Update to my first review...Not impressed with my choice of powerplant

[voltedge]

Just wanted to give an update to my original review of my new 14' Silverado 1500. It's a crew cab, 4x4 z71, 5.3 with 3.42 gears with 22" GM wheels. The truck it replaced was an 11' Ram crew cab 1500, 5.7 Hemi, 4x4, 3.92 gears with oe 20" wheels. The more that I drive my new truck and tow with it as well, the more I am very unhappy with the power and performance. This truck is gutless compared to the Ram. I'm seriously considering trading it in for a 6.2 version of the same truck with the 3.73 gears. I think it was just stupid on GM's part for not offering optional lower gearing for towing and performance. I pulled out in traffic the other day, not towing or anything and it seemed to take forever to get out of the way of the traffic. When towing, it is even worse, and I'm only talking about 1,500lbs on a small landscape trailer. I know it's rated to tow more, but not in my opinion at the same effort that my Ram could do it. I love everything else, but I've gotta get back to my near 400 or more hp and over 4oo lb tq that I was used to. I am sure that the old 3.92 in the Ram made a big difference too. Screw the fuel mileage when I wanna go and tow! I love my 22mpg at times, but I'll gladly take 15mpg if it can get up and go with no sweat. Anyone else come from a more powerful truck to the 5.3 and feel the same?

[2017HD]

Those 22's don't help matters any either - I know they look nice - but they do rob effective power to the ground.

 

I think that the 5.3 /3.73/17 or 18 would make a reasonable combination for MPG and power.

[voltedge]

I agree, I bet those wheels do hurt. I had one off the other day and it was heavy as heck! I am thinking of going with the 6.2 and 20's on the replacement. I just can't dig the 18's with the huge wheel wells. Definite must is the 3.73 rear axle too. The sales manager is telling me to wait until the 2015 2500HD Duramax comes out since I like the new body and interior. I Dunno?

[Jon A]

While the 2015 2500 Duramaxes will be very nice, getting one of those for towing a 1500 lb trailer is like getting a sledgehammer to kill a fly. Really not needed.

 

Trading into a 6.2 1500 would certainly make you happy, but how much will it cost? You've already taken the worst part of the truck's depreciation. It might be expensive.

 

From what you describe, a set of 4.10 gears and a tune (much of the lazy feeling you have with the engine is likely due to the programming of the throttle/torque management) might be plenty to keep you happy. That would really wake up the vehicle for a relatively low cost.

[Savagecanuck1]

I feel the same coming from a2011 Duramax.I feel the 5.3 3.42 to be quite underwhelming.I think they have gone way too far in the torque management and lazy throttle tip in.

[Ljrussell94]

All you need is a good tune. Ever since gm got the 6 speeds they seem to not be tuned right stock. On my 2010 it was gutless, i got a handheld tuner, it helped a little. But a blaxkbear tune woke it right up

['01LS1]

While the 2015 2500 Duramaxes will be very nice, getting one of those for towing a 1500 lb trailer is like getting a sledgehammer to kill a fly. Really not needed.

 

Trading into a 6.2 1500 would certainly make you happy, but how much will it cost? You've already taken the worst part of the truck's depreciation. It might be expensive.

 

From what you describe, a set of 4.10 gears and a tune (much of the lazy feeling you have with the engine is likely due to the programming of the throttle/torque management) might be plenty to keep you happy. That would really wake up the vehicle for a relatively low cost.

 

While true, it sounds as if it is exactly the method that people are looking for. You want to feel like it is going faster, but the more refined a truck is along with more stringent EPA/CAFE standards mfg's have to hit, they hinder acceleration.

 

That said, I would at least talk to Blackbear & see what could be done in terms of tuning. Would be much cheaper than trading IF you are still happy with the rest of the truck.

 

For what it is worth, 2016 brings a whole new round of EPA/cafe garbage. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-automakers-will-meet-2016-cafe-standards

[mzodarg]

I have the same set up as the OP. My truck has more than sufficient power to get out of it's own way. The obvious question here is, did you test drive one before purchasing?

 

I'd suggest a tune.

 

Mike

[jay15892]

My 5.3L 3.42 Silverado LTZ has lots of power although I wish the throttle tip in was better. Then again I just give it more gas at the start and it really takes off! I think a lot of it is readjusting your driving to it because the power is there..

[TJay74]

The throttle tip in is the culprit for sure. I have looked at one of the tunes on HP Tuners website. I don't understand why GM allows 100% throttle tip in on the Vette/Camaro but then neuters all of the other vehicles in the line up with crappy throttle tip in. I am REALLY fighting the urge to purchase some credits and tune my truck and make it more driveable.

[mzodarg]

I don't know much about new setup for the GM truck line. I am very well versed in Harley Davidson tuning. Back in 09 they had a parameter called throttle blade control (it is a Trottle by wire system), the oem tune had it were you would damn near drop the bike in a slow roll turn (felt like a loose cable). With the tuning software I was using, you could change the throttle blade control 1:1 instead of the 1:15 the Motor Company had it set to from 900 -1500 rpms

 

Tjay may be onto something here.

 

Mike

[coryw]

My Quad Cab 5.3L 4x4 Z71 with 3.08 gears and 18" tires does plenty well getting going. The throttle requires more travel than I would like to do it but if you push hard enough the power is there.

[beetle]

Perception of engine power is subjective. I would suggest to the OP to either rent or work out something with the dealer to let you test drive a 6.2 for a day. Don't torture yourself with a vehicle that doesn't meet your needs, if the financial loss doesn't bother you than trade up because eventually you will, best of luck.

[Mikeoxbig]

Rim size can affect the acceleration of the truck? IE 22 inch rims make a truck slower than one with 20 inch rims?

[DanMan_S]

Rim size can affect the acceleration of the truck? IE 22 inch rims make a truck slower than one with 20 inch rims?

 

Larger rims will almost always reduce acceleration. Part of the reason is due to the higher weight, but the biggest factor is the larger moment of inertia...ie, more weight at a larger radius from the spinning axis. So even if the 20" and 22" wheels weighed the same, the 22" would suck up more hp due to the fact that the weight is at a larger radius and will take more energy to spin up to speed. One of the reasons why lightweight brake rotors and lightweight forged wheels are so critical for cars on the racetrack.

 

This also works for braking as well. Larger wheels WILL increase your braking distance as you have a larger moment of inertia to slow down.