2011 Sierra 1500

yamahas · November 5, 2011

Hey guys,

I am getting a new truck. It looks like it will be a new 2011 sierra SLE 1500. I have been serching but wondering a few things. The truck I will be getting rid of is a 97 Sierra 2500 with a 5.7L. It also has extended cab and an 8 foot box.

- will I really be missing the 5.7L? I tow a 3000lb boat only about 3 times a year. But I do trailer a 2 place snowmobile trailer 4 hrs almost weekly in the winter. Mostly fairly flat land with the boat but the snowmobile trailer sees many more hills.

I find I was probably not even using all the power it had? Will the 4.8 be enough for me?

Are there anny problems anyone is experiencing with these trucks? Looking at a 1500 regular cab with an 8 foot box. 4.8L V8

Anyone know how much to expect for a trade in?

Thanks

BlackZ71Silverado · November 5, 2011

Hey guys,

I am getting a new truck. It looks like it will be a new 2011 sierra SLE 1500. I have been serching but wondering a few things. The truck I will be getting rid of is a 97 Sierra 2500 with a 5.7L. It also has extended cab and an 8 foot box.

- will I really be missing the 5.7L? I tow a 3000lb boat only about 3 times a year. But I do trailer a 2 place snowmobile trailer 4 hrs almost weekly in the winter. Mostly fairly flat land.

I find I was probably not even using all the power it had? Will the 4.8 be enough for me?

Are there anny problems anyone is experiencing with these trucks? Looking at a 1500 regular cab with an 8 foot box. 4.8L V8

Anyone know how much to expect for a trade in?

Thanks

YES, you will miss the 5.7 with anything other than a 6.0 HD or 6.2L 1500 towing or not, it's a big step backward.

jro909 · November 5, 2011

the newer 4.8s have decent numbers...3k isen't even close to the max towing capacity of the newer 1500s...i think the only thing that may suffer is your mpg towing

yamahas · November 5, 2011

the newer 4.8s have decent numbers...3k isen't even close to the max towing capacity of the newer 1500s...i think the only thing that may suffer is your mpg towing

Thats what I am thinking..

The old 5.7L is a 350HP the new 4.8 is a 302.

My 97 was getting around 20L/100KM's average, I think I will be happy with the new truck's millage

PH-Wolf · November 5, 2011

the newer 4.8s have decent numbers...3k isen't even close to the max towing capacity of the newer 1500s...i think the only thing that may suffer is your mpg towing

Thats what I am thinking..

The old 5.7L is a 350HP the new 4.8 is a 302.

My 97 was getting around 20L/100KM's average, I think I will be happy with the new truck's millage

The 5.7l Vortec in your truck only had 255hp and 330 lbft of torque from the factory.

4.8l 302hp an 305 lbft torque. A bit less torque at higher rpm. You'll notice a difference from your 3/4 ton vs. The new 1/2 ton. However the 1/2 ton, 4.8l will be fine from what you stated an how off end You tow.

An enjoy better fuel economy unloaded, cannot comment on towing fuel economy.

yamahas · November 5, 2011

the newer 4.8s have decent numbers...3k isen't even close to the max towing capacity of the newer 1500s...i think the only thing that may suffer is your mpg towing

Thats what I am thinking..

The old 5.7L is a 350HP the new 4.8 is a 302.

My 97 was getting around 20L/100KM's average, I think I will be happy with the new truck's millage

The 5.7l Vortec in your truck only had 255hp and 330 lbft of torque from the factory.

4.8l 302hp an 305 lbft torque. A bit less torque at higher rpm. You'll notice a difference from your 3/4 ton vs. The new 1/2 ton. However the 1/2 ton, 4.8l will be fine from what you stated an how off end You tow.

An enjoy better fuel economy unloaded, cannot comment on towing fuel economy.

Huh thanks! I thought the C350 ment 350 hp. Guess I was wrong? EDIT- Not sure what I was thinking, 350 Cubic Inch!

Garrett Street · November 5, 2011

It would be enough for you. But I would strongly encourage you to spring for the 5.3. More power, better FE and the 6 speed. I would wager that you wouldn't notice much difference when towing even though you're stepping down from a 3/4 ton.

Stevens03 · November 5, 2011

It would be enough for you. But I would strongly encourage you to spring for the 5.3. More power, better FE and the 6 speed. I would wager that you wouldn't notice much difference when towing even though you're stepping down from a 3/4 ton.

x2... Well worth the upgrade to the 5.3 to get the 6-speed transmission. The 4.8L will do what your looking for it to do, but if you ever want to do more, you just won't have enough truck IMO.

TJay74 · November 5, 2011

I would suggest the 5.3 as well. Like posted the 5.7 actually has less power than the 5.3, but the 5.3 has better fuel economy. I just picked up a 2001 with the 5.3 and it runs very well (compaired to my 2009 G8 GXP that is in my garage that makes almost 470hp as it sits right now) and got 18mpg when I filled up today.

yamahas · November 5, 2011

You guys defiantly gave me something to think about. I will have to see whats available when I talk to the dealer next.

Ho how does this system work that does not use all the cylinders? Am I reading that right?

wavery · November 5, 2011

I tow a 4K# trailer about every other weekend to go camping. We carry about 600# in cargo (plus the 485# tongue weight) and my wife and myself. The payload on our 1500 is pretty well maxxed out and we have the 4.8 with 3.23 gears.

Our avg MPG towing is 15-16MPG and the truck is used exclusively for towing. The only power issue that we have is when climbing long steep grades that are over 6% grades. I always tow in 3rd tow/haul mode. When the speed drops to 60MPH on a grade, I drop it into second and keep my speed above 62MPH in order to have enough torque to keep from losing power. Normally, I can maintain 62-65MPH @ ~3700RPM (which is not even close to over revving) with far less than full throttle.

Having said all that, the 5.3 with the 6 speed is a far superior tow vehicle (especially with 3.73 gears). I wish that's what I had...... but my needs may be different from yours.

That package will cost a little more on the sticker price plus you will suffer a bit in overall MPG. If the truck is mainly used for non-towing and your total trailer weight doesn't change from what you currently tow, you may be happy with the 4.8 and save a few bucks in the deal.

yamahas · November 5, 2011

It is looking like it is worth it.

From what I understand on the GM site (Too late to call the dealer and talk to them about it, will have to wait for monday)

The 5.3L will in a ay "put to sleep" some of the cylinders until the truck feels like it needs more power? How smooth is this? Fairly seamless/quick, will it lag a lot before kicking in?

and the transmission has a "tap-up/tap-down shift control" and Tow/Haul mode. Will this allow me to downshift and use less brake power when going down steep grades.

These are very useful features if I understand them correctly?

waumo1 · November 5, 2011

I just recently traded from 98 K1500 Ext Cab LB 5.7L to a 2011 5.3L 6 speed of the same configuration. The 5.7 L was quite a dog lacking power and the this 5.3 setup runs much better.

2011 gas mileage is better and the switching from 4 to 8 mode is barely noticeable.

brianf60 · November 5, 2011

you might want to do a little reading about all the problems guys have had with the 5.3 and the AFM system. Many seem to burn oil too. That made me buy a 4.8. It will tow a 3000lb trailer with ease... I average 17.6 l/100km (over the last 16,000km) I do a lot of light towing and 50% city 50% hyw. Plus I have and overuse my remote start....

yamahas · November 6, 2011

you might want to do a little reading about all the problems guys have had with the 5.3 and the AFM system. Many seem to burn oil too. That made me buy a 4.8. It will tow a 3000lb trailer with ease... I average 17.6 l/100km (over the last 16,000km) I do a lot of light towing and 50% city 50% hyw. Plus I have and overuse my remote start....

Thanks for the heads up. Seems like GM is aware of the problem and has been replacing rings for those who are having problems. Are these updated parts or just new one they are putting in?

Where there any updates from the 07/08's that are burnign oil that would come on the 2011 already fixed? Probably hard to tell since not a lot of guys have the miles on the 11's yet.