4.8---5.3 is ther much

chuckp · August 27, 2003

Is there a big differenc in these engines in 2002 ,thinking about buying a 4.8 4x4.

chuck

gmcjoe · August 27, 2003

If you don't plan on towing much and can live with a little less HP, the 4.8l is a great choice.

If you are buying new, I would say opt for the 5.3l. You wouldn't regret it and it would help resale value.

sirlan · August 27, 2003

I have an '02 4.8 4x4. I've had no problems with it as far as being low on power. There isn't much of a HP difference between the two but the 5.3 has a good bit more torque (50 I think). As for towing, a 4.8 is rated to tow about 1000 lbs less than the 5.3 depending on gearing.

It all depends on what you'll be using it for. I don't tow so I can get away with the 4.8 but I'd prefer to have the 5.3 simply for the torque.

Also, you can always mod it if you need to.

Bruce03Silverado · August 27, 2003

I've got a 4.8L and it's plenty for me. It's also a third vehicle and my daily driver. The only things I plan on towing in the future are my Firehawk and a pair of jet skis and the 4.8L is more than capable of both. That 4.8L will still take anything Dode or Ford has excpet for the new hemi and the 04 5.4L...I really like the motor....I've got to find out what Chevy did to get 285hp out of the 04 4.8

rado · August 28, 2003

I've sadly to say owned 3 4.8s(see my post, on my wrecks ) The engine is a solid engine, and will do anything the 5.3 will do when it comes to the little towing I do. And just to add a note, I ran my truck up against a buddy of mines '01 5.3 and won by half a cars length.

Worktruck · August 28, 2003

Everyone I know with full size GM's has the 5.3. I have the 4.8. They all get close to 20 mpg (between 17 and 20) I get 16 on a good day. So I would opt for the 5.3 if it were me. If I tow my boat or snowmobile trailer my mileage goes in the toilet. Usually no more than 10 mpg. If I had it all to do over again I would get the 5.3.

100R1 · August 28, 2003

In the Yukon the 5.3 gets 1 MPG better on the Highway (according to the GM literature)

Resale value according to the "black Book", you deduct $ 500.00 for having a 4.8

1,000 lb difference in towing ability

I just returned from a 2,100 mile trip of which 1,700 miles were towing a 5,000 lb 22 ft travel trailer. from flat south Florida to the Mountains of North Carolina & Tennessee

I have a '01 Yukon 5.3 & 3.73 axle w/ all the factory tow goodies.

worst millage 11.8 mpg & best 13.6 mpg while towing all at posted legal speeds. I could run 55 mph going up 8% mountain grades with plenty of gas pedal left to go faster if I wanted. The 5.3 is the only engine I wanted when I was looking.

SilveradoWV · August 28, 2003

I have the 4.8L in my truck and it has more power than any other vehicle I have had. It would kill the non vortec FI 350 we used to have! I tow about 3500lbs and have no problems even on a 7% grade for 5 miles, I can do 70+ MPH all the way up towing 3500lbs. Mine is in a Reg Cab Short Bed so that may help a little! If you have a choice go with the 5.3 but if not the 4.8 will be fine I am sure!

03GMCSierra4.8L · August 28, 2003

I have a 4.8L in my 03 Reg Cab Long Bed Sierra. With a bed cover I have gotten 21 mpg on the road and 19 towing our pop up camper (2000 lbs). Around town I average around 16. I have a 3.42 rear end and havn't had any need for more power, even towing thru the Smokies. For me, it was a great choice over the 4.3L that was the base engine. Well worth the $695 option!

Silverado 4x4 · August 28, 2003

I have the 4.8 V-8 in my 2000 Silverado Reg Cab/Long Bed and I love it. It'll chirp the tires everytime if I let it. I get 20mpg on the hwy and about 16 in town. Never towed anything but have hauled some heavy loads in the bed with no problems. It's a great engine!

f7_ditch_jumper · August 28, 2003

FUEL ECONOMY

NOTE: Fuel economy regulations do not apply to heavier-duty Silverado 2500, 2500HD and 3500 models and no EPA ratings are published for them. These models and their powertrains are not included in the chart below.

Model Engine Transmission

Estimated MPG City/Hwy1

Silverado 1500 2WD Vortec 4300 V6 4-speed auto. 16/20

Silverado 1500 2WD 5-speed manual 17/23

Silverado 1500 4x4 Vortec 4300 V6 4-speed auto. 16/20

Silverado 1500 4x4 5-speed manual 15/18

Silverado 1500 2WD Vortec 4800 V8 4-speed auto. 16/21

Silverado 1500 2WD 5-speed manual 16/20

Silverado 1500 4x4 Vortec 4800 V8 4-speed auto. 15/18

Silverado 1500 4x4 5-speed manual 15/19

Silverado 1500 2WD Vortec 5300 V8 4-speed auto. 16/21

Silverado 1500 4x4 Vortec 5300 V8 4-speed auto. 15/18

1 2003 EPA numbers shown. Official EPA estimates not yet available. 2004 Silverado estimates based on GM testing.

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The facts.

1 Both get the same MPG.

2 There are more performance upgrades for the 5.3 easily available.

3 The 5.3 has more power without question.

I cant tell you what to do but i would get the 5.3 hands down.

GREGGO · August 29, 2003

I towed a 6200# travel trailer with my 4.8 in Texas heat and hill country with out any problems. But, If I were buying again new, I would have gotten the 5.3. It just simply responds to mods better and now the cost difference over the finance term is practicly nothing.

GREGGO · August 29, 2003

The facts.

2 There are more performance upgrades for the 5.3 easily available.

There is not a single mod availiable for the 5.3 that is not available for the 4.8.

surferdude · August 30, 2003

I've had the pleasure of having both a 2002 4.8L and a 1999 5.3L - basically, the 99 5.3 makes the same 270 hp as the 02 4.8 but has a little more torque - not sure how much. Which one is better? Easy, the 5.3L!!!! (especially with the Predator programmer!!!!)

BDBWTE · August 30, 2003

I would think either motor would work for you. I really like all the GM gasser engines. All I think are bullet proof. I mean look the 4.3, 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 and the 8.1 all bada$$ powerplants.