Disappointed in the 6.2

[Northside]

When I bought my '14 LTZ in the fall of '13 the 6.2 wasn't available yet. I got a Flex Fuel capable 5.3 and run E85. I keep reading that the 5.3 is sluggish and the 6.2 is a beast. Today I decided to go shopping and maybe get a 6.2 and 8 speed truck. I drove an LTZ Crew Cab 4WD Short box. Beautiful truck. When I got on the throttle on a very long freeway entrance it didn't jump, but pulled slowly up to speed. I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for saying this, but honestly my 5.3 on E85 would have walked away from this truck. Maybe it was just this particular truck, maybe it was the 8 speed, or possibly it just needed to be broken in, but that truck was no "beast." I don't know what octane the fuel was, so that could have some bearing. I was happy to go home in my '14. I gained a new respect for that truck. I guess I'll just keep my trusty '14. It's been trouble free, is comfortable and quiet, and gets on to the freeway quickly and smoothly.

 

[HondaHawkGT]

What were the axle ratios of the trucks? Makes a huge difference. A tune makes all the difference. The stock transmission tuning is what makes the 5.3 seem like a dog.

[Northside]

My 5.3 has the 3.42:1, the 6.2 8 speed had the 3.23:1. My tranny seems to have improved when I started running E85. My 5.3 on E85 is no dog considering it's weight. I kick it, it roars and goes. I expected a lot more from the 6.2 truck considering the 8 speed has a lower first gear and I assume, closer ratios,. I stomped it to the floor and it didn't pull hard while in what I thought was second gear. It wasn't about shifting slowly or sloppily. The engine just didn't have much while in the same gear. Maybe it was in too high a gear. I know a tune can help immensely, but my 5.3 isn't tuned and it pulls noticeably harder than that particular 6.2 untuned truck. I really don't want to tune a new truck and have warranty problems. I thought the 6.2 should be plenty stock. Whatever, I'm happy with the performance of my little 5.3 6 speed.on E 85. That was a very nice truck with the 6.2, the performance just disappointed me.

[rmart]

To be honest, I feel the same way about my 6.2. I'm saving up for a tune because I hear it's a night and day difference but I shouldn't have to...

[rongotti]

Wow I am not sure what the difference is with these other 6.2L, I come from a world of speed, BMW HP4 motorcycles ($35,000 9 second quarter mile) BMW M3 with 530 HP, Cadillac CTS V and a Ferrari 360 Modena. I decided to get my first truck and drove the 5.3 denali and was very underwelmed, but when I hopped in the 6.2L wowwwwww. I was doing 75 MPH and floored it to pass someone and the back end broke loose, I couldn't believe how good this thing pulled. I had them order me a black on black one and never looked back. The only thing I can maybe think of is that there feels like a false bottom if you floor it, once you hit the second stage of flooring it is when it really downshift and takes off like a bat out of hell. I was spinning tires with 4 250 lbs plus passengers in the thing, everyone that has ridden with me has been amazed at the power and speed so far.

 

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[Silver ice 6.2]

Wow I am not sure what the difference is with these other 6.2L, I come from a world of speed, BMW HP4 motorcycles ($35,000 9 second quarter mile) BMW M3 with 530 HP, Cadillac CTS V and a Ferrari 360 Modena. I decided to get my first truck and drove the 5.3 denali and was very underwelmed, but when I hopped in the 6.2L wowwwwww. I was doing 75 MPH and floored it to pass someone and the back end broke loose, I couldn't believe how good this thing pulled. I had them order me a black on black one and never looked back. The only thing I can maybe think of is that there feels like a false bottom if you floor it, once you hit the second stage of flooring it is when it really downshift and takes off like a bat out of hell. I was spinning tires with 4 250 lbs plus passengers in the thing, everyone that has ridden with me has been amazed at the power and speed so far.

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I wasn't there so I can't say yes this is all correct.. but ummm I have the same motor and ummm well unless the road was wet. Or you were on ice there is no way. Going 75 really and flooring it. Unless I see a video of that on a stock 6.2 I'm calling b.s.

[LongrangeLauber]

^^ I don't see the rear end breaking loose at 75 in a truck. My 5.3 and 3.42's only breaks em loose from a stand still or around corners

[rongotti]

I have the 3.23 (is that right?) Rear end and everytime I floor it I can feel the traction control kick in after a little rear end give. The 420 HP it is putting down feel awesome.

 

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[LongrangeLauber]

I have the 3.23 (is that right?) Rear end and everytime I floor it I can feel the traction control kick in after a little rear end give. The 420 HP it is putting down feel awesome.

 

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3.23 comes in the 8 speeds, 3.42's and 3.08's come in the 6 speeds

[rongotti]

Ok yes I have the 6.2 w/8

 

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[mikedege]

I test drove both, no comparison. I didnt want to spend the extra $$$ for the 6.2, the test drive made me.Something wrong with the one you drove.

 

Mike

[Northside]

Thanks for the comments. The tires breaking loose is another thing that amazed ne. I made a sharp right turn to get on the freeway ramp so I was going maybe 10 m.p.h. when I stomped the 6.2. No false bottom on the throttle. The truck just smoothly accelerated less than impressively, the tires were quiet. When I left the dealership I made a left onto a 4 lane so I was going a bit faster when I straightened out and stomped my 5.3 running E 85. The tires broke loose and it set me back into the seat. This is in Golden, Colorado at around 5500 ft. altitude. I have no reason to embellish the story. I wanted the biggest baddest motor and that's what the 6.2 is supposed to be. Maybe that 8 speed didn't downshift to first gear when I hit the throttle. I didn't watch the tach as I was expecting all hell to break loose.

 

My 5.3 is really plenty of power, and although if I bought a new truck I still would get the 6.2. I don't want to get a tune for warranty reasons and stock the 6.2 should be impressive. My little 5.3 became more fun to drive when I added E85 and it's not tuned. I just expected more from the 6.2.

[Txnolebd]

I drove several '14 and '15 5.3's and was very under whelmed. Had to really get in the pedal on all of them to get it to move. The 6.2 is a beast but the transmission tuning is ultra conservative. Even at that the truck moves out with much less pedal and much less effort than the 5.3. It is true in the 6.2 the pedal has like a second stage throttle input. I didn't realize til I read this on an escalade forum. You essentially think it's floored but push a little harder and you get what you are looking for. I'm not dogging the 5.3 because once the pedal is down it moves out good. To be honest neither has close to as good feeling throttle input as my '12 ecoboost with 3.55's.

[Badass69]

I recently drove an NHT equipped ( so 3.42 geared) 8 speed 6.2. I didn't get on the throttle hard off the bottom but put my foot into it at around 55 mph. It pulled very hard accelerating but was very slow to downshift....... which with stock tuning and being brand new I expect. Not overwhelming and feels no faster than any other truck I drive. I am looking at a 3.23 geared one now but I want to drive it first. I am used to trucks with ratings of over 400 HP so it didn't feel slow particularily to me.

[Txnolebd]

Just another thing I have felt with the 6.2 and ecoboost. Neither downshifted as often to when pressing the pedal to accelerate. They both made the needed power in the gear they were in, so no need to downshift. On a different note maybe the conservative tranny is why I get 17 in town and 22 @70 with ko2's.