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Trying to decide between a 4.8 and a 5.3L

elite0259

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elite0259 Enthusiast

elite0259

Posted
Posted

I'm trying to buy a crew cab Silverado, newer body style, I have a 7500lb boat (that includes the trailer). I've read around and the towing capacities between the 4.8 and the 5.3 seem to be pretty big, so if I get a 4.8 and put a cold air intake/a few other things to increase the torque/power, will I blow out the transmission, or the motor if I tow the boat? I need to tow it about 1000 miles this summer, so a failure of any kind would be pretty bad...

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Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Well i have an older body 4.8 with 113,000 miles on it. it has cold air and exhaust and a tune. i towed a 10,000 pound trailer up and down steep grades with no trailer brake. no failures. the tow was about 500 miles total

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

i personlly wouldnt get the 4.8. the 5.3 is faster more powerful and gets better MPG's. 4.8 is obsolete.

 

 

 

i have a 2003 4.8 and a 2001 5.3. 5.3 is way better to drive hands down.

tanked_darren Senior Enthusiast

tanked_darren

Posted
Posted

Ok so your main concern would be the rear end gearing, and cold air intake is a waste of money. Total towing capacity is not much different at all between motors, about a thousand pounds, its because if you get a 4.8 they can come with a 3.23 gearing and the 5.3 don't come with that. For the wieght your going for your going to need at least 3.73 gearing with a 5.3. depending on the style of body (reg cab crew ect.) I don't think a 4.8 will work for you. Unless you bought a 4.10 geared 4.8 reg cab.

 

Some configurations a 3.73 gearing won't even be enough with a 5.3. Now this is with the 4L60e equipped trucks only.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

agreed. i got my truck used. i would prefer the 5.3 but the 4.8 can get the job done for you

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Ok so your main concern would be the rear end gearing, and cold air intake is a waste of money. Total towing capacity is not much different at all between motors, about a thousand pounds, its because if you get a 4.8 they can come with a 3.23 gearing and the 5.3 don't come with that. For the wieght your going for your going to need at least 3.73 gearing with a 5.3. depending on the style of body (reg cab crew ect.) I don't think a 4.8 will work for you. Unless you bought a 4.10 geared 4.8 reg cab.

 

Some configurations a 3.73 gearing won't even be enough with a 5.3. Now this is with the 4L60e equipped trucks only.

 

 

Ok so to tow my travel trailer again i should change my gearing? i have the 3.42

tanked_darren Senior Enthusiast

tanked_darren

Posted
Posted

Ok so your main concern would be the rear end gearing, and cold air intake is a waste of money. Total towing capacity is not much different at all between motors, about a thousand pounds, its because if you get a 4.8 they can come with a 3.23 gearing and the 5.3 don't come with that. For the wieght your going for your going to need at least 3.73 gearing with a 5.3. depending on the style of body (reg cab crew ect.) I don't think a 4.8 will work for you. Unless you bought a 4.10 geared 4.8 reg cab.

 

Some configurations a 3.73 gearing won't even be enough with a 5.3. Now this is with the 4L60e equipped trucks only.

 

 

Ok so to tow my travel trailer again i should change my gearing? i have the 3.42

 

 

What you do and what it's rated for are 2 different things, I'm going with what's in the owners manual for my truck.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

enough thread jacking, i agree with the 99%rs get a low geared 5.3

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

hell even a 2500 with a 6.0 and low gearing if you dont have duramax money

elite0259 Enthusiast

elite0259

Posted
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Posted

I would but I heard diesels don't like to be under worked, I'm more concerned about blowing the transmissions, from what I understand the motors seem to be pretty happy with whatever you throw at them... I know someone tows the same boat with a 2005 GMC yukon with the 5.3, and he said he's happy with it, I just didnt know if the tranny's are different and if theyd blow, also the 6.0's from what i hear get pretty bad gas mileage, not much worse then the 5.3's, but still on a day to day driving basis I dont want to pay for the extra fuel.

tanked_darren Senior Enthusiast

tanked_darren

Posted
Posted

Then you've answered it yourself, low geared 5.3, just make sure whatever configuration you buy (6 speed 4 speed with correct gearing whatever) is rated for your 7500lbs boat, either way the transmission will die a little faster the more you tow. I don't tow boats, but I know for a fact a 4x4 is your friend on the ramps pulling it out.

 

The further from the max capacity you are the better.

 

Automatics are a crapshoot some fail early and some fail after 300,000 miles without a service.

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