What engine do you guys think?

[Silverado-Hareek]

 

E85 is overblown anyways, the 6.2L thrives on premium so I wouldnt use flex fuel if it did have it. I never used it even with my old 5.3L tahoe.

 

That's not my point. Gasoline currently contains 10% ethanol. The EPA has upped that standard to 15% ethanol and now there's big concern about the effect 5% more ethanol will have on gasoline engines that are NOT flex fuel rated (able to handle up to 85% ethanol). My point is knowing that 15% ethanol blended gasoline is coming and that there are potential engine problems as a result, I personally would be very specific about selecting a flex fuel vehicle if buying new in 2014 knowing that information. If towing is your concern and you absolutely need 11,000 lbs of towing capacity because 9600 lbs won't cut it, then you should be looking at a 2500 Diesel, not pushing a 1500 to its limits.

 

Now if you want a 6.2L just for the thrill of driving the truck with a more powerful engine, that's a different story. I'm not blaming you or judging you. By all means enjoy it.

 

But if you're looking to buy a truck for the long term, I would go with Flex Fuel hands down every time. Ethanol is not going away and will only become more common place and in higher percentages. So I'd rather have an engine that I know is safeguarded against it than spend $50,000 and rolling the dice.

[CL8N]

The 5.3L requires 91?

[austingta]

The 5.3L requires 91?

I use 87 all the time.

 

My truck is a 5.3 w/ 3.42 rear gear and is factory rated to tow 9600 pounds. I get right at 16 MPG in the city. That's pretty good.

 

Mine has plenty of power for me.

[Silverado-Hareek]

The 5.3L requires 91?

 

No the 5.3L requires regular 87 octane.

[Jon A]

In my opinion the OP would be much happier with the 6.2, especially coming from a Duramax. As I've discussed in other threads, it's not so much about the "tow rating" on paper, but the actual real-world experience of it. Pretty much everybody who has towed with the 6.2 raves about it or at the very least is very happy with its performance. The 5.3, not so much. Some have been quite happy with it, others have found it lacking.

 

While the 6.2 is still no Duramax (it's torque curve is centered around 4000 RPM instead of 2000 so it's going to run higher RPM, it just is, but there's nothing wrong with that), it'll be less of a change. The 6.2 has as much torque at 2000 RPM as the 5.3 does at its peak at 4100 RPM so it will get the same job done seemingly much more easily with a lot less downshifting required. Yes, the difference is less with the 5.3 on E85 but it's still significant. I would imagine the mileage while towing something heavy on E85 would be scary (if the gas stations are very far apart).

[Last C5]

I've got the 6.2 and I tow cars most the time too. Get the 6.2, it makes towing a breeze even over the mountains.

Beside even if E85 costs 10% less, it gets 10 less mpg so where's the advantage?

[dagwood2001]

Go 6.2L and don't look back. The 5.3L is a dog.

 

why do you continue to make definitive comments like this? not everyone owns a truck to haul 5 tons behind it. i bought mine (yes, 5.3L V-8) for some light off roading, hunting/fishing, getting around in snow, and occasional dump runs and moving stuff about. to say it's a "dog" is just silly. it all depends on what you need it for.

 

why would i buy more than i need?

[austingta]

E85 is not a good value, at least here in Texas. It has 25% less energy than even ethanol-ized gas, but does not cost 25% less. Here, it is .50 less than 3.45 gas...

 

My truck doesn't seem more powerful to me when I run it, but I'm in the minority of posters here as I don't run full-throttle all the time.

[cobrajet84]

they only thing i would change in my 07 is that i would get the 6.2 instead of the 5.3, yeah the new 5.3 has more power than my 5.3 does, but it is knowing that there is a higher powered option that available.

[redwngr]

The 5.3L requires 91?

No.

[redwngr]

If you're considering ordering a truck, the 2015 order guide is now out, and it says the 6.2 is 'unavailable to order at this time'.

 

Points being 1- we are very close to being able to order '15's and 2- if you want a 15, it's unknown when the 6.2 will again be available. The 6.2 does show up in the new standardized tow ratings, so it will likely become available in a 15, - but we don't know when.

[PMattras]

Do you have to pay an extra charge (cost - Government charges) fuel usage to get a 6.2L?

[VMaxtastic]

Get the 6.2... Only regret I have.

[Ventilator]

5.3L, no regrets! Can run on any unleaded, and it burns corn if you need it to.

[Jason952]

I am 6.2 all the way...have 2 NNBS with then, a Sierra and Denali. I would imagine the new one is even better!

 

 

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