Vortec 4.3l, Is It Worth It ?

strafingmoose · August 1, 2011

Hey all

So I'm starting to think about getting some newer blood in the driveway and I see GM is now offering the 4.3L in the Ext. Cab configuration. If I'm not mistaken, 4.3L were only coupled with the Reg. Cab config ?

Anyone here has such a truck ? (Ext. Cab + 4.3L)

Anyways, do you guys think a 4.3L in a 6400lbs truck really is more economic ? What about low end torque ?

What are you pros and cons about the 4.3L ?

Thanks!

ChevyTech77 · August 1, 2011

I would be willing to bet (especially because it is used in the XFE Silverado) that a 5.3, 6spd, 3:08 gear'd truck would get better fuel mileage than the 4.3.

The only pro that I could see with going to the 4.3 would be lower maintenance costs and that would only come into play because of its lower parts count, in general, being a 6 cyl engine. I'm sure you already have a pretty good idea about the cons so I'll skip that.

tanked_darren · August 1, 2011

the only pro is its a cheaper option, don't get it.

Doug_Scott · August 1, 2011

It is also only available in the W/T version, and not with the trailer hitch. If you add any type of option that increases the work or adds any useful options, you have to pick a V8. You can't even get a different gear set from the 3.23s. Looks like it is made expressly for local government work trucks, when no trailering is the normal operation for the work truck. No power windows either.

Would not surprise me to see that the torque numbers at normal operating rpms (cruising rpms) are not far off of the 4.8 engine. So local city type driving would be fine for it.

93gmc$$ · August 1, 2011

Hey all

So I'm starting to think about getting some newer blood in the driveway and I see GM is now offering the 4.3L in the Ext. Cab configuration. If I'm not mistaken, 4.3L were only coupled with the Reg. Cab config ?

Anyone here has such a truck ? (Ext. Cab + 4.3L)

Anyways, do you guys think a 4.3L in a 6400lbs truck really is more economic ? What about low end torque ?

What are you pros and cons about the 4.3L ?

Thanks!

I have the Vortec 4.3 on my K1500 (std cab, long bed, 4x4). In a word the motor is "adequate". I have the "5 speed" manual--which is really a 4 speed with a "Granny Gear" L-1-2-3-OD. Low end torque is good, but I spend a lot of time in 3rd. Towing anything bigger than a small utility trailer is a joke. The only reason to get this motor is gas mileage. I average 17.5 mpg. The first one lasted 134K (I trashed the main bearing towing a flatbed car trailer from ID to NC--2550 miles) Bought a new motor from the dealer--have about 24K on second motor.

SouthCo · August 1, 2011

I would think you may regeret that engine choice in the long run, but let us know if you get it and don't.

clemsonblozz · August 1, 2011

It is also only available in the W/T version, and not with the trailer hitch. If you add any type of option that increases the work or adds any useful options, you have to pick a V8. You can't even get a different gear set from the 3.23s. Looks like it is made expressly for local government work trucks, when no trailering is the normal operation for the work truck. No power windows either.
Would not surprise me to see that the torque numbers at normal operating rpms (cruising rpms) are not far off of the 4.8 engine. So local city type driving would be fine for it.

I had a 2000 4.3 regular cab 4x4 that had 3:73 gearset..

It did ok,, but towing anything beyond a heavy boat sucked...

tanked_darren · August 2, 2011

Both the 4.8 and the 5.3 get better gas mileage, the dealer even told me that when I bought my truck.

Mckenzie · August 2, 2011

Like others said the 4.3 is more than adequate for towing a small trailer or john boat or running to lowes for some lumber, but don't get it if you have anything big to tow.

jblakeney · August 2, 2011

Probably going to keep the engine lulled down....... Get the 4.8 or the 5.3 its only a mile or two..... Plus do you really want something that has trouble getting out of its own way? I drove one in a GMT400 for a few weeks........ and it was one of the newer ones with the plastic timing cover.

Jbo

jro909 · August 2, 2011

4.3 is reliable but my god its a dinosaur...it is a dog in fullsize trucks...4.8 or 5.3....5.3 is a great motor above all

big_dawg74 · August 2, 2011

Hey all

So I'm starting to think about getting some newer blood in the driveway and I see GM is now offering the 4.3L in the Ext. Cab configuration. If I'm not mistaken, 4.3L were only coupled with the Reg. Cab config ?

Anyone here has such a truck ? (Ext. Cab + 4.3L)

Anyways, do you guys think a 4.3L in a 6400lbs truck really is more economic ? What about low end torque ?

What are you pros and cons about the 4.3L ?

Thanks!

Depends on what your intentions are with the truck. Any serious towing/heavy hauling? Then no. Light duty? Then yes, it works fine. You can actually get the same or better MPG out of the 4.8/5.3 engines. At least, you can on the GMT800 (don't know if the engines are the same for the 900s or not). Bigger engine would get you better resale down the road, too. I got a very good deal on my truck, otherwise I probably would have chosen a bigger engine.

johnnyz71 · August 2, 2011

Hey all

So I'm starting to think about getting some newer blood in the driveway and I see GM is now offering the 4.3L in the Ext. Cab configuration. If I'm not mistaken, 4.3L were only coupled with the Reg. Cab config ?

Anyone here has such a truck ? (Ext. Cab + 4.3L)

Anyways, do you guys think a 4.3L in a 6400lbs truck really is more economic ? What about low end torque ?

What are you pros and cons about the 4.3L ?

Thanks!

If your budget only allows you to buy the truck with the 4.3L, you can't afford a full size truck. Buy a Colorado instead. There is no legitimate reason why anyone would want the 4.3L V6 in a full size truck (other than goverment/fleet vehicles).

1. As many others have mentioned, the gas mileage will be about the same

2. The truck is basically worth nothing in resale value.

neilbedwell · August 2, 2011

I purchased a new 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 with 4.3L V6, 4L60E trans and 3.73 rear ends about 4 months ago. I've put about 1700 miles on it since then (don't drive a lot). You folks can say whatever you like, but I bet most of you that are dogging the 4.3 have never even driven one, let alone owned one. This is the fourth vehicle to come into my immediate family with the 4.3L under the hood. Every single one of them proved to be rock solid well past the 100K mile mark and were heavily used during their time with us. It has plenty of power for what I want to do and I got 19.6 miles per gallon on the interstate last month during a 3 hour drive home from a shopping trip. I do not regret buying my truck in any way and look forward to many more years with it. I can't speak much toward resale value, but that doesn't mean anything to me as I plan to drive this thing into the ground. I hauled off 1200 pounds of scrap metal a couple weeks ago on a small utility trailer behind my truck and kept forgetting it was back there. That's not a lot of weight for a full size truck, but since some of you think the truck "has trouble getting out of it's own way" it's enough for me to say you're wrong.

ferndog5150 · August 2, 2011

I purchased a new 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 with 4.3L V6, 4L60E trans and 3.73 rear ends about 4 months ago. I've put about 1700 miles on it since then (don't drive a lot). You folks can say whatever you like, but I bet most of you that are dogging the 4.3 have never even driven one, let alone owned one. This is the fourth vehicle to come into my immediate family with the 4.3L under the hood. Every single one of them proved to be rock solid well past the 100K mile mark and were heavily used during their time with us. It has plenty of power for what I want to do and I got 19.6 miles per gallon on the interstate last month during a 3 hour drive home from a shopping trip. I do not regret buying my truck in any way and look forward to many more years with it. I can't speak much toward resale value, but that doesn't mean anything to me as I plan to drive this thing into the ground. I hauled off 1200 pounds of scrap metal a couple weeks ago on a small utility trailer behind my truck and kept forgetting it was back there. That's not a lot of weight for a full size truck, but since some of you think the truck "has trouble getting out of it's own way" it's enough for me to say you're wrong.

Amen to that! I own a 2008 1500 Silverado with the 4.3L and it has plenty of power no regrets here either bet they will outlive the v8's.