20" vs 22" wheels re performance 1500 4x4 5.3/8sp auto

1BlinkGone · May 5, 2016

Hey all, about a week ago I test drove a 2016 Denali 1500 Crew Cab SB 4x4 Ultimate Pkg w/5.3 & 8sp auto.

A few days later, I test drove its closest Chevrolet stablemate, the High Country Crew Cab 4x4 SB that had the same powertrain and rear end ratio (3:42)

The Denali had the 22" wheels that came with the Ultimate Package.

The Chevrolet HC came with 20" wheels. Same gear ratios in both trucks.

On onramps merging on the fwy (driving the same exact route with both trucks) , the Chevrolet with the 20's was noticeably quicker on the throttle, or at least that was my perception; than the Denali with the 22's. It wasn't a subtle difference.

Tell me, is it only the 2" difference in wheel diameter that is causing this (I know it will just didn't think it would be this obvious) or is there something else I'm missing? I don't want the HC because I don't like the interior at all. I don't like the interior color that is mandatory and the Denali's interior is nicer. Just compare the steering wheels. I'm not knocking the HC, mind you.

Please keep the 5.3 vs 6.2 debate off the thread gang. I'm focusing on the wheel size or whatever else could be causing this, all other things being equal between the two truck and their powertrains that seem identical. IMO the 20's were a far better match for the truck, performance-wise. If that's the case, I'll go with the Denali Ultimate, and replace the 22's with 20's..

I'm all ears. Thanks!

Chad2815 · May 6, 2016

Went from 20's to the 22's on mine, noticed no difference at all.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · May 6, 2016

Was the High Country also a '16 or was it a'15? Because for the '15s the only ones that got the 8 speed was the 6.2s. So if the HC was a '15 then the difference was the 8 speed compared to the 6 speed. '16 is when both V8s got the 8 speed.

GMC_SD_Ult_16 · May 6, 2016

I purchased the Denali Ultimate albeit with the 6.2 but tested a 6.2 Denali with 20s and the Denali Ultimate with 22s. I did not notice a difference in speed but did notice a slightly stiffer ride in the 22s. It wasn't enough for me to pass on the 22s. Good luck with your future purchase.

1BlinkGone · May 6, 2016

Was the High Country also a '16 or was it a'15? Because for the '15s the only ones that got the 8 speed was the 6.2s. So if the HC was a '15 then the difference was the 8 speed compared to the 6 speed. '16 is when both V8s got the 8 speed.

I was very careful to check window stickers on both trucks. Both had the 5.3l w.8sp, and yes, both trucks were 2016 models. Confirmed. The difference between the two in onramp acceleration was night and day. No kidding. Since there is less than 1/2" difference between the 20 & 22" tire diameters (I checked tire specs, btw) I didn't think it would be that noticeable. My second thought is perhaps the GMC was cold. The Chevy HC sat and ran a bit more before we drove it... maybe that is what it was that made the difference.

1BlinkGone · May 6, 2016

I purchased the Denali Ultimate albeit with the 6.2 but tested a 6.2 Denali with 20s and the Denali Ultimate with 22s. I did not notice a difference in speed but did notice a slightly stiffer ride in the 22s. It wasn't enough for me to pass on the 22s. Good luck with your future purchase.

Thank you. Your experience was more along the lines I had expected. Mind you the Denali I drove with the 22's had the magnetic ride shocks vs regular shocks and 20's on the HC...the trucks felt almost identical on the FWY. I didn't get to drive through any curvy roads though both seemed very stable and flat. The triple door seals I really like on the HC and Denali. Both were about the same degree of quiet. Wish you could upgrade the Silverado LTZ to the triple seals..

I must say though I really like the silverado LTX (and HC) bodystyle & cosmetics; overall I like the Denali far better. Esp the interior. Thanks again! BTW- beautiful truck, bro!

1BlinkGone · May 6, 2016

Glad to hear of affirmative reports on acceleration with 22's...thanks, gang.

tallspawn · May 6, 2016

Glad to hear of affirmative reports on acceleration with 22's...thanks, gang.

I notice no issues with acceleration on my 5.3 8sp with 22's. Maybe something with the miles, my transmission smoothed out and started performing better after a couple hundred miles. Love my 22's!![emoji6]

Sent From My Galaxy S6 Edge+

07Softail · May 6, 2016

LOL.... I went from steel 17's to CK 160 22's and really didn't notice much other than ride quality.

RT

redwngr · May 6, 2016

What GM has done with tire sizes is to use a lower sidewall height on the larger diameter tires, so that the tire revolutions per mile does not change much.

Using Info from Michelin website for the tire sizes GM is using on the 20's and 22's:

P275/55R20

OD = 31.9 in, Rev/mile = 252

P285/45R22 SL

OD = 32.1 in, Rev/mile = 250

250/252 x 100% = 99.2%

By picking tire width/sideway heights carefully they have been able to offer multiple rim diameters that use the same speedo calibration, since rolling diameters change is so small.

Also looked up the 18" size that is used on SLT's yields similar results.

265/65R18 114 T (an SLT size)

OD = 31.5 in Rev/mile = 254

1BlinkGone · May 6, 2016

What GM has done with tire sizes is to use a lower sidewall height on the larger diameter tires, so that the tire revolutions per mile does not change much.

Using Info from Michelin website for the tire sizes GM is using on the 20's and 22's:

P275/55R20

OD = 31.9 in, Rev/mile = 252

P285/45R22 SL

OD = 32.1 in, Rev/mile = 250

250/252 x 100% = 99.2%

By picking tire width/sideway heights carefully they have been able to offer multiple rim diameters that use the same speedo calibration, since rolling diameters change is so small.

Also looked up the 18" size that is used on SLT's yields similar results.

265/65R18 114 T (an SLT size)

OD = 31.5 in Rev/mile = 254

Yes! The difference in outside diameter is negligible. I'm writing this one off to one truck warmed up, and the other still cold. That HAS to be the answer. BOTH trucks are brand-new with less than say, 10 miles on them. Sorry to bother you all.

DanY · May 6, 2016

I don't think the wheel/tire diameter differences are of any concern. The problem is that the 22" wheel/tire packages are usually much heavier than a 20" package. Unsprung weight kills acceleration.

Badass69 · May 6, 2016

One truck is a dud and the other isn't. I drove a few 6.2 trucks before I bought mine and other than mine they were all dogs... It is what it is.

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fountain333 · May 7, 2016

i have recently switched from a 275/55R20 (stock wheel and tire) to a 305/40R22 (with factory gm 22"s) and there is a notable difference in acceleration. I attribute that to the significant weight change between the tire and wheel package. It happened when i did the same change on my 2010 with a 5.3. It became much more doggie... my new 2016 has the 6.2 with the max towing package

1BlinkGone · May 7, 2016

i have recently switched from a 275/55R20 (stock wheel and tire) to a 305/40R22 (with factory gm 22"s) and there is a notable difference in acceleration. I attribute that to the significant weight change between the tire and wheel package. It happened when i did the same change on my 2010 with a 5.3. It became much more doggie... my new 2016 has the 6.2 with the max towing package

^^^^THIS^^^^ ...is what I sensed between the two. One was a 'doggy' the other snappy. However, the GMC w/the 22's had a 285, not a 305 like yours which would have added even more weight. I haven't seen the specs of these wheels alone, so I cannot attest to weight variances. Considering we are dealing with 383 ft lbs of torque I would think a few pounds difference on each wheel would be negligible.

1119vmax- if there is that much variance between trucks unit to unit, that wouldn't speak much for consistency and QC...I'm not arguing with ya, just thinking out loud. One good one and a few dogs isn't so good. Hmmm. Which makes me wonder if THOSE trucks had all the same wheels or different diameter ones.