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Which engine - 5.3, 6.2 or 3.0?

Z71RAD88
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Z71RAD88 Enthusiast

Z71RAD88

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6 hours ago, Jus Cruisin said:

I'm figuring if I don't like it I'll swap out a little early. I just wish the 6.2l would get warrantied in a timely fashion if they do go south. 

Exactly! The lead time of an engine replacement is what’s keeping me away from the 6.2. 

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newdude
newdude

Is it though?  I can reset my trip meter and drive 7 miles and get the same result.  That's not an accurate measurement of MPG, what it can achieve in a 7 mile stretch.        

Transient
Transient

I see that you ordered your truck before I was able to post my experience.  Imo, you made the right choice getting the 3.0 Duramax.  I have a 2020 with the 6.2 and lived in San Diego from 2020 to 2023

newdude
newdude

41mi.  Doesn't count.  Show us what you get on a tank or current lifetime MPG, that counts.  

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Z71RAD88 Enthusiast

Z71RAD88

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20 hours ago, Transient said:

I see that you ordered your truck before I was able to post my experience.  Imo, you made the right choice getting the 3.0 Duramax.  I have a 2020 with the 6.2 and lived in San Diego from 2020 to 2023.  Diesel prices were either the same or slightly lower than 91 octane.  It's the mpg that makes the difference.  Iirc, Costco is a Top Tier Fuel Diesel provider.  Otherwise, GM recommends getting their additive whenever you fill up.  The current 3.0 produces more torque than the 6.2.  Both engines also use the same trans.  As such, they're very similar in 1/4 mile times (according to TFL Truck).  Best I ever saw in mpg with the 6.2 is 24.4 mpg.  That was a drive from San Diego to Las Vegas with the cruise set at 78mph.  Like you, I was torn on which engine to get.  I have been very happy with the 6.2, but sad that I didn't get the 3.0 (COVID and empty car lots played a factor in my purchase).  The biggest dis/satisfaction factor is how frequently I have to fill the tank.  If I could do it again I'd get the 3.0, but if I had the 3.0 I'd probably say I'd get the 6.2.


thanks! It’s been weeks since I was torn on my engine selection and decided to “split the difference” if you will and going 5.3. 

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

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9 hours ago, Jus Cruisin said:

I'm figuring if I don't like it I'll swap out a little early. I just wish the 6.2l would get warrantied in a timely fashion if they do go south. 

My 6.2 has been flawless.  2020 model year.  That $2,500 upcharge does appear to get you a nice butt kissing though.  Just look at the valve spring replacement plan GM had in place for the 5.3 vs the 6.2.

JeffKirk Enthusiast

JeffKirk

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Again, I'm not saying there isn't an elevated chance of an issue with the 6.2, but just took a 1200 mile round trip vacation with the wife and passed countless of them.  Not a single one blown up and sitting on the side of the road...just saying.  And mine ran flawless too.

 

Edited by JeffKirk
Jus Cruisin Enthusiast

Jus Cruisin

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5 hours ago, JeffKirk said:

Again, I'm not saying there isn't an elevated chance of an issue with the 6.2, but just took a 1200 mile round trip vacation with the wife and passed countless of them.  Not a single one blown up and sitting on the side of the road...just saying.  And mine ran flawless too.

 

No question that the vast majority are in fact troublefree but since I've downsized from 3 daily drivers to one, I don't have a fallback driver for weeks and maybe months because the engines are on galactic backorder. Stuff breaks and that's what warranties are for but the repairs should be completed in a timely fashion. 

Z71RAD88 Enthusiast

Z71RAD88

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Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts, comments and input. I drove my new pickup home yesterday, which ended up being a 5.3. I was pleasantly surprised how well the 10 speed changes that engine from what I remembered of my 2012. Very smooth shifts on flat ground and it never really felt like it struggled going up some of the small mountain passes on my way back home. Always seem to be in the right gear. 

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PunchT37 Enthusiast

PunchT37

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1 hour ago, Z71RAD88 said:

Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts, comments and input. I drove my new pickup home yesterday, which ended up being a 5.3. I was pleasantly surprised how well the 10 speed changes that engine from what I remembered of my 2012. Very smooth shifts on flat ground and it never really felt like it struggled going up some of the small mountain passes on my way back home. Always seem to be in the right gear. 

Bought a `25 with the 5.3. Mine has 3.42`s but, not much different than the 3.23`s. Runs well. The 10 speed will continue to shift better as you put miles on it. Mine was a little jerky for a while. It had 5 miles on it when I drove it home. It`s got 3600 on it now. The trans has almost became like butter now.

Z71RAD88 Enthusiast

Z71RAD88

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9 minutes ago, PunchT37 said:

Bought a `25 with the 5.3. Mine has 3.42`s but, not much different than the 3.23`s. Runs well. The 10 speed will continue to shift better as you put miles on it. Mine was a little jerky for a while. It had 5 miles on it when I drove it home. It`s got 3600 on it now. The trans has almost became like butter now.


I did notice that a couple of times and didn’t think too much of it. Mine 8 when I drove it off the lot. 

PunchT37 Enthusiast

PunchT37

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2 minutes ago, Z71RAD88 said:


I did notice that a couple of times and didn’t think too much of it. Mine 8 when I drove it off the lot. 

 

3 minutes ago, Z71RAD88 said:


I did notice that a couple of times and didn’t think too much of it. Mine 8 when I drove it off the lot. 

Yeah. Mostly 2/3 and 3/4 shift. Lotta 3/4.

Bikerjon Enthusiast

Bikerjon

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On 3/20/2025 at 8:57 PM, Z71RAD88 said:


thanks! It’s been weeks since I was torn on my engine selection and decided to “split the difference” if you will and going 5.3. 

You made a good choice. I've had 4 5.3L trucks and never had any problems with any of them.

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

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On 3/24/2025 at 6:40 PM, Bikerjon said:

You made a good choice. I've had 4 5.3L trucks and never had any problems with any of them.

I'm the other end of that.  I've only ever owned 1 5.3.  It didn't survive to 100,000 miles.  2007 Tahoe with DOD.  Life got stuck.  Piston ate the valve.  Truck was 6 months out of warranty.  I was stranded in Laramie, WY with my wife and son.  Ended up trading for a Malibu just so I could get home.  I know the 5.3 and 6.2 are basically the same engine.  It was a tough choice for me to go 6.2 or 3.0.  The deciding factor was what was available in July 2020 when COVID made dealership barren. 

customboss Senior Enthusiast

customboss

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On 3/3/2025 at 9:29 AM, Z71RAD88 said:

I'm moving forward with a new truck purchase in the next few weeks and struggling to decide which engine to go with. I live in CA and don't tow. Typically drive 20,000 per year. My typical commute is 35 miles each way with 90% country roads at 55 mph and freeway at 65 mph, a combo of the two. I do get up the mountains frequently so the extra torque from the 6.2 and 3.0 appease me. I do understand having the turbo will be helpful at elevation compare to a NA engine. 

 

I was initially all set on the 6.2 but with the recent notice from NHTSA, It's got me thinking twice. 

 

Never owned a diesel and don't feel overly confident I can feed it the proper/required diesel living in California. 

 

What would you all go with? Trim level wise going RST or LTZ. Deals seem to be better on the LTZ with the 3.0. 

https://www.gm-trucks.com/nhtsa-investigates-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra-l87-6-2l-v8-engines-for-potential-failure/

Z71RAD88 Enthusiast

Z71RAD88

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4 hours ago, customboss said:

https://www.gm-trucks.com/nhtsa-investigates-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra-l87-6-2l-v8-engines-for-potential-failure/


yes, thank you. End up going LTZ with 5.3. Very happy so far after a week or so of ownership. Much different driving experience than my last 5.3 with 6 speed. Averaging 18.5-19 mpg going to and from work with one stretch of straight highway at 70 mpg for 22.1 once arriving to the office. 

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