for those who upgraded from 5.3 to 6.2

crushNchowda · September 11, 2016

I've had a '14 5.3 w/ 3.08's drove for 5000 miles was apalled by the gearing & swapped for a '14 5.3 w/ 3.42 for pretty much just the difference in MSRP - that 2nd truck got totaled @ 40,000 miles & w/ the insurance settlement I got a '15 6.2 8 speed w/ 3.23

I would not bother w/ swapping the truck if its going to cost you much more than the initial price of the 6.2 option, or 1/2 the cost of the SC....$3500ish I guess.

A SC would not void your warranty if you unbolt it prior to bringing it to the dealer when the engine and/or tranny blows

If you were ever going to trade/sell the truck in the future you could always remove the SC too then & either sell it to recoup some of the initial cost or hold onto it for your next ride...

Personally though, and I've said this before, I think the 5.3 is plenty powerful especially if you have the max tow and ESPECIALLY if you run E85 (it amounts to about 90% of the 6.2's power when running E85) - trucks aren't meant to be fast, they're never gonna be "fast" - my C5Z that weighs in under 3000 lbs w/ 1/3 of a tank & puts down 395 to the rear wheels is fast. My old Yamaha R1 is fast.

Forget about chasing down a speed fix in a truck, you got the wrong platform & you're just pi$$ing $$$$ away.

FL335i · September 11, 2016

I have the 5.3, 6spd slush box and 3.42's. Plenty fast even on heavy Ko2's. I wish in '14 they had more max tow package trucks on lots. I wanted the 3.73 gear and rest of the NHT pkg items... oh well. I got as close as I could for the time. I will say I normally run 87, but ran E85 for about a month straight. Unreal the difference. It was stupid fast. If I had to buy a new truck today, it would be the 5.3 with the NHT Max tow pkg and Flex Fuel.

martinto · September 11, 2016

can't relate to the 5.3, but I'm currently traveling cross country, now in Utah. A fair share of mountain grades. My 6.2 with max tow has pulled effortlessly with a est. 7000 lb TT in tow. Did have a early failure in Iowa...bad lifter. GMC dealer, Billion GMC in Sioux City, IA got new parts and had the truck finished in 1 day. That was 3000 miles ago and she has run strong since. I had a 6.2 in a 2008 Yukon Denali, and the 2016 is much better, especially with the 8 speed tranny.

CRApex · September 12, 2016

Donstar...Just curious, why did you decide to get the 4.3? MPG? Cost? I know they are good reliable motors.

16Denali6.2 · September 12, 2016

I traded in my '15 CC 4X4 5.3, 6 spd, 3.42 for a '16 Denali 4X4 CC 6.2, 8 spd, 3.23. I towed with my '15 one time and said "What a dog!". It felt like it wouldn't get out of its own way, which was the trans shift points/factory tune's fault. It was the least responsive 355hp vehicle I've ever driven, which sucked. I don't tow much at all, but I couldn't stand how the 5.3 felt. I first test drove a 6.2 with the 8 spd back in June, the salesman said "put it in tow/haul, turn off the t/c, and stand on it!" He was right, that thing would light up the tires from a roll at any stoplight. That's when I knew I had to have one. No, its not racecar fast, but it is very responsive and it feels how the 5.3 should've felt to me.

Donstar · September 12, 2016

Donstar...Just curious, why did you decide to get the 4.3? MPG? Cost? I know they are good reliable motors.

Thanks for asking! Pickup trucks have been my preferred style of vehicle since 1971. I have found that the six's have always met my needs in the past and the newer versions will far exceed the performance of these older engines. In the 80's you could only get a crew cab in a 3/4 ton with a large V8. (My kids were transported in "Supercabs" with 4 speed manual trans/ 6cyl. motors!) It was an easy decision when GM started putting the 4.3 in their 4x4 crews. I would rather spend extra on the comfort items than reserve power. I get far more comments from my peer group on my leather seats than I do on the engine size! As a bonus, albeit negligible, I feel I'm leaving less of an environmental footprint by choosing a smaller motor.

njk4o5 · September 12, 2016

do you need more power for towing? or want to go faster?

seamus2154 · September 12, 2016

Funny thread, I doubt your going to find anyone who spent the money to get the 6.2 is going to say damn I could had gotten the 5.3. Now if you ask why someone chose the 5.3 over the 6.2 you would get an answer like mine. The 5.3 is only 40 less HP one E85 and you have fuel choices not just 93 grade gas. And when I bought mine the Texas package had most everything the SLT had minus the 6.2, sun roof, Bose, leather, and I paid 15K less. So I put in a tune bank the rest of the money and was a happy camper. Forty horsepower really? And only 93 gas not me.

I chose the 5.3 in the current platform twice. It wasn't just the 40 horsepower. The 5.3 was anemic. It was the slowest least powerful 355 hp I ever had. On the other hand the 420 HP in the 6.2 felt more robust than 420 HP. There is a big difference. I didn't justify my initial 6.2 purchase, it was after two tries at trying to stay with the 5.3 that the 6.2 was my last shot at staying with this truck. I think the videos show what I am trying to say. My Sierra SLT was maxed out w/ the diamond tri coat and was a showstopper. Really nice truck. The trans and motor were disappointing. I kept considering upgrades like a supercharger. For a 50K truck that was just stupid. So the 6.2 happened and it solved the anemic issue. There isn't a debate if you had tried the 5.3 then the 6.2 the 6.2 wins in all categories. BUT if you found the 5.3 to be just enough and didn't want more that is fine. Everyone has different demands, lifestyle, and driving habits. Not only did the 6.2 solve those issues it actually gets better fuel mileage. My driving demands yielded 16mpg most of the time and could get 19mpg in my Sierra 5.3/6speed/3.42 rear if I was nice. My Denali 6.2/8speed/3.23 rear gets 18mpg most of the time and 22mpg when I am nice. So having the extra power and better driving experience is worth premium gas to me! Most people try to justify their purchase as correct, but the op asked for an opinion from those that had both and why. The why is what doesn't work for some which is why GM has options.

KARNUT · September 12, 2016

40HP is 40Hp for 10-15K more no way. I'm guessing you didn't have E85. Glade you like your 6.2. My other truck is a 383 stroker with a whipple stage 2 trans. Believe me I know fast, my 5.3 didn't disappoint.

I chose the 5.3 in the current platform twice. It wasn't just the 40 horsepower. The 5.3 was anemic. It was the slowest least powerful 355 hp I ever had. On the other hand the 420 HP in the 6.2 felt more robust than 420 HP. There is a big difference. I didn't justify my initial 6.2 purchase, it was after two tries at trying to stay with the 5.3 that the 6.2 was my last shot at staying with this truck. I think the videos show what I am trying to say. My Sierra SLT was maxed out w/ the diamond tri coat and was a showstopper. Really nice truck. The trans and motor were disappointing. I kept considering upgrades like a supercharger. For a 50K truck that was just stupid. So the 6.2 happened and it solved the anemic issue. There isn't a debate if you had tried the 5.3 then the 6.2 the 6.2 wins in all categories. BUT if you found the 5.3 to be just enough and didn't want more that is fine. Everyone has different demands, lifestyle, and driving habits. Not only did the 6.2 solve those issues it actually gets better fuel mileage. My driving demands yielded 16mpg most of the time and could get 19mpg in my Sierra 5.3/6speed/3.42 rear if I was nice. My Denali 6.2/8speed/3.23 rear gets 18mpg most of the time and 22mpg when I am nice. So having the extra power and better driving experience is worth premium gas to me! Most people try to justify their purchase as correct, but the op asked for an opinion from those that had both and why. The why is what doesn't work for some which is why GM has options.

seamus2154 · September 12, 2016

40HP is 40Hp for 10-15K more no way. I'm guessing you didn't have E85. Glade you like your 6.2. My other truck is a 383 stroker with a whipple stage 2 trans. Believe me I know fast, my 5.3 didn't disappoint.

I chose the 5.3 in the current platform twice. It wasn't just the 40 horsepower. The 5.3 was anemic. It was the slowest least powerful 355 hp I ever had. On the other hand the 420 HP in the 6.2 felt more robust than 420 HP. There is a big difference. I didn't justify my initial 6.2 purchase, it was after two tries at trying to stay with the 5.3 that the 6.2 was my last shot at staying with this truck. I think the videos show what I am trying to say. My Sierra SLT was maxed out w/ the diamond tri coat and was a showstopper. Really nice truck. The trans and motor were disappointing. I kept considering upgrades like a supercharger. For a 50K truck that was just stupid. So the 6.2 happened and it solved the anemic issue. There isn't a debate if you had tried the 5.3 then the 6.2 the 6.2 wins in all categories. BUT if you found the 5.3 to be just enough and didn't want more that is fine. Everyone has different demands, lifestyle, and driving habits. Not only did the 6.2 solve those issues it actually gets better fuel mileage. My driving demands yielded 16mpg most of the time and could get 19mpg in my Sierra 5.3/6speed/3.42 rear if I was nice. My Denali 6.2/8speed/3.23 rear gets 18mpg most of the time and 22mpg when I am nice. So having the extra power and better driving experience is worth premium gas to me! Most people try to justify their purchase as correct, but the op asked for an opinion from those that had both and why. The why is what doesn't work for some which is why GM has options.

It's a 2500 dollar option, not 15K. I did have E85 but the trade off was horrible fuel mileage. I am not trying to be a jerk but I go through this same justification thing on the corvette forum. I have a Zo6 but the base model guys always say the Zo6 is too much and not needed. That the base is great. Zo6 is too much money. Not so for everyone. I have 565 RWHP and it's enough, but a base would be a joke for me. This is why GM has options for different folks w/ different needs. The OP asked for an opinion from those who had both. Based on the opinion I would figure he will see if it pertained to him. I didn't buy my truck for speed I have the Z for that but I did have expectations and they weren't met w/ the 5.3.

KARNUT · September 13, 2016

Just cool back and forth, if we all agreed we'd all would be driving Fords, OMG

It's a 2500 dollar option, not 15K. I did have E85 but the trade off was horrible fuel mileage. I am not trying to be a jerk but I go through this same justification thing on the corvette forum. I have a Zo6 but the base model guys always say the Zo6 is too much and not needed. That the base is great. Zo6 is too much money. Not so for everyone. I have 565 RWHP and it's enough, but a base would be a joke for me. This is why GM has options for different folks w/ different needs. The OP asked for an opinion from those who had both. Based on the opinion I would figure if it pertained to him. I didn't buy my truck for speed I have the Z for that but I did have expectations and they weren't met w/ the 5.3.

seamus2154 · September 13, 2016

Just cool back and forth, if we all agreed we'd all would be driving Fords, OMG

It's a 2500 dollar option, not 15K. I did have E85 but the trade off was horrible fuel mileage. I am not trying to be a jerk but I go through this same justification thing on the corvette forum. I have a Zo6 but the base model guys always say the Zo6 is too much and not needed. That the base is great. Zo6 is too much money. Not so for everyone. I have 565 RWHP and it's enough, but a base would be a joke for me. This is why GM has options for different folks w/ different needs. The OP asked for an opinion from those who had both. Based on the opinion I would figure if it pertained to him. I didn't buy my truck for speed I have the Z for that but I did have expectations and they weren't met w/ the 5.3.

LOL NO Fords period!!! All my buddies have been warned, buy a Ford, and no more oil changes, or car help at my garage!!! Same rule for Porsche!! Other than that cars guys welcome! LOL

Dnt · October 8, 2016

I had to go with the 6.2 the 5.3 uses too much gas, just not affordable to drive.

winn0040 · October 8, 2016

I had to go with the 6.2 the 5.3 uses too much gas, just not affordable to drive.

Trip A Nashville to Chicago10-5-16.JPG

25 mile avaerage 10-6-16.JPG

50 mile average 10-6-16.JPG

400 mile average 10-6-16.JPG

Impressive numbers no doubt. Now if only premium wasn't 20% more $$$

Diver6 · October 9, 2016

I get really close to those numbers and don't run premium unless I'm towing, don't really notice any difference between fuels. I've had both the 2015 5.3 and now a 2016 6.2 and I think the 6.2 is better on fuel, both trucks had the max tow package if that made any difference.