Is GMC ever going to upgrade the 5.3L?

OnTheReel · August 30, 2019

29 minutes ago, protovack said:

I hope they fixed the gas pedal bracket in '19!

Oh they did. I had a 16 5.3 6 speed like you. Never looked into the gas pedal thing but that may have been a part of my beef with it. Just felt very very lazy. The trans shifted fine for the most part but would get caught between gears once in awhile and jerk you around. Also took a small miracle to solicit a downshift.

That’s been my point with the 19s, even the 5.3 I drove, they’ve done such a great job cleaning that mess up with the laziness, feels like a whole new animal. Again, why I suspect the people complaining about it haven’t even test driven one. They just look at the spec sheet, compare it to last year and assume it’s the same.

MDSilveradoGuy · August 30, 2019

On 8/29/2019 at 1:06 PM, amxguy1970 said:

probably 2.7 as well as we all know how it really does

It doesn't beat the 2.7 in fuel economy, but you can't really expect it to either...

MaverickZ71 · August 30, 2019

3 hours ago, BobbyAlton said:

Put a 4.10 rear end in your truck with a 5.3L and you won't be underwhelmed anymore. Sorry, but a 5.3L V8 with AFM and DFM that is capable of achieving 20-22mpg is AWESOME!!

Put a 4.10 rear in that truck and you won't be getting 22 mpg anymore. But your wallet will be lighter and your warranty will be voided.

Doolin-Dalton · August 30, 2019

6 minutes ago, MaverickZ71 said:

Put a 4.10 rear in that truck and you won't be getting 22 mpg anymore. But your wallet will be lighter and your warranty will be voided.

Yeah, but he wants to go places faster apparently...

batman900 · August 30, 2019

Guess I'll chime in since this is my 3rd 5.3L haha, owned a 2015, 2018 and now 2019. I can throw 1000lbs of rock in the bed, hit cruise control and it won't down shift even on the steepest hill home from Lowe's while running the AC and fighting a head wind. It will pull a 4000lb horse trailer with 1000lb in the bed and not sneeze.

It will smoke any of the tuned Civic Si's I've owned, matches my WRX's and beats any of these mainstream crossovers and all but the top end mainstream branded sedans all while getting 21mpg.

The 5.3L isn't the best V8 "that's the 6.2L" but IMO it's damn good.

Edit: It always makes my wonder what people are comparing the 5.3L to when they call it slow, trading has been a bad habit of mine for years and I've probably owned more new vehicles than 99% of people at age 34 and I've never considered the 5.3L slow.

KARNUT · August 30, 2019

Guess I'll chime in since this is my 3rd 5.3L haha, owned a 2015, 2018 and now 2019. I can throw 1000lbs of rock in the bed, hit cruise control and it won't down shift even on the steepest hill home from Lowe's while running the AC and fighting a head wind. It will pull a 4000lb horse trailer with 1000lb in the bed and not sneeze.

It will smoke any of the tuned Civic Si's I've owned, matches my WRX's and beats any of these mainstream crossovers and all but the top end mainstream branded sedans all while getting 21mpg.

The 5.3L isn't the best V8 "that's the 6.2L" but IMO it's damn good.

Edit: It always makes my wonder what people are comparing the 5.3L to when they call it slow, trading has been a bad habit of mine for years and I've probably owned more new vehicles than 99% of people at age 34 and I've never considered the 5.3L slow.

I agree the 5.3 is awesome, I’ve owned a few. But out running tuned Honda’s, Toyota’s or midsized sedans. I own them too, naaa. Apples and oranges.

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batman900 · August 30, 2019

49 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I agree the 5.3 is awesome, I’ve owned a few. But out running tuned Honda’s, Toyota’s or midsized sedans. I own them too, naaa. Apples and oranges.

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Lol which ones? My 2012 and 2017 Si with flashpro and basic bolt-ons would not beat this 2019. My 2015 and 2016 WRX would be even on a rolling run. My 2018 Civic CVT tuned hatch would be close but loose. The current Accord and Camry with 1.5T and 4cyl would loose. Yeah the 2.0T and 6cyl versions would win but not by a mile.

Anyways, my point wasn't that the 5.3L was fast, only that it's quicker than people give it credit for.

mookdoc6 · August 30, 2019

The other misnomer on 5.3L or Ecotec3's is they are ancient. They are actually pretty sophisticated Cam in block motors.

UncleDave · August 30, 2019

And another misnomer is that OHC engines are more "modern." Nah, had a '66 Tempest with the 230ci OHC "Cammer" straight 6. Not new, not better, just different.

MacLaren · August 31, 2019

I'm getting 22.3 mpg on this tank of gas with 435 miles driven so far. No interstate driving either. All rural 2 lane highway driving.

That's just remarkable for a full size truck imo.

Mandalorian · August 31, 2019

The 5.3 is a true workhorse and the backbone of America :flag:

BringTheRain403 · August 31, 2019

I'll never go back to a 5.3 after owning this 6.2. it's a beast and I get as good or better gas milage then I got with my 14 5.3...

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Mandalorian · August 31, 2019

27 minutes ago, BringTheRain403 said:

I'll never go back to a 5.3 after owning this 6.2. it's a beast and I get as good or better gas milage then I got with my 14 5.3...

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It does take premium gas though. I have friends with GLSs and X5s and even though they get better mpg than my 5.3, my fuel bill is still lower.

Moend · August 31, 2019

With my 5.3 I am getting 18mpg over the last 400 miles. Include some towing maximum capacity for about 30-40 miles. I won't dream to come close to 15 with my 08.

One thing to consider is despite the fact that the displacement hasn't changed the engine did, and from experience working in similar field usually improving a product pans better than coming up with replacement. Unless the thing you are trying to improve is a complete disaster (beating a dead horse)

Also, calling it ancient or old is no different than calling rubber tires ancient technology. We all know tires are very much different from what they used to be years ago.

Grumpy Bear · August 31, 2019

4 hours ago, UncleDave said:

And another misnomer is that OHC engines are more "modern." Nah, had a '66 Tempest with the 230ci OHC "Cammer" straight 6. Not new, not better, just different.

You can go back to 1896 for the first Desomdromic OHC motors.

4 hours ago, mookdoc6 said:

The other misnomer on 5.3L or Ecotec3's is they are ancient. They are actually pretty sophisticated Cam in block motors.

This cam in block motor is doing things a Ducati Monster wishes it could with the valve action.

6 hours ago, batman900 said:

The 5.3L isn't the best V8 "that's the 6.2L" but IMO it's damn good.

Edit: It always makes my wonder what people are comparing the 5.3L to when they call it slow, trading has been a bad habit of mine for years and I've probably owned more new vehicles than 99% of people at age 34 and I've never considered the 5.3L slow.

Correction. the 6.2 isn't 'better'. It's just bigger.

Comparing it to larger motors or turbo motors or supercharged motors or Euro car motors or lord knows what.

I was born before there was a SBC. Watched it unfold. This OP hasn't a clue. He thinks his experience it he beginning of all creation. This is so far above the 1962 released 327 as to be no comparison.