6.0L vs 5.3HO

[DanMan_S]

Hey everyone

 

Long story short, I've currently got a 2005 5.3HO Z71 Extended Cab Silverado but am going to need to replace it asap. I loved the truck and want to upgrade to a 2006, and was curious about how much of a difference the Vortecmax 6.0L package makes over the 5.3HO. How noticeable is that extra torque and hp? How about when it's equipped with the factory 20's? And if there is one on the dealership lot, is it worth it to take it over another 5.3L truck?

 

I'm mainly interested in getting a Silverado SS as I like the styling, but If I can't find one, I'll probably just get a loaded Z71 extended cab GMC/Chevy Vortecmax.

 

Any advice would be great.

 

(I'd go test drive one for myself right now, but the weather in calgary is....not good to say the least. My driving yesterday was dominated with severe lack of 4 wheel traction, and 4wd drifts everywhere)

[jsbossert]

cant get the max in Z71 package, im pretty sure.

[trever1t]

I'll line up against any stock 6.0 extended cab anyday!

[ProSport Tim]

I'll line up against any stock 6.0 extended cab anyday! 

 

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Ditto!

[5.3almnblk]

The max probably has 15-20hp and about 15tq over you stock but some little mods might get you where you want around the 300rwhp.

[FSTDL]

I think the Vortec Max would eat you alive.

Have driven both and ther is NO comparison at all.

STOCK the Max has 345 hp and 380 tq

Can not get it with the Z71 but the Max package has all the same stuff except for the fender flares and the Max has adjustable shocks.

My Vortec Max with the 4.10 gears flat out hauls!

[bigdogxx]

I think the Vortec Max would eat you alive.

Have driven both and ther is NO comparison at all.

STOCK the Max has 345 hp and 380 tq

Can not get it with the Z71 but the Max package has all the same stuff except for the fender flares and the Max has adjustable shocks.

My Vortec Max with the 4.10 gears flat out hauls!

 

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Yeah hauls straight to the gas station!

[FSTDL]

I get 16.5-17.5 hwy and around 14 mpg around town.

I have had a 5.3 and I get maybe 1 or 2 mpg worst.

I am comming from an 8.1 so mileage seems great to me.Its hard to beleive that with the HO 6.0 available that people are still buying the 5.3, with such a big performance gain.It is a little pricey but with the 14 bolt rear end and 4L70 trans I think its worth it.Plus its fun spanking most any other 1/2 ton truck around

[bigdogxx]

I get 16.5-17.5 hwy and around 14 mpg around town.

I have had a 5.3 and I get maybe 1 or 2 mpg worst.

I am comming from an 8.1 so mileage seems great to me.Its hard to beleive that with the HO 6.0 available that people are still buying the 5.3, with such a big performance gain.It is a little pricey but with the 14 bolt rear end and 4L70 trans I think its worth it.Plus its fun spanking most any other 1/2 ton truck around

 

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Those numbers are a little on the high side imo most everyone i know with the ho6.0 get about 12mpg city and 14-15 highway tops some even go under 10mpg around the city.Sorry but with prices most def going over 3 dollars a gallon again this summer i think i rather take the higher mileage and the 5.3!I get over 15mpg sometimes around town and over 20mpg on the highway, ofcourse im coming from a 4.3 so a 5.3 is plenty enough power for my liking not to mention there a tons of mods i can do if i feel the need for more power.

[ProSport Tim]

Having my 5.3 is great but a 6.0liter w/ an HD 4.10 rearend would be killler! Aside from the gas mileage, it's a far better package. I hate it when you buy a new truck and then the next year they build such a better one....WTF....

[DanMan_S]

I thought you couldn't get Vortec MAX and Z71 as well. But my dealership had a row of crew cab and extended cab Z71 pickups with the VortecMAX decals on em. I might have to go back and check to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

[pm26]

No, the VortecMax and Z71 packages are not offered together. In some ways I wish I had gotten the VortecMax instead of the 5.3 but the mileage hit would be substantial and I did not buy a crew cab 4X4 truck to race on the street. I can barely get 15 MPG combined out of my 5.3 with the 3.73 gears, so I can imagine that VortecMax with 4.10 gears would drop the mileage to about 12MPG combined, and that only for a very non-aggressive driver! Put an aggressive redneck behind the wheel, and they will never see double digit mileage in this truck!

 

BTW, what is the difference between the 4L70 and 4L80 transmission? Is the 4L70 any beefier to handle the extra horsepower and torque?

[MS3DALE]

I thought you couldn't get Vortec MAX and Z71 as well.  But my dealership had a row of crew cab and extended cab Z71 pickups with the VortecMAX decals on em.  I might have to go back and check to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

 

 

 

 

 

You can't get the Z71 pkg. and the "VortecMax" pkg. together,They probably just added the emblems for "eye-appeal" I hate when dealers do things like that!!

[DanMan_S]

I believe the 4L70E is just an extremely beefed up 60E. Doesn't the 80 have a different case, plus it has different gearing. The 60, 65 and 70 have the stump pulling first gear with the big jump to second.

 

Yeah, I was seeing things...Calgary Motor Products had two rows of trucks and alternated them...Z71....VortecMax....Z71.....VortecMax.

 

 

Has anyone gotten a 4x4 VortecMAX with 20's from the dealership? And how different does one of the 4x4 trucks ride without Z71? I've never owned a non Z71 truck before and have gotten used to the firm ride. I don't take it offroading though so I don't need most of the extra stuff attached to it.

 

I like the looks of the 06 Chevy Extended Cabs with 20's and fender flares, but may have to convince the dealer to pull the wheels off of another truck so that I can get them with the 6L.

[FSTDL]

The 20s come on the 2 wd version and not available from the factory for the 4x4.The Vortec Max has ride adjustable shock and if you hit the button its like instant double shocks feeling.It tightens it up way more than any single shock that I have ever felt.If I am driving say a canyon rd pretty fast I will hit the button and it just tightens the snot out of the whole suspension.I beleive it was an option in the past.The Vortec max just has all the good stuff.I just cant beleive I still have never seen another one on the rd.