Chevrolet 6.0 compared to 5.3

[State_Fan]

I'm currently driving a Chevy 1/2 ton with the 5.3 engine. It's the second one that I've owned and I think that's it's a really good engine. I'm wanting to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and the more I think about it, I may just go the gas engine route. So I have a few questions for the guys that have owned the 6.0. Will it be as reliable as the 5.3? How good of milage are you getting in the 2500? I get about 17 in my 5.3 1500 4x4. How well does it tow? I will be pulling my travel trailer, cattle trailer, and my 70HP tractor that weighs 10,000lbs. So I think the heaviest load would be the tractor. With trailer I'm thinking it would be in the 13,000-14,000lb range.

[ktosv]

TomG2 wrote:
Not sure where that information is coming from. For at least the last fifteen years the 6.0 has been rated at more horsepower and more torque than the 5.3. I doubt that the OP is looking at anything older than a 1999 model. Even though the 6.0 is only 13% larger, when it is combined with the HD chassis, it is a much better towing platform than the half ton models.

For the last 15 years there have been several variations of the 5.3L and a few variations of the 6.0L. Disregarding the K2XX trucks that just came out, the 5.3L has varied from 285HP-315HP. The 6L has been 300HP in the HD trucks (2000-2006) and possibly 325HP (depending on the source) in the 04-06 Utilities. The 6L seemed to always have about a 25-30#-ft torque advantage.

Depending on vehicle configuration, a 5.3L and 4.10 axle possibly could have performed better than the same vintage 6L/3.73 combo because of the 1st gear advantage of the 4L60E transmission.

Thus, knowing the vintage engines being compared will result in a more relaible comparison.

[Dannyabear1]

Has any of y'all reached 100,000 miles with a new 6 speed? I've had 3 different friends who work at dealers or transmission shops tell me they usually give out between 80-100,000 miles.

[kw_00]

Piston slap was found on both the 5.3 and 6.0, and some 8.1 engines. I had it really bad on my 2000 model 5.3. Both 6.0s have been quiet, this latest version I have now is wisper quiet. With over 200K on my old 5.3 I have never had any problems with it. U guys want to listen to piston slap just pull next to any Toyota 2005 and up with the 2GRFE V6..... Mine is loud......yet Toyota says its normal...Regardless, both 5.3 and 6.0 have been great engines. Miss the 8.1 but with the 6 speed and new 6.0, I am happy..

[Dannyabear1]

TomG2 wrote:

skipnchar wrote:
If it's an older SET of engines than the 5.3 will likely have equal of better performance than the 6.0. Newer models (not sure of the year) GM has upgraded the 6.0 to give it a horsepower and torque boost. It really depends on the year of each engine which will perform better when towing. BOTH are good reliable engines.

Not sure where that information is coming from. For at least the last fifteen years the 6.0 has been rated at more horsepower and more torque than the 5.3. I doubt that the OP is looking at anything older than a 1999 model. Even though the 6.0 is only 13% larger, when it is combined with the HD chassis, it is a much better towing platform than the half ton models.

As far as the "piston slap" comment, a little research will disprove that complaint. Nothing to it.

The newer 5.3 is rated more HP than the older 6.0

[kw_00]

I had the 5.3 before, now I have the newer 6.0 with 6 speed. Overall I love the truck, the advantages are the 2500 series frame and all the goodies that go along with it. The 6.0 tows better, has more power, and has out performed the 5.3 hands down in my experience. Will you be happier with the 6.0? yes especially with the 6 speed. In your case I would opt for the 4:10 if you can locate it. Both engines have proven themselves now for years in relibilty. I have had one 5.3 and two 6.0 trucks thus far and have found the 6.0 to work for me. Yes I have also had both diesel and gas before and for a small block gas engine the 6.0 is no slouch...

[TomG2]

skipnchar wrote:
If it's an older SET of engines than the 5.3 will likely have equal of better performance than the 6.0. Newer models (not sure of the year) GM has upgraded the 6.0 to give it a horsepower and torque boost. It really depends on the year of each engine which will perform better when towing. BOTH are good reliable engines.

Not sure where that information is coming from. For at least the last fifteen years the 6.0 has been rated at more horsepower and more torque than the 5.3. I doubt that the OP is looking at anything older than a 1999 model. Even though the 6.0 is only 13% larger, when it is combined with the HD chassis, it is a much better towing platform than the half ton models.

As far as the "piston slap" comment, a little research will disprove that complaint. Nothing to it.

[APT]

I love my 6.0L 6-spd combo. We have had as high as 18mpg non towing, 8-10mpg towing the TT at 65-70mph. My wife gets about 14mpg in mixed commuting with it, and now dropping about 1mpg in the winter. Really wakes up over 3500rpm when desired.

If you tow that often between those traielrs, you might want to go straight to the diesel. The 6.0L/4.10 axle is only rated for 14k pounds.

[skipnchar]

If it's an older SET of engines than the 5.3 will likely have equal of better performance than the 6.0. Newer models (not sure of the year) GM has upgraded the 6.0 to give it a horsepower and torque boost. It really depends on the year of each engine which will perform better when towing. BOTH are good reliable engines.

[ib516]

I've never heard many bad comments about the 6.0L gasser from GM. Other than quite a few years ago, they had that piston slap thing, though I think that was more noise than a reliability issue.

In any case it's history. I'd suggest the GM 6.0L gasser is as good as any other gas engine reliability wise, maybe better.

[EdBigley]

I have owned three 5.3L Silverado Ext. Cab trucks with 2 wheel drive. The last had the 6-speed transmission, limited slip differential and 3.42 gear ratio. This spring I traded for a 2012 2500HD with 4-wheel drive, 6.0L, 6-speed 3.73 ratio, Silverado Crew Cab. The unloaded mileage on the 5.3s was always between 20 and 22 mpg. The 6.0 L averages 16 mpg unloaded. When towing my 8000# (loaded) Starcraft travel trailer from W. New York to SD and back in June, I got the same mileage as the 5.3s did several years before towing the same trailer. The hard part is the extra 10 gallons in tank size. If I ran the tank down to the 1/4 full mark or below, it usually required 2 swipes of the card to refill the tank. However this also meant at least one less gas stop per day. Love the 2500 ride when towing. Much more comfortable than the 1500 it replaced.

[Ole_Man_Dan]

I have a F-250 4X4, my buddy has a Chevy 2500 4X4.
We don't check mileage, we tow campers in the mountains.
They both do what we bought em for.

A 3/4 ton truck is generally a better towing machine than a 1/2 ton.
You can put a bigger motor in the 1/2 ton, and the 3/4 ton
still generally outperforms it.
Partly because of the weight of the truck, and the suspension too.
When I'm towing, I fill up when I get less than 1/2 tank.
When I'm not towing I fill up when I'm down to about 1/4 tank,
unless I'm on the hway, then I fill up below 1/2 tank.
NO PROBLEM.

[jake2250]

Recently out of a half ton,, It did what I needed but it had to work at it.. 5.4 Ford,300 HP four speed auto.
Have a 2012 Silverado 2500 HD,6.0 360 HP,6 speed,3:73s, pulling a 5000lb trailer.
Couldnt be happier!!! Motor has so much more power and pulls like a dream..

In the early nineties I had a '73 GMC 2500 with an LT1 350,, 325HP, This 2500 pulls as hard and easy as the worked LT1,, Knew what I had then and know what I have now,, never worried about fuel mileage because I knew I bought a truck!! My Ford 1'2 ton was a daily driver and I checked the mpg's constantly,,,Drove me nuts I wasnt doing as good as a Honda Accord...
If you notice,, the industry does not rate fuel mileage on 3/4 ton trucks?
It's doing what you bought it to do... Work!! (12-14 towing),, cant help it,, gotta check!!!

[jbres]

I own both a 03' Tahoe with the 5.3 (3.73s) and a 07' GMC 2500HD with the 6.0 (4.10s). Yes the MPG is not as good with the 6.0, but it definitely tows much better. Very very good motor to tow with. Big difference in the 5.3 and the 6.0 from my experience.
Also, both motors are great reliable engines if maintained. A little Preventative maintenance goes a long way with both these motors.

And the 4.10s will be a must if you want to tow that much weight with the 6.0

[TomG2]

I traded a 2009 2500 with the 6.0 for a 2012 1500 with a 5.3. I wasted a lot of money, because I traded back to a 2013 2500 and 6.0. The 2013 gets a little better mileage than the 2009, but still nothing to brag about. I can get 16-17 mpg unloaded and all highway driving. The rest of the time, 12.5 or so. The 2500HD is a lot better tow vehicle and I can tolerate the fuel mileage difference.

[GeoBoy]

My 2005 6.0 Chevy gets around 15 mpg. empty and 10/11 mpg. towing our TT. I love my 6.0.