Got a 4.8L? How do you like it?

Tophe83 · November 1, 2005

Im test drivin an 02 Silverado with the 4.8 in it. I am hoping to hear from some of you as to how you like this motor. I will not be doing alot of towing with the truck. The heaviest thing I will probably pull will be a 20' bass boat, but that will not be very frequent. I do some off-roading , but nothing serious. Just some 2-tracking and I go into the sand dunes, but not to beat on it. Pretty much just to haul my dirt bike in there.

It seems to have good power...I saw that it is rated @275 hp.

Im also curious if the mpg is that much different between the 4.8 and the 5.3.

trever1t · November 1, 2005

I traded in my 4.8 but not because it was weak! Good strong motor. I pulled a 14' trailer about 2500 lbs and barely felt it. Decent gas economy too.

ENIGMA206 · November 1, 2005

I've owned two trucks with the 4.8. One was a 2000 and the other was a 2002. Both were incredible engines. Never an issue with either. I did a lot of towing of a 3500 pound bay boat without a problem. Both trucks made multiple 21+ hour hunting trips to Missouri and not as much as a sneeze. I have a 5.3 HO now and wish I was still feeding my 4.8.

asilverblazer · November 1, 2005

Sounds like the 4.8L will suit you well.

I-H8-4Ds · November 1, 2005

I would say if you do a lot of heavy towing you should get one of the larger engines, as the 4.8 is not terribly torquey compared to the others on the low end. One thing about the 4.8 though, is that it really takes off in the higher RPMs. Mine goes like crazy above 3,000.

TonyMazz · November 1, 2005

I have a 4.8L tahoe bought new in Jun-05. Very strong motor so far and now I have 10K on it. Smooth, strong, don't tow anything, but glad I am feeding it at 20mpg over the 12-15 since I have to drive 40 miles each way to work/day.

Make sure you get the tranny cooler, and tow package.

November 2, 2005

I've got an '03 with 26k on the clock and not so much as a hiccup. I get about 16 mpg in the city and around 21 on the highway. It's a good engine and does the job every time. I towed a 4000 lb travel trailer for about 200 miles and it did great on flat highway, but struggled a bit in the hills, but not much. I think you'll enjoy it.

Tophe83 · November 2, 2005

Thanks for all of the input guys, it is much appreciated. I think that motor would do me pretty good for what i would be doing. It sounds like it does get a little better mpg than the 5.3....? I have heard that there is not much difference.

I want to give you guys a little more info and tell me if its a good buy.

Its an 02, ext cab, Z71 package, LS with 56k on it. tonneau coverr, tow package, very clean. It has the manual 4wd selector on the floor, not the electronic. I don't know what tranny is in it , unless the other info gives it away.It has had exhaust done to it...Single pipe back to about the rear axle , then split into duals. Still has the cat, but no muffler. It sounds pretty throaty.

But I can get it for 15,300 + tax,title and those goodies.

It needs tires, but Im thinkin i can get them to cover the majority of that, since id pry want the BFG AT's.

Does this sound like a good buy to you all?

GMCMan4.8 · November 2, 2005

Sounds like a fairly good deal to me. Assuming that it drives well & you see no real issues with the truck, I would say go for it & make sure the new tires are thrown in. I'd suspect you'll really like the 4.8L. Plenty of power for what it sounds like you'll be doing. I like mine better than the 5.7L that was in my 96 GMC. (has more HP even!)

kevinz92702 · November 6, 2005

The 4.8 is a damned fine engine. I have a 2001 ECSB Z71 very similar to the one you are describing, and it has no issues getting up and going. I had to pull my friend's 21 Grand Prix back to base tonight with it, and she did it nice and easily...course I was only going abou 20 MPH cuz we were using tow straps and I wanted to be safe. The gas mileage isn't terrible; about 17-19-ish average, but my fuel gaue is screwy so I wouldn't pay attention to my numbers...eventually I'll get that fixed haha. I have a K&N filter and intake and a V FOrce muffler and the truck has lots of power. Does good off-road too. And it is a more revvy engine than the 5.3 and bigger.

Sounds to me like the 4.8 is calling your name!

Kevin

willfxp · November 7, 2005

Hmm, I thought the Z71 package was only available with a 5.3L engine. Something like, you needed the LS trim to get Z71, and the 5.3L was standard on the LS trim?

Possibly check the RPOs to make sure of what you're getting...

srsfunk · November 13, 2005

I pull a tamdem axel, full deck car hauler and a 3400lb car with my 4.8 almost weekly and have no complaints.

jeffster · November 14, 2005

I have a 2000 4.8L and I love it. 86k on the clock now, and no problems with the engine so far. I have a 19' bowrunner that I regularly tow in the summer and it does just fine with that. Probably 3000 pounds or so, plus I usually have the bed stuffed full of camping gear and coolers full of ice. I love that truck.

05Quadrasteer · November 14, 2005

Just to throw in my two cents. The 4.8 is a great engine. My previous truck, 2003 Silverado, had the 4.8. I pulled a 20 foot Bayliner that weighted about 3,000 pounds. Didn't even know that is was back there at times. As for mileage, if I am recalling correctly the 4.8 rating is 16 city 20 highway where at the 5.3 is 15 city 19 highway. Just do as some of the other guys said, make sure you have good tires and that the options match up correctly with the RPO codes.

Have a great truckin day.

Bill