Vortec 4300 vs 4800

Cheekster96 · June 12, 2005

hello and happy sunday to all.

my girlfriend is contenplating getting a new chevy or gmc fullsize truck and to take advantage of the GM discount goin on right now.

I asked her what she is looking for. she drove my truck and loved it (she has a ford focus now).

she is looking at the 4.3 and auto combination as well as 4x4. she wont be doing any trailering or doing much off road. the 4x4 is for the harsh winters up here in maine.

i have the 4800 in my extended cab short bed 4x4 ('03) and does great for me. it also gets close to 20 mpg out on the highway.

as i recall from past experiences..the 4.3L is alot rougher than a V8 and is essentially two cylinders shy of a 350. also know they have been around since the mid 80s.

it makes 195 hp vs the 285 for the 4800. im not sure of the torque numbers.

here is what im after....fuel mileage for the 4.3. is it still the rough motor that i am used to? how is its reliablity? this truck will be her daily driver and want something dependable. i priced the same truck with the 4800 and was only about $1000 more..financed over four or five years, wouldnt even notice that price.

i wanted to get everyones opinion on this motor..pros and cons.

i told her that these trucks come with a five speed but she didnt like that idea.

any suggestions?

Lee

2500HD4X · June 12, 2005

I had a 2000 Silverado 4WD w/4.8L/auto-really enjoyed it as a driver, but it was not good at towing so I traded up after six months. My dad has an 01' Silverado w/4.3L and a five speed (2wd work truck) that he drives to work everyday. It is a hoot to drive with the five speed and all, but that being said, his gas mileage is about the same as what i was getting with my 4.8l/auto. The 4.3/auto/4wd will probably not have much zip at all. My 4.8/auto/4wd was a blast to drive. The 4.3 hasn't changed much in years, still not as smooth as an 8cyl and will not have near the resale value or pep. Go with the 4.8, especially w/an auto transmission and four wheel drive. Thats just my opinion for what its worth...Good luck with her new truck! I just bought my wife a new Avalanche Friday with the GMS discount... By the way- My names Lee too and I used to live in Maine- My dad was at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a few years. We lived in York Beach.....Small world eh?

Cheekster96 · June 12, 2005

Hey Lee..good to know ya...

i worked at the shipyard for about a year and a half when i was still in the navy..getting USS Norfolk overhauled. I live up near Augusta now.

I think i will lean towards the 4.8L. I think the mileage will be closely the same..plus, the hills we have here, the V8 should handle them better.

any more suggestions?

Lee

DougsTJ2 · June 12, 2005

Although the 4.3 is a 6 vs. the 8 of the 4.8, it has to work harder to accomplish the same work of the 8. I second the resale value...the 4.3's don't help your investment in an already depreciating asset.

facn8me · June 12, 2005

4.8 will be better in almost all aspects IMO. Milage is pretty even but the v8 is smoother and 295hp No brainer if it is availible for what you want to pay.

2500HD4X · June 12, 2005

Nope- no more suggestions other than getting the 8 cyl over the 6 cyl-especially with hills/mountains/snow and on a 4WD too. A little higher initial outlay, with a lot of return. I forgot to mention my brother had a 2000 4.8L/5 Speed RCSB 2wd for a while before he got married. That thing would FLY! 4.8's are quick little motors and good on gas-they just don't like 16' trailers.

I haven't been back up to Maine since spring of 89', although if it is as cold as I remember you may want to option the block heater!! My dad still works for the Navy- He transferred to Kings Bay in 89. I hear they are finally closing Portsmouth on the last round of base closures-Its a shame, that base has been there forever...

Man, I would definitely take advantage of the GMS pricing right now. I don't think you will ever see them cheaper than right now. I could not believe how much we saved on our new Avalanche this past Friday- 9K/30% off sticker with no quibbling or negotiations. I have been seriously thinking about getting myself a new ride as well...Maybe a Duramax EC 4WD ...But two new car payments and a house note is a scary thought...

Cheekster96 · June 12, 2005

They are fighting to keep the shipyard alive. they are also talking about closing have of the Brunswick station and transfer them to florida somewhere and also a reserve station up in Bangor. Maine got hit hard with base closures.

I will talk with the girlfriend and discuss what you all have mentioned here. Once she comes to terms that the V8 is just as economical as the V6, plus, do better, work not as hard and run smoother, that extra grand will pay for itself!

thanks all.

Lee

oh, ps, last winter here in maine, we had record snowfall amounts (one night we got 18 inches, no lie) and coldest temps were around -5 to -10. chilly to say the least..lol

later.

Lee

99silveradoz71 · June 13, 2005

Get the 4.8 at the least. You've got power to spare if the needs change. Thinking of a 6 in a full-size 4x4 pickup reminds me of my folks loading a cartop carrier on the roof of a Buick Century 4 cyl and driving 9hrs to Canada...

sjspor · June 13, 2005

I owe a 4.3, my 2nd one in a truck, and I have driven both a 4.8 and 5.3. The V-8's are much smooter and quieter than the six. The six with the automatic is a waste.

JAMIEZ71 · June 13, 2005

Go with the 4.8. I have a 4.3 in my company 4x4 reg cab and I don't like it compared to the 4.8. The 4.8 and 4.3 get about the same mileage. Actually I think the 4.8 gets better mileage. My step dad just went from a 4.3 2wd to a 5.3 4x4 and gets better mileage with it on his way to work driving most windy roads.

sledr · June 13, 2005

Go for the 4.8!! I carpool with a guy who has a '03 SBEC 2WD with the 4.3. The engine is underpowered for a truck that size. Plus we get the same mileage and I have '04 SBEC 5.3 Z71. Make sure you get the LS package at least too. You get more sound deadening with carpets. If you thinking at all about resale value then spend the extra few hundred bucks and get the Z71 package. Everyone wants a "Z71" even though it is not that much different than a normal 4X4.

My '02 cents

Air Biscuit · June 15, 2005

Given the good deals right now, I would encourage going with the 5.3. It should get about the same mileage (bigger engine works a little less hard - the 4.8 and 5.3 were rated at the same mpg when I bought mine) and the bigger one is good for a little more towing etc...and resale.

Just my two bits. It will cost a bit more up front but I bet you recover it on the other end if you sell within a few years. And you'll be happier with the extra power.

If the $$$ are the issue, I would go with the 4.8 vs.the 4.3. Newer technology, more power.

Good luck.

atomoverride · June 15, 2005

4.3 = v6 boooo

4.8 = v8 whooo hoooo

PELICAN · June 15, 2005

having had both the 4.3 and now the 4.8 I would say hands down go for the 4.8 . When I bought mine I thought the 5.3 got less mpg and the extra price convinced me to go with the 4.8.