Who like's what config - Hello, My first post. Great looking forum! My current ride is a 2000 Silverado, 5.3 w/ 4.10 rear end. Love the truck. 10 years and ...

Hello,

My first post. Great looking forum! My current ride is a 2000 Silverado, 5.3 w/ 4.10 rear end. Love the truck. 10 years and 150K miles. While there's nothing really wrong with it, I'm thinking I need a new truck. Because why the not!? My wife buy's all sorts of stuff "because":-)

So, As it turns out, the new 5.3 comes with a new 6 speed, which I'm sure is a big step forward. But, GM seems to have restricted the gear ratio's to the 3.08 and 3.42's. My local dealer service guy's, who are fantastic by the way, tell me the reason is simply to get GM's fleet gas milage numbers up. But the 3.73's and the 4.10's will go in, no issue.

Now, I've read a bunch of posts that talk about gas milage. But what about towing ability and performance? The GMC web site actually lists the tow rating for the 5.3, 6 speed w/ 3.08's as 6800 lbs. But, with the 3.42's at 9800 lbs. Everything else being identical. I'm thinking I want the 5.3 w/ the 3.73's. Is the Max Trailer package bumped to 10,400 because of the 6.2 motor the 3.73's? My local wrenches at the service center believes it has more to do with the gearing that the horse power. Not to dis horsepower. Don't get me wrong here. There's no such thing as too many! I haven't completed discounted the 6.2. It's still an option. Just trying to get a handle on the 5.3 gearing situation we have going on.

Has anyone set up an aluminum block 5.3 w/ 6 speed and 3.73's? Comments please. Ignore gas milage for a moment. I want to focus on performance. Towing ability and just all around ripping off the line at a red light sort of thing. Yes I realize the 6.2 rips:-)

I do tow. But I'm a biker too and tend to tow motorcycles. Sport bikes to track days and my touring rig when the wife complains about weather. Relatively light loads. But this is a 10 year investment. Ya just never know what needs I might have in the future:-)

Thanks in advance!

All vehicles are designed with the customer in mind. Engineering starts with a clean slate and design the vehicle with a focus on requirements. The standard 5.3 customer has different needs than the uplevel 6.2 powertrtain person. If they give the customer what HE wants then it is more money for the company. Just don't put all of your eggs in one basket. It's like ANYTHING you buy.

I have the 5.3 with the 3.42 gears. I've only towed once, but it was pretty easy. Keep in mind that with a 6 speed tranny, you get a lower first gear ratio, and more closely spaced ratios as well. That reduces the need for the 3.73 or 4.10 final drive ratio. You will get plenty of torque from the 5.3, with a 3.42 axle.
That said, it sounds like it really concerns you. I'd hate to see you buy a new truck, and then regret that you did not go for exactly what meets your expectations. You'll only regret the bigger motor if you don't buy it.

The 5.3 will tow what you have mentioned with ease. As a matter of fact with the towing package it's rated to tow 100 MORE pounds then the 6.2. However will the 6.2 have an easier time towing the light loads that you are towing? Of course. Will it have more power then the 5.3? Of course it will. I know you said to discount gas but you have to think about not only your future towing needs but also the price of gas in the future. Looks like it will be going up to $3 a gallon again and most likely higher in the next 10 years. Is the gas difference worth it? Maybe. Maybe not. Only you can decide that. Just know that the 6.2 will beat a 5.3 off the line, if both vehicles are STOCK (don't jump on me). Do both vehicles suck gas. You bet! Also don't forget that with the 5.3 you get the AFM and as of right now it is not available on the 6.2 (unless that's changed in the last 4 months), which might be a good thing. When I first bought my 5.3 the AFM used to drive me nuts! After 3300 miles I don't even notice it anymore but I did consider that I had bought the wrong vehicle at first! I tow a boat occasionally during the summer months and I've outgrown my need to stomp it at stop lights. Gets to expensive and my kids learn from my example, plus I'd like to pass this truck on to my son in 9 years and don't want him to have the ability to rip it like the 6.2 can. It all comes down to what you want, not necessarily what you need. Isn't it great how I can spend other peoples money!?

After that long rant I will say this. If you buy the 5.3, which is a great tried and true motor, will you always WANT the 6.2? Whichever one you decide to get just make sure it has the trailering package and you will be set for whatever you decide to do with it. And remember if your unhappy with the power either one puts out there is always the after market to let yourself go nuts!

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Thanks for the responses. Originally I wasn't concerned at all. I just assumed 10 years of improvements is going to make for a better truck all around. My concern grew when I started looking at the numbers.

My inner gear head wants the 6.2 for obvious reasons:-) Well, actually just one. 403 hp!:-) But the practical side of me knows the 5.3 is the way to go for many reasons. Since this is going to be a long term daily ride, I just doing my due diligence to make sure I don't make an expensive mistake.

That said, can anyone explain this data sheet?

http://www.gmc.com/sierra/1500/specsCapabilities.jsp

I'm looking at this row: Ext Cab Standard Box 4WD. How is it possible that the 6.2 w/ 3.42's is only rated at 6400 while the 5.3 w 3.42 is rated at 9600? And lot's of other numbers that are equally as confusing.

The GM people at the car show in Boston were unable to explain it. The service manager at my dealership thinks it's a misprint. Other service guy's at the same dealership believe GM is simply manipulating the ratio's to squeeze in under the fleet gas milage requirements. I suppose that's my real fear. Getting a configuration that's been dumbed down because of government requirements.

Although, they are also in line with the comments here. Being... the trany is the game changer and that the 2011 5.3 w/ 6 speed and 3.42's is going to out perform my 2000 5.3 w 4 speed and 4.10's, in every possible manner. Which I can easily believe. But again, the way the numbers are listed in that data sheet is very strange to me.

Thank you!

Don't know. But that was what I had been talking about in my earlier post. In order to beat the 5.3 in the towing department you have to get the max trailering package which comes with the trans cooler for the 6.2 and then your looking at being able to only tow 9400 pounds which is actually 200 pounds LESS then the 5.3.

Of course I thought I had the max trailering package on my 2010 5.3 which allows me to tow 9600 pounds but this sheet doesn't even show that as an option for the 5.3!? It only shows the max package with the 6.2 crew cab with 3.42 gears and it shows it's able to tow 10,400 pounds? Maybe I only have the heavy duty cooling package, but that isn't even mentioned with the 5.3? I know you were only talking about the extended cab. Sorry to go off on that tangent.

Of course I also have the crew cab chevy model so maybe that's what the difference is. I don't know. The numbers seem to be all over the place. I'm probably just not reading this thing right, but I am now more confused then ever. Thanks alot! LOL.

I'm sure another member on this forum will speak up and sort it all out for you.

Note - The Max Trailering Package is the truck to get if you want to tow at 1500 capacity. It includes a 3.74 axle ratio, that's the only way to get the 3.73 in a 1500.
Use this link to spec out a truck. What you find online line may be limited in data.
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/

RPO - NHT
Max Trailering Pack, includes (L9H) Vortec 6.2L V8 SFI engine,
(G80) heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, (Z85)
Handling/Trailering Suspension Package, (AXN) 9.5" (24.1 cm)
hybrid rear axle, (GT4) 3.73 rear axle ratio, (JD9) front and rear
disc brakes, (Z82) Trailering package, (T96) fog lamps, (N88) 17"
x 7.5" (43.2 cm x 19.1 cm) 6-lug polished cast aluminum wheels
and (QJP) P265/70R17 on-/off-road, blackwall tires
1 - Requires T*10753 or T*10543 models. TK10543 and TK10753
Models also include (NQH) electronic Autotrac transfer case.
Option content within this package may not be substituted or
deleted. Not available with (Z71) Off-Road Suspension Package.

The is the trailering option pkg that comes standard on the SLT trim and available on the SLE trim.

RPO - Z82
Z82 Trailering Package for MYC 6-speed transmission,
heavy-duty includes trailering hitch platform and 2-inch receiver,
7-wire harness (harness includes wires for: park lamps, backup
lamps, right turn, left turn, electric brake lead, battery and
ground) with independent fused trailering circuits mated to a
7-way sealed connector, wiring harness for after-market trailer
brake controller (located in the instrument panel harness), (K5L)
heavy-duty cooling package, (KC4) external engine oil cooler and
(KNP) external transmission oil cooler
1 - Requires (MYC) 6-speed automatic transmission. Includes (Z85)
Handling/Trailering Suspension Package. Also includes (G80)
heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential on Retail orders
only.
2 - Requires (MYC) 6-speed automatic transmission. Also includes
(G80) heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential on Retail
orders only.

Yes thank you. I've seen all that data. Unfortunately it doesn't answer any of the questions asked. The Silverado spec sheet shows similar odd numbers as the GMC spec sheet, but seems to be better in several areas

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/en/ ... og_web.pdf

In fact, if you put the two data sheets side by side, they conflict in a few spots. But the Silverado's data is consistent.

Ok. That looks easier to understand. Chevy 1500 max tow crew 4x4 6.2L 9,400 short box 3.42 w/o towing package.

With max trailering package for 6.2L 10,400 short box 3.73
With heavy duty cooling package for 5.3L 9,500 short box. 3.42
Without any type of supplemental towing the 5.3L short box with 3.08 will only tow 6,000 compared to the 3.42 6.2L of 9,400. But gas mileage should be better. By how much? Who knows.

Had I seen those numbers I probably would have insisted on the 6.2L ONLY because I like overkill when I'm towing anything but I still don't really need the 6.2L and the daily driving fuel numbers will be worse for the 6.2L based on the rear axle ratio of 3.73 to get the higher tow rating. So the 3.42 gear ratios of both the 5.3L and 6.2L show a difference of 100 pounds of towing capacity in favor of the 5.3L, go figure.

But on to the topic at hand the extended cab version. Of course these numbers are for 2010:

Assuming standard box with 3.42 you will be able to tow 9,600 pounds with the heavy duty cooling 6,100 pounds without and 9400 pounds with the 6.2L but 10400 pounds with the max towing and the 3.73 gear ratio.

So if you are going to splurge for the upgraded engine might as well get all the benefits you can with the max trailering package and the 3.73 gears. Of course that is for 2010 and like I said I couldn't understand the 2011 spec sheet to give you an answer.

But if everything holds true. You have to assume that in order to get the higher tow ratings on the 6.2L you have to have the higher gear ratios and the max trailer packaging which will adversely effect your gas mileage when you are NOT towing anything but when you are towing something depending on the package you get the 6.2L will have an easier time towing it because it's a bigger engine as long as you are not exceeding the weight ratios. Right?

Just my 02. Assuming what i've typed makes any sense to anyone.

Multiply out the effective ratios yourself.
Your old truck has transmission ratios of: 3.059:1, 1.625:1, 1.000:1, 0.696:1, with an axle of 4.100:1
The 6L80E has ratios of 4.027:1, 2.364:1, 1.532:1, 1.152:1, 0.852:1, 0.667:1. Axle ratios are 3.077:1, 3.231:1, 3.417:1, 3.727:1 or 4.100:1.
The 5.3 with 3.42:1 is rated to 10,000 max trailer weight, but the 6.2 Max tow is rated 10,700, and gets you 3.73:1, stronger 9.5" 14-bolt axle, albeit semi-floating, and larger 265/70R17 tires.
But if you really want 4.10:1 gears with a six speed, get a 2500HD, which gets you the 6.0L, but you get the truly strong 10.5" full-floating axle. Also note that the 1500 frame is 0.106" thick at the back end, while the 2500HD is more than 50% thicker back there. That's a good thing for any towing.
Also, in the 2500HD, the 6.0 gets the stronger 6L90E, which is physically longer to hold the stronger internals, but the ratios are the same as the 6L80E.
If you can afford it, step up to a real truck.