Going from 6.2l (or 5.3l) to 3.0l Diesel / Opinions

jjackkrash · November 15, 2020

I am interested to hear from those who went from a gasser (particularly the 6.2l) to the diesel and whether there have been any regrets. I have a DRW and a big diesel to tow my heavy trailers and was looking for a truck to both pull a ski boat and to pass on to my son at some point down the road a few years when he goes off to college. I have a pretty good idea on the differences in expected costs and fuel efficiency and I am most curious about the driving experience, i.e., costs and price of engine aside. What I want to know is what is the flat-out best available engine today for a 1500? Thanks.

Time2gofishing1980 · November 16, 2020

So I didn't go directly from the 6.2 to the 3.0. I had a 2.8 Canyon and v6 Taco between. The 6.2 is a fantastic engine. It's super fun to drive and has excellent towing ability. It makes the same tq as the diesel but hits peak later in the power curve. It towed effortlessly. The only reason I chose the 3.0 on the new truck is fuel economy. The engine had the same upcharge (when I bought mine) and fuel cost was similar. The 6.2 should be fed 93.

There's no wrong answer between the two.

jjackkrash · November 16, 2020

12 hours ago, Time2gofishing1980 said:

So I didn't go directly from the 6.2 to the 3.0. I had a 2.8 Canyon and v6 Taco between.

Hey, if I could impose, I am also looking hard at a 2.8l Canyon Denali (and taking a bit of a look at a Taco) as well. Can you give me you thoughts on the 2.8l compared to the 3.0l, as well as any other thoughts you are willing to share? The Canyon is a better size for me since I already have a big truck, but the Sierra and the 3.0l just seem like a better more refined truck all around. I would love to hear any observations you have. Thanks in advance.

Time2gofishing1980 · November 16, 2020

12 minutes ago, jjackkrash said:

Hey, if I could impose, I am also looking hard at a 2.8l Canyon Denali (and taking a bit of a look at a Taco) as well. Can you give me you thoughts on the 2.8l compared to the 3.0l, as well as any other thoughts you are willing to share? The Canyon is a better size for me since I already have a big truck, but the Sierra and the 3.0l just seem like a better more refined truck all around. I would love to hear any observations you have. Thanks in advance.

Sure thing! Both and Canyon and the Tacoma were fantastic trucks if you can live with the size. They were obviously much easier in tight places. I didn't plow withheld Canyon but I did with the Tacoma. It was a great plow truck for family driveways. My taco was a 6ft bed access cab and my canyon was crew cab standard bed. Ultimately I found myself frequently wishing for a bigger truck while using the taco and Canyon. That's why I went to a crew cab standard bed in a full size.

The 2.8 was overall great. It was more than capable for the size truck it is in. My one complaint was the lag off the line. It's an absolute dog from a stop. There also is an annoying delay from when you depress the pedal to when the engine responds.

The 3.0 is better in every way. It's smoother and quieter while matching or be exceeding the efficiency of the 2.8. Its throttle response and quickness off the line is no contest. The 3.0 jumps when you hit the pedal.

If you need a midsize both the canyon and taco are winners. My biggest complaint against the taco was the unforgivably horrible fuel economy. The powertrain is time tested and reliable but dated as ****.

swervin36 · November 16, 2020

I have never owned a 6.2l but have had several 5.3's in Chevy and GMC trucks. The 5.3 is a great engine and pretty good fuel economy, if you can keep your foot out of it...LOL The first time I test drove a 3.0l I wanted one. Tons more get up and go then the 5.3 add that to the fuel economy and it's a win/win for me. My last 5.3 would average about 15-16 for my 20 mile commute to work. The 3.0 is getting 21-23. I did the math and even if diesel is .25 more per gallon, I'm still saving money. I know they are a new motor and as with any first generation they are still trying to get the bugs worked out but so far so good. Love the truck.

TGM · November 24, 2020

I went right from the 6.2 in my 16 to the 3.0 in my 20. The 6.2 is fun to drive and towed well but it was obvious you were towing. Not enough low end torque to make it feel effortless. I switched to the 3.0 Diesel for two reasons. Didn't need a motor in my truck that made me want to floor it all the time when not towing and I absolutely hated the 8spd.

The Diesel does so much better at actually towing something heavy and getting going from a stop. Doesn't have huge power to accelerate at higher speeds, but I never need to do that. The 10spd is worth the switch alone but the combination is a truck that eliminated my biggest complaint about my 16 6.2. Add in the gas mileage and tank range, and I don't regret one bit of switching to the 3.0 and the 10spd.

DemonWorks · November 24, 2020

Came from a 19 5.3 into the 3.0 diesel. I absolutely love this thing ! Wouldn't dare go back to a gasser if I don't have to.

QUIKAG · November 24, 2020

So, I'm a big car guy. I've had numerous 5.3 and 6.2L trucks, last one was an '18 6.2 SLT Z71. A buddy tricked me into trading it for a '19 Raptor, first truck on the dark side. It's alright and a great truck, but the engine note sucks, good power though.

Anyway, I digress. So, been working with my Dad on trading his 2015 Sierra Denali 6.2/8speed on a new 2020 Sierra Denali. We drove the Rams and F-150 to be fair, but meh. Nice interior on the Dodge, but crazy valvetrain noise (oiling issue) on remote start of one we drove. Crazy.. F-150 is a good truck obviously, but they weren't discounting much and the Limited was expensive as heck and looked a little boring (i.e. like most F-150's) We went back and forth between the 6.2 and 3.0 numerous times. Well, he picked up his 2020 Sierra Denali 3.0 diesel this past Friday. It's awesome.

Unless you are doing high rpm highway pulls and need the top-end acceleration of the 6.2, the 3.0 turbodiesel is freaking fun around town and has more "real world" torque in the rpm range 95% of truck drivers operate. It clicks through the gears in the 10 speed and always stays in the meat of the powerband. It's BUTTER smooth, quiet, and is just a freaking awesome engine. 460lb/ft at 1,500rpm versus same torque at 4,100rpm in the 6.2. Only time you notice the horsepower deficit is full throttle acceleration and racing. Even then, the diesel chugs through the gears and gets up to speed nicely riding that fat torque wave, but it will get pulled by a 6.2 in a race, no question about it.

I'm a huge horsepower nut (have owned my now 663rwhp (E85, headers, tune, pulleys) 2010 ZR1 since new and just love hauling butt and think the 6.2 is a top shelf engine. But, the 3.0 turbodiesel is better in 99% of real world situations than the 6.2 in my humble opinion. I'm so glad I talked my Dad into it. Plus, it's $1500 cheaper now which is a nice little bonus.

Drive one and drive it normally like you would in regular situations and it will feel like the better engine for sure. So smooth and so nice. However, if you hop in a 6.2 and floor it all over town and then hop in the 3.0 and try to floor it all over town, you will be disappointed in the 3.0. Beyond that extreme scenario, the 3.0 turbodiesel will come out the winner IMHO.

Edited November 24, 2020 by QUIKAG