So anyone want to talk about the 4.3?

GMC-AT · April 29, 2016

Get at min the 5.3 ... MPG is pretty much the same ... but resale will be a hell a lot better....

Sean Demura · April 29, 2016

For my daily needs, insurance and amount financed the 4.3 was sufficient. For my ego, resale, available mods and potential for growth in needs the 5.3 or 6.2 would've been a better choice. Still happy with my choice overall.

Exactly this.

My '15 4.3 is the first truck I've ever had, and it has yet to let me down. I use it as more of a daily driver, with the occasional load in the bed. I've never towed with it, but if I had to, it would only be 4k max, and I'm more than confident the v6 would do just fine.

Hell, I even managed to squeal my tires at a roundabout the other day. Was surprised at that!

Sure, the transmission could be better, but that's a complaint that everyone has complained about, regardless of engine choice.

Donstar · April 29, 2016

The new 4.3 has plenty of power to meet the capabilities of the trucks gm puts them in. The larger motors are generally found in trucks with higher towing capabilities. Speed limits, road conditions and traffic will dictate your speed and the 4.3 (unless you exceed the limits of your truck) will not disappoint. I have 9000kms on my 4.3 and it does everything my past V8's could including a recent 5.3.

tnchevy · April 29, 2016

I have nothing against the 4.3 because on paper it is as powerful if not more than the 4.8 I had in my 2002. The OP just asked a strange question about racing a truck with a 5.3 against the 4.3. My 82 had a carbed 350, then my 92 had a throttle body 350 which was more powerful, my 2002 had the 4.8 which was just as powerful as my 92 with the 350 throttle body and got better mpg's. The 4.3 would have suited my needs just fine but they were near impossible to find on the lots in my neck of the woods. I think GM also dropped the ball on informing the public of the changes of the 4.3 and how much more power it produced. I do think the 4.3 would have been a little better with a 3.73 gear as standard and the 3.42 as optional. My 2002 with the 4.8 had a 4.10 gear ratio and IMO mated up perfectly with the 4 speed, plenty of get up and go and still got decent gas mileage.

Donstar · April 29, 2016

tnchevy brings up an important point regarding gear ratios. The 5.3 engines that are achieving close to the 4.3 gas mileage are often matched to a 3.08 gear ratio. I have only seen the 4.3 with a 3.42 gear ratio. This effectively narrows the gap between the output of these two configurations. The sound and power of a V8 are alluring and I understand the appeal. To dismiss the ecotec 4.3 V6 because of its inadequate power is a mistake. It will perform well at all tasks within specified load limits of the truck. This engine has double the power of most of the popular, longer wheelbase, Ford supercabs of the 70's and 80's! However, speed limits and a pickup's load expectations have not significantly changed.

jamesonjc · April 29, 2016

the 6 in the colorado is totally different than the 6 in the pickups. I think the 6 cyl is a very adequate engine. For beach and snow driving you are just fine - if you are towing heavy loads over 7 or 8k I would def be looking at an 5.3

8cyl with proper gearing 3.42 or 3.75 or the equivalent gears in the 6.2 l v8

tnchevy · April 29, 2016

If I was towing 8k pounds on a regular basis then I would not be looking at the 5.3 or even a half ton truck.

GMC-AT · April 29, 2016

5.3 engines that are achieving close to the 4.3 gas mileage

And the 6.2 is pretty much the same as the 5.3 - go figure. I had them both

Donstar · April 29, 2016

The 5.3's that are achieving close to the 4.3 gas mileage are probably achieving close to the same pulling power. A truck similar to mine equipped with a 5.3 V8 and 3.08 axle ratio is rated to pull a 6100 lb. trailer. This is actually 900 lbs. less than my 4.3 V6 which is rated at 7000 lbs. Also a one or two mile difference per gallon of gas is a measureable expense. I do appreciate the appeal of the V8 muscle. The thirst for more power is timeless. However, I believe criticism directed at the 4.3 is unfounded. It is a great engine for these trucks.

tnchevy · April 30, 2016

I think a large number of people on this forum have never owned a full size truck from the 70's or 80's with a big ol' V8 in it. If they did and had a choice between the modern 6 cyl or a carbed stock 350 then they would choose the modern 6 cylinder. Those ol' V8's were weak as hell compared to what is made today.

Silverado Steve · April 30, 2016

My truck has the 3.42 gearing and I can pull 9600 pounds. I easily get the same mpgs hwy vs those who posted theirs from the 4.3 and 1 mpg less than those in the city. I don't think anyone here criticizes the 4.3 as being a bad engine, rather for a mere $1500 that is probably negotiated off MSRP, it doesn't make much sense to opt for the 4.3 when cost and mpgs are negligible between the 2 engines. Throw in a projected better resale of the 5.3 vs 4.3 and the much better towing capability, now it really doesn't make sense to opt for the 4.3. I really don't understand the logic of GM, but the 4.3 would of been best suited for the GM midsize twins.

The 5.3's that are achieving close to the 4.3 gas mileage are probably achieving close to the same pulling power. A truck similar to mine equipped with a 5.3 V8 and 3.08 axle ratio is rated to pull a 6100 lb. trailer. This is actually 900 lbs. less than my 4.3 V6 which is rated at 7000 lbs. Also a one or two mile difference per gallon of gas is a measureable expense. I do appreciate the appeal of the V8 muscle. The thirst for more power is timeless. However, I believe criticism directed at the 4.3 is unfounded. It is a great engine for these trucks.

Bryaniq · April 30, 2016

i like the 4.3 in my 2014 , i dont care about resale because i drive them in the ground.I am still driving a 1988 scottsdale.

Donstar · April 30, 2016

A diminished resale value of the 4.3 is not a concern for me either. Saving money at purchase time was not the reason I bought a truck with a V6. I spent my money on other options which I think will bode well for my truck at resale time! Having owned many GM and Ford Trucks over the pas 45 years, I know what a 285 hp 305 lbs of torque engine can do for me. It will do everything I will ever ask it to do with plenty of power to spare. Owners of the V6 may look forward to favourable results at resale time especially if gas prices are on the rise. I appreciate the closeness of fuel consumption ratings between the 4.3 and 5.3 but there are a lot of us who will always believe that a V6 is cheaper to feed and maintain than a V8. There are even some of us who believe this translates to a more environmentally friendly choice, albeit a small gesture.

I also wish to support a comment made earlier by jamesonjc. If you are purchasing your truck to tow a 9600 lb trailer, then I strongly suggest going to a 2500/3500 truck. The motor size will not be your only worry pulling a 9,000+ lb trailer on a long haul!

Silverado Steve · April 30, 2016

Then the question I have to ask based on your response, why not a midsize if you are worried about the economy and environmental impact?

A diminished resale value of the 4.3 is not a concern for me either. Saving money at purchase time was not the reason I bought a truck with a V6. I spent my money on other options which I think will bode well for my truck at resale time! Having owned many GM and Ford Trucks over the pas 45 years, I know what a 285 hp 305 lbs of torque engine can do for me. It will do everything I will ever ask it to do with plenty of power to spare. Owners of the V6 may look forward to favourable results at resale time especially if gas prices are on the rise. I appreciate the closeness of fuel consumption ratings between the 4.3 and 5.3 but there are a lot of us who will always believe that a V6 is cheaper to feed and maintain than a V8. There are even some of us who believe this translates to a more environmentally friendly choice, albeit a small gesture.

I also wish to support a comment made earlier by jamesonjc. If you are purchasing your truck to tow a 9600 lb trailer, then I strongly suggest going to a 2500/3500 truck. The motor size will not be your only worry pulling a 9,000+ lb trailer on a long haul!

Donstar · April 30, 2016

Then the question I have to ask based on your response, why not a midsize if you are worried about the economy and environmental impact?

Great question! The Canyons and Colorado's are nice looking trucks and are fun to drive. However, I find greater comfort in a full size truck and I enjoy driving them. I would consider a Yukon XL or Suburban (if they offered a 4X4 V6 combination) but I get more use out of a pickup box than I would out of 3rd row seating!