Jump to content

5.3 vs 6.2

OmahaBen

Recommended Posts

OmahaBen Enthusiast

OmahaBen

Posted
Posted

Since I have had my 6.2 truck in the shop so many times for the vibrations I am getting some real world experience with several 5.3 trucks.

 

I drove from Omaha to Minneapolis and back yesterday 700ish miles and got about 16.9mph Hand Calulated/ 17.5 DIC Empty at 77mph and on the way back about 17.5mpg 18.3 on the DIC with a 500lb load in the bed.

 

This truck has a 5.3 and 3.42s and is a 2015

 

My truck has a 6.2 6speed and 3.73s and is a 2014

 

At 75 mph I get right around 19mpg DIC and 18.2-18.5mpg hand calculated with the 6.2 I do use 91 vs 87. There is about a .40 $ premium per gallon.

 

 

The gearing and the power of the 6.2 is way better and the fuel economy on this run was worse than what I usually get with my 6.2.

 

I can't pull with this truck as it is a loaner from the dealer. I would be curious to see what a trailer would do with this configuration. I did get permission from the dealer to do this run and they said it wasn't a problem.

 

If I was to buy a new truck I wouldn't consider the 5.3 unless it was considerably cheaper. Or you never pull a trailer.

  • Replies 42
  • Created
  • Last Reply
OmahaBen Enthusiast

OmahaBen

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Since I have had my 6.2 truck in the shop so many times for the vibrations I am getting some real world experience with several 5.3 trucks.

 

I drove from Omaha to Minneapolis and back yesterday 700ish miles and got about 16.9mph Hand Calulated/ 17.5 DIC Empty at 77mph and on the way back about 17.5mpg 18.3 on the DIC with a 500lb load in the bed.

 

This truck has a 5.3 and 3.42s and is a 2015

 

My truck has a 6.2 6speed and 3.73s and is a 2014

 

At 75 mph I get right around 19mpg DIC and 18.2-18.5mpg hand calculated with the 6.2 I do use 91 vs 87. There is about a .40 $ premium per gallon.

 

 

The gearing and the power of the 6.2 is way better and the fuel economy on this run was worse than what I usually get with my 6.2.

 

I can't pull with this truck as it is a loaner from the dealer. I would be curious to see what a trailer would do with this configuration. I did get permission from the dealer to do this run and they said it wasn't a problem.

 

If I was to buy a new truck I wouldn't consider the 5.3 unless it was considerably cheaper. Or you never pull a trailer.

 

 

Moderator can you please move this to general 2014 2015 K2 trucks area. I didn't mean to put it in the problems/ technical area.

2004lebanshee Enthusiast

2004lebanshee

Posted
Posted

I agree I'm not sure why I even try to pull my 22ft 5500 lb boat and trailer with my 5.3. It only has 383 ftlb of torque. The men back in the day driving 3/4 tons (90's) must have been really good drivers to pull off what they did with those weak motors. I get that the 6.2 has more power but the 5.3 has a ton of power for what its allowed to tow (1/2 ton). I tow my boat hours at a time and often catch my self 75-80 mph on accident. The 6.2 is only rated around 1000 more pounds. Sure I could pull a better hole shot with my boat attached with a 6.2 but I really don't care. If really cared about towing and wanted to tow a lot I sure as hell wouldn't get a 1500 with a 6.2. I would get a D-Max. The 6.2 is great for people who want a sporty truck. That's what it is. IMO it's not worth the money for a "towing upgrade". I would spend my money on a D-max. I bought mine for over 15K off sticker from 50K. If I got a 6.2 I would have lost a bunch of rebates and at that point I would have just spent more for a diesel. The 1500 suspension is too soft and the breaks suck for heavy loads. I wouldn't go over 7500Lbs with any 1500 IMO.

07Softail Senior Enthusiast

07Softail

Posted
Posted

Since I have had my 6.2 truck in the shop so many times for the vibrations I am getting some real world experience with several 5.3 trucks.

 

I drove from Omaha to Minneapolis and back yesterday 700ish miles and got about 16.9mph Hand Calulated/ 17.5 DIC Empty at 77mph and on the way back about 17.5mpg 18.3 on the DIC with a 500lb load in the bed.

 

This truck has a 5.3 and 3.42s and is a 2015

 

My truck has a 6.2 6speed and 3.73s and is a 2014

 

At 75 mph I get right around 19mpg DIC and 18.2-18.5mpg hand calculated with the 6.2 I do use 91 vs 87. There is about a .40 $ premium per gallon.

 

 

The gearing and the power of the 6.2 is way better and the fuel economy on this run was worse than what I usually get with my 6.2.

 

I can't pull with this truck as it is a loaner from the dealer. I would be curious to see what a trailer would do with this configuration. I did get permission from the dealer to do this run and they said it wasn't a problem.

 

If I was to buy a new truck I wouldn't consider the 5.3 unless it was considerably cheaper. Or you never pull a trailer.

That's fine and dandy but the 6.2 is not offered with a RCSB...Otherwise I agree If I could I would!

 

RT

larryz71 Enthusiast

larryz71

Posted
Posted

Gas mileage seems way off OP... I have had both engines in this platform, and there is a reason my 2nd one has a 5.3.. To each their own, I'm glad you like your 6.2..

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Britt Lifsey Enthusiast

Britt Lifsey

Posted
Posted

Gas mileage seems way off OP... I have had both engines in this platform, and there is a reason my 2nd one has a 5.3.. To each their own, I'm glad you like your 6.2..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good catch. Interstate running 75ish I get 22 or more. If I can slow myself down to 65 I'll get 24.

Darth_Vader Enthusiast

Darth_Vader

Posted
Posted

You don't buy the 6.2 to tow more than the 5.3. You buy the 6.6 to do that, and after owning at 2500 and 3500 NNBS I realized I had no reason to own one after I got rid of the 40' 5er.

 

You buy the 6.2 because it's fun, the same reason I traded a 6.0 GTO for a 6.2 Corvette.

Habs Enthusiast

Habs

Posted
Posted

Comparing gassers for towing always makes me chuckle.

 

You buy the 6.2 over the 5.3 to say you have the bigger motor, that's about it.

 

If you really need the torque, you buy a diesel.

 

Enough of these threads.

 

And yes, this is coming from a 6.2 owner.

Jon A Senior Enthusiast

Jon A

Posted
Posted

The 6.2 is great for people who want a sporty truck. That's what it is. IMO it's not worth the money for a "towing upgrade".

 

You don't buy the 6.2 to tow more than the 5.3. You buy the 6.6 to do that,

 

You buy the 6.2 over the 5.3 to say you have the bigger motor, that's about it.

 

 

I'll disagree--at least if you're towing heavy stuff in the mountains. Yes, the 5.3 can get the job done, but it will spend a lot more time screaming the engine in 2nd gear, will be more likely to have heat related issues in the summer and will end up going very slowly up some hills.

 

That's not the end of the world and many users don't mind those things, especially if it's only something that they encounter a couple times a year. There's nothing wrong with that--and yes, the 5.3 will technically get the job done.

 

However, pretending there aren't very real advantages offered by the 6.2 for towing is not an accurate reflection of reality.

jay15892 Enthusiast

jay15892

Posted
Posted

The 5.3 is a nice motor. I've had a 11,13, and 14 with the 5.3. The 6.2 in my 2015 is a whole different beast. Talk up the 5.3 all you want but in the end the 6.2 is way better.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

I am not that old but I guess I am older than others on here. I have owned chevys with 350's and 454's and they towed what I needed them to. Fast forward to the present and these new engines (even the 6 banger) have so much more get up and go. Comparing the 6.2 to the 5.3 is no different than comparing the 5.3 to the 43, a waste of time. Your mpg is way off as well, I can easily get 20 mpg on the the interstate with my 5.3 3.42 gears.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

You don't buy the 6.2 to tow more than the 5.3. You buy the 6.6 to do that, and after owning at 2500 and 3500 NNBS I realized I had no reason to own one after I got rid of the 40' 5er.

 

You buy the 6.2 because it's fun, the same reason I traded a 6.0 GTO for a 6.2 Corvette.

Exactly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Chuck FB
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Yes, and also pulling heavy trailers or a large camper up steep grades as well as descending grades such as the more rustic off road camping locations and using engine braking with that low gearing as well as soft ground can just suck the power . I realize pickups these days tend to have an over all lower first gear ratio compared to automatic transmission pickups from years back so that has helped a lot in its ability in high range but there comes a point if in four wheel drive the torque runs out at the wheels, certainly with a gas engine. They don't put two speed transfer cases on pickups for a cool factor, they have a function if one needs that massive torque to the wheels that high range can't deliver. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      Grumpy Bears 2015 Silverado 2WD

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Notes 7/18/2026   3,400 miles on this batch of Mobil 1 Euro 5W40 since the GDI pump replacement. Alcohol runs very clean when ring seal is tight and the sump isn't getting hosed with fuel. Checked oil level at fill up today as is my practice and grabbed a white Kleenex to look at the color. What color?  I was going to change it but.....  
    • Another JR
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Another JR · Posted

      4 low is really nice on steep boat ramps. 
    • Chuck FB
      Gas Prices

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Interesting, I suspect I would have fueled up in Lee Vining as the day prior I would have filled up either in Laughlin or near there and maybe again before I entered Death Valley and once out the other side late that evening as I kept on driving into the night up near Lee Vining. Next morning I most likely fueled up in LV before heading over Tioga Pass into ( as I refer to it as "Yose .... Mite" 😁 ). And again that was 19 years ago but the price then must not have jumped out at me like the 5 bill a gallon theme of nutty cult hippy country Big Sir or head so far up their rear Aspen. I'd be curious to know where the highest prices are in the lower 48, I probably would not be far off to guess somewhere in Cali forn ie. Coldfoot and Prudhoe bay may have those prices beat but that is a whole other world up there and when prices are more normal elsewhere that is about what they can be up there I believe in no mans land. Anyway interesting that the 395 corridor is hosing people and the thing is, its tourist season and its not like there are a lot of competition options when driving up that highway from what I could see. Yup, big ole Boaterhomes and various other RV's ahead and behind me at the Yosemite entrance gate and they have to get their fuel somewhere.  
    • Atlas
      Gas Prices

      By Atlas · Posted

      Those can be high, as well as the big California cities. The ones that will pop your eyes out are the 395 corridor on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas. Lee Vining, $7.19 for regular and $8.89 for diesel is what the Google said right now.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...