New Truck ?

[gotcha]

Well I am looking at buying a new truck 09 silverado Reg Cab 4x4 SB Auto WT only concerning issue is the 4.3L motor will The gas mileage be any better then my 02 LS silverado with 5.3 same configuration body and chasis.Any one have the 4.3 in there new trucks what is thoughts and impressions.Had a 4.3 in a S10 ZR2 with no complaints. But it did not have the giddyup as my 5.3Carl

[Zembonez]

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

[gotcha]

Well the motor is the only hang up

My 5.3 is getting upwards of 18+ I was at a 19.5, 20 but the 10% ethanol thing kicked in this area of NC and mileage is down I am afraid that the giddyup will not be there

I have not driven it yet and am afraid to May be I will sink the few bucks in to my 02

and not let the new truck bug bite

carl

[tobias]

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

 

+1

[VMax2007]

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

 

+1

 

 

 

+6.2

[hockeypro1411]

my old man has the 4.3 in his 07 extended cab and its not a bad motor. after about 15k miles he saw an improvement in gas mileage and now gets around 21 with the 3.23 rear end too.

[Zembonez]

my old man has the 4.3 in his 07 extended cab and its not a bad motor. after about 15k miles he saw an improvement in gas mileage and now gets around 21 with the 3.23 rear end too.

Yeah. Not knocking the 4.3. It's a very good long lasting engine. It just doesn't hang power wise. Especially in the 4x4 he wants.

[thecraft]

 

 

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

Not sure if this is true, but I've been told that the 4.3L V6 puts out more low-end torque than the 4.8L V8.

[NFSGamerUSA]

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

Not sure if this is true, but I've been told that the 4.3L V6 puts out more low-end torque than the 4.8L V8.

 

 

 

 

Most definitely. The 4.3L hits peak power 1000 RPM lower and peak torque 2000 RPM lower than the 4.8L. The 4.8L has higher peak power and torque, but it doesn't help much when its so much higher in the RPM range than what you'd hit under normal use. A little more on topic, according to Chevrolet's website, the 4.3L, 4.8L, and 5.3L all get the same mileage (with 4WD), except the 5.3L actually gets 1 mpg better than the former two on the highway. Therefore, unless you want a pure work engine, there's no reason to get the 4.3L over the 5.3L in my opinion.

[2000DV4.8]

I'd go for the 4.8 V8. Almost 100 more HP than the 4.3 and about the same fuel economy... and it's only something like 440 bucks differnce at invoice. Worth every red cent.

Not sure if this is true, but I've been told that the 4.3L V6 puts out more low-end torque than the 4.8L V8.

 

 

 

 

It's peak torque might be at a lower RPM, but it certainly doesn't have more torque.

[superjim]

I have had FOUR 4.3's since '99. I put about 60,000 + a year on them. I am driving a 2006 4.3 now, with almost 50,000 on it. Never had a minutes trouble out of the any of the engines. One of them had almost 200,000 miles when it burned up when my garage caught on fire. It had never had a wrench on the motor.

[csheatz]

I had the 4.3 in a 01 2 door blazer 4x4 I had, I loved that truck, it would go anywhere got 24mpg on the highway and when i traded it in for the silverado it had 90K plus, never had a issue! I still say that truck had more grunt then my current truck in 4 wheel low, it felt like it wanted to climb a tree! Non the less towing, well it was not a V8! 2 more cylinders make all the difference. I have nothing to say bad about a 4.3 just depends on what you plan to use the truck for. I had for a while wanted to find a reg cab sport side 4x4 with the 4.3. Best compairson i can give is in 2001 when I bought my blazer, a uncle bought a 4x4 ext cab sonoma, and grandpa bought a sonoma ext cab 2 wheel low rider thing! ( GMC version of the chevy xtream), all with the 4.3. The 4x4 is coming up on 300,000 miles and no issues that i know of! the 2 wheel has been sold but that thing would lay down rubber like you would not believe.I just depends how you plan to use the truck!

[Nick The Great]

My old truck had the 4.3L engine. It was a 99 Silverado, 2WD, Regular Cab, Short Box. I drove it all throughout college and just got rid of it in March 2008 (had it since June of 2002). It was a great little truck and it served me well. It had a decent amout of power and even towed much better than you'd guess. Mileage was high teens, but that was city driving and HIGH speed interstate. My new truck is a 2007 Silvy, 4WD, Crew Cab, Short Box with the 5.3L engine. It is a much larger truck and coupled with the 4WD and extra lbs of truck weight, gets low to mid teens mileage. I think my 5.3L would smoke my old truck in a 1/4 mile, especially if (when? ) I get the tune. If I was doing a lot of towing or hauling, I'd want a V8. But if is more or less a commuter, the 4.3 is probably fine. Good luck

[Neutron]

The 4.3L V6 is my favorite of all Chevy engines. My 2007 Classic had it. My 2007 NBS has the 5.3L. While I like the 5.3, I miss the 4.3.

[GMCrazy777]

i have the 4.3 in my truck and at first i was pissed for buying a v6 over a v8 until i put some miles on it. it tows just as good as my 97 with the vortec 350 in it and if i fill up i can get acout 380 miles on a full tank a little more if on the interstate. it really does have plenty of power unless u have plans of street racing or whatever. i think it will do fine offroad my buddy had one in his 92 in high school and never had a problem in the mud or dirt when he went 4 wheelin. i think its a good motor all around unless u towed damn back hoes or somethin then i would get the v8.