Will a 6.0l be much of a jump in pulling power from my current 2008 5.3l suburban? (assuming the same 3.73 gears in both) I have been looking at buying a new tow vehicle and want to stay with a gas rig. The 6.0l 2500s seem to be more common in my price range (read low budget) than other gas 2500/3500 rigs. My concern is that it won't be much of in improvement in power from what I have. Has anyone else made a similar switch, and what were your thoughts? I also see several 5.7L hemi dodges out there, but have the same concerns.

Are you looking at a 2006 6.0L or something newer that will have the 6 speed? By the seat of my pants unloaded our 2012 Yukon XL is similar to what our 1 ton Express felt. But put a load behind it and 3000# behind the YukonXL feels like 7000# behind the Express.

I went from a 2000 5.3 1/2 ton extended cab to 2003 6.0 3/4 ton crew cab. Just driving around, not a ton of difference because the weight of the 3/4 ton outweighed the HP difference. But pulling a trailer the 6.0 made a huge difference. There is no such thing as too much power. If you are pulling on a budget, really any of the 3 gas engine work well. Find the pickup that has the options you want and drives how you like that fits in your budget. I'm a Chevy guy but all 3 will suit your needs.

I'm going to say you will notice very little if any difference in the power of the engine.Your 2008 5.3 has 315 HP and 338 lb/ft of torque.A 2010 6.0 has 360 HP and 380 lb/ft of torque.If power is your main complaint, I think you would be better off looking for a 8.1 (about 2002 - 2006) It would give you 320-340 HP and 440-450 TQ.Or a Ford V10. Later models delivered 362/450.The 6.0 isn't a bad engine, I just don't think it will give you much of a boost of noticeable power.

What if you saved some coin and regeared the burb? Where do you most notice the lack of power? Might be the best bang for your buck because as noted, the power to weight ratio would be against you.

Did the 2008 still have the 4 speed transmission? I did not recall when the Suburban received the 6 speed. The 6.0 and 6 speed will provide a much better driving experience.KTOSV indicates that he thought his van did much better with 6.0. I have a van that only has the 3.42 and felt that there was significant difference between the 3.73 and the 3.42. However, I can get 18-21mpg in my van with the 3.42 when running empty. I never came close with my HD.

5.3l chevy to 6.0l chevy | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 11, 2017
As an owner of a 2002 3500HD with 8.1L engine and 5-speed Allison, and having driven my Dad's new-to-him 2015 2500HD with the 6.0L and 6-speed, I would put them about on par with each other as far as towing performance.

The 8.1L's have idiosyncrasies such as inexplicable oil consumption of about 1 quart every 1500 miles, not to mention the newest one is 12 model years old now.
morphrider
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
I have an 01 6.0 2500HD gas engine and it has the 4:10 gearing. Very solid towing machine, with it loaded and going up hills in Colorado you will stay high in the rpm's, that's where the power delivery is made.
Fryer5
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
I went from a 05 1/2 Ton 5.3 suburban to a 08 3/4 Ton 6.0 subiban with the 6 speed heavy duty transmission. Now obviously more changed than just the engine, but it was a huge difference to me when towing. Night and day difference.
TomG2
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
Empty, there will not be much difference, but hook up a 7,000 pound trailer and it is night and day between the two engines. I have had both. Get ready to buy a lot of gasoline when towing.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
Did the 2008 still have the 4 speed transmission? I did not recall when the Suburban received the 6 speed.

The 6.0 and 6 speed will provide a much better driving experience.

KTOSV indicates that he thought his van did much better with 6.0. I have a van that only has the 3.42 and felt that there was significant difference between the 3.73 and the 3.42. However, I can get 18-21mpg in my van with the 3.42 when running empty. I never came close with my HD.
smurfs_of_war
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
What if you saved some coin and regeared the burb? Where do you most notice the lack of power? Might be the best bang for your buck because as noted, the power to weight ratio would be against you.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
I'm going to say you will notice very little if any difference in the power of the engine.

Your 2008 5.3 has 315 HP and 338 lb/ft of torque.

A 2010 6.0 has 360 HP and 380 lb/ft of torque.

If power is your main complaint, I think you would be better off looking for a 8.1 (about 2002 - 2006) It would give you 320-340 HP and 440-450 TQ.

Or a Ford V10. Later models delivered 362/450.

The 6.0 isn't a bad engine, I just don't think it will give you much of a boost of noticeable power.
2001400ex
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
I went from a 2000 5.3 1/2 ton extended cab to 2003 6.0 3/4 ton crew cab. Just driving around, not a ton of difference because the weight of the 3/4 ton outweighed the HP difference. But pulling a trailer the 6.0 made a huge difference. There is no such thing as too much power. If you are pulling on a budget, really any of the 3 gas engine work well. Find the pickup that has the options you want and drives how you like that fits in your budget. I'm a Chevy guy but all 3 will suit your needs.
ktosv
Explorer
Oct 11, 2017
Are you looking at a 2006 6.0L or something newer that will have the 6 speed?

By the seat of my pants unloaded our 2012 Yukon XL is similar to what our 1 ton Express felt. But put a load behind it and 3000# behind the YukonXL feels like 7000# behind the Express.

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5.3l chevy to 6.0l chevy

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