5.3 vs 6.2

[d1h]

Been looking at 6.2L Chevy Silverados to replace my 5.3L. How much better of a job would the 6.2 compared to the 5.3 do especially when it comes to towing up mountains. My 5.3 really struggles with my 25ft TT going up steep hills or mountains.

[Grit_dog]

OP, sounds like you’re largely confused still.
Simplify it for yourself.
Write down 4 numbers for your rig and the ones you’re thinking about.
HP
TQ
# of trans gears
Rear axle ratio

The best overall combo of those numbers will tow the best.

And if you’d actually do some searching here or research to be more well read rather than seeming to want rvnet to spoon feed you what you want to hear, it would help your understanding consider ably as well.

[LITEPHIL]

d1h wrote:
Appears from some of the posts that a later model six or eight speed transmission with the 5.3 does a better job of towing than an older model with a four speed. Mine is 2009 with the four speed. If a late model 5.3 will pull just as well as the 6.2 I could save a little money since you can only get the 6.2 on the more pricy LTZ and High Country.

The 5.3 will not pull as well as the 6.2 and you can now get the 6.2 on the lower level vehicles. But my 5.3 8 speed is pretty nice with 6,000 lbs.

[d1h]

Appears from some of the posts that a later model six or eight speed transmission with the 5.3 does a better job of towing than an older model with a four speed. Mine is 2009 with the four speed. If a late model 5.3 will pull just as well as the 6.2 I could save a little money since you can only get the 6.2 on the more pricy LTZ and High Country.

[poppa]

kw/00 wrote:

spoon059 wrote:
OP, I'll throw a curve ball at you. Skip the 6.2 in the half ton and get a 6.0 in a 3/4 ton. You'll leave a couple HP on the table, but get a SOLID engine/transmission combo that is better for towing than the half ton.

I did that exact thing years ago and never have looked back. I still have my 09 HD 6.0 and with 98k on it so it’s got along way till I sell it. In my opinion, the GM 6.0 with 6 speed combo is one of the best ever made.

the 3/4 ton suspension is much better for towing than the 1/2 ton, dosent matter on the engine size. i have the 6 ltr in a 3/4 ton crew with 4.10 gear and it tows good. likes the gas though

[JIMNLIN]

I did the same thing in '03 when I had a ....never mind that won't help the OP looking for more towing performance pulling a 25' TT. He doesn't need more load carrying capacity from a 3/4 ton truck for that size trailer.

OP your '09 5.3 1500 is down on towing power compared to the later model 1500 5.3 engines and especially the 6.2 engine.

Drive both if your looking at new trucks. Also the NHT option is GM max tow option. Gives the truck a bit more GVWR/RAWR and the lower gear ratio for towing duties. Actual final drive ratio depends on year models if your looking at used trucks.

[kw_00]

spoon059 wrote:
OP, I'll throw a curve ball at you. Skip the 6.2 in the half ton and get a 6.0 in a 3/4 ton. You'll leave a couple HP on the table, but get a SOLID engine/transmission combo that is better for towing than the half ton.

I did that exact thing years ago and never have looked back. I still have my 09 HD 6.0 and with 98k on it so it’s got along way till I sell it. In my opinion, the GM 6.0 with 6 speed combo is one of the best ever made.

[Grit_dog]

spoon059 wrote:
OP, I'll throw a curve ball at you. Skip the 6.2 in the half ton and get a 6.0 in a 3/4 ton. You'll leave a couple HP on the table, but get a SOLID engine/transmission combo that is better for towing than the half ton.

Yes, power wise, very similar, but you're also leaving 4 gears on the table.
(I thick GM messed up by not dropping the 10 speed behind the new gasser. Just stupid since they have the trans sitting on the shelf for the diesels)

The consideration is the overall use of the truck.
I know you're reasonable and understand vehicle capabilities, and I don't disagree that the HD is a stouter platform, but if a guy is driving say 20k miles a year as a daily driver and only occasional towing, it makes no sense to run a 2500 vs a 1500 for a small trailer that is well under the 1/2 ton's rated capacities.

[spoon059]

OP, I'll throw a curve ball at you. Skip the 6.2 in the half ton and get a 6.0 in a 3/4 ton. You'll leave a couple HP on the table, but get a SOLID engine/transmission combo that is better for towing than the half ton.

[APT]

IF you did a blind towing test of same year and geared truck, I think you'll notice the difference. You'll be able to hold a gear longer on slight inclines or maybe cruise at a lower gear. I highly recommend the 10-spd with either engine more importantly than the engine. I believe the 6.2L got the 10-spd standard before the 5.3L, so it may depend on which year you are looking. What year/axle is your current Silverado?

[kellem]

By simply avoiding the 4L60E is a step in right direction.

I've grenaded (4) in 20 yrs towing, no joke.

[ksss]

The money spent on the 6.2 upgrade will about pay for itself at trade in time if that matters.

[mooky_stinks]

Lol at 5k difference. Unless you're including the difference between the LT and LTZ package that was/is required when I had mine? You get a lot more than just the engine upgrade. So it's a moot point if you're already getting an LTZ. It wasn't mentioned so I'm mentioning it now. I've had both a 5.3 and 6.2 in the last 3 years. The 6.2 w/ 8 speed was $2500 over the 5.3 w/ 6 speed. The 5.3 has 3.73's and does just fine in the east. The 6.2 w/ 3.42's of course was better but I decided against it this time. It really wasn't worth it to me. The 6.2 did get better mileage by 1-2 mpg both towing and non-towing. And it did REQUIRE 90 octane fuel to keep it from pinging, and yes I know the owners manual says "recommended" lol.

[BurbMan]

You guys have been around here long enough to know that anything that smells like a gas vs. diesel thread will get shut down....but you make a good point about having that discussion on two gas engines.

The EcoBoost in our Explorer Sport takes premium too...it will tow, but you gotta pay to play...

[JIMNLIN]

6.32 vs 5.3 = apples vs oranges.

Later model '14 and up 5.3 have 355 hp 383 torque.

The 6.2 in 1500 GM trucks has 420 hp and 460 torque.

My wife has the new 5.3 in a 2016 1500 crew cab chevy 6 speed. I just came off a 318 mile (round trip) pulling a 10k car hauler with 9460 lbs on the trailers axles. Now it not up to my 2500 Dodge/Cummins performance but it hands down does a much better job pulling the same trailer combo on the same trip with her older '06 1500 5.3 chevy crew cab 4l60e. No comparo.