / 6-sp.. / 3.73 gears

 

.. you will notice that neither of these choices includes an AFM engine

 

.. you asked about fuel consumption .. I would not worry about the difference in fuel consumption between any of these engines in the 1500's ... but I WOULD worry about the OIL CONSUMPTION in a 5.3AFM engine!!!!

wow first I have heard of this oil consumption issue, hope gm has resolved this for 2011.

[concept carbon]

After driving my truck, and then the newer 6-speeds at my work, I would buy the 6-speed regardless of motor.

 

 

IMO, after having two Sierras with the 4.8 4sp combo, and having made the jump to the 5.3 6sp for the third truck, the 6sp is the way to go. Much smoother, stronger, etc.

 

I have had the 3.42 in all three trucks, and coupled with the 6 sp it is noticably stronger/faster and mileage is about 1-2 mpg better with the 5.3 6sp.

 

 

 

This is the answer I wanted, now the oil consumption issue has got me worried I will have to talk to my dealer. They have the perfect truck in stock. Its 2011 gmc sierra SLE z71 5.3 3.42 ext cab chrome package and power seats windows locks, remote start ect. and black.

 

Im supper stoked going to sign the paper work tonight

[191185]

what's the price difference ?

 

 

if the same I'd WAIT and go with the 5.3 ... a 2 month wait is nothing when your going to have the truck for years and years. . .