Another New Guy!

[BlownL67]

I joined these forums a few weeks ago because I should be purchasing a Sierra within the next week or so. I'm waiting on my GM Family First code from a friend that works at GM so I can start wheeling and dealing on a truck. Prior to the Sierra, I had my heart set on a Tundra Crewmax Limited, but I soon found out that Toyota dealerships were a royal pain in the ass to work with, and incentives were awful (even for leftover 2007's). I curently own a mildly modded 2000 Grand Prix GTP, and a 1990 Mustang GT 5.0. The GTP is pretty much demodded and ready for trade so I am trying to decide between a 2008 Sierra SLT 6.0 or a 2008 (rare Silver Birch w/18's) Sierra Denali which has been sitting at a friends dealership for quite a while. I've driven both trucks, and the prices prior to the GM discount and rebates is pretty much dead nuts with about 43k being sticker. My only gripe is that the Denali takes premium fuel ?? Through my reading, some say yes, some say no, and on the GM powertrain website, there is an asterisk* which states the 6.2 takes premium fuel. Anyways, enough for now! - Mark

[slimjim2525]

Welcome to the site, it's a great site with a lot of info. I would not sweat the premium fuel thing. If you're an average driver this will equate to around 200 to 300 dollars a year extra. No biggie in my book.

[VMax2007]

The manual may not say so, but the 6.0's should really run 91 Octane too. The fuel mapping is better with higher Octane in the 6.0's due to higher compression and thus performance will be much improved with 91 octane fuel. The engine will not need to retard the spark timing as much which robs power. Every tuner I have spoke with highly recommends 91 octane, even with the stock tune. It won't hurt anything to use 87 octane in the 6.0 or the 6.2, but performance will be decreased moreso than with a lower compression engine.

 

Oh, and it sounds like power/perf is important to you, so plan on getting a tune to remove some/all of the "Nannies" GM puts in these engines. Once tuned, the 6.0 and 6.2 will keep right up with the 5.7 Tundra.

[papapump51]

if you this code you are getting is from a retired GM employee there will be no wheeling an dealing on the truck the price is set for retired GM if thats the disc you are getting - - only on your trade my Grand Ma is retired GM thats how I got my Sierra -

[Daniel T]

If you plan on towing, the Denali with the 6.2 is only rated at 8,600# while the 1500 with the Max trailering package is rated to tow 10,500#

 

for me, I use my truck(burb) for towing big loads, so the Denali is not in the picture until they put some lower gears in the thing.

 

Currently the Denali is only available with 3:42 gears and the 6.2L

 

the Sierra is available with 3:73 or 4:10s, the 4:10s along with the 6L gets you to 10,500.

 

even the 5.3L is rated to tow more than the 6.2L

[BlownL67]

Welcome to the site, it's a great site with a lot of info. I would not sweat the premium fuel thing. If you're an average driver this will equate to around 200 to 300 dollars a year extra. No biggie in my book.

 

I'm pretty much an average driver, but I also like to light it up sometimes too!

 

 

The manual may not say so, but the 6.0's should really run 91 Octane too. The fuel mapping is better with higher Octane in the 6.0's due to higher compression and thus performance will be much improved with 91 octane fuel. The engine will not need to retard the spark timing as much which robs power. Every tuner I have spoke with highly recommends 91 octane, even with the stock tune. It won't hurt anything to use 87 octane in the 6.0 or the 6.2, but performance will be decreased moreso than with a lower compression engine.

 

Oh, and it sounds like power/perf is important to you, so plan on getting a tune to remove some/all of the "Nannies" GM puts in these engines. Once tuned, the 6.0 and 6.2 will keep right up with the 5.7 Tundra.

 

The fuel issue isn't much of a big deal because I've had to use 93 in my GTP since day 1. Eventually I will add a few bolts on's and probably a tune to whichever truck I choose.

Lastly, ever since I joined the forum I fell in love with your truck and actually found an exact duplicate of it up in New Hampshire. Don't hate if I happen to get the same truck as you! Consider it a compliment!

 

 

 

if you this code you are getting is from a retired GM employee there will be no wheeling an dealing on the truck the price is set for retired GM if thats the disc you are getting - - only on your trade my Grand Ma is retired GM thats how I got my Sierra -

 

The employee currently works there.

 

If you plan on towing, the Denali with the 6.2 is only rated at 8,600# while the 1500 with the Max trailering package is rated to tow 10,500#

 

for me, I use my truck(burb) for towing big loads, so the Denali is not in the picture until they put some lower gears in the thing.

 

Currently the Denali is only available with 3:42 gears and the 6.2L

I

the Sierra is available with 3:73 or 4:10s, the 4:10s along with the 6L gets you to 10,500.

 

even the 5.3L is rated to tow more than the 6.2L

 

I am well aware of the gear ratio's and other various combo's. Currently, I don't really have anything to tow around, but I am thinking smaller boat sometime in the near future. If I do get a normal 1500 I will probably be happy with 3:73's since I do primarily driving around town with a little highway mixed in several times a week.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone!

 

P.S. If any in the Western Mass or Northern CT. area needs GM parts at cost, feel free to PM me and I will try to hook you up!

[matello]

welcome. I almost bought a tundra too, but the looks, performance and price were too good on the sierra to pass up. my all-terrain is heads above any tundra.

[BlownL67]

welcome. I almost bought a tundra too, but the looks, performance and price were too good on the sierra to pass up. my all-terrain is heads above any tundra.

 

I had a $45,571 Tundra Limited Crewmax down to $35,500 including my trade, but I was not happy with the numbers seeing that it was it was their last 2007 Tundra on the lot, and they insulted me by offering me peanuts on my GTP to trade in. After that ordeal and dealing with several other places who were equally s**tty I am happy to be going back to GM because I used to work at a Pontiac dealership in the service department, and I still retain all of my discounts and perks in terms of parts and tires at wholesale.

[2000DV4.8]

I'd go with the 6.0 VMAX with the NHT max trailering package. You get the 4.10 rear end with that package, which will be a better for everyday driving around town, more fun, and tow a lot better. The VMAX's also come with the 14 bolt SF real axle (not sure what the Denali's have, I'd imagine it's the same). But the main reason I'd go with the VMAX instead of the Denali is you get selectable 4wd, not full time AWD.

[BlownL67]

I'd go with the 6.0 VMAX with the NHT max trailering package. You get the 4.10 rear end with that package, which will be a better for everyday driving around town, more fun, and tow a lot better. The VMAX's also come with the 14 bolt SF real axle (not sure what the Denali's have, I'd imagine it's the same). But the main reason I'd go with the VMAX instead of the Denali is you get selectable 4wd, not full time AWD.

 

I am leaning more towards the 1500 6.0, as for the gearss, I am not sure what I want.

[VMax2007]

I'd go with the 6.0 VMAX with the NHT max trailering package. You get the 4.10 rear end with that package, which will be a better for everyday driving around town, more fun, and tow a lot better. The VMAX's also come with the 14 bolt SF real axle (not sure what the Denali's have, I'd imagine it's the same). But the main reason I'd go with the VMAX instead of the Denali is you get selectable 4wd, not full time AWD.

 

I am leaning more towards the 1500 6.0, as for the gearss, I am not sure what I want.

 

 

FWIW, I have heard that highway mileage with 4.10's will actually be better (unloaded of course) than the 3.73's due to the AFM. The AFM apparently stays engaged (in 4 mode) more due to the higher RPMs and more available power at a given speed. I cannot verify this, but I can say that mine very rarely sees 4-mode and never above 65 mph. It usually only goes into 4 mode while decelerating or with cruise set to 65 or less and the road is completely flat or downhill. I could see where a few more RPMs would make 4 mode stay engaged more.

 

Either way, my vote is for 4.10's. And I only tow a boat that weighs under 4000 lbs.

[2000DV4.8]

I'd go with the 6.0 VMAX with the NHT max trailering package. You get the 4.10 rear end with that package, which will be a better for everyday driving around town, more fun, and tow a lot better. The VMAX's also come with the 14 bolt SF real axle (not sure what the Denali's have, I'd imagine it's the same). But the main reason I'd go with the VMAX instead of the Denali is you get selectable 4wd, not full time AWD.

 

I am leaning more towards the 1500 6.0, as for the gearss, I am not sure what I want.

 

 

 

I say go with the 4.10s. They'll get you better mileage in town, because you won't have to put your foot into it as much. They'll also get better mileage on the highway, but only if it's an AFM motor. The reason for this is because with the lower gear ratio, while the engine is running higher RPM's, it is under less load, which allows it to de-activate 4 cylinders easier than if it had a higher gear ratio. It seems kind of backwards, but it's the way it works.

 

Not to mention, the 4.10's will be a lot more fun

[7egend]

I like my Denali alot, really hard to beat it, although I would have loved to had some 4.10 Gears under, which if I ever get around to it and I see a set for sell they will definately be installed on my truck.

 

I agree with the selectable 4WD over the AWD, but as far as traction goes you cannot beat the Denali, full acceleration in rain will not cause any wheel spin.

 

Both engines have great power, I imagine that if you are going to mod the engine alot that the 6.0 will be the better choice cause its going to be a larger platform over the 6.2 platform not many people are going to be willing to spend the extra cash for a heated steering wheel and .2Liters extra engine.

 

I run Mid-Grade fuel in my truck with no real notice loss in power, i can still pull away from Hemis and F-150s with no problem at all, so I can't see spending the extra money on the fuel.

 

but a 6.0 with 4.10s and 4WD would probably be the thing to get. especially if you aren't in the market for a Luxury Truck.(Denali)

 

Good Luck on your Purchase!

[Bostonsfavson]

Well I'd vote for the Denali, but I'm a bit biased ;-) They're both great trucks but the luxury/power/work ability combination the Denali offers is hard to beat. The 6.2 is a monster after you get it tuned and it's still a "truck truck." Either way you can't lose. Good luck!

[Dana_15]

P.S. If any in the Western Mass or Northern CT. area needs GM parts at cost, feel free to PM me and I will try to hook you up!

 

 

How about a whole truck, lol! You live one city away from myself (I work in Agawam also). Did you go to Balise Toyota when you looked a Tundra? They are crooks there and have TERRIBLE service. My wife purchased a Limited 4Runner there, we agreed to terms, but after waiting two hours to go over the finances they "messed up" and we "have to" pay $9 more per month, then they wouldn't give me my deposit back right away either, worst Toyota dealer around!

 

Good luck with the Sierra, I'll check it out when you get it.