5.7L -vs- 4.8L

3500duramax · January 29, 2004

I have a question. Stock versus stock what who do u think would win a race? My 1995 chevy silverado 2wd with a 350 throttle body against a 1999 z71 with the 4.8? He is stock and i have flowmaster catback and k&n. are the 4.8's any good or do they have any power? tell me your opinions!

RyanZ71 · January 29, 2004

From everything I've heard the 4.8's are very good and quick as well, almost as fast as a 5.3.

Cool Zr2 · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I 5.7 vortec on the otherhand would blow the doors off of a 4.8. Hell, the 5.7's have more tq than the 5.3's.

fastdrvr23 · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I 5.7 vortec on the otherhand would blow the doors off of a 4.8. Hell, the 5.7's have more tq than the 5.3's.

I raced a 1997 RCSB Vortec 350 two weeks ago, from a 20MPH roll until about 75MPH... At 75 when I let off, his front bumper was at my rear wheel. All I know he had for sure was an aftermarket exhaust of some sort. He initiated the race on the highway, so I know he was trying. I stopped at a gas station a few miles down the road, and the guy pulled in to give a thumbs up. That's when I asked about his setup, and all he said was 350. lol.

The 4.8 is pretty impressive... in the higher RPM ranges of 2nd gear especially. I would guess that the results would have been more even if we'd gone from a dead stop, either that or he'd have pulled until about 60 or so when my truck really wakes up.

MCourson · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I would have to contradict that one. I know for a fact that my 94 305 TBI will out run my friends 03 4.3.

Cool Zr2 · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I 5.7 vortec on the otherhand would blow the doors off of a 4.8. Hell, the 5.7's have more tq than the 5.3's.

I raced a 1997 RCSB Vortec 350 two weeks ago, from a 20MPH roll until about 75MPH... At 75 when I let off, his front bumper was at my rear wheel. All I know he had for sure was an aftermarket exhaust of some sort. He initiated the race on the highway, so I know he was trying. I stopped at a gas station a few miles down the road, and the guy pulled in to give a thumbs up. That's when I asked about his setup, and all he said was 350. lol.

The 4.8 is pretty impressive... in the higher RPM ranges of 2nd gear especially. I would guess that the results would have been more even if we'd gone from a dead stop, either that or he'd have pulled until about 60 or so when my truck really wakes up.

What are you runnin for gears?

If you have 3.73's and he has 3.42's then you would win.

Cool Zr2 · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I would have to contradict that one. I know for a fact that my 94 305 TBI will out run my friends 03 4.3.

Sorry, but you are wrong, my dad has a 94 sub 350 with out a roller cam and a 95 truck with a roller cam, and when my truck had the 4.3 it would smoke them both.

My truck and my dad's all have 3.73's

EDIT: I just realized you said that a tbi 305 beat a 4.3 SFI? ROTFLMAO I thought you said 350.

Colorado Kid · January 29, 2004

Perhaps S-10s are just a tiny bit lighter than Suburbans?

While I suspect the average Vortec 4800 will outrun the average TBI 350 in similar trucks, and I know that a Vortec 5000 (CPI 305) will outrun a TBI 350, but not by much, because my dad ('96 C1500 5.0, 3.42 gears) and Father-in-law ('88 C2500 5.7, 4.10 gears) checked it out, in similar trucks the 4.3 isn't going to smoke the TBI 350 unless the 4.3 is of the turbocharged (Syclone/Typhoon) variety. Not even if it's the 200 HP version of the 4.3.

99-2door · January 29, 2004

A 5.7 TBI engine is a dog, the 4.3 v-6 vortecs can beat them in a race, I know i have tested that theory.

I would have to contradict that one. I know for a fact that my 94 305 TBI will out run my friends 03 4.3.

Sorry, but you are wrong, my dad has a 94 sub 350 with out a roller cam and a 95 truck with a roller cam, and when my truck had the 4.3 it would smoke them both.

My truck and my dad's all have 3.73's

EDIT: I just realized you said that a tbi 305 beat a 4.3 SFI? ROTFLMAO I thought you said 350.

Now are you talking about a 4.3L Vortec in a S-10??

Let's compare apples to apples here.

Let's compare trucks with similar equipment and same gear ratios and trans.

I had a 95 305 RCSB TBI Auto with 3.42s, 97 Vortec 350 RCSB auto 3.42s.

My friend has a 2001 4.3L RCSB Auto with 3.42s. All 2wds

Both of those trucks would smoke his 4.3L thorughout the range.

Granted the 305 and 350 TBI don't compare to a 305 or 350 Vortec, but they usually get a bad rep because most of them are worn out now.

I would rank the motors in this order from slowest to quickest (stock form, good condition)

4.3L TBI

4.3L Vortec

305 TBI

350 TBI

305 Vortec

4.8L Vortec

350 Vortec

5.3L Vortec

that's just my opinion and I favor the 5.7L and 5.3L dependant upon situation. I like the torque of the 5.7L , but the 5.3L does have an amazing top-end.

OUMike · January 29, 2004

Yea...I was gonna say..S10 is a compact pickup. MUCH lighter and smaller than Silverados. So here we go...

5.7 TBI v. 4.3L V6 - V6 wins it but close

4.3L v. 5.0L - I'm takin' the 4.3...

5.7 Vortec v. 4.3L V6 - Vortec by gobs

4.3L V6 v. 4.8L V8 - V8...sorry..more cubes, more tq, more hp similar weight

4.3L V6 v. 5.3L V8 - c'mon...

This is also assuming all trucks are short bed, single cabs, all same tranny, all same gear, all same driver. Motor alone being only factor. Doesn't take rocket science to figure these out. I own a 4.3L V6 and I can vouch for their stoutness, but they won't take a NBS V8 or V6 for that matter. They don't produce much hp. 5.7L TBIs were tq monsters. Produced very little power for an engine of that size, but were solid nontheless. The 4.8 and 5.3s need little to talk about. They are the best motors to ever sit inside Silverado chassis for everyday use.

Cool Zr2 · January 29, 2004

Lets say you have 2 identical trucks, one with a 5.0 tbi, and one with a 4.3 SFI, you say the 5.0 tbi would win? Even though the 4.3 has more hp and tq?

99-2door · January 29, 2004

Lets say you have 2 identical trucks, one with a 5.0 tbi, and one with a 4.3 SFI, you say the 5.0 tbi would win? Even though the 4.3 has more hp and tq?

Yes, I would say that. Don't believe everything you read about HP and ft-lbs. I think they would be very close. Start adding weight to both trucks and the TBI 5.0L will start to pull ahead of the V6.

Cool Zr2 · January 29, 2004

Lets say you have 2 identical trucks, one with a 5.0 tbi, and one with a 4.3 SFI, you say the 5.0 tbi would win? Even though the 4.3 has more hp and tq?

Yes, I would say that. Don't believe everything you read about HP and ft-lbs. I think they would be very close. Start adding weight to both trucks and the TBI 5.0L will start to pull ahead of the V6.

ok then, i'm not gonna argue on the internet........... You can say your right all day, and so can I, but being in a family that has a 93 305, 94 350, 95 350, 96 350 vortec (sold), 97 305 vortec s-10 I think I have a feel for the capabilities for the 90's SBC's more than most.

99-2door · January 29, 2004

Lets say you have 2 identical trucks, one with a 5.0 tbi, and one with a 4.3 SFI, you say the 5.0 tbi would win? Even though the 4.3 has more hp and tq?

Yes, I would say that. Don't believe everything you read about HP and ft-lbs. I think they would be very close. Start adding weight to both trucks and the TBI 5.0L will start to pull ahead of the V6.

ok then, i'm not gonna argue on the internet........... You can say your right all day, and so can I, but being in a family that has a 93 305, 94 350, 95 350, 96 350 vortec (sold), 97 305 vortec s-10 I think I have a feel for the capabilities for the 90's SBC's more than most.

I agree arguing on the forums is generally pointless. I think I out pace you on the SBC experience though. I have owned for my personal vehicles a 93 4.3L, 95 5.0L, 2-95 5.7Ls, 96 5.0L, 97 5.7L, 99 5.7L. Oh, and I also have 5 or 6 trucks out in my shop at any given time ranging from 88-03 with varying equipment. Do I need to list the engines my family owns too or can I quit now?

SilveradoWV · January 29, 2004

All I have to go buy is my 4.8L vs the 350 TBI my dad used to have.

My Truck: 2002 Silverado 4.8L 4x4

His Truck: 1991 K1500 EFI 350 TBI 4x4

We had pretty much the same setups, reg cab short beds, auto., open diffs, same tire size and everything.

My 4.8L would kill the 350. Everything on the 350 was well maintained too, it wasnt all run down from being a '91. It had some aftermarket plug wires, Accel Dist Cap and rotor, and a K&N Drop-in, mine only had a K&N Drop-in.