4.3l V-6 Buyer's Remorse

[DeppvomDienst]

Hi:

 

I am new to the website but did lurk a bit before posting. Just found out about the site a few weeks ago.

 

After years of always buying used vehicles, I finally managed my first new truck in my mid 40's and have regretted it ever since. It is a 2006 GMC 1500 2WD work truck with the 4.3L V-6. What I really wanted was this same truck (stripped out work truck) but with the 5.3L flex-fuel capable engine. The dealer told me that such a truck did not exist so, like a dumba**, I believed him. Then after buying this truck that is in my opinion, vastly underpowered, I discover that I could have easily got the truck that I really wanted and for not that much more money.

 

In the meantime, several questions arose with regard to the construction and servicing of the truck and basically I got no satisfaction from the dealer and from GM itself. I even got burned on the price as I paid 16K new for it. (They may have made a quick sale but they have alienated a lifelong GM customer.) Everytime I ask somebody about the possibility of an engine (5.3L) swap on this truck, they say not to bother and that you are better off selling it and taking the hit on price and buying what you want. The only thing I hear that makes me feel a little bit better is that supposedly the 4.3L has a bullet-proof reputation for being both reliable and long-lived. What have you all heard on this subject if anything? It only gets 20 mpg with a real light foot on the pedal so I don't think I am saving a lot money on gas over the 5.3L.

 

In summary, I hate the truck (in no small measure because of being cheated by the dealer) but it looks like I am stuck with it from a financial angle. (I should have kept driving my 1974 Chevy C-10 with the 350 in it: Thank God I did not sell that at least.) Any constructive advice you guys can offer is much appreciated. Thanks, Depp

[2000DV4.8]

Everytime I ask somebody about the possibility of an engine (5.3L) swap on this truck, they say not to bother and that you are better off selling it and taking the hit on price and buying what you want.

 

 

I'm going to have to agree there. The time and effort (and not to mention money) it would take to do the swap just wouldn't be worth it.

[98silvz71]

Those 4.3L have been virtually unchanged from the first Vortec year (1996). The still have a distributor where even the new 07-08s as I'm told also kept the distributor, while everything is reluctor ring now. I would agree with Dan and say the money is not worth it to get the 5.3L. My 98 350 was reliable as could be, fired with no problems and had 144,000 on the clock when I sold it. It could have gone way longer. If all you are mad is about the power of the V6 and not the with the actual truck itself then its only a small thing to worry about.

[huero626]

Never trust what sales people tell you. They just say what ever it takes to sell a car. Check it out online and make sure if an option is really available on the truck you want. IMO sell the truck and get one the way u want it, it will be too much to swap out for a 5.3L and put it in the truck.

[need-for-speed]

Add me to the list - you do not want to swap motors. It would be more cost effective to sell it and buy a 5.3L equipped truck. If you were to sell and buy a used - 2006 model, the hit may not be as bad as buying new. Swapping motors is not the same as it used to be. Sometimes components such as the transmission and rear end are not the same. Although a 5.3L might bolt up - that tranny and rear end may not be rated for the TQ. Then there's the front coils springs, the computer, exhaust manifolds, and all the plumbing that may not match up. The V6 radiator may be smaller. This is just what comes to mind. There's more. It would be financially foolish to attempt it. It can be done, but you'll spend 3 times as much as if you just swap vehicles, and you'll take it in the ass if you ever sell it.

 

You made the mistake of belieiving a cocks _ _ cking lier of a salesman, and I would go back and tell him so.

 

You have now learned your lesson. Before you buy a new vehicle, join an internet BB and educate yourself. I learned the hard way on my first (2000 model) Corvette. Before I bought my second one, I joined a BB and learned everything there was to know about it and know more than most salesman. It is for that reason that I joined this bulletin board - I plan to buy a new truck and am in the process of learing all about it.

[Forsaken_id]

Never trust what sales people tell you. They just say what ever it takes to sell a car.

 

Not only that, most don't have a clue what they are selling.

 

Ex: I was looking at a used 2006 TBSS and as usual a saleman teleports in and tries to tell me about the motor. He said it was a 5.3l, not the 6.0 LS2 that was in it and had to call a sales manager when I corrected him. . .this was the first of about a dozen mistakes or "I don't knows" through the day.

 

It doesn't help now, of course, but internet research and possibly talking to one of the service guys at a dealership goes a long way.

 

I also agree that selling it and getting a different one is the best choice.

 

--Rome

[therealdeal770]

You could always supercharge it.Youd probaly have about the same power as a 5.3 then.

[Wingnut]

Never trust what sales people tell you. They just say what ever it takes to sell a car.

 

Not only that, most don't have a clue what they are selling.

 

Ex: I was looking at a used 2006 TBSS and as usual a saleman teleports in and tries to tell me about the motor. He said it was a 5.3l, not the 6.0 LS2 that was in it and had to call a sales manager when I corrected him. . .this was the first of about a dozen mistakes or "I don't knows" through the day.

 

It doesn't help now, of course, but internet research and possibly talking to one of the service guys at a dealership goes a long way.

 

I also agree that selling it and getting a different one is the best choice.

 

--Rome

 

 

lol...Want to buy my TBSS? I promise...I know more about it than your salesman

[Woodcutter]

It only gets 20 mpg with a real light foot on the pedal so I don't think I am saving a lot money on gas over the 5.3L.

 

You're saving 3-4 MPG over my 5.3 extended cab 4x4 truck. That's a pretty big difference to me.

[Ranger]

Those 4.3s are a lot tougher than they sound, I have a buddy with a 4.3L 2500 (pre-Vortec, but TBI) and you wouldn't even guess it wasn't a V8 cause he'd pull some big crap, seen him pull a motor home once that was like 26 foot easy.

[slimjim2525]

The 4.3l is a bullet proof engine. My buddy has one in his truck, and it 344,000 miles on it. The 5.3 is also bullet proof. To me, get what you want, that way you don't have any regrets.

[Wingnut]

Not sure where you guys are getting that it'll be really pricey to swap in a 5.3...I've priced it out at under 2 grand (with a used engine/tranny that comes with a harness).

[superjim]

I am on my THIRD 4.3. I drive a van for work.

 

The first one I had, I put 220,000 miles on it. Still running strong when I sold it. Used no oil.

 

The second one had almost 230,000 on it when it burned when my garage caught on fire.

 

I am on my third one now. Almost 40,000 on it.

 

Thats over a HALF MILLION miles and I have had ZERO engine or tranny problems from any of them.

 

They are very reliable. If a little underpowered.

 

I get around 18 MPG from mine.

[Nick The Great]

WEll we can't change how you feel about your truck. It sucks you got cheated.

 

But I really loved my 99 RCSB 1500 2WD, with the 4.3 It was a very good engine. It did seem to have the cold start knock, or what ever you call it. Maybe it's different with my short box, but that truck had pretty decent power. The first summer I had it, I had a job that required pulling a trailer daily. I had exactly 5000 lbs (no more than GM recommmends ) in it and it pulled very well.

 

That being said, my 2007 Crew 4WD with the 5.3 will throw you back in the seat a lot harder. I haven't towed with it yet, but I can guarantee it will tow more, and easier. The main thing I like better is the 3.73 rear end vs. the 3.42s. I can tell a difference on hills, and mileage

 

I think the 4.3 is good enough for 90% of us, 90% of the time. But I understand you wanted the 5.3, so it might be better to look at getting a new one. The new body style trucks are very nice . . .

[need-for-speed]

Not sure where you guys are getting that it'll be really pricey to swap in a 5.3...I've priced it out at under 2 grand (with a used engine/tranny that comes with a harness).

 

What did that $2,000 include ?