GMC 5.3

KMGZ400 · August 29, 2012

If you are getting a new truck for anything other than a grocery getter, stay away from that small 4.8L. Either the 5.3 or 6.2 are the only ones to consider when getting a truck. The 4.8 is a dog compared to the 5.3, even with a tune it's not the same. Our 4.8 trucks at work are terrible, might as well get a V6.

this is true. i own a 4.8 and its a dog. dont get a 4.8, dont even consider it, even if its a good price, dont.

get a 6.2 or if for some reason you dont like it after driving it get a 5.3

Zembonez · August 29, 2012

The 4.8 is the very same LS engine with 500cc less displacement. It's hardly a slug. In fact it responds very well to tuning and mods. Problem is that dealers order them with crappy high rear gearing and it robs power. Almost all 5.3 trucks are coming with a 3.42 or better gear. There is so much misinformation on this board that it makes coming here a challenge at times. Sure do miss the old days here.

BlackZ71Silverado · August 29, 2012

The 4.8 is one of the poorest excuses for a truck engine GM has ever produced. Go 5.3 or 6.2 if you need real power. Ever hear someone say they wished their 5.3 powered truck had a 4.8 so it could be anemic, slower, get worse mileage?

Don't worry about the 5.3 fuel mileage. It is all related to the right foot. I will drive 80-90MPH all day long and take my 13.5 MPG. Time is money.

You have to be fWONking kidding me.

That's about the stupidest thing you have ever posted here... and that's saying a lot.

LOL.... we all lie the 4.8 is awesome!

On a serious note, he seems to be upset only upset because he cheaped out when it came time to buy and got the 4.8L. Don't make the same mistake, we are not lying when we tell you it's a bad choice. Should be discontinued anyway.

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KMGZ400 · August 29, 2012

idk what the difference between the GMT900 4.8's and 5.3's are but the GMT800 4.8 sucks compared to the GMT800 5.3.

and its not that bad of an engine, just not very gutsy. just hand calced 17.3 MPG on my 4.8

idk what the difference between the GMT900 4.8's and 5.3's are but the GMT800 4.8 sucks compared to the GMT800 5.3.

and its not that bad of an engine, just not very gutsy. just hand calced 17.3 MPG on my 4.8

KMGZ400 · August 29, 2012

idk what the difference between the GMT900 4.8's and 5.3's are but the GMT800 4.8 sucks compared to the GMT800 5.3.

and its not that bad of an engine, just not very gutsy. just hand calced 17.3 MPG on my 4.8

Zembonez · August 29, 2012

The 4.8 is one of the poorest excuses for a truck engine GM has ever produced. Go 5.3 or 6.2 if you need real power. Ever hear someone say they wished their 5.3 powered truck had a 4.8 so it could be anemic, slower, get worse mileage?

Don't worry about the 5.3 fuel mileage. It is all related to the right foot. I will drive 80-90MPH all day long and take my 13.5 MPG. Time is money.

You have to be fWONking kidding me.

That's about the stupidest thing you have ever posted here... and that's saying a lot.

LOL.... we all lie the 4.8 is awesome!

On a serious note, he seems to be upset only upset because he cheaped out when it came time to buy and got the 4.8L. Don't make the same mistake, we are not lying when we tell you it's a bad choice. Should be discontinued anyway.

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I like the battle (so don't take me too seriously). If someone buys the 3.23 geared 4.8 truck... it is a slug. They need a 3.73 or better to wake them up. The smaller displacement likes to rev. It does deliver power differently than the 5.3. I do like the fact that it doesn't have AFM.

What we all really need is a 6.0 or 6.2

I like messing with WON.

latreille89 · August 30, 2012

If you are getting a new truck for anything other than a grocery getter, stay away from that small 4.8L. Either the 5.3 or 6.2 are the only ones to consider when getting a truck. The 4.8 is a dog compared to the 5.3, even with a tune it's not the same. Our 4.8 trucks at work are terrible, might as well get a V6.

To be honest, my 2012 has the 4.8 and I find it has plenty of power, and no where close to the 4.3. I would know, I just traded my 2010 in with the 4.3 last week. I had a couple of 5.3's as rentals and I don't notice a huge difference in power, just the smoother transmission. Yeah yeah it has 20 more hp but that isn't enough to throw the 4.8 under the bus. I say buy what suits your needs, I like my new CC with the 4.8 (and I won't have oil burning issues....ever)

SouthCo · August 30, 2012

Pat, you may still have oil burning issues... Check the boards, even some with 6.2 or other non afm engines have it. I'm on my second 5.3 and no oil issues.

I keep hearing the small difference in hp between 4.8 and 5.3 but what is the difference in towing? HP is less important in a truck if you tow than torque and at what rpm that torque comes on at.

latreille89 · August 30, 2012

O well, burning oil or not, I'm happy with the 4.8. I will rarely tow anything near it's limits and to be honest, I could never afford a Sierra with the 6.2 here in Canada, that being said, the truck I have now with a 5.3 would have been an extra 5000 more. All I think I'm trying to say it that the 4.8 is a decent engine and it moves the truck just fine... it's no 'dog' as some people like to say it is. The 4.3 is a dog if you want to compare anything.

Daryl LBZ · August 30, 2012

After having a 5.3 with the 4spd and AFM I will NEVER own another one again even if it had a 6spd Trans. With the 6spd it drives ALOT better, but it's still not the greatest in my area of PA because of all the hilly terrain. Mine was in and out of V4 and V8 constantly, and was annyoing as hell. With the six speed I drove not so much, but it still didn't have enough power for me, but that depends on how you like to drive too. I say go for the 6.2 you won't regret it!

hodo78 · August 30, 2012

Like others have said, if you decide of a 4.8, make damn sure you get some decent gears!

I bought a brand new 2004 Chevy Ext cab 4x4 with the 4.8 and it had 3.23 gearing (I think). I hated it for the power, it could not even start to get out of its own way!

I have also owned a 2010 CC 4x4 with the 6.2 w/ 3.73 gearing. That think was a true beast! But I decided to downgrade back to a 5.3. It was so fun couldn't keep my foot out of the 6.2, and would only average 13 MPG.

I now consistently average 19.5 MPG @ 70mpg with my 2012 5.3 & 3.42s

BlackZ71Silverado · August 30, 2012

The 4.8 is one of the poorest excuses for a truck engine GM has ever produced. Go 5.3 or 6.2 if you need real power. Ever hear someone say they wished their 5.3 powered truck had a 4.8 so it could be anemic, slower, get worse mileage?

Don't worry about the 5.3 fuel mileage. It is all related to the right foot. I will drive 80-90MPH all day long and take my 13.5 MPG. Time is money.

You have to be fWONking kidding me.

That's about the stupidest thing you have ever posted here... and that's saying a lot.

LOL.... we all lie the 4.8 is awesome!

On a serious note, he seems to be upset only upset because he cheaped out when it came time to buy and got the 4.8L. Don't make the same mistake, we are not lying when we tell you it's a bad choice. Should be discontinued anyway.

Sent from my iPhone4S

using Tapatalk

I like the battle (so don't take me too seriously). If someone buys the 3.23 geared 4.8 truck... it is a slug. They need a 3.73 or better to wake them up. The smaller displacement likes to rev. It does deliver power differently than the 5.3. I do like the fact that it doesn't have AFM.

What we all really need is a 6.0 or 6.2

I like messing with WON.

I was just bustin your balls that's all, you seem to take it as well as you dish it out, which is cool............

Yes, those gears will make a HUGE difference. MAybe I am just used to driving the 5.3 and 6L Vortec Max, I don't know. I know I would never go out and buy a 4,8L no matter the gears. If that engine works for you that's great. To be honest, in my area it's really difficult to walk onto a dealership lot and find a truck with the 4.8L in it. They order all 5.3 and occasionally a few 6.2L trucks.

Off topic but I am actually going with my neighbor (purple heart Vietnam vet) tomorrow (Thursday) as he hopes to get a new truck. Looking at 2013 crew cabs, will see how many if any at all on the lot have the 4.8 engine. Pretty good sales going on. $32,188 for a loaded 2013CC and he's been looking for a new truck for quite some time. Would like to see him in a GM because the Ram he has had since 2007 has been nothing but a headache for him.

beetle · August 30, 2012

This is all very subjective, one persons definition of power is different from another's. I had a 2005 4.8, put almost 100K miles on it and I was satisfied with it, in fact, I bought a new GMC with a 4.8 again......it works for me.

Coolmaker · August 30, 2012

This is all very subjective, one persons definition of power is different from another's. I had a 2005 4.8, put almost 100K miles on it and I was satisfied with it, in fact, I bought a new GMC with a 4.8 again......it works for me.

Have you driven a 6.2??????

latreille89 · August 30, 2012

This is all very subjective, one persons definition of power is different from another's. I had a 2005 4.8, put almost 100K miles on it and I was satisfied with it, in fact, I bought a new GMC with a 4.8 again......it works for me.

Have you driven a 6.2??????

I seem to remember my 99 5.7l with like 250hp an that was plenty at the time. So why everyone is so hyped up about this 6.2 is beyond me. It's a truck, not a sports car an if I were to need a truck with that type of pulling power, I'd get a 2500. I don't drive it like I stole it so like some have said here, the 4.8 does just fine for our needs.