Question on New Chevy Motors all of you mechanics
Looking at getting a New Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 package extended cab. Im looking at the two different motors the 4.8 and 5.3. I seethere is a 20hp difference and a little bit in Torque. For right now I have nothing to tow, so the smaller one makes sense. But lets say i look into towing a boat or trailer thats 25-30' would those two motors make a big difference? Just any thoughts on those motors and packages
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Same mileage from both.I have a 5.3 and it's got plenty of scoot.There is no substitute for Cubic inchs and if you chip,and exhaust it she'll really come around[8D] 0 -
Not a mechanic but from pratical experence will tell you this. My son has a 2003 K1500 with the 4.8 engine and I have a K1500 with the 5.3 engine. Both pickups are set up nearly identical. I added plow rigging and a plow to mine so even without the plow I'm a bit heavier. I get 2 miles per gal more than he does and I drive faster when on the interstate. The 4.8 seems to be working when the 5.3 is just idling. Additionally you can feel a big difference in power especially on the hills. I would recommend the 5.3 engine. 0 -
First of all, glad you are choosing a chevy[:D]
Second, bigger is always better in my opinion. Go ahead and spend the extra bucks and get the 5.3. It's always there if you need it.0 -
I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado extended cab with the 4.8lr engine. I, on occasion, pull a 16ft. car trailer loaded all the way down with no problems.
My gas milage seems to run an average of between 17-19mpg. I don't drive extremely conservative, most NOT on highway.
I have nothing to compare it to, but if it's true like others said and the 5.3 will get the same milage then I can't see any reason not to get it. If there is a big difference in price between the two and you won't be hauling often then you'll have no problems with the 4.8, even when you tow occasionally.
I was actually quite suprised at how peppy the little motor is in such a heavy truck when I first got it. No trouble keeping up with traffic thats for sure. But again, if everything is equal, then go with the bigger.[8D]
Ben0 -
Bigger is better. 0 -
for all possible combinations the 4.8 seems to cost me a few K less. And right now that matters. For the next 2-3 years i dont see my self towing anything of importance. First thing may be a boat that would be anywhere from 15-30 feet. So i dont know 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nards444
for all possible combinations the 4.8 seems to cost me a few K less. And right now that matters. For the next 2-3 years i dont see my self towing anything of importance. First thing may be a boat that would be anywhere from 15-30 feet. So i dont know
It would pull a boat that size with no problems.
Ben0 -
Here are the towing specs for both:
http://www.chevrolet.com/silveradoclassic/specifications/
Personally I would get the 5.3, the resale is much better and it is a great engine. My 4x4 2001 Suburban has the 5.3 and I have towed a 16 foot enclosed trailer, packed full with stuff including a large gun safe and my motorcycle, across country twice. It just hummed along at highway speeds all day long.0 -
My 2003 extended cab Silverado that I bought new in 2003 still has less than 25,000 miles on it and it has a 4.8 Vortec in it and it's got plenty of power for the trailers I've pulled with it. I personally couldn't see paying several thousand dollars more for just .5 of a liter when I bought mine. What ever turns your crank if you think .5 liter is going to make a difference for you then go for it.
Smitty0 -
What is a 460 - 7.5 liters ??
It tows pretty good.
Doug0 -
Looks like you better have a 3:73 or 4:11 rear gear or you aren't going to tow very much with a 1/2 ton truck. I imagine that gearing would only come with the trailering package. Heavier duty suspension. But with those rear gears expect way less fuel mileage.
http://www.chevrolet.com/trailering/Chevy_Trailing_Guide_Catalog.pdf0 -
Get the 5.3 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dano
I have a 2002 CC / 1500HD with the 6.0L gas engine in it.
The engine, as far as power goes, is moderate at best. In other words....it's nuthin to brag about. [V]
Put an aftermarket muffler and tailpipe on your truck..trust me..best $300 you will ever spend.0 -
I would go with the bigger engine. I've towed with both engines. I thought the 5.3 had a little more in the lower mid range and upper power range. I've towed around 3 tons with the 4.8 and it had trouble in the hills of Kentucky with over heating.
You stated you may be pulling a 15 to 30 foot boat. That's vague at best. This could be anything from a 15 foot v-bottom with a 25 hp Johnson to a 30 Foot cabin cruiser or to put it another way it could be anything from less than a half ton to over 7 tons.
I also depends on the roads you'll be towing on. Hill vs. flat ground makes a differance. On hills you may want the bigger motor and get one with a trans coolers for sure.
Don't let anyone tell you that a half ton will pull a 30 footer. Maybe a sport boat on flat ground, but a cabin cruiser no. Most 30 sport boats will be 3 to 4 tons dry weight. Cabin cruisers will be over 6 dry weight.
These are a few things you might want to keep in mind when you buy the truck. I would go with the bigger motor. If you get the larger boat trade the truck in for a 3/4 ton. Make sure you get one with a trans cooler for sure. Also get one that's set up for a brake controler. Most boat trailers will have surge brakes, but it's nice to have the brake controller for other trailers you may haul.
Traci0 -
Have had a Surburban and a Silverado ExtdCab Shortbed, all 2 wheel drive in the past 5 uears.
On the 5.3L, the best gas mileage was 21mpg driving at 65-70mph.
In town it would get 16-17mpg.
Now own a 2007 F150Ford Lariet Super Crewcab with a 5.4, 2 wheel drive, 4door,short bed.
That Ford, I dont care what you do it gets 14.2mpg!!!!
Top speed on the Ford is also limited to 89mph, due to a electonic govner.
IMHO, The Chevy drivetrain is a better than Ford.
Get the 5.4L, you will be happier.0 -
The boat I would be looking at would be a ski/speed boat.cigarette boat, no cabin cruisers here. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nards444
The boat I would be looking at would be a ski/speed boat.cigarette boat, no cabin cruisers here.
With the truck always go bigger. It's better to have too big a truck on a smaller boat than vice/versa.
I've been around boats all my life and there can always be a big differance in weight even with the same size boat. I know of an 18 footer with a dry weight of 2100 and another 18 of 3000. By the time you load the 3000 pound with fuel and equiment and put it on a trailer it can easily go over 2 tons.
30 foot Cigarettes can can go over 5 tons on a trailer loaded with fuel and equiment. When you look at a boat and find out the dry weight don't forget to figure up the trailer, fuel, water, equiment, etc.
If you use this truck for boating a 4 wheel drive is a must. It will make you life alot easier on the boat ramps which can get wet and slick.0 -
Oh and if you want the fastest boat on the lake you have to get a Cat. Douglas skater, Hustler, Mti, Warlock, Eliminator, are a few good ones. They are bad azz. 0 -
I will never forget selling our 36' fifth wheel camper. I had it sitting in the sideyard of a rental property cause it was to big to put in the driveway when we lived in town. Guy comes over with his wife to look at it... Will buy it and has the cash. I ask him what he was going to pull it with?? ( He had a brand new 1/2 ton Chevy shortbed 2 wheel drive 6 cylinder) He says his truck..and he was going from SC to Texas. I told him I didn't want to hurt his feelings but he either had to get a bigger truck or a smaller camper. His truck would not do it. I showed him the tow capacity out of his owners manual. He got upset and said the Salesman told him it would pull anything...[:D][:D] 0 -
5.3 is a good motor nothing like the 5.7 however. I never cared for a chevy but i know enough about them to say if you are not going to tow anything the 4.8 will do just fine. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
5.3 is a good motor nothing like the 5.7 however. I never cared for a chevy but i know enough about them to say if you are not going to tow anything the 4.8 will do just fine.
The 5.3L Vortec is much better than the old model 5.7L. The Vortec has more power and torque and gets better gas mileage and has longer life. I had a 1998 Tahoe with the 5.7L engine and it was a gas hog and underpowered. My 2001 5.3L Suburban is more powerful and gets better gas mileage. Now, if you were talking about the original 350ci, not the 5.7L, that is different.0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
5.3 is a good motor nothing like the 5.7 however. I never cared for a chevy but i know enough about them to say if you are not going to tow anything the 4.8 will do just fine.
The 5.3L Vortec is much better than the old model 5.7L. The Vortec has more power and torque and gets better gas mileage and has longer life. I had a 1998 Tahoe with the 5.7L engine and it was a gas hog and underpowered. My 2001 5.3L Suburban is more powerful and gets better gas mileage. Now, if you were talking about the original 350ci, not the 5.7L, that is different.
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The newer motors are much better. A friend of mine and I were towing almost the same weight up a very long hill. He had an older Surburban with the 5.7 and I had the a Z-71 with the 4.8. Long before we got to the top of the hill it was like his Surburban hit a wall and I past him like he was standing still.0 -
I own two extended cab, half ton pickups. Both in the driveway right now, and the older one has a 5.7, the newer a 5.3. I considered selling the old one, but after making a trip to Arkansas with the newer one loaded, pulling a small utility trailer, I think I will keep the old one around for hauling trailers/loads. There is no comparison to the two trucks when it comes to pulling a load, and there is no way I would even consider hooking the newer one to a trailer with my tractor on it, but have done it with the older one.
Yes, the newer one has just as much "pep" as the older one, but it is done with downshifting and higher rpm's versus the old one just having the guts to pull it without downshifting.
As far as the gas milage goes, they are very close to each other, with the newer one winning out by a small margin.
I will probably keep the 5.7 unless a friend sells me his, which has the 454 in it, and 3/4 ton 4x4. He says that truck only gets 10 miles to the gallon, but when you hook up to a 7K tractor, your not really concerned about the fuel milage, as much as being able to make it over that next hill, or get it rolling from the stop sign.
David from jax0 -
quote:Originally posted by sandman2234
I own two extended cab, half ton pickups. Both in the driveway right now, and the older one has a 5.7, the newer a 5.3. I considered selling the old one, but after making a trip to Arkansas with the newer one loaded, pulling a small utility trailer, I think I will keep the old one around for hauling trailers/loads. There is no comparison to the two trucks when it comes to pulling a load, and there is no way I would even consider hooking the newer one to a trailer with my tractor on it, but have done it with the older one.
Yes, the newer one has just as much "pep" as the older one, but it is done with downshifting and higher rpm's versus the old one just having the guts to pull it without downshifting.
As far as the gas milage goes, they are very close to each other, with the newer one winning out by a small margin.
I will probably keep the 5.7 unless a friend sells me his, which has the 454 in it, and 3/4 ton 4x4. He says that truck only gets 10 miles to the gallon, but when you hook up to a 7K tractor, your not really concerned about the fuel milage, as much as being able to make it over that next hill, or get it rolling from the stop sign.
David from jax
What gearing do you have in the 5.7. Sounds like it's geared lower.0 -
quote:Originally posted by sandman2234
I own two extended cab, half ton pickups. Both in the driveway right now, and the older one has a 5.7, the newer a 5.3. I considered selling the old one, but after making a trip to Arkansas with the newer one loaded, pulling a small utility trailer, I think I will keep the old one around for hauling trailers/loads. There is no comparison to the two trucks when it comes to pulling a load, and there is no way I would even consider hooking the newer one to a trailer with my tractor on it, but have done it with the older one.
Yes, the newer one has just as much "pep" as the older one, but it is done with downshifting and higher rpm's versus the old one just having the guts to pull it without downshifting.
As far as the gas milage goes, they are very close to each other, with the newer one winning out by a small margin.
I will probably keep the 5.7 unless a friend sells me his, which has the 454 in it, and 3/4 ton 4x4. He says that truck only gets 10 miles to the gallon, but when you hook up to a 7K tractor, your not really concerned about the fuel milage, as much as being able to make it over that next hill, or get it rolling from the stop sign.
David from jax
You are the only person I have ever heard say they like the old 5.7 better than the new 5.3!0 -
I find that Chevy's are a lot like the Wild E. Coyote cartoons where he runs off a cliff. Let me explain:
They keep going until they realize that there's no possible way that they have been running this whole time, then they suddenly fall into a state of utter disrepair.
You're better off with a Ford.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
They keep going until they realize that there's no possible way that they have been running this whole time, then they suddenly fall into a state of utter disrepair.
But they don't do this until they have several hundred thousand miles on them. There are LOTS of guys who are running Chevy trucks with over 250,000 miles on them and never had to do repairs on them. Unlike Fords, which you have to sink money into the entire way to keep them running.0 -
quote:Originally posted by PC800
quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
They keep going until they realize that there's no possible way that they have been running this whole time, then they suddenly fall into a state of utter disrepair.
But they don't do this until they have several hundred thousand miles on them. There are LOTS of guys who are running Chevy trucks with over 250,000 miles on them and never had to do repairs on them. Unlike Fords, which you have to sink money into the entire way to keep them running.
Likewise there's lots of Fords out there with 250,000 plus miles on them with no major repairs. They're all equally durable, or equally not-so-durable...that part all depends on the vehicle and how it was maintained/driven. I was just taking a shot at Chevys.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
quote:Originally posted by PC800
quote:Originally posted by Zulu7
They keep going until they realize that there's no possible way that they have been running this whole time, then they suddenly fall into a state of utter disrepair.
But they don't do this until they have several hundred thousand miles on them. There are LOTS of guys who are running Chevy trucks with over 250,000 miles on them and never had to do repairs on them. Unlike Fords, which you have to sink money into the entire way to keep them running.
Likewise there's lots of Fords out there with 250,000 plus miles on them with no major repairs. They're all equally durable, or equally not-so-durable...that part all depends on the vehicle and how it was maintained/driven. I was just taking a shot at Chevys.
I know. Just taking a shot back at Fords
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...I have a 96 GMC Sierra 4x4 full size truck with a 4.3 V-6 Vortex and it pulls my 19 foot boot/motor/trailer with no major difficulty. With no load and on a trip, 22-24mpg. Still like the Tahoe though, when I can get it from the wife. It has the 5.7l and on a trip to Florida, I got 19mpg.
Moose0
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