5.3L vs 6.0L chevy engine comparison

[LWolken]

I recently purchased a GMC 2014 2500HD with the 6.0 Gas engine. I'm very happy with my purchase. I don't bumper pull very often but I haul a truck camper that I take on road trips with the family. This truck handles the weight very well. The payload of the 2500HD is about 1000lbs heavier than the F250. No experience with the GM 5.3 but this 6.0 will do everything I'll ever need it to. Ride is very good and brakes are fantastic for such a big truck(Crew Cab, Long Bed). I'm getting between 13.5-14 mpg of mixed driving.

[Bucksaw]

I don't have experience owning a 5.3, but I've driven a few and they just don't stack up against my 6.0. Not so much because my truck is just loaded with more power, but because the 2500hd was built for loads. I have a better rear end and transmission, which is what will make or break you (besides the obvious torque and HP problems towing with a small motor) when hauling. I'd rather roll with a GN full of calves and horses on a 3/4 ton truck with a beefier suspension, rear end, and transmission than a half ton that is basically a glorified daily driver with a bit of towing capacity

If your 6.0 is struggling now, what happens when you throw the half ton transmission and rear end in the mix and try the same stuff?

What he said. The 2500 is set up to take that kind of abuse for extended periods of reliability. The half ton is gonna wear more rapidly under those conditions, and most aren't actuallygonna tow that much weight because they are most commonly set up with 3.42 or 3.08 gears. The 3/4 ton has a lower top gear and most come with the 3.73 rear axel ratio. Some can be had with the 4.10 if you look, or order one.

I have thought about taking the 5.3L for a test drive and hooking up my travel trailer to it to see how it does.

I really hate the mini truck beds in the 1500 crew cab. It feels like a mini pickup.

I am just hoping that something that gets more than 11MPG would work for me.

Point 1, Chevy makes a full 6 1/2' bed for the crew cab half ton since 2014, so you don't have to settle for the 5.5' if you don't want it.

Point 2, if you can stand to look at other brands, the 6.4 Hemi can get around 16mpg unloaded. Ive heard similar reports on the 6.2 in the F250s. I guess it just depends on how hardcore Chevy you are. It was hard for me to get out of a bowtie to a goat, but I love my Ram 6.4, and don't regret switching at all.

[sooner6969]

I'll have read my manual again but like I said 55 K miles and no issues and no knocking. I work with 4 other guys with the same engine I'll ask them and if it gets more power then I'll buy it. I do have a car that is 12 to 1 and I have to run high octane

I'm sure it runs just fine. Just saying its recommended, not required. I absolutely love the 6.2 powerplant, but I am one of those people that if I didn't have Bad Luck, wouldn't have Luck at All. I would have bought it and it would have knocked, had detonation problems and would have had to run premium. Love my 5.3 and I tow small. If I was towing Heavier(Not Heavy which I would buy a diesel) I would definitely buy the 6.2 with 8 speed Trans. Towing is not about pulling its about stopping. Enjoy your truck and Happy Hunting

[buckwild17]

I traded in a 1500 HD w 6.0 for a 1500 Z71 w 5.3 , one of the top 5 mistakes of my life !!!
Basically it's a over sized car and I'm kinda stuck with it !!

[RickyS]

2500 HD w/6.0 here. Extended cab long bed. Best puller I've had. Been driving trucks since 1972.

[deerplanter]

I'm sure it runs just fine. Just saying its recommended, not required. I absolutely love the 6.2 powerplant, but I am one of those people that if I didn't have Bad Luck, wouldn't have Luck at All. I would have bought it and it would have knocked, had detonation problems and would have had to run premium. Love my 5.3 and I tow small. If I was towing Heavier(Not Heavy which I would buy a diesel) I would definitely buy the 6.2 with 8 speed Trans. Towing is not about pulling its about stopping. Enjoy your truck and Happy Hunting

You were right about the premium gas, I'll have to spend the extra but from what I read I should gain most of it back in fuel mileage, thanks for the heads up. I have pulled my 30' TT a few times in the hill country and east Texas and couldn't tell it was there other than the 1/2 ton wiggle. The trailer tag weight is 9,000 lbs (older Trailer) and the trailer brakes don't work but I had no issues stopping even in Houston traffic. I wouldn't use it for that heavy of a trailer all the time but a couple times a year is good.

[stinkbelly]

So I guess this isn't a thread that Chevy would like on their website. On paper it looks like the 5.3 is better than the 6.0, but in real life almost everyone is saying otherwise.

The dealer said I could put airbags on the truck to help with the load. That helps some, but like you guys said the brakes, transmission, and rear end are all weaker in the 1500.

I expect to keep the truck for 200,000+ miles. My current truck is about 240,000 miles.

[Bucksaw]

So I guess this isn't a thread that Chevy would like on their website. On paper it looks like the 5.3 is better than the 6.0, but in real life almost everyone is saying otherwise.

The dealer said I could put airbags on the truck to help with the load. That helps some, but like you guys said the brakes, transmission, and rear end are all weaker in the 1500.

I expect to keep the truck for 200,000+ miles. My current truck is about 240,000 miles.

Not that the 5.3 is a bad engine, but its made for a different purpose than the 6.0 in the 2500. Its more for snappy acceleration when unloaded, and the occasional towing of a light load like a bass boat of a small 4 wheeler. The maximum rating shown on the website is always "when properly equipped" which means with the most powerful engine available and the lower gear ratio, smallest cab and bed configuration, and 2wd. You start adding more doors, or a longer bed, or 4wd, and that rating starts to drop. Plus, probably 99% of the trucks on the lot are set up with highway gears because most half ton buyers want a truck but don't use it like a truck, so none of them are gonna be anywhere near that tow rating. In the end, a 2500 is gonna pull better (maybe not faster but better) than a half ton any day. If it were me, Ide stick with the 2500. The difference in the new one and your current one will be noticeable and appreciated.

[jer_james]

Also take into consideration, people see 6.0 and 5.3 and what do you think they are going to choose ?

Go by facts, not opinions. Transmission is going to be the difference.

[aac_shooter]

I have heard they have problems with the 5.3L that drops to 4 cylinders when cruising. It is an expensive fix.

I had an 09 Silverado 1500 with the motor that drops to 4 cylinders. At 50k they replaced the cam and lifters, at 88k they replaced the pistons and rings. Dumped it at 112k because I was getting valve noise again. Now I drive a Ford F-150 with the Ecoboost. It will smoke the Chevy in performance and towing. That Chevy was gutless, and likely my last, unless they come out with a gas, direct injected, turbocharged motor.

[Arrowthreat]

I have 153k on my 2008 2500 with a 6.0 and its been an awesome truck. My mom had a 5.3 and while it was a reliable engine, the 6.0 defiantly out performed it.

[muzzlebrake]

A 5.3 with 3.08 or 3.42 rear end gear ratio is not going to be a pulling machine. Put 4.10 or 3.73 gears under it and there will be a world of difference. The mechanical advantage of the lower gear ratio is huge. The max torque delivered to the ground hits much quicker and is multiplied with lower ratio gearing.
The 6.0 is virtually the same engine as the 5.3 with the only difference being the 6.0 is 4" bore and 5.3 is 3.78" bore. The 6.0 is 10.0 compression and 5.3 is 9.6:1 compression. Higher compression yields more torque and only slightly more HP. Both have a 3.62" stroke.
The GM LS3 6.2 engine is also a small block with 4.065 x 3.622 bore and stroke but with 10.7:1 compression. This Generation IV engine has differences in the heads and valve train among other things to get it's big power from.

As for fuel, the higher the compression the more octane will be needed to reduce spark knock or detonation OR retarded timing which will cost you HP and TQ. The only thing octane does is slow the burn rate of the fuel thus allowing more advanced timing curves. Low octane 85 to 87 will actually make more power in a low compression engine since it burns faster and hotter then high octane fuel.

In choosing a truck for light towing loads I would look for the engine that makes the most rear wheel torque at the lowest rpm using the same gear ratio. For heavy towing get a big block or a diesel that has big torque just off idle.
Torque is what gets the load moving. Hp is what keeps it there.
If you are going to do a lot of towing, you can forget about getting great fuel mileage for the most part.

[sooner6969]

A 5.3 with 3.08 or 3.42 rear end gear ratio is not going to be a pulling machine. Put 4.10 or 3.73 gears under it and there will be a world of difference. The mechanical advantage of the lower gear ratio is huge. The max torque delivered to the ground hits much quicker and is multiplied with lower ratio gearing.
The 6.0 is virtually the same engine as the 5.3 with the only difference being the 6.0 is 4" bore and 5.3 is 3.78" bore. The 6.0 is 10.0 compression and 5.3 is 9.6:1 compression. Higher compression yields more torque and only slightly more HP. Both have a 3.62" stroke.
The GM LS3 6.2 engine is also a small block with 4.065 x 3.622 bore and stroke but with 10.7:1 compression. This Generation IV engine has differences in the heads and valve train among other things to get it's big power from.

As for fuel, the higher the compression the more octane will be needed to reduce spark knock or detonation OR retarded timing which will cost you HP and TQ. The only thing octane does is slow the burn rate of the fuel thus allowing more advanced timing curves. Low octane 85 to 87 will actually make more power in a low compression engine since it burns faster and hotter then high octane fuel.

In choosing a truck for light towing loads I would look for the engine that makes the most rear wheel torque at the lowest rpm using the same gear ratio. For heavy towing get a big block or a diesel that has big torque just off idle.
Torque is what gets the load moving. Hp is what keeps it there.
If you are going to do a lot of towing, you can forget about getting great fuel mileage for the most part.

Just Learned something! Thanks

[mattfox]

I just got rid of my 2008 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd with a 6.0. I just got a 2016 4x4 with the 5.3

Just driving normal I can tell you that my old truck seemed stronger. old truck had 3.73 gears and new truck has 3.42

Old truck had 4 speed trans and new has 6 speed.

Old truck got about 14.5 mpg and new truck is still on first tank but right now I am getting 16.9

Have not pulled anything yet. but the heaviest thing I pull is my 20' bass boat and it will have pleny of power for that. lol

[hot_rod_eddie]

For all you guys that hate the 5.3 or 6.0, please let me know when you are ready to scrap them.