4.3l compared to 5.3l

KMGZ400 · February 8, 2015

I just seem to be missing the point as to what there is to compare... There has already been a multiple page thread of you arguing with someone else about this. The 5.3 has more power and gets a little worse mileage and the 4.3 is obviously less powerful and gets a little better mileage... And it's a little cheaper. What is there to argue? Who cares what people choose to buy?

corwest · February 8, 2015

These threads about the 4.3 vs the 5.3 always end in pointless arguments over which is better. If someone spends 35k of their own hard earned money on a nice new truck, who is to tell them that they are wrong for buying one motor over another? GM isn't dumb guys, there is obviously a market for the 4.3 and people will buy it. Is the 5.3 stronger? Yes. This is obvious. just like the 6.2 is stronger than both. The argument could be made that GM makes a 6.6 Duramax so why would you buy a 4.3 or a 5.3 or a 6.0 or a 6.2? The same as "I would rather spend the extra 5-10k and get a 5.3 or 6.2." OK then spend 10k more than that and get an 6.6. In the end you can't argue the 5.3 is stronger than the 4.3 the same as you are not wrong for buying one over the other. It's personal preference so let's let these threads die.

Brian S. · February 8, 2015

Isriam,

I can appreciate wanting a "fast" truck as I used to like the speed as well in my younger years. These days I care more about low insurance rates (because any way you cut it, for most of us we may as well be lighting that money on fire) and being able to rent a car when I fly somewhere.

I started this thread to offer information about real world experience with both vehicles as I'm in somewhat of a unique position to offer it. Most people haven't used both the 5.3l and 4.3l as their daily driver, so I thought people considering those two trim levels might be interested.

The engine you have is largely unchanged from prior gen- 6.2 have been badass 400hp motors for a while now.

The bump for the 2014 4.3l was HUGE. Going from 195hp to 285hp, and from 265ft lb torque to 305ft lbs., In combination with the addition of the six speed transmission the 4.3l went from being an engine that had no business in a full size truck to being better than last years 4.8l V8, and roughly equivalent to last year's 5.3l if you had the 3.08 or 3.23 gears. (and the 3.42s on the 4.3l)

So the 4.3l is a "new thing in the world" and I would think people would be interested in knowing about it, because like the one guy said, saving $100/mo on a lease is a big deal to some.

The guys you need to talk to are the ones who opted for LTZ trim and didn't get your engine for just $1700 more, when it's superior engine.

Brian S. · February 8, 2015

These threads about the 4.3 vs the 5.3 always end in pointless arguments over which is better. If someone spends 35k of their own hard earned money on a nice new truck, who is to tell them that they are wrong for buying one motor over another? GM isn't dumb guys, there is obviously a market for the 4.3 and people will buy it. Is the 5.3 stronger? Yes. This is obvious. just like the 6.2 is stronger than both. The argument could be made that GM makes a 6.6 Duramax so why would you buy a 4.3 or a 5.3 or a 6.0 or a 6.2? The same as "I would rather spend the extra 5-10k and get a 5.3 or 6.2." OK then spend 10k more than that and get an 6.6. In the end you can't argue the 5.3 is stronger than the 4.3 the same as you are not wrong for buying one over the other. It's personal preference so let's let these threads die.

You are a wise man.

I just wanted to note my real world differences in the two engines for people choosing between them.

Seemed to make more sense than "There is no reason anyone should ever consider the 4.3l engine." some other posters were offering.

xkvator · February 8, 2015

just my .02...

I think the 4.3 might be an adequate engine in the flatlands of the Midwest...but not here in the hills of Pa.

I've driven friends that had reg. cab shortbeds with 4.3 & 4.8 engines, and they got from place to place ok, till you put a load in them...then you felt the dif.

actually, I'm not happy about the 5.3 in my '15...

I assumed the direct injected engine would be a little snappier, because it'll support higher compression on 87 octane, but its not...

my wifes '04 Tahoe feels quicker...

it may not be the engine itself, but the ECM programming, so i'll wait and see if theirs any updates...

I've had the same truck in an '09...'11... and '13, and this truck feels totally different in it's response, so far...

Imcrazy · February 8, 2015

I test drove a 5.3 and a 4.3 when I bought my truck, I'm pretty sure the 5.3 had 3.08 gears and the 4.3 had the 3.42 gears. I couldn't see a difference appreciable enough to justify the extra cost for the 5.3. I did opt for the preferred SLE package for $1600 which I enjoy a lot more than having the bigger motor. My buddy has a 5.3 Silverado w/ 3.42 while I haven't driven it yet, riding shotgun it seems about the same as my 4.3. If I had the loot I'd get a 5.3 or if I did a lot of towing or hauling but, I'm just a light duty hauler for the most part. Like others have said the new v6 is better than the old 4.8l v8.

Isriam · February 8, 2015

they almost all feel the same until you get a custom tune. i bet a 4.3 with a custom tune would hold or beat a 5.3 stock. GM totally makes the stock tunes terrible, and i'll never drive another vehicle without a custom tune.

Brian S. · February 8, 2015

they almost all feel the same until you get a custom tune. i bet a 4.3 with a custom tune would hold or beat a 5.3 stock. GM totally makes the stock tunes terrible, and i'll never drive another vehicle without a custom tune.

You could well be right about that.

My 5.3 with the 3.42s doesn't feel a lot different than the 4.3 with 3.42s did until you jump on it.

I think GM tunes them for mileage, I can feel some flat spots in the response with the 5.3l.

Brian S. · February 8, 2015

Like others have said the new v6 is better than the old 4.8l v8.

Same torque at lower RPM. I'm guessing the motors would be pretty much the same with the same 6 speed.

I think GM likely gave the 4.8s a 4 speed to differentiate them from 5.3s. I believe the 5.3 is the same engine with a longer piston stroke.

2016AllStar1500 · February 26, 2016

I have to say that 4.3 is more than adequate in a 1500 double-cab. It has plenty of power around town and can haul with no problems with plenty of low end torque. The best mpg recorded with the 50mile dash setting is 25.8 on 87 regular on the hwy.

I just turned in the 2014 for the 16 and test drove the v8 again just to make sure I wasn't "missing" anything. I came to the conclusion that the only thing I would be missing was the money I save on the lease payments, which basically cover 1/2 the fuel costs at today's pump prices.

In the end they are both great motors and buyers wont be disappointed with either choice

tnchevy · February 26, 2016

I drove a 2002 with the 4.8 (4.10 gears) for 12 years and though not fast it was adequate and miles ahead of the 1992 I had with a 350 (4.10 gears). Gearing is where it is at. My 2002 had a 4.10 gear while two work trucks I drove in that time period had 5.3's with 3.73 gears. My 4.8 with 4.10 rear was more responsive and more fun to drive but at the same time it could not handle as heavy loads as the 5.3 counterparts. For 90% of us who own 2014+ models the 4.3 is more than enough power. If some of you were to hop into a throttle body 350 from the early 90's you would think you were driving a prius compared to these modern engines. I was not very educated on the re-designed 4.3 when I was shopping and if I was I may have opted for it since it is as powerful if not more than my old 4.8.

Ridersfan · February 26, 2016

I've owned both the new 4.3 and the new 5.3. I have never owned a 6.2... but am in a dealership and have had lots of opportunity to drive them.

The 4.3L is a darn fine engine for a truck to be driven as a daily driver. Adequate power, excellent economy (for a 4wd truck), good reliability, standard equipped with E85 as opposed to it being an option in a 5.3 (so most can't run it)

I liken the power and feel of the new 4.3 to be better than the old 5.3's when thay ran a 4 speed transmission (2008 & older) except that they are substantially better on gas.

My biggest reason that I'm in a 5.3 now instead of a 4.3 is the off chance that I travel further with my 6000 pound camper than I'd been travelling with it, and for a better resale because I tend to trade trucks every year.

tnchevy · February 26, 2016

In my neck of the woods there were virtually no 4.3 dbl cabs on any of the lots. About 90% were 5.3 4x4 with 3.42 gears with a few crew cab 2wd with the 4.3. I figured the dealerships didn't think they could sell the 4.3 very easily and I say they are right.

Imcrazy · February 26, 2016

I traded in my 4.3 for a 5.3, I'd never get a V6 again unless it was strictly a work truck. I can't really say anything bad about the 4.3 but, other than the minor cost (2% of the purchase price) I can't justify saving $$ to get the slower motor. I just like it for getting on the hwy ect, I don't tow much at all.