Impressions on the 4.3L V6

Lawnmower2020 · September 16, 2014

_{No offense intended, the "working hard" part just frightened me.}

I'm not trying to speak for or "defend" (which isn't necesary) PickUPS, but I do think I get where he's coming from, and understand his "working hard". I practice a similar driving style, I think. However, I wouldn't characterize it as "work", but rather development of certain habits that are known to improve overall efficiency. The "work" comes in because applying these habits requires more active involvement than merely pushing on the gas pedal and pointing the truck in the right direction. So, I guess if one characterizes Paying Close Attention To Driving as "work", then I suppose someone might call it work, but I prefer to think of it as responsible use of the vehicle and the fuel it consumes.

redaddiction · September 20, 2014

I chose the 4.3 for it's higher mpg on purpose. Yes, I could of had the 5.3 or the 6.2 but wanted to try and have a reasonably efficient daily driver. So instead of making a high hp v8 I try to drive the best I can.

The way. You drive obviously has a significant effect on mpg but even driving with the ac off and fan off shows signs can't improvement.

Best I've seen is low 30's on rolling Texas mounds. I am going to be installing a tune soon that's geared towards higher mpgs.

Todd66 · December 1, 2014

Well I have an update on the ole' 4.3 I've had mine now for 8months and I have 8900 miles on her ... Currently avg. 19.6 MPG if you believe the computer ... I'm 70% around town stop & go style of driving so I'm quite pleased with that estimate ... I have been as high as 22.5 with 50/50 town & highway ... So I would guess if there are any highway commuters they could definitely hit they 25 MPG mark ... Still loving the power and am extremely happy with my choice [emoji106]

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Imcrazy · December 1, 2014

I've got 16600 miles on mine, it's a good little motor but, if I had it to do over again I'd shell out the extra $$ for a 5.3 V8, given the 1mpg loss and the $1000 price tag it'd be worth it.

Todd66 · December 1, 2014

I've got 16600 miles on mine, it's a good little motor but, if I had it to do over again I'd shell out the extra $$ for a 5.3 V8, given the 1mpg loss and the $1000 price tag it'd be worth it.

I'd agree with that statement ... I think I'd also opt for 4x4 even though 98% of the time I'd have to go looking for a place to use it I just like being prepared

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Brian S. · December 2, 2014

I've got 16600 miles on mine, it's a good little motor but, if I had it to do over again I'd shell out the extra $$ for a 5.3 V8, given the 1mpg loss and the $1000 price tag it'd be worth it.

I can't say that for sure.

If it truly were "$1000 difference", obviously.

What I wonder though is if they're more willing to deal on the 4.3s.

Been happy with the 4.3l, my trailer weighs under 3000lbs and it tows it pretty easily.

Imcrazy · December 3, 2014

I can't say that for sure.

If it truly were "$1000 difference", obviously.

What I wonder though is if they're more willing to deal on the 4.3s.

Been happy with the 4.3l, my trailer weighs under 3000lbs and it tows it pretty easily.

I guess you're right about that I've heard it's easier to get some $$ off on a v6 than a v8. Having driven a friends 4.8 V8 in his 2012 silverado the new 4.3 v6 seems to be a better motor to me . I don't regret getting the 4.3, just that my buddy got a silverado with the 5.3 and 3.43 rear end and when you step on the 5.3 the additional power is quite noticeable lol. When I test drove the Sierra I drove a V8 and the V6, they felt about the same on the test drive but I now wonder if the 5.3 I drove had a 3.08 rear end, I didn't know enough about trucks at the time to check out the difference.

I'd agree with that statement ... I think I'd also opt for 4x4 even though 98% of the time I'd have to go looking for a place to use it I just like being prepared

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I did opt for the 4x4 but, only because we get a decent amount of snow in my neck of the woods if not for that I'd prob have a 2 wheeler with a posi rear end.

Brian S. · December 3, 2014

The 5.3l with the 3.08s and the 4.3l with the 3.42s have the same tow capacity, it's possible they felt similar in a test drive. Car and Driver reported the 4.3l was one second slower in the quarter mile than the 5.3l, so they're not that different.

Perseus · February 25, 2016

27,000 miles on my ccsb 4.3 4x4. I average 20-21mpgs on my commute (back roads 45-55mph) and I usually do between 23-25mpgs on the freeway, I live on cruise control and normally stick to the speed limit. When I idle on winter blend I do about 18mpgs. Also I've towed my wife's grand am and averaged 18mpgs on a 40 mile trip. I couldn't be happier with the truck. I'm looking to add a 2" RC spacer level and am thinking of 265/70/18s for tire replacements

jamesonjc · February 26, 2016

I can't say that for sure.

If it truly were "$1000 difference", obviously.

What I wonder though is if they're more willing to deal on the 4.3s.

Been happy with the 4.3l, my trailer weighs under 3000lbs and it tows it pretty easily.

The factory option is like $1,035 for the (5.3l) v8.

Imcrazy · February 26, 2016

Well I got a new truck and I got the 5.3, its well worth it, don't miss the 1mpg I lost going from the 4.3, same rear end gears 3.42 and also 4x4. I'm going to try running some 89 octane on the next few tanks.

07Softail · February 27, 2016

V6's should only be installed in cars not Trucks!

RT

Perseus · February 27, 2016

V6's should only be installed in cars not Trucks!

RT

The new Silverado half ton might as well be a car rofl

paullgj · April 6, 2017

Retired, fixed income,71 yrs. old, not $$$$$ of cash laying around to buy a High Country luxoboat. Got a 2016 2wd 6 cyl WT reg cab with a posi rear end. Thing is fast and agile. Definitely more responsive than the 350 and 4.8 l V-8's my older trucks had. One thing I do miss, however, is the manual transmission. Still getting used to driving an auto!

Donstar · October 21, 2017

Yesterday I hit 33,333 kms on my 4.3 and I continue to be impressed with the performance of this engine. I am curious to hear impressions about the performance of this engine from new owners. There are many recent threads celebrating the 6.2 and 5.3 V8's so I thought I'd rekindle this older thread on the 4.3. GM's Silverado/Sierra base motor is no slouch and definitely worthy of recognition. I've covered many highway miles and I am always confident in the speed and acceleration provided by the 4.3 L V6.