4.8 Vs 5.3

tbone7213 · February 22, 2008

Assuming I can get rid of my gas hog 2500HD, I am going to buy a new truck. I won't be pulling a lot, other than a john boat and a utility trailer with a couple of rhinos. I am looking at getting a 4wd crew or ext cab, but I can't decide on the motor. Don't know a lot about the 4.8's but I think it will be fine for what I need. Most of the 07's that are left are the 4.8's with 3.42 rear end. I had a guy tell me that I would be better off with the 5.3, but I don't know. What will the MPG difference be, if any? Thanks in advance.

slomo007 · February 22, 2008

Assuming I can get rid of my gas hog 2500HD, I am going to buy a new truck. I won't be pulling a lot, other than a john boat and a utility trailer with a couple of rhinos. I am looking at getting a 4wd crew or ext cab, but I can't decide on the motor. Don't know a lot about the 4.8's but I think it will be fine for what I need. Most of the 07's that are left are the 4.8's with 3.42 rear end. I had a guy tell me that I would be better off with the 5.3, but I don't know. What will the MPG difference be, if any? Thanks in advance.

There's not really a MPG difference due to the AFM (v4/v8 mode) being in the 5.3 but not the 4.8. I'd go with the 5.3. I always believe you should think about the engine you should get, and then get the next one bigger.

chevydriver37 · February 22, 2008

My brother's new Silverado has a 4.8/3:42 configuration, while my Sierra has the 5.3/3:73, both 4x4's. He gets much better gas milage than I do, but had issues pulling our 30' camper, while mine yanks it down the road like it wasn't there.

IMO, if all you're gonna do is pull a few thousand pounds, then maybe the 4.8 is all you need. If you want more get up and go, and no towing worries, then maybe the 5.3 will be better.

I'll tell ya though, I'm spending 80 bucks a week on gas, and only get about 270 miles on a tank. While my brother spends the same, he sees about 330-350. But then again, my throttle is always stuck to the floor, whereas he drives nice and easy.

d3athsong · February 22, 2008

Well the 5.3's are rated for better fuel mileage, but if they actually get it i dont know. A 4.8 should do the trick for you, but a 5.3 would be a little nicer on hills with those trailers.

ws6_guy · February 22, 2008

we are in the same boat, I'm going to be downgrading my 6.0 3/4 ton for a 5.3 1/2 ton to save get atleast 50 miles more a tank. I say 5.3, the 4.8 & 5.3 get about the same economy in the same model truck, so get the 5.3 which has more torque & horsepower

hgl800 · February 22, 2008

Go with the 5.3 for sure, you will like it a lot better. especially if its a 4.8 with 3.42's.

My roommate has an 07 with the 4.8 and 3.73's and when he pulls his 2700pound boat it works pretty hard.

He used my 05 with the 5.3 and 3.73's and said it was so much nicer.

Plus i get better mileage with mine whether im loaded or not.

Another thing with the nbs 5.3's, you have to drive pretty nice to get them to actually kick into v4, and if your drivin into the wind you can forget about it kickin in.

just my 2 cents tho.

VMax2007 · February 22, 2008

NEITHER!!! Get the 6.0!!! Who cares about 1-2 MPG in a gas hog that only gets 13-14 mpg anyway? How much does it really add up to annually? 6.0 is a far better motor (6 bolt mains, VVT, etc) and includes an ext engine oil cooler, HD tranny with ext cooling, HD rear end, and 4 wheel disc brakes (Unless you do not get Stabilitrak). Which do YOU think will last longer and hold it's value better?

Just my .02

ws6_guy · February 22, 2008

NEITHER!!! Get the 6.0!!! Who cares about 1-2 MPG in a gas hog that only gets 13-14 mpg anyway? How much does it really add up to annually? 6.0 is a far better motor (6 bolt mains, VVT, etc) and includes an ext engine oil cooler, HD tranny with ext cooling, HD rear end, and 4 wheel disc brakes (Unless you do not get Stabilitrak). Which do YOU think will last longer and hold it's value better?

Just my .02

thats true, but figure it this way, a 2mpg difference does stand out, my 6.0L does 12.6, say a 5.3 does 14.6, I get 327.6 a tank ( 26 gal ) and the 5.3 has the same thing, it can get 379.6 a tank. thats a 52 mile difference.

VMax2007 · February 22, 2008

NEITHER!!! Get the 6.0!!! Who cares about 1-2 MPG in a gas hog that only gets 13-14 mpg anyway? How much does it really add up to annually? 6.0 is a far better motor (6 bolt mains, VVT, etc) and includes an ext engine oil cooler, HD tranny with ext cooling, HD rear end, and 4 wheel disc brakes (Unless you do not get Stabilitrak). Which do YOU think will last longer and hold it's value better?

Just my .02

thats true, but figure it this way, a 2mpg difference does stand out, my 6.0L does 12.6, say a 5.3 does 14.6, I get 327.6 a tank ( 26 gal ) and the 5.3 has the same thing, it can get 379.6 a tank. thats a 52 mile difference.

I guess it depends how many miles you drive per year. I only drive about 10-11K miles/yr so it really aint a big deal to me.

Oh, and the 2MPG difference is between the 6.0 and 4.8. There is only about 1 mpg between the 6.0 and the 5.3 (according to the EPA estimates).

I get about 13.5 with my 6.0 with 90% city/rush hour driving. I could get better (I have) but I love to enjoy my power too much, espacially now with the tune. I was getting 14+ last summer.

slomo007 · February 22, 2008

NEITHER!!! Get the 6.0!!! Who cares about 1-2 MPG in a gas hog that only gets 13-14 mpg anyway? How much does it really add up to annually? 6.0 is a far better motor (6 bolt mains, VVT, etc) and includes an ext engine oil cooler, HD tranny with ext cooling, HD rear end, and 4 wheel disc brakes (Unless you do not get Stabilitrak). Which do YOU think will last longer and hold it's value better?

Just my .02

thats true, but figure it this way, a 2mpg difference does stand out, my 6.0L does 12.6, say a 5.3 does 14.6, I get 327.6 a tank ( 26 gal ) and the 5.3 has the same thing, it can get 379.6 a tank. thats a 52 mile difference.

I guess it depends how many miles you drive per year. I only drive about 10-11K miles/yr so it really aint a big deal to me.

Oh, and the 2MPG difference is between the 6.0 and 4.8. There is only about 1 mpg between the 6.0 and the 5.3 (according to the EPA estimates).

I get about 13.5 with my 6.0 with 90% city/rush hour driving. I could get better (I have) but I love to enjoy my power too much, espacially now with the tune. I was getting 14+ last summer.

I get about 16.5 with 90% city (DFW - yuck!) driving w/ the 5.3. Granted mine is 4x2 and yours is 4x4. Still, that's a sizable MPG difference and you're right that it depends on how much you drive and/or how thick your wallet is....but mileage should not just be overlooked when weighing the 5.3 vs 6.0. I would not consider the 4.8 though, I just don't see a benefit.

strafingmoose · February 22, 2008

NEITHER!!! Get the 6.0!!! Who cares about 1-2 MPG in a gas hog that only gets 13-14 mpg anyway? How much does it really add up to annually? 6.0 is a far better motor (6 bolt mains, VVT, etc) and includes an ext engine oil cooler, HD tranny with ext cooling, HD rear end, and 4 wheel disc brakes (Unless you do not get Stabilitrak). Which do YOU think will last longer and hold it's value better?

Just my .02

thats true, but figure it this way, a 2mpg difference does stand out, my 6.0L does 12.6, say a 5.3 does 14.6, I get 327.6 a tank ( 26 gal ) and the 5.3 has the same thing, it can get 379.6 a tank. thats a 52 mile difference.

That said, how big is that tank exactly ? 26 or 36 gallons ? Say, on a Sierra C1500 2003.

unit731 · February 22, 2008

I got the 4.8 and love it.

But to do over again, I'd get the 5.3. I've never driven a 5.3 so it's just a guess. It does cost more.

I like what was said above. Look at the engine you want, then get the next bigger one. Wise advice.

Although, I tow nothing. I drive slow. But going up hills - here in mountain and hill country - it does downshift a lot.

Zembonez · February 22, 2008

VERY happy with the 4.8 in my RCSB 2WD truck - BUT - I wouldn't even consider anything less than the 5.3 in a Crew or Excab 4x4 truck. The 4.8 is excellent in the lighter trucks... even a Crew or Excab 2WD might be fine, but the heavier truck willl leave you wanting more engine... In my opinion.

JoshRDavis.84 · February 22, 2008

I had a 2001 C2500 with the 6.0 and loved the power. I now have 2006 4x4 4.8 3.42. I definately miss the power fuel mileage is ok. I do 50/50 city/highway and in warm weather get about 300 miles on half tank (34 gallon tank) 17/18 gallons. I always fill up on half. This winter Im down to about 250-270 mileage wise. I am also pretty easy on the pedal when I am the only one around which is somewhat often. If I were you I would go big, but its your wallet.

Volucris · February 22, 2008

I have the 4.8 in a 4WD crew, 3:73 rear end. It works fine. Up hill and up wind at 80 mph and it pulled it in 4th gear just fine. I have found I get better mileage if I kick it down to 3rd manually though.

I got the 4.8 because it was a great deal, probably because no one wants them. If the 5.3 and the 4.8 were the same price, or close, I'd get the 5.3.