Thoughts

sprayed99 · October 23, 2015

Is that simple bolt on kit and is can you find these any cheaper than msrp at other places?

Yes and Yes but not sure by how much. I'm a dealer so I know they have some room to work, but they cannot advertise a price lower than the MSRP.

GMC-AT · October 23, 2015

Forget superchargers and upgrades that will void the warranty. Like it was said above, the new 5.3 would crush the old 5.3.... in fact you may find it very similar to the old 6.2. Chances are you will be happy, if not get the 6.2

Another thing... a brand new GMC SLT ( non Denali ) will seem like an big upgrade compared to your old Denali. My friend has a 2012 Denali - he admits my 2014 SLT All Terrain is leaps and bounds ahead in every way...

sprayed99 · October 23, 2015

Forget superchargers and upgrades that will void the warranty. Like it was said above, the new 5.3 would crush the old 5.3.... in fact you may find it very similar to the old 6.2. Chances are you will be happy, if not get the 6.2

Another thing... a brand new GMC SLT ( non Denali ) will seem like an big upgrade compared to your old Denali. My friend has a 2012 Denali - he admits my 2014 SLT All Terrain is leaps and bounds ahead in every way...

Do a little reading on Magnacharger and then talk about voiding warranties. I have had one on every new truck and never had a single issue with warranty work being performed.

redwngr · October 23, 2015

If cost is a factor, there is something to be said for an engine that runs on regular instead of one that requires premium.

Tattooo · October 23, 2015

New 5.3 Denali all day....if you can swing it

snowman44 · October 24, 2015

Im sure magnachargers is a great product but if something goes wrong it sounds like it could be a catastrophe. Whether I go with 5.3 or 6.2 I;; be putting headers,exhaust, and tune. Just curious if stock 5.3 will stay with new hemi and tundras?

KARNUT · October 24, 2015

Mine out ran both on E85. My 92 Chevy has had a whipple since new, one rebuild at 85K to a 383 with the whipple. It runs a 5lb pulley in the winter and a 15lb in the summer. Transmission at 107k. The trucks has 112k on it now. Treat them right the will last.

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snowman44 · October 27, 2015

Anyone have experiences with Gibson exhaust? I know they have been around a long time and live in upstate ny and they have a lifetime warranty. I am aware of ARH and koosk but for the price with the warranty seems like a no brainer.

OmahaBen · October 27, 2015

If you want to be in the newer body style and cheap get a 5.3 with SLE.

I don't care for all of the chrome of the Denali so I bought the SLT with the 6.2. The larger motor was worth more to me than lane assist, sunroof and rear sliding window.

I have all the comforts I need with the SLT, Leather, Heated Seats, Nav, Backup Camera. Plus I don't like the chrome grill on the Denali, it is just too much for me.

If my plan was to buy a 5.3 and then do a super charger I would just go for the 6.2 and keep it stock.

I have done a lot of aftermarket mods to vehicles in the past and most are below average for longevity. They can be really great at first but don't have the engineering time into them like stock parts do.

If you do get a 2014 or newer truck take a bottle of water and put it in the console. Drive the truck to 80mph for a duration of time on the interstate and 50-75mph range to check for vibrations. You can see vibrations in the waves in the bottle.

I just spent a bunch of time getting mine fixed. 3 of the 4 loaners I had at two different dealers had noticeable vibrations at 70mph+.

Other than that vib issue I would totally go for the new style.

I am sure you can find a used 5.3 SLT truck for the 35-38K range. Honestly like already stated it isn't much more to buy new.

Good Luck! If you live by St. Louis Laura Buick GMC is hard to beat on price for new. They have quite a few 6.2 trucks in stock also.

crushNchowda · October 27, 2015

5.3 denali w/ the new 8 speed coming for '16 model year or an SLT - if you drive an SLT 5.3 truck w/ the tow package it'll have shorter gears and will really accelerate quite well.

Additionally, if you can find a '15 SLT 5.3 w/ max tow AND is E85 capable, on E85 fuel it'll have nearly the same power and more torque than a 2013 6.2, and better gearing, and will crush it in mpg's when running regular fuel.

AWD is lame, good luck driving in mud/sand with it.

Also FWIW - I have had 2 '14 trucks that were 5.3s, one being a 6 speed w/ 3.42 gears and E85 capable and it had PLENTY of power IMO. I totaled the '14 5.3 3.42 truck after putting 40,000 miles on it, this time around because I got a hefty insurance payout and incentives were there I got the same truck but w/ the 8 speed and 6.2

I have a Z06 vette as well, and can tell you that none of these trucks are "fast" when you actually have experience driving something that truly is, and 90% of the time I don't use the additional power from the 6.2 nor do I notice it. I got it because I could, but I would definitely drive 5.3's and 6.2's back to back before you just write the 5.3 off

crushNchowda · October 27, 2015

Anyone have experiences with Gibson exhaust? I know they have been around a long time and live in upstate ny and they have a lifetime warranty. I am aware of ARH and koosk but for the price with the warranty seems like a no brainer.

I will never put a different brand of exhaust on a truck again after getting a gibson on my new '15 6.2 - I have had flowmaster, magnaflow, borla, etc. and for the price - and being made in USA - can't beat it!!!!! Sounds MEAN but not obnoxious and doesn't drone in 4 cyl mode either.

Just make sure you order the stainless one, 409 stainless pipe and 304 stainless tips, it is a really great exhaust and fit perfect too. DO NOT Spend the money on a borla/corsa/slp/magnaflow - the gibson is the way to go!

snowman44 · October 27, 2015

Thanks for all the input. As of right now I think I'm going to go for 14 or newer denali with 6.2 and then put gibson headers, corsa exhaust and a tune and that will be that. I've never had headers before but from what I've read they make a noticeable difference down low.

Tattooo · October 27, 2015

Cool...post some pics when you get one

sprayed99 · October 27, 2015

Thanks for all the input. As of right now I think I'm going to go for 14 or newer denali with 6.2 and then put gibson headers, corsa exhaust and a tune and that will be that. I've never had headers before but from what I've read they make a noticeable difference down low.

Headers make the difference above the torque curve not below. A tune will certainly effect the powertrain warranty.

OmahaBen · October 27, 2015

Thanks for all the input. As of right now I think I'm going to go for 14 or newer denali with 6.2 and then put gibson headers, corsa exhaust and a tune and that will be that. I've never had headers before but from what I've read they make a noticeable difference down low.

I have had two different types of headers on my big block chevelle. Dynomax and Hooker both leaked (even with copper gaskets).

I swapped in an LS2 into that same Chevelle and had Edelbrock headers. Even with the better gaskets they still leaked. I would pass on the headers.

Exhaust manifolds are lame and boring but to have an exhaust leak that you can hear ticking is worse than being lame.

Like sprayed99 said they won't help the power down low. In fact I would guess going to larger tubes would hurt power down low.

I think going with the 6.2 is a good choice. But I am biased.