5.7L Vortec vs. 5.3L Vortec
I currently tow with a 2002 Avalanche 1500 with a 5.3L. I am looking to get a 3/4 ton tow rig to better handle the TT and our gear. I have a line on a 2000 Chevy CCSB K2500 with a 5.7L Vortec/4L80E,...
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Honestly, while the ride performance would be better with the 2500, I don't think there is nearly enough "engine" performance gained to make that switch.
I towed a 5000GVWR HTT with a 94 Caprice with the 5.7L LT1 (260HP/330#-ft) and swapped to a 3.42 axle. It did fine towing, and at this time it was only four of us. I later had an 05 Suburban with the 5.3L (295HP/330#-ft) with the 3.42 axle. The Suburban with the tow haul mode actually towed that trailer better from every aspect. I honestly think 30 less HP and the high first gear of the 4L80E will make that 2500 seem like a dog compared to your Avalanche to get rolling.
Actually, the early 5.3L were rated at the 285. The 5.7L that went into the trucks was rated at the 255HP. The 350HP 5.7L was the LS1 that went into the F-Bodys, Corvette and GTO.
I towed a 5000GVWR HTT with a 94 Caprice with the 5.7L LT1 (260HP/330#-ft) and swapped to a 3.42 axle. It did fine towing, and at this time it was only four of us. I later had an 05 Suburban with the 5.3L (295HP/330#-ft) with the 3.42 axle. The Suburban with the tow haul mode actually towed that trailer better from every aspect. I honestly think 30 less HP and the high first gear of the 4L80E will make that 2500 seem like a dog compared to your Avalanche to get rolling.
wmoses wrote:
Not sure where the above numbers come from but my truck's engine is rated at - 315 hp (235 kW) @ 5300 rpm and 335 lb·ft (454 N·m) @ 4000 rpm of torque.
I also see numbers for the 5.7 as being 255 hp (190 kW) to 350 hp (261 kW) at 4600 rpm and 330 lb·ft (447 N·m) to 350 lb·ft (475 N·m) of torque at 2800 rpm, which is closer to the numbers given above.
Actually, the early 5.3L were rated at the 285. The 5.7L that went into the trucks was rated at the 255HP. The 350HP 5.7L was the LS1 that went into the F-Bodys, Corvette and GTO.
