Should/Will GM up the HP on the 5.3 in 2016 ?

nards444 · January 26, 2015

A turbo rebuild does not mean an engine loss. A typical turbo rebuild will only set you back a couple of hundred dollars. Assuming the turbos will need to get rebuilt at 250k miles, and estimating you spend $1k on rebuilding both turbos, included labor. That is not that bad, you could also have the choice of buying a used turbo since those 3.5 ecoboost engines are now mass produced since 2011. I would take my chances on spending that amount of money to have a truck that has instant torque delivery a high horsepower output.

I would like for them up up the power, I don't think it would be worth to trade my truck in for a little bit more hp, but I wonder how much improvement they can do. The easy way would be for them to offer a "retuned" higher horsepower 5.3, they could then advertise a new 10hp/10trq. It does seem like they could refine the engine mapping that is currently on our trucks though.

I agree I think there some unfounded fear on these turbos. Theyre covered for 5 years as it is. The 3.5 ecos are coming upon their 5th year as it is, and havent heard of mass issue involving turbos and having to be rebuilt. I guess if your the guy that tries to keep things alive for 15 years, its a possible cost down the road. But like you said a bad turbo doesnt mean the engine is fried or ruined. And by now between junk yards and after market you could probably rebuild/replace one for descent coin.