6.2L vs 3.0 Diesel, considering upgrading from my '18 6.2L

[Grumpy Bear]

Every motor and every transmission has a following. No one will say the person they took to the prom was a dog.  

 

I am a bit amused by the talk of 'cost' of ownership from truck guys who will get hot under the collar when fuel economy becomes the topic claiming "I didn't buy if for fuel mileage" then squeeze the last mile from an oil filter. Cracks me up. 

 

DEF!! What is the cost per mile to maintain the particulate filter AND should the be counted as part of the fuel cost? I would but that is just me. 

 

In the end dyier2 has it nailed. Any power train will do the job so buy the one that make ya happy. 

[Dunn]

6.2.....read everything here and i would get bigger motor......dont drive enough for gas to be an issue, and its alot more fun and stronger and I  wouldnt even need to start a thread to make that decision

[Nitrousbird]

Test drove a 3.0 today.  My local dealers are super light on inventory currently (checked the three closest); found one with a 3.0.  Unfortunately, it had a crappy upfitter lift kit/tires on it, ruining the ride (and cheap wheel flares).  Not that I was buying from them, but at least wanted to drive a diesel.

 

Stop and go, traffic, cruising, I liked the diesel a lot - probably more than the 6.2L.  One issue, and I'm not sure if it was an issue with this truck or in general, is the diesel makes a ticking sound from the exhaust with anything more than the slightest throttle application.  Is this normal?  It was annoying and always went away letting off the gas.  It was easy to notice (radio off, windows closed).

  

Other complaint was the acceleration...just felt doggish when I hammer it.  Where the 6.2L feels like it is scooting, the diesel was pretty flat.  Now I'm sure the lift/bigger tires are part of the problem, but it felt that way hammering off the line too, which should have been a little less of an impact.  To be fair, I haven't drove my truck in a couple weeks and have been driving the Vette, so my sense of acceleration is more than a bit skewed.  

Otherwise, loved the rest of the truck - tons of new toys not available when I bought my truck.

Edited April 10, 2021 by Nitrousbird

[mjonesjr84]

I'm wondering if the issues you didn't like about the 3.0 was the truck it was in. 

 

The ticking sound, did it sound like spark knock? If so, then it is the diesel noise. You won't hear it much with the radio on.

 

The 3.0 with stock tires/wheels is a beast off the line. There are several YouTube videos with a like for like truck drag racing (6.2 vs 3.0) and the 3.0 smokes the 6.2 off the line. Granted, the 6.2 smokes the 3.0 on the big end.

[Nitrousbird]

24 minutes ago, mjonesjr84 said:

I'm wondering if the issues you didn't like about the 3.0 was the truck it was in. 

 

The ticking sound, did it sound like spark knock? If so, then it is the diesel noise. You won't hear it much with the radio on.

 

The 3.0 with stock tires/wheels is a beast off the line. There are several YouTube videos with a like for like truck drag racing (6.2 vs 3.0) and the 3.0 smokes the 6.2 off the line. Granted, the 6.2 smokes the 3.0 on the big end.

The ticking sounded like it was from the exhaust in the back of the truck.  It wasn't the diesel knocking sound, it was an audible tick (higher pitch).

I wasn't thrilled to drive this "upgrade" truck (hell, even the bolts holding on the flares had corrosion - on a brand new truck).  There were rattles that I know wouldn't be there on a stock truck and the ride sucked.  I didn't hammer it off the line, but did a hammering at 5-10MPH and it just didn't have a lot to show for it.  

 

It's too bad I couldn't have driven a proper example, but we have a lot of GMC dealers and inventory is total crap, unfortunately.  

[the wanderer]

4 hours ago, mjonesjr84 said:

I'm wondering if the issues you didn't like about the 3.0 was the truck it was in. 

 

The ticking sound, did it sound like spark knock? If so, then it is the diesel noise. You won't hear it much with the radio on.

 

The 3.0 with stock tires/wheels is a beast off the line. There are several YouTube videos with a like for like truck drag racing (6.2 vs 3.0) and the 3.0 smokes the 6.2 off the line. Granted, the 6.2 smokes the 3.0 on the big end.

 

I'm going to need some videos as proof for that I've watched enough TFL truck comparisons with the diesel vs 5.3 and/or 6.2 and even the 5.3 is faster (though my memory may be wrong). In any case, the 6.2 should be walking all over the diesel at any speed. Those tests were done at elevation too where the diesel has an advantage. The 6.2 was the fastest truck they tested short of raptor and TRX.

[the wanderer]

5 hours ago, mjonesjr84 said:

I'm wondering if the issues you didn't like about the 3.0 was the truck it was in. 

 

The ticking sound, did it sound like spark knock? If so, then it is the diesel noise. You won't hear it much with the radio on.

 

The 3.0 with stock tires/wheels is a beast off the line. There are several YouTube videos with a like for like truck drag racing (6.2 vs 3.0) and the 3.0 smokes the 6.2 off the line. Granted, the 6.2 smokes the 3.0 on the big end.

 

So my memory was wrong, my bad. The 6.2 is still quite a bit faster than the 3.0, but the first second or two does seem to favour the diesel. They both have 460 lb/ft of torque, the diesel hits peak torque quite fast whereas the 6.2 needs to build rpms (which is what gives the 3.0 its initial jump), but once the 6.2 hits the higher revs, well, its 420 hp vs 277, we kind of know how that's going to end up. The 3.0 also seems to beat the 5.3 in both off the line and 0 to 60. Definitely learned something new today.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS_VxHdiYHg

 

 

Edited April 10, 2021 by the wanderer

[mjonesjr84]

25 minutes ago, the wanderer said:

 

So my memory was wrong, my bad. The 6.2 is still quite a bit faster than the 3.0, but the first second or two does seem to favour the diesel. They both have 460 lb/ft of torque, the diesel hits peak torque quite fast whereas the 6.2 needs to build rpms (which is what gives the 3.0 its initial jump), but once the 6.2 hits the higher revs, well, its 420 hp vs 277, we kind of know how that's going to end up. The 3.0 also seems to beat the 5.3 in both off the line and 0 to 60. Definitely learned something new today.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS_VxHdiYHg

 

 

I was just reading your quote where your memory was bad. I was about to pull the that video and post it.

 

The 3.0 has the advantage because the peak torque comes in a 1,500 RPM and stays flat to redline. The 6.2 has the speed advantage because of the HP advantage.

 

I drive my 3.0 1,000 +/- miles a week. With the fuel mileage I'm getting I wouldn't get anything else. IF I had to choose another engine, I would go with the 6.2.

 

TFL does some good gauntlet videos on the 3.0 towing as well. It is impressive the MPG it gets when towing its peak load.

Edited April 10, 2021 by mjonesjr84

[SILVER SLED]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a28148602/2020-chevrolet-silverado-3-0l-diesel-drive/

[Texas Daddy]

As a side, Carvana gave us 2k more than we spent new on our Forester. Picked up a very nice P+ Audi A4 for an almost even trade - local subaru dealer couldnt believe it. Arrived on time and had the deal done in 10 minutes. Car is mint, but they still set us up for new windshield as it did have a chip. Gotta say they get 5 stars from me...

[Nitrousbird]

So can anyone comment on the exhaust ticking sound (not the normal diesel knocking sound).  I just want to verify whether it is normal OR if it was because of the crappy lifted truck I test drove.

 

Thinking more about it, the diesel probably makes more sense for me.  I don't really put the hammer down often on my current truck.  Fuel mileage or even the additional $1500 for the 6.2 isn't a big factor.  But range is a factor, as when we do long trips, that longer range would be beneficial.  Also, from what I've seen on these towing videos, the diesel seems a little more laid back when putting the power down and is quieter doing that, which is obviously less tiring.  I do not want a loud truck...I have a loud car for that fix, as well as my speed fix.  Speaking with the wife, we may end up adding 1-2 extra long towing trips a year going forward, so that becomes a bigger priority.  

[redwngr]

No exhaust tick on mine. 

[GullLakeMi]

Diesels are 50% of the market in Europe and have been for years.  Those cars must be subject to all types of driving styles.  Short commutes and idling must not be an issue for them, although in my experience Europeans are less likely to waste fuel idling for heating or AC reasons. 

 

But, what do I know as I occasionally put 87 or 89 octane in my 6.2L when I'm feeling cheap.  I figure a little engine knock will be like white noise to help hide the clunky transmission.

[Grover67]

On 4/11/2021 at 1:17 PM, Nitrousbird said:

So can anyone comment on the exhaust ticking sound (not the normal diesel knocking sound).  I just want to verify whether it is normal OR if it was because of the crappy lifted truck I test drove.

 

Thinking more about it, the diesel probably makes more sense for me.  I don't really put the hammer down often on my current truck.  Fuel mileage or even the additional $1500 for the 6.2 isn't a big factor.  But range is a factor, as when we do long trips, that longer range would be beneficial.  Also, from what I've seen on these towing videos, the diesel seems a little more laid back when putting the power down and is quieter doing that, which is obviously less tiring.  I do not want a loud truck...I have a loud car for that fix, as well as my speed fix.  Speaking with the wife, we may end up adding 1-2 extra long towing trips a year going forward, so that becomes a bigger priority.  

 

Maybe the previous owner did something to the exhaust also?

 

Never noticed any exhaust ticking on mine at anytime I've had it. I do know that the A/C condensate does drip on the exhaust but never did notice any noise from it.

 

I have had alot of comments from people saying they didn't notice it was a diesel due to how quiet it is. It does have a little growl if you're getting on it, as it should, but nothing I'd consider loud.

 

Really like how it tows. Has no problem getting up to speed and cruises really easy. Buddy of mine has the 6.6 diesel and tried mine out was impressed how well it does and the mpg to go with it.

 

Hope you get a chance to test drive a unmolested 3.0l truck to have a better perspective of it.

 

Planned on going with 6.2 in the beginning of my truck search, just for the fun factor, but after seeing the reports on the 3.0l and then getting to test drive one decided I had to have it and haven't had any regrets from long trips to towing or regular usage. Fits what I use it for very well!

 

Good luck in your search no matter what you decide

 

-Grover67

Edited April 13, 2021 by Grover67

[Taco_Ninja]

I have the AC condenser dripping water onto my exhaust and is noticeable when I exit the car and listen for a moment. Any chance it could be this?

 

Please disregard if this is silly, it is not my intent to insult.