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anyone happy with 5.3

seamonster

By seamonster
in Engines & Drivetrain

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seamonster Enthusiast

seamonster

Posted
Posted

Seems like most guys on here saying the 5.3 is a dog and 6.2 is a beast.

The hp and torque rating are they overblown?

I am wondering if anyone is happy with there 5.3 or does everyone wish

they had the 6.2???

I am looking at the 5.3 with 3.73's and am wondering if i should just keep

my 07 6.0 with 4:10's. I was hoping the 5.3 with 3.73's and the 6 speed

would be comparable to my truck with the 4 speed. problem is there

are hardly any 6.2's or 5.3 with the 3.73's to test drive around here.

 

Silverado Steve Senior Enthusiast

Silverado Steve

Posted
Posted

Test drive one and see for yourself. I think the 5.3 is fine with at least the 3.42s...everyone is going to have their opinion on the matter.

cmpcpro Enthusiast

cmpcpro

Posted
Posted

Well I bought my truck on Halloween night. I don't believe the 6.2's were out yet, and if so they weren't readily available where I live, as the lot had none. No matter what anyone here tells you, judging by the numbers (the small additional price, the small MPG difference, etc) I don't see how the 6.2 could be a bad choice.. I wish I would have gotten it (Although, I would probably never need it besides towing once in a while), and I think anyone with the 5.3 who tells you different is in denial (Only MY opinion). My truck has 4,142 miles on it and I have NEVER once floored it.. Why? I just don't care anymore. I'm not into it like I used to be.. funny though, because tonight I got on it harder than I ever have before just because of all the 6.2 talk, and I was at 95MPH before I knew it.. To me, the truck is so smooth and quiet it feels slow, but it isn't. I thought at first it was really slow, until I looked down and saw 95 MPH in a couple seconds or less.

I haven't driven a 6.2 yet, but I can only imagine what kind of beast that is. I have the 3.42 gear ratio by the way.. I don't see how this truck would be enjoyable with the 3.08's but again, never driven one, so I can't say.

bigdeaddux Enthusiast

bigdeaddux

Posted
Posted

Would be interesting to see the ratio of 5.3 to 6.2 that have been sold in the 14s. I'm sure it's still 5.3 dominant, but might be surprising just how many 6.2s are being bought.

 

Easy 2k bump for me on a 50k truck. I spent the last 3+ years second guessing myself on my last 5.3. If I had gone with larger motor in 2011, I probably wouldn't have considered trading this soon. Lack of go power was my only complaint.

 

If the 6.2 wasn't even an option I believe we would all be very satisfied with the 5.3. Just human nature with most guys to want bigger, faster, stronger.

VMaxtastic Enthusiast

VMaxtastic

Posted
Posted

My 2013 was a 6.2. I went with a 5.3 this time because I put on so many miles, my fuel bill was huge. I really miss the power of the 6.2, but I like the mileage of the 5.3. It mainly just needs a tune, to get rid of the garbage factory one, which is the main case of the horrible throttle response.

 

If I could do it again, I'd probably get a 6.2 though. I miss that beast.

jay15892 Enthusiast

jay15892

Posted
Posted

The truck is so quiet that it feels slow until you look at the speedometer and see how fast you are going! That is with a 5.3 with the 3.42s. I test drive one with 3.08s and that was a dog. I plan on trading my 14 LTZ in on a 17 Denali with the 6.2 in the future though. After three Silverados with the 5.3 I think I am ready for the big motor! But until then I'm happy with this current generation 5.3. It is a nice ride but a little too quiet for me and I think dual exhaust is in my future..

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CAtaylor Enthusiast

CAtaylor

Posted
Posted

I have no complaints with my 5.3L. I will try to put it in perspective. I have had a 2010 Tundra with 34" mud tires, a 2011 EcoBoost with 33" mud tires, a 2012 LML GMC 2500 with 33" mud tires and a 2013 6.2L leveled with the factory tires. The 5.3L with 35's and factory 3.42 gearing is better than the Tundra or Ecoboost with larger tires power and diriveability wise, mileage is better also. I shouldn't have really put the LML in here but as you could imagine there is no comparison to the LML power. The 13 6.2 was tuned and would outrun this truck but mileage wise I am getting the same with the 35's on this one as I was with the 6.2L and 3.73 gears. The torque curve on these new 5.3L engines is impressive and you really don't notice it till you put a constant load on the engine. Once I get the gears changed in this one to make up for the larger tires I don't think it would have any issues keeping up with the 13 6.2L and can guarantee you it would out pull it. I have not drove the new 6.2L but from the reports it is a very impressive engine. My recommendation would be to drive both of them and get the one you are happy with. Everyone has opinions and I am sure some will not agree with what I said above. This is a very impressive engine and I do not miss my 13 6.2L. In my opinion the 14 5.3L with 3.73 gears would be a better performer all around than the 07 6.0L

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

I went to the dealer in Dec. to buy a left over 13 Denali. I was so impressed with the Texas package and the 14 5.3. I bought one save many thousands. I didn't feel that much differnts between the 13 6.2 and the 14 5.3. Now if they put the 6.2 in the Texas package for a 2k upgrade and it feels that much differnt to me I will buy. Performance is a big deal to me, I don't and will not own anything slow, life is to short.

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted

People who say it is only a 2000 upgrade aren't telling the whole story. If an LT is all you need, then its not even an option. With the deal I got on my 5.3 it was going to be almost $10k to get the 6.2 so I didn't even consider it. Would I rather have it... Yes and I would have paid 2k for the upgrade but that wasn't the case. I will tell you that this 5.3 is way more motor than your 6.0. I actually believe that my 5.3 with 3.08 would be relatively comparable to that LQ4 with 4.10 (stock vs stock) and get great MPH. Put a good set of gears behind the 5.3 and there would be no comparison. When I finally say screw my warranty and start tuning... well... that will be a whole other story.

 

I'm happy with 5.3.

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

Why would there be an problem with the 5.3? Hell it has 355 hp... and will run circles around the old 2013 5.3...

I don't understand why it would suck now, but was fine in 2013. Most are being used as mall crawlers and don't need 400+hp in a truck, and I bet 90% of those that "think" they do... dont. But if you want to haul butt... have at it.

 

And yes.. as said above the cost will be much more.. don't expect to get a "base" model truck with a 6.2. Your likely going to have to shell out $$ for a STL, or LTZ as well..

cmpcpro Enthusiast

cmpcpro

Posted
Posted

I have never even floored mine yet lol.. I just don't have any need to.. It's plenty fast for me while barely even breaking a sweat..

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

I'm happy with my 5.3L and 3.42 gears.

 

I had a 2011 F150 FX4 with the 5.0L and 3.73 rear end. I got about 13-14 mpg around town. So far with my 5.3L and 3.42 I get about 16-17.

 

The difference in power is not really noticeable to me.

MD Chevy Enthusiast

MD Chevy

Posted
Posted

Hell I'm happy with my 4.3. Money was a huge issue for me. My brother has a 2013 5.3 and my truck has very similar power. The new 5.3 would be awesome, but I definitely didn't need it!

Mutau95 Enthusiast

Mutau95

Posted
Posted

I have a 2014 LTZ with 5.3 and 3:08 rear and 22 inch stock wheels which I have no trouble breaking loose. My truck has great pickup in stock form and really transforms with E85. The power is plenty for me and what I use it for. Its funny when people say "oh the 3:08 rear is a dog". I drove both at the dealer before I pulled the trigger on mine....one right after the other and the acceleration difference was minimal in my opinion. If I need a speed fix I will take the C6 Vette but the truck moves plenty fine for my needs.

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