Does anyone regret getting the 5.3L over the 6.2?

CmackR56 · October 26, 2019

I drove identical 6.2 and 5.3 4WD 1500 Denalis. Back to back, over the exact same route and could not see enough difference to justify the cost difference or the 6.2's need for premium fuel. Coming out of an F150, 3.5L Ecoboost they both were pretty pathetic on the bottom end. I ended up going with the 5.3L and have been pleasantly surprised at how capable it is. Had I had needed more towing/hauling capacity the smart move would have been to a 2500 series Duramax or F250 Powerstroke. Wanted to go faster? Hop into the wife's Mercedes Benz

Edited October 26, 2019 by CmackR56

lebag335 · October 26, 2019

I am very pleased with the 5.3 in my trail boss! It’s leap years ahead of the 5.3 that was in my ‘07 Tahoe. Amazing difference!

redwngr · October 27, 2019

7 hours ago, lebag335 said:

I am very pleased with the 5.3 in my trail boss! It’s leap years ahead of the 5.3 that was in my ‘07 Tahoe. Amazing difference!

They've come a long way in a couple of generations of 5.3....

CamGTP · October 27, 2019

On 10/21/2019 at 8:43 PM, Black18WT said:

ALSO!! Great news!! It looks like the new Scorcher tuner for the NEW 5.3L L84 motor with DFM, is being released at the end of the month. I noticed on their site is now says shipping begins on October 31st 2019, so if that's correct, the possibility of tuning and real aftermarket mods just opened up.

Still not going to happen if you ask me. Real tuning means actually being able to use a computer program to alter the physical tables within the calibration to get a new outcome. There will be no camshaft swaps, supercharger installs or anything like that with the Scorcher product because it takes tons of time to properly data log and calibrate the fueling model and torque model for changes such as those.

No flash tuner can give you that as that type of product can't do those complex changes. Nor will AFE have tons of their staff on a on call basis so people can get these changes done nor will they be there when a truck is on a dyno to do email tuning.

If it's anything like the description on the 2.7 Turbo engine, it's a plug in device that intercepts various sensor signals to make the engine produce more boost and give it more power.

These trucks have been on the market for over a whole year and neither of the two major tuning companies have come out with something to offer. HP Tuners and EFI Live have both said nothing and that's saying something. Just shows you how locked down GM's newest stuff is because HPT has already released tuning support for the new mustang and the new Ford 250/350, both of which you can't even buy yet lol.

KARNUT · October 27, 2019

And that’s a shame. All that tuning potential and no dice. Can’t blame them tho. People expect to add 100HP to a turbo engine with a tune, and GM warranty them for 100K miles. Same with lifted trucks. People start screaming when front end parts start wearing out. Most of older guys that had Chevys back in the day never considered warranty. They were 12-12 anyway. My high rise, headers, Holley was always waiting on my next car. Usually because I’d pulled it off the previous before I sold it. Usually just unlocking the nannies these days make vast improvements on performance feel. Unfortunately people lack the will to take on the potential early failure doing so. Can’t blame the manufacturer for that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OnTheReel · October 27, 2019

10 hours ago, CamGTP said:

Still not going to happen if you ask me. Real tuning means actually being able to use a computer program to alter the physical tables within the calibration to get a new outcome. There will be no camshaft swaps, supercharger installs or anything like that with the Scorcher product because it takes tons of time to properly data log and calibrate the fueling model and torque model for changes such as those.

No flash tuner can give you that as that type of product can't do those complex changes. Nor will AFE have tons of their staff on a on call basis so people can get these changes done nor will they be there when a truck is on a dyno to do email tuning.

If it's anything like the description on the 2.7 Turbo engine, it's a plug in device that intercepts various sensor signals to make the engine produce more boost and give it more power.

These trucks have been on the market for over a whole year and neither of the two major tuning companies have come out with something to offer. HP Tuners and EFI Live have both said nothing and that's saying something. Just shows you how locked down GM's newest stuff is because HPT has already released tuning support for the new mustang and the new Ford 250/350, both of which you can't even buy yet lol.

Even between that post and now, they’ve moved the goal post again, “available in December”...funny, when I was shopping for exhaust back in February, AFE said the tuner would be available in May. Definitely don’t hold your breath. Same thing with the Range DFM delete, although I think they have finally given up after it was “coming soon” for a year.

tomleo67 · October 28, 2019

oh yes i wish i had the 6.2! hurry up with the tunes for these 5.3's pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Bigfoot16 · October 28, 2019

My main reason for buying the 6.2 had more to do with the transmission than the engine. I was tired of the gear searching that went on with my 2016 and the 5.3 and that tranny. The 6.2 with the 10 speed is what won me over.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Hobey · October 29, 2019

Just upgraded to our 2019 Z71 with 5.3......came from a 2010 with the 4.8...... had no tranny or engine issues there, and that being said, my only regret with the 5.3 is that I missed a deal this time last year on a 6.2 Silverado .....

Hobey · October 29, 2019

On 10/21/2019 at 10:16 AM, amxguy1970 said:

Let's correct some of the incorrect info posted in here. The difference isn't that big between the two, the 6.2 runs very well on 87 and the 5.3 is just as fast as the Hemi which is over rated and outdated. So I will repost this...

Ignore the advertised power numbers as the 5.3 out performs everyone except the 3.7 ecoboost and 6.2. All numbers from Motortrend to keep them consistent. I really wish people would do a little homework before posting misleading info or regurgitating what a few people incorrectly spout (usually the ego driven 6.2 guys)...

2019 Silverado 5.3 - 1/4 mile 14.9 @ 94.6, mpg 16/22/18 (real not given), power 355/383

2019 Silverado 6.2 - 1/4 mile 14.4 @ 98.3, mpg 16/20/17 (real not given), power 420/460

2017 Titan 5.6 - 1/4 mile 15.0 @ 93.9, mpg 15/21/18 (real 12.6/19.2/14.9), power 390/394

2019 Ram 5.7 - 1/4 mile 14.7 @ 93.7, mpg 15/21/17 (real not given), power 395/410

2015 Tundra (no one tests these same old dogs anymore) 5.7 - 1/4 mile 15.2 @91.8, mpg 13/17/15, power 381/401

2018 F150 2.7 - 1/4 mile 15.5 @ 89.5, mpg 19/24/24 (real is shown as 14.9/23.2/17.7), power 325/400

So the Silverado has less power than all yet is faster (it is two tenths behind the Ram but faster through the traps by nearly 1 mph) and beats them all on MPG (probably 2.7 as well as we all know how it really does). What I think is funny when the 6.2 guys talk about how much of a dog the 5.3 is yet it is only a half second slower and less than 4 mph behind at the traps on regular 87. It can also run on E85 giving it a nice power bump. The 5.3 is a sweetheart of a motor, plenty of power, good mpg and a proven reliability rating over the years while running on 87 and being able to get a shot in the arm on E85.

I am not at all wanting for the 6.2, I doubt you would be to OP coming from the Hemi. Most 6.2 purchases are ego driven rather than necessity. The only reason I would get the 6.2 is if I was towing often at higher weights. I wouldn't get it for speed since as you can see it isn't massively faster and it is a truck, a V6 Camry will be door to door with the hand of god 6.2 in a full size truck... I am foot to the floor maybe twice a month in my truck, everywhere else the 5.3 vs 6.2 you won't tell a difference in daily driving traffic or highway cruising.

Tyler

Tyler---thanks for a great read and some great info.....hope all here appreciate your time and effort. Anyone's reluctance to read any further than opinions and views of others probably wouldn't visit this site. Friendly posts and informative ones like yours, Tyler, are, for any GM / Chev enthusiast !!!! Thanks again...Brian

19AT4 · October 31, 2019

Yep of course, but all the 6.2 AT4's were about 6-8k more because they were completely loaded up when I bought my 5.3. I'm coming from a 2017 ram 5.7 8 speed with the 3.92 gears. This truck is only a few tenth's slower 0-60 than my ram was but the GM's weigh 5-600lbs less which helps a lot. I think the 10 speeds will be even better, I also bought my 5.3 knowing there was lots of aftermarket support but I had no clue they changed the engine up.... I'm hoping there will be tuning out fairly soon.

Darkflow · November 16, 2019

I'm coming from a bolt on 392 Scat Pack Charger & 2 Chevy SS sedans (6.2 LS3) before this truck (5.3 Silverado Custom). So for me, it's really slow & I feel like I would be happier performance wise with the 6.2. I'm just not impressed with the 5.3 at all.

spizike9 · November 16, 2019

On 10/26/2019 at 1:07 PM, CmackR56 said:

I drove identical 6.2 and 5.3 4WD 1500 Denalis. Back to back, over the exact same route and could not see enough difference to justify the cost difference or the 6.2's need for premium fuel. Coming out of an F150, 3.5L Ecoboost they both were pretty pathetic on the bottom end. I ended up going with the 5.3L and have been pleasantly surprised at how capable it is. Had I had needed more towing/hauling capacity the smart move would have been to a 2500 series Duramax or F250 Powerstroke. Wanted to go faster? Hop into the wife's Mercedes Benz

I did the same thing. I was kinda disappointed. Will still probably go 6.2 though.

bshort · November 16, 2019

On 10/26/2019 at 12:07 PM, CmackR56 said:

I drove identical 6.2 and 5.3 4WD 1500 Denalis. Back to back, over the exact same route and could not see enough difference to justify the cost difference or the 6.2's need for premium fuel.

You purchase an approximate 70K msrp truck and you worry about the price of premium fuel?

CmackR56 · November 17, 2019

The $2600+ cost difference plus the need for premium fuel just doesn't make sense. I gladly pay for premium fuel for our Mercedes, it has high compression and the performance justifies it, The 6.2L in the truck does not. Both of my previous F150 Ecoboost trucks were quicker and more torquey. Bought the Denali for the GM drive, comfort, safety features and the lux aspect.