2017 5.3 EcoTec3 GMC Sierra

Hexa Fox · November 22, 2019

Hey guys I have been reading other threads around here and trying to absorb as much information as possible. I know that a lot of you guys are probably sick of people asking about the reliability of the EcoTec engines. I am looking at the above truck, it is a regular cab, 4x4 and overall a nice looking truck. The only two things that concern me are it comes with tow mirrors, which I solved thanks to the help of this forum and the other was the EcoTec3 engine it comes with. I figured I would start another topic if I wanted to discuss the engines. Like I already mentioned all when needs to do to create worry is do a simple Google search on 5.3 EcoTec. I have seen people say the various components like the head gaskets and lifters prematurely fail. These trucks have significant lag when you put your foot on the gas and a "bang" can sometimes be felt when switching between the number of cylinders required.

I read about various tuners that might be able to solve these issues, but I figure it might be intelligent for me to personally buy another truck if it is going to be constantly bothering me. For instance, I heard the Range tuner (and others) is known for killing batteries when leaving your vehicle sit. Even though it is mostly a daily driver there are times where it will sit a day or two while I run around town with my father or off work etc. For the record I do not blame the tuner manufacturers for this, it says right across the Range box to pull it if not driven daily.

Also I do not understand this at all, I was recently looking at a 2014 5.3 Silverado and the dealer assured me it was not EcoTec. Is this true? I know that the V6 4.3 EcoTec started much earlier (2014?) but I thought I saw other people referring to the larger GM engines as AFM too? I guess I will leave it at that for now before it becomes another flood.

Jacoby · November 22, 2019

It’s an LS motor so you know it’s good. Turn off the V4 mode and you’ll be golden. Love my 17 5.3.

Hexa Fox · November 22, 2019

59 minutes ago, Jacoby said:

It’s an LS motor so you know it’s good. Turn off the V4 mode and you’ll be golden. Love my 17 5.3.

So did you have a shop do a full delete or did you get a tuner or what? They have to tear the top manifold of the engine off to do a true delete right? Not sure how I feel about them doing that to a new truck that still has GM warranty on it. To be honest I do not even know how I feel about a tuner. Now this is just me personally because I have never had one before. I was told by my friend that they have all kinds of issues. Like if the tuner loses connection to the truck while it is downloading the new parameters to the computer you can be stuck with a $30,000 paper weight until GM, Super Chips, Range or Diablo fixes it. Again this is just me talking because it is things that I have heard.

mikeyk101 · November 22, 2019

On my 2016, I bought a Range AFM disabler that has the V8.6R1 firmware. I leave it plugged in all the time. I am retired and have gone up to 4 days in cooler weather without having to go anywhere and it always starts up. From what I have found, it was earlier firmware that had the battery draining issues.

Hexa Fox · November 22, 2019

39 minutes ago, mikeyk101 said:

On my 2016, I bought a Range AFM disabler that has the V8.6R1 firmware. I leave it plugged in all the time. I am retired and have gone up to 4 days in cooler weather without having to go anywhere and it always starts up. From what I have found, it was earlier firmware that had the battery draining issues.

Cool that is good to know. There is nothing worse than needing to go somewhere in my truck and the battery being dead. It has only happened to me a couple of times and that was because I neglected to change the battery. However, it sucks, especially when cold outside.

Hexa Fox · November 22, 2019

Hey guys if you could please tell me what you did with your truck it is confusing to figure out who has done what. For instance, it sounds like most people have installed a tuner or modified their truck to completely disable the AFM. Is there anyone on here who actually uses the 5.3 EcoTec3 as it was designed? lmao

Really though I would like to hear from someone who actually uses it the way GM intended it, if there are any out there? If so does it bang, shift clunky, or make a loud noise like people are saying on the forums?

CamGTP · November 22, 2019

I disabled mine with my HP Tuners because I don't like it and I like to play with the calibration a lot.

My parents have a 2016 5.3/6L80e 4x4 just like mine and it's completely stock with 46,000 miles or so. I've driven it plenty of times and it's my moms daily driver, no issues at all currently. Runs strong, transmission shifts good etc etc.

bcbz71 · November 23, 2019

My 2014 Sierra has the 5.3 EcoTec3 engine with 67,412 miles as of today. It's stock.....runs on 4 cylinders sometimes, sometimes on 8. I never know...can't feel or hear it. It was designed this way and have no need to change it -- I'm never lacking for power and tow 8,000# regularly. I have had no issues with the engine at all in 5 years and I plan on keeping it at least 5 more.

Edited November 23, 2019 by bcbz71

Hexa Fox · November 23, 2019

30 minutes ago, bcbz71 said:

My 2014 Sierra has the 5.3 EcoTec3 engine with 67,412 miles as of today. It's stock.....runs on 4 cylinders sometimes, sometimes on 8. I never know...can't feel or hear it. It was designed this way and have no need to change it -- I'm never lacking for power and tow 8,000# regularly. I have had no issues with the engine at all in 5 years and I plan on keeping it at least 5 more.

I am financing and the dealer just got back to me with a better rate. This is the one I have been looking at.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/792083580/overview/

This is another one I was looking at, the dealer will not move much so is not worth it in my opinion regardless of it having the Z71 package. It is a 2014 but was told it is not EcoTec.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/780755783/overview/

I was also looking at this one, they have their Black Friday deals going on now. However, after they add up the fees and destination fee it climbs back up there.

https://www.koonsclarksvillechevybuickgmc.com/VehicleDetails/new-2019-Chevrolet-Silverado_1500-Regular_Cab_Long_Box_4_Wheel_Drive_WT-Clarksville-MD/3465743023#close

Edited November 23, 2019 by Hexa Fox
typo

CamGTP · November 23, 2019

Anything 2014+ is a Ecotec3 or GDI (direct injected).

That Sierra is a nice truck, would be plenty powerful and fast being a single cab. Just the base interior turns me away lol.

The 2014 is way to much for what you are getting. Last year I payed $25k (before tax) for a 2016 crew cab 4x4, lots of options and it had a little over 90k miles on it. I know I found a dealership that wanted to move it but 24k for a single cab that is a 2014 is a bit steep.

The 2019 is a damn good deal for a brand spanking new truck but I'm a V8 guy, so eh lol.

Jacoby · November 23, 2019

5 hours ago, Hexa Fox said:

So did you have a shop do a full delete or did you get a tuner or what? They have to tear the top manifold of the engine off to do a true delete right? Not sure how I feel about them doing that to a new truck that still has GM warranty on it. To be honest I do not even know how I feel about a tuner. Now this is just me personally because I have never had one before. I was told by my friend that they have all kinds of issues. Like if the tuner loses connection to the truck while it is downloading the new parameters to the computer you can be stuck with a $30,000 paper weight until GM, Super Chips, Range or Diablo fixes it. Again this is just me talking because it is things that I have heard.

I used a tuner. No need to do a full delete unless you’ve had issues with it prior and you’re rebuilding. Issues with tuners are few and far between. Only reason you would brick your truck is if you had a weak battery while trying to upload a tune or you accidentally unplugged the tuner in the middle of an upload. Other than that you shouldn’t have any issues. Most the folks on here are tuned in one way or the other and no real complaints out of any of them. I know my truck runs way better tuned.

I don’t have any input to give on the two trucks you’re looking at. I don’t get down with long beds

dieselfan1 · November 23, 2019

The used ones are too much.

But that new one is a hell of a good price. They never discount a Plain Jane that much.

Hexa Fox · November 23, 2019

22 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

The used ones are too much.

But that new one is a hell of a good price. They never discount a Plain Jane that much.

Yeah I have talked to them a lot about the 2019 and thought we were going to go through with it. I was really excited when I found out Costco has some kind of deal (Season of Values) or something and we are a top of the line member, Executive I believe. However, they said they were not going to honor the deal with Costco since they are running their Black Friday deals, which I understand. Basically I was really turned on by that price too until they added the $1,500 destination fee and taxes. So it went from $26,500 to $30,500 out the door. Do not get me wrong it is still a good deal but I thought I was going to get some more off of it.

Another advantage of the 2017 GMC Sierra is that it has a spray in bed liner and tonneau cover already from the previous owner. Not to mention it is a V8 and has the body style I still like. The sales person from there is very nice, but he keeps saying his boss is not moving a penny more than $500 off of what you guys see. I have been told by people on this forum as well as other places to talk to the sales manages to try to get a better price. I know that dealers nowadays ask close to what they want for things but I am hoping they will move on it more. I was hoping maybe I could get a couple thousand more off. Thoughts?

Edited November 23, 2019 by Hexa Fox

Hexa Fox · November 23, 2019

The realization of me selling my truck is starting to kick in and it is bothering me. My father (which is in good health lol) bought it for me as a graduation present about a decade ago. It has almost 98,000 miles on it. Not sure if I mentioned this but the truck is in great shape other than some rust that is creeping up the rocker panels. I figure that selling it now will make me the most money off it and someone else will get a nice truck and it will be their problem. I am going to ask $10,000 for it and hope to get at least $8,000.

Nitrousbird · November 24, 2019

On 11/22/2019 at 3:19 PM, Jacoby said:

It’s an LS motor so you know it’s good. Turn off the V4 mode and you’ll be golden. Love my 17 5.3.

LS motors are GEN-III and GEN-IV small block GM motors. The L83/L86 are GEN-V motors, or "LT" motors. Evolution of the design but they are different with many parts not interchanging (where they would interchange between GEN-III and GEN-IV).

On 11/22/2019 at 8:10 PM, Hexa Fox said:

I am financing and the dealer just got back to me with a better rate. This is the one I have been looking at.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/792083580/overview/

This is another one I was looking at, the dealer will not move much so is not worth it in my opinion regardless of it having the Z71 package. It is a 2014 but was told it is not EcoTec.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/780755783/overview/

I was also looking at this one, they have their Black Friday deals going on now. However, after they add up the fees and destination fee it climbs back up there.

https://www.koonsclarksvillechevybuickgmc.com/VehicleDetails/new-2019-Chevrolet-Silverado_1500-Regular_Cab_Long_Box_4_Wheel_Drive_WT-Clarksville-MD/3465743023#close

Those used ones are awful deals. Spending a couple grand more on a new one is nothing. Full warranty and better interest rate helps and the fact it is worth more.