5.3 versus 6.2

[Trackermi]

Its a trade off---the 6.2 has more power -----I dont think anyone needs to be convinced of that. Its a larger motor that

has more horsepower and torque. That power comes at a cost, the initial cost of the engine and the increase in fuel

cost. Not sure if insurance is more? Perhaps someone here may know. I would expect you would get some of the initial

cost difference back on resale whenever that is the 6.2 should be worth a little more than the 5.3. Bottom line is the 6.2 costs

more so is the "fun" you will have driving it worth it to you? I drove both and chose the 5.3 the extra cost was not worth

it to me. My truck with the 5.3 is rated to tow 11000 lbs(3.73's) and gets 21-22 on hwy. I am happy with it. The premium

fuel the 6.2 wants is what bothered me, the extra 50 cents per gallon adds up. Normal driving I didnt notice much difference,

I think towing 10K lbs or racing or perhaps a lifted truck with large tires the 6.2 would be noticeably better.

 

Excellent feedback. After reviewing this I think I will stick with the 5.3 unless I can get my hands on a 6.2 to test drive. My trailer is only 7,200 and only pulled during the camping season.

 

I noticed a decent drop in fuel costs from the 5.3 in my avalanche to this 5.3 truck. I feel I would go back to those fuel costs plus some with the premium.

[14'SilveradoLT]

^^^The 5.3L should really be "running" premium by of some of the KR people are seeing. The stock tuning could be better IMHO opinion.

 

with what you'll be towing, the 5.3L should be fine...especially if you get the 3.73 gears. I have 3.42 and I've had it up to 4K lbs for around 150 miles and towed great (in some ways better than my previous 2013 Ecoboost with 3.55 rear).

 

If I was planning on towing ~7500lbs every weekend....the 6.2L would have been a no brainer.

[jcchevy]

Just a follow up to my post in this thread way back when my truck was stock. Since then I put fabtechs 7.5" lift and some 35" dick cepek tires (truck is 9" higher then stock form/ more air resistance etc...) and this truck still goes into 4 cy mode often. Its driveability is great and this is why I got the 6.2L.

 

No need to spend thousands on CAI / exhaust / gears to make it perform as you would with the 5.3L So if you plan on lifting your vehicle/bigger meats etc.. like the other poster stated " there is truly no replacement for displacement", especially in this new 6.2L corvette / built for tq motor. Kudo's to GM engineering team on this motor.

[dodgehemi0]

I have driven both but I bought my 5.3 before before the 6.2's came out and didn't want to wait. The 5.3 is plenty for me, if its your only vehicle and you're a HP junkie and need the most powerful thing out there then I would say the 6.2 for sure. But, like I keep saying on this forum - its a damn truck. I have a vette w/ the same power that weighs HALF literally HALF as much as these trucks w/ the same rear end gearing, so I'm not going to fork over another $2000 on top of the $50,000 the truck costs to have the feeling of more power because its never going to be "fast". Quick for a truck sure, but not fast.

 

Also - FWIW I have been getting like 15mpg on the highway @ 80 w/ my 5.3, you know you will want to drive just as fast if not quicker in the 6.2 and I doubt it'll be better, will probably be worse, I don't believe anyone on here saying they consistently get in the 20's - its not possible. @ 65 mph on perfectly flat ground w/ a tail wind @ 58 degrees, yeah maybe.

 

Taking all that into account if I didn't have a sportbike and vette I'd probably opt for 6.2 anyhow.

This is my 6.2l life time most of this is in town. I get 21+ while driving 67-73 on the interstate.

 

 

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[seamonster]

you get 19mpg in town with your 6.2!!! That is fantastick NEVER sell it.

My v6 impala barely beats that.

[Aaron1085]

I average 16 between mainly town driving and some highway....5.3 motor. Wtf

 

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[Capridec30]

I'm in the market for a High Country. I test drove both the 5.3 and the 6.2 yesterday back to back. I did not feel a difference. This is really something you need to drive back to back and see if it's worth it to you. I also have a 2011 SS Camaro that is supercharged so I know how a power curve feels. I think it really comes down to a mental thing of saying "I have the 6.2" But honestly, unless your towing every day...I'm sure you won't feel a difference.

[nomadicdogg]

Maybe its because I have the 3:73's in my truck, but I sold my camaro as part of my plan with this truck, and Ill tell you right now there is one hell of a difference between a 5.3 and 6.2 towing or not towing... I drove a 5.3 with 3:42's and it performed the same as my 2010 5.3.. I thought it was a dog. I always wanted more power out of it. The 6.2 hands down is better in every aspect. pick up, 40-60, you name it. In fact, I am getting better gas mileage out of this 6.2 crew cab with 3:73"s then I did in my ext cab 5.3 with 3:08's
I averaged about 15mpg in my 2010 with a cai. I am averaging over 16 in this truck. its bigger, its faster, and tows a ton more all the while getting better mpg.
To me its worth every cent.
I tow once a month, nothing crazy. 3000-4000 pounds. I can tell the difference big time. If I want to tow a camper thats heavier I now can with no fears or worries about power.
and since I gave up my 2010 ss as part of this, the fact I can mash the pedal and still have some fun is just a bonus

I'm in the market for a High Country. I test drove both the 5.3 and the 6.2 yesterday back to back. I did not feel a difference. This is really something you need to drive back to back and see if it's worth it to you. I also have a 2011 SS Camaro that is supercharged so I know how a power curve feels. I think it really comes down to a mental thing of saying "I have the 6.2" But honestly, unless your towing every day...I'm sure you won't feel a difference.

[Capridec30]

I'll have to look up the gears the 2 high countries I drove had. I put them both to the floor and they both took off fast (for a truck)I didn't feel any difference. I personally won't be modding a specialty truck and I really won't be slamming on the gas around town. Maybe on the HWY.

 

I don't want to dog guys who choose either engine. To each his own. I am just offerring advice for anyone looking to buy a new one that had the same dilemma I had which is...is the 6.2 worth it. The truck is $52k. I add another $2k to the price, I might as well go with the $58k diesel which is a beast and I loved driving that but I have no need to pull down large buildings.

[nomadicdogg]

I'll have to look up the gears the 2 high countries I drove had. I put them both to the floor and they both took off fast (for a truck)I didn't feel any difference. I personally won't be modding a specialty truck and I really won't be slamming on the gas around town. Maybe on the HWY.

 

I don't want to dog guys who choose either engine. To each his own. I am just offerring advice for anyone looking to buy a new one that had the same dilemma I had which is...is the 6.2 worth it. The truck is $52k. I add another $2k to the price, I might as well go with the $58k diesel which is a beast and I loved driving that but I have no need to pull down large buildings.

to each their own as well. But something had to be a miss to not notice the difference in the 5.3 and 6.2

I could even tell the difference in a 2013 yukon with the old 6.2

your talking almost 100 HP between the two engines. you cant not notice that much.. at least I cant.

 

The 6.2 is a beast. but its not for everyone. as for the gears the only way to get the 3:73's is with the max tow package.. so your probably looking at 3:42's or 3:08's either way id go with the 6.2 but thats me. And Im not dogging the 5.3 It is a stout motor, but it wasnt enough for me so as soon as I saw they offered the 6.2 it was not even a question on my end.

Just wanted to share my .02

[Capridec30]

I just double checked on the chevy site. A High Country only has an option for 3.42 gears. So that's what it must of been. They were both 4WD Crew Cabs with short beds. I must be going crazy but I did not notice the difference....sorry :-\ Trust me I was really torn before I drove them on which engine option I wanted. The salesman is also a friend of mine and he was busting my chops a bit about wanting to feel the difference. I drove the 6.2l first and then when I drove the 5.3l I really just looked at him and laughed and said "Dude...I can't tell the difference other than just a bit more engine sound" and he basically said "Told you so". Its 65hp difference and 77tq difference. There is a difference in weight in the trucks too. Check out the side by side comparisons on the chevy site under capabilities its quite interesting.

 

On another note I definitely noticed a difference when I got back into my 600hp camaro to drive home, lol.

 

I just hope my post helps those that are out to buy A High Country that might not have the option to drive both (5.3l or 6.2l) or is ordering from the dealer. I don't have advice on any of the other trucks gears/engine options.

 

Thanks for all your input though.

[KARNUT]

The 5.3 on E85 is 380 HP, to close for the extra money when you can get a Texas package for under 30K.

 

 

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[bass mechanic]

I don't see how you can't tell a difference considering there is nearly a second difference in the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. Maybe you never tried a 20-60 highway pull

 

 

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[Capridec30]

When the peddle was to the floor on both the trucks my adrenalin was pumping so I may not have had enough attention on my actual 0-60 time. Both are stout engines. Either way it wasn't impressive enough for me to get that "WOW" factor. I can't beleive that I didn't really feel a WHOLE second difference in that 0-60 lol.

[bass mechanic]

I've seen video of the dash cluster and just visually speaking you can tell a difference between the 2!

Personally I've never driven the 5.3.

In fact I bought an all terrain and the very first one I saw was a 5.3 it was sitting in the wash bay with engine running and the sales guy asked me to drive it. I declined, not what I was looking for.. Went to a different dealer and found my 6.2 all terrain exactly the same truck as the 5.3 I was shown. And discovered it was the only one in the state! I did not know they were so rare!

My truck is at edelbrock getting fitted with the very first e force supercharger! Yes I'm a HP freak! Lol

I pity the fool that rolls up to me in a stock 5.3 or 6.2 at a light! Or a ford, dodge, Toyota, Subaru wrx, civic with a turbo! Lol hmm could probably make a long list of cars now that I think about it...

 

 

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