4.8l VS 5.3l on '98-01

[h2ofwlr]

For those that have driven and/or owned both -

 

What is the biggest asset of the 4.8l?

 

And of the 5.3l?

 

What did you get for MPG on the 4.8l?

 

I found a truck I wanted to buy - but it has the 4.8l I was thinking of 5.3l, so trying to decide....

 

BTW I haul around 1000-1800 lbs regularly. Heavy loads or trailer loads are of no concern for me. So the "performance" guys with deep pockets for fuel need not reply (now don't go be on me).

[KMGZ400]

I've had a 4.8 and a 5.3... Do yourself a favor and get a truck with a 5.3.

 

You'll get the people that will chime in and say the 4.8 is great and powerful enough for them, but it is slower and noticeably not as powerful.. And gets worse MPG. My 4.8 had 3.73's too..

 

And there's no biggest asset of the 4.8 it's the same as a 5.3 just with smaller displacement.

[02suburbanZ71]

I've heard the 4.8 is more reliable

[kstruckcountry]

They are virtually the same motor. People with lots of experience can still mix them up.

 

All I can say is I have a 5.3 and it's great. I haul very little anymore but when I do it's there. I can get 18 mpg highway, most of the time around town 15.

[zach1990]

I've got a 2000 with 324k miles on the original 4.8. Its been good and has hauled a few heavy loads. It tows fine with the 3.73s but just doesn't seem to have the low end torque that my dad's 04 5.3 with 3.42s has. Btw his is the original motor with 300k miles.

 

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Just to kind of point out the reliability of each there..

 

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[Chris]

The 4.8 is fine for the average person, my truck started out with the 4.8. If you have any doubt get a 5.3

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Unless your going to tow alot, you won't even tell a difference.

 

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[RyanbabZ71]

You won't find a 98 with either of these engines stock

 

 

Ryan

[h2ofwlr]

^^^^^ I was told some late '98 offered the 4.8 and 5.3. But perhaps I was misinformed.

 

 

Unless your going to tow alot, you won't even tell a difference.

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I may towing a 6x8 flatbed trailer with a max of 2300lbs with a payload (3,000 total lbs).. nothing over this. I have a small 14' boat, so maybe 1,000 total there. So I'm not sure if that is even in the same realm of hauling a skid steer loader, much less what you have pictured in your signature line.

[Gurrzt]

I had a 4.8 in my 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (did not tow, 3.42:1 rear-end), and I averaged 23mpg on the freeway, 20mpg around town, the only problem that existed was that the vehicle could not get out of it own way.

 

Acceleration on the freeway ramp was an experience I did not need to go through.

 

Go with the 5.3

[KMGZ400]

Unless your going to tow alot, you won't even tell a difference.

 

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I'd have to disagree with ya on that one!

 

I had a 4.8 and a 5.3 at the same time and driving one another back to back it was very noticeable even unloaded

[02suburbanZ71]

I had a 4.8 in my 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (did not tow, 3.42:1 rear-end), and I averaged 23mpg on the freeway, 20mpg around town, the only problem that existed was that the vehicle could not get out of it own way.

 

Acceleration on the freeway ramp was an experience I did not need to go through.

 

Go with the 5.3

This was my first laugh of the day. Just be glad you didnt have the 4.8 suburban with 3.08's accelerating up a freeway ramp

[jhm]

2001 with 4.8. great engine 3.73 gears. quick off the line. never dissapointed me. but i dont tow, so no opinion there.

[h2ofwlr]

^^^^^ What did you get for gas mileage?

[zach1990]

Mine with 4.8 and 3.73s got 20 average when it was stock. Now it gets 11 average between city and hwy

 

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