This is what test drives do to a guy

[Jpshostr]

Up til now I've been looking for a '96-2000 K2500HD with the Vortec 5.7L like my dads which would serve my purposes quite well.  Well I test drove a 2000 Silverado K2500 with the 6.0L and now that is what I want.  Had better pickup and seemed a bit smoother.  Trouble is that the trucks with the 6.0L are even harder to find than ones with 5.7L.  The dealer told me the 6.0L would not get the same mileage that a 5.7L would get, but I've heard both sides of that.  Which is it?  I know I asked this a couple months ago, but for those who have them, are you happy with your 6.0L?  I don't want a big block and can't afford a diesel, so the small blocks are what I'm looking at.

[wolfie]

I had an 89 2500 and I got between 11.5 and 13 mpg. (the 13 was very rare) My new 6.0 has more power and so far I've been getting between 11.5 and 13.5 mpg. The 89 had 3.73 gears and a 3 speed automatic and the new one has the 4.10 and the 4 speed automatic. All in all I think it's a great truck and if the weather man has any clue as to what he's talking about I may just get a chance to try out the new plow in the morning!!

[Shaners]

JP,

 

The best tank of MPG's was 13.9 but I'm only using a tank of fuel every 3 weeks or so, therefore I'm a bad example.  Normally I get about 10-11 mpg's from stop sign to stop light in my major 1.7 mile commute to and from work.  (I have 4.10 gears also)

 

I love my 6.0L and haven't been plagued by any engine noise, but I do have some hesitation/stumble around 1500 rpm.

 

If you don't buy an HD, then the 3.73 gears should be available in the 2500 series.  I think this would add 1-2 mpg's on the highway, and still give you plenty of power.

[Jpshostr]

I'm not looking at the 2500HD platforms, rather the 2500s based on the light duty chassis and outfitted in HD form with the 8 lug axles and such.  For gears I'd rather have the 4.10s, but 3.73s would be OK.  Since I'm interested in these trucks now I'll most likely end up an ext. cab short bed which would be fine.

[doverarjim]

Jp, I have a 99 with 6.0 and 3.73's since I bought it in July 2000 with 16,000 miles on it this is what it has done for me.

Total miles 18,487.2

Gallons Gas 1264.1

Cost      $1716.97

Average MPG 14.62

Hours 899.58

Hours per tank 10.19

MPH 34.15

Gallons Per Hour 2.11

Cost per Mile Gas $0.0992

Best MPG 16.9

Worst MPG 10.9

Would I buy this again? Hell yes in a heart beat!!!  I have always liked big blocks and been stuck with small blocks my last truck had a 5.7 in it and it would not get more that 11.0 even if it ran down hill for a month.

[Jpshostr]

If I could get results like you dovararjim I would be thrilled.  Hearing that just makes me want to get the 6.0 over the 5.7 even more.

[doverarjim]

Even with the higher price of gas now than when I had my last truck this one is cheaper.  And I don't take it easy on it 10 miles each way to work with 6 stop lights and 7 miles of it is 2 lane road so I go from 30MPH to 75 MPH about 15 times going to work every day.  And when I am going some where on the Interstate not much will pass me I like to set the cruise at about 78 or so and let it rip.  I also pull a 16 ft. bumper pull stock trailer around some times.  My kids show Market Hogs and we make some open shows.

[pennscapes]

hello,

 

I have 27,000 on my 2001 hd with 6.0.  I don't keep track anymore, but mileage seems to be right around the 11 to 12 mark.  

 

Pulling a trailer, I'm not exactly sure.  Never have left the trailer on during a whole tank of gas, so can't really figure it.  However, if I had to take a guess, I would say around 8 mpg pulling a 7k pound enclosed trailer.

 

I have to say one thing.  From what I am hearing the 8.1L mpg is sooooo close to the 6.0.  If I could do it again, I would not mess with the 6.0 and go with the big block and allison transmission.  

 

Personally, I am not happy with the 6.0.  The engine noise is worsening everyday.  This crap about the noise "not being a concern to engine longevity" is really getting tiring.  

 

I drive a lot of highway miles.  about 25% of those are with a trailer behind it.

[Kansas Kid]

After my first of many test drives of the Vortec 6.0 I thought it was a more then adequate replacement in the 3/4 and up trucks for the Vortec 5.7  It had much more top end power and seemed to have the same amount of lower end grunt.  I've heard people complain about the Vortec 6.0 getting poor gas mileage, but I never heard of a 5.7 getting good gas mileage in a heavy pickup either.  I certainly can't see nothing wrong with the improvement in power with the same mileage.

 

But, I would absolutely try to find 4.10 gears if you can.  I've seen them just resulting in a small decrease in economy, but you will need them when towing.  Other then that I don't think you can go wrong with the Silverado over the previous generation trucks.  I'd have one if I could afford it right now.  LOL

[leathal02]

Even with the higher price of gas now than when I had my last truck this one is cheaper.

higher prices of gas?!?!?! gas has been @ $.89 for almost 2 weeks here in Texas, I haven't seen it this low in, well forever, seeing that I am not that old

 

Jon

[CMNT81]

How are you going to use this truck?

 

If it's for personal use with light towing/hauling applications, I'd go with the 6.0L due to it's higher power band for both HP and torque.

 

If you plan on doing more heavy towing, I'd actually go back to the 5.7.  Reason being that although the 5.7 make overall less torque, it makes it at a much lower point in the RPM range which is more condusive to towing.  I think the vortec 5700 reaches peak torque at 2,800rpm vs. the Vortec 6000 which makes it's peak in the 4,000 range.

 

As to fuel economy I think they'll be even, the 5.7's head design is very efficient (which is why hot rodders are snapping up Vortec heads left and right) and due to the slightly smaller displacement, it gets decent fuel economy.  the 6000, despite being larger has even MORE efficient Vortec heads, which make up for the size increase.

 

Until I got my Vortec 8100, I used my 97 Tahoe LT 4x4 with the Vortec 5700 to pull my Camaro or a friends Chevelle to the dragstrip frequently as well as pulling my 66 Pontiac Catalina.  Fully loaded, I'd be pulling upwards of 6,000+lbs (Pontiac = 4,500lbs, trailer = 1,500lbs + three people and all our tools).

 

So it was no slouch.

[BDBWTE]

Fortunately I've owned both truck setups and I can be somewhat of an assistance.  My 1996 3/4 ton Chevy with 5.7 5spd and 4.10's got right around 13mpg on average.  Now the 2500HD with 6.0L, 5spd, and 4.10's is getting around 13.5-14mpg.  And it gets better the more miles I put on it.  Not to mention in my opinion that the 6.0L pulls better than the 5.7 which was a bullet prooft engine and I don't want GM to ever quite making her.  And I'm pissed that Dodge is trying to use a GM displacement for their Hemi but anyway.