I don't own either, but if I were buying a new full-size truck, I would go 3.0 to avoid DFM. Diesel fuel is pricey but the MPG on the 3.0 is great.

 

This....

If I were looking for a new truck right now, I would go 3.0 with the max tow.

 

I haven't done the math but with what I've been reading on the 3.0 and the fuel mileage, I would think it would be more economical with the 3.0 and higher fuel prices and the higher fuel mileage vs the 6.2, cheaper fuel and lower mileage.

My first mod with either is to disable the start/stop and turn off AFM/DFM.

 

The 3.0 is definitely interesting, but people who plan on holding on to them for a long time and a lot of miles, might want to read up on the oil pump belt that needs to be changed every 150K miles. Not sure who came up with that idea, especially the idea to locate it at the back of the engine so that the transmission needs to be dropped to change it.

Just something to be aware of, I guess...

 

With my 5.3 getting 14mpg and the new 3.0 diesel getting 24.6 avg across 76 trucks on fuelly its about $.06 cheaper per mile to have the diesel.. or $18 a week ish with the 87 being $3.89 v diesel at $5.29. Then factor in DEF when needed and opti lube or similar and you aren't going to be paying any extra fuel wise.

 

DEF delete coming soon.

 

That won't be for some time. The ECM is hard-core locked like the L5P trucks. So it'll need a whole new ECM. They seem to be failry popular so I'm sure if the demand is there, someone will come out with an ECM for it like the L5P trucks.

 

I thought I heard a couple weeks or months ago that someone was pretty close to getting the DEF delete set up.

 

This will be a truck I plan on keeping for a while. I've had my 08 since new so I keep my vehicles for a long time.

If I go with the 3.0, I won't do any heavy mods to it while under warranty, or for at least quite a few miles. I'm probably averaging about 15 mpg with my 5.3 on mid-grade. From what I've read on some other forums, guys with the 6.2 are getting better than that on average.

I would definitely want the Max Tow package. I would probably still get air bags just to keep it level when hauling the ATV, corn and stuff when going to the hunting lease.

The biggest task is going to be finding one exactly like I want. I don't really want to have to order one but I'm likely going to have to go a few hundred miles outside of Nashville to find what I want. Most of the deals around only have the 5.3 and in colors I don't want (looking at the dark grey, Silver or White).

 

This will be a truck I plan on keeping for a while. I've had my 08 since new so I keep my vehicles for a long time.

If I go with the 3.0, I won't do any heavy mods to it while under warranty, or for at least quite a few miles. I'm probably averaging about 15 mpg with my 5.3 on mid-grade. From what I've read on some other forums, guys with the 6.2 are getting better than that on average.

I would definitely want the Max Tow package. I would probably still get air bags just to keep it level when hauling the ATV, corn and stuff when going to the hunting lease.

The biggest task is going to be finding one exactly like I want. I don't really want to have to order one but I'm likely going to have to go a few hundred miles outside of Nashville to find what I want. Most of the deals around only have the 5.3 and in colors I don't want (looking at the dark grey, Silver or White).

Why not order one? We ordered a Blazer for my wife. It was kind of nice to just walk in and say i want this, this, this, this, and this color.... Bam, 2 months later it shows up.

 

That will be my last resort. I'm going to look online and see if I can find something within a few hundred miles first. If not, then I'll go the route to order.

I read on another forum that the order times are now getting better so hopefully I won't have to wait the 4+ months it was taking previously around here. For a while there, any dealer in Nashville (not just Chevrolet/GMC) had virtually no new cars/trucks on their lot. You couldn't find a new GM truck for less than $7K over MSRP for a while.

On a side note since I've had my truck for 14 years and the wife gets a new company car every few years, I have been out of the vehicle purchasing game for a quite a while, I've been reading about Market Adjustment on vehicles. Is that usually listed on their website or usually something you have to call about?

 

In my experience trying to find my wife a telluride, most dealers have gotten to the point of "this is sale price" and if you ask for the MSRP from the sticker then they start beating around the bush.

9/10 times if there was no price on website then they had a markup. One place over by you as a matter of fact had a 20k markup lol I corrected him and said you mean 2k? we didnt talk long after that.

I would for sure be looking up to 400 mile radius and dont count out flying in and driving back. We almost did that out to Colorado. 2.5hr flight then 15 hr ride home

edit: matter of fact check out these ppl Belleville, Granite City, & St Louis, MO Dealership Alternative - Laura Buick GMC in COLLINSVILLE best deals I have seen looking recently.. likely due to being a high volume dealer or something

 

In my experience trying to find my wife a telluride, most dealers have gotten to the point of "this is sale price" and if you ask for the MSRP from the sticker then they start beating around the bush.

9/10 times if there was no price on website then they had a markup. One place over by you as a matter of fact had a 20k markup lol I corrected him and said you mean 2k? we didnt talk long after that.

I would for sure be looking up to 400 mile radius and dont count out flying in and driving back. We almost did that out to Colorado. 2.5hr flight then 15 hr ride home

edit: matter of fact check out these ppl Belleville, Granite City, & St Louis, MO Dealership Alternative - Laura Buick GMC in COLLINSVILLE best deals I have seen looking recently.. likely due to being a high volume dealer or something

I'll check them out.

I'm not sure which dealer it was, but I happened to come across a 2022 2500 w/ Duramax and they were asking around $95K. MSRP on it was around $80K.

 

Wifes 2018 5.3 had 76k miles and averaged 18. Coworker 6.2 averages 13.5 on regular, and 17 on super. Wifes new 2022 3.0 she gets 26 to 27, I get 25 when I get to drive it on the weekend. I have a 2001 duramax hd and in almost 300k miles and 21 years I have about $8,000 in injectors, fuel and water pump, fuel sending unit and misc. maintenance. So changing the oil pump belt at 150K miles or 15 years is not that big of a deal for me. Fuel cost with Diesel at $5.29 versus $3.69 is a break even other than Def but at 1,700 miles the 3.0 only took a gallon to fil up. This morning most stations went to $3.89 for regular. Buy what you want, all three are good engines. If you are still wondering why the wife and I are two miles to the gallon different, my third vehicle which I drive on fair weather days to work is a C8, so I do not like taking off slow.

 

If you want NHT, you'll have to order, unless someone orders one and doesn't close the deal.
(order guide says it's not available for 'stock' orders, only on SRE

NHT entry in order guide:

NHT

Max Trailering Package, includes 9.76" rear axle, enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning for increased control, heavier duty rear springs, increased RGAWR and (KW5) 220-amp alternator 1 - Not available with (TRE) stock order types. Available for (SRE) sold order types only. Requires (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine and 18" or 20" wheels and tires. Includes (JL1) trailer brake controller. Not available with 22" LPO wheels or (X31) X31 Off-Road Package. Available to order with (LM2) Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 engine. 2 - Requires (ZL6) ProGrade Trailering System. When ordered with (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine (NHT) is not available with (TRE) stock order types. Available for (SRE) sold order types only with (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine. (L87) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine is available for (TRE) stock order types. Requires (L84) 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine or (L87) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and 18" or 20" wheels and tires. Not available with 22" LPO wheels, or (X31) X31 Off-Road Package. Available to order with (LM2) Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 engine.

Notes 1 and 2 indicate which trims the note apply to.

Above is from 1500 sierra (refreshed) section of guide, silverado has similar restrictions.


I log every fuel fill.
All trucks 4wd.

I had a 15 6.2 and a 16 5.3 w/NHT. Both gave me 20 on most fills. I did run the 6.2 on premium.
Current truck, 21 3.0 gives close to 26 going same job.
(currently has a little over 18,000 miles, averaging 25.9)

EDIT TO ADD: 5.3 and 6.2 were 8 speeds.
3.0's are all 10 speeds.





Of course what any of them give depends on what job they are doing. Numbers above are overall averages.

 

I haven’t driven either of the two engines that you’re considering but I bought a 5.3 without AFM and the 6 speed auto. I think I have a 3.42 in the rear because it’s a TB. I’m pleasantly surprised by the power of the 5.3 and I’m coming from a Dodge Challenger with the 6.4 and manual transmission. My 5.3 doesn’t have AFM so nothing to do there and I like buying regular grade fuel. I’m getting 15-16 driving normally.

If someone is going to tow 50%+ of the time then the 3.0 makes sense for the torque and the mpg given the price of diesel. If it’s about speed and power, then the 6.2 is the winner. I’ll say that the 5.3 is a great all-around for mixed use, at least in my case. I wouldn’t dismiss it if fuel cost is a factor for you. At least drive it.

 

Thanks, all.

One thing I did think of today is that Nashville and the surrounding counties no longer have emissions testing (did away with them at the beginning of the year). So, if I went for the 3.0, I wouldn't have to worry about deletes and testing.

The truck would be mix use. Daily driving around town. Multiple 6+ hour trips to the beach a few times a year, hunting ever weekend or so, etc. It would also be towing/hauling ATV, a few hundred pounds of corn to the deer farm and then just the regular trips hauling something in the bed. Nothing really heavy unless we end up getting a boat and that would be trips anywhere from 30 minutes down the road to 1.5 hours to different lakes.

If I am going to buy something and upgrade, I'm likely going with the 6.2 or 3.0. The wife said if you are going to get something, I don't want you to settle. Plus I'll likely drive this one for another 12+ years. My truck, just with a 12' trailer and a 500lb ATV, can't get out of it's own way.

 

the 6.2 will smoke the diesel all day long, towing or not, as long as you let it rev.

 

I know there isn't much out there for the 6.2 in terms of tuning other than the auto start/stop eliminator and the Pulsar, but is there much for the 3.0?

It was mentioned there might be a DEF delete coming soon which I would likey do after I have a few thousand miles since I wouldn't have to worry about emissions testing since my county no longer does it. But I would need to worry about warranty.

 

The price of diesel is outrageous these days. Maybe a 2500 with the 6.6 gasser?

 

In my area, the price of diesel is not that much higher than Premium. Plus, with the fuel mileage that people are reporting with the diesel, it would likely be cheaper than the 6.2 and Premium.

Has anybody done the "Build Your Own" on the Chevrolet website and then submitted that to dealers for pricing? I just noticed you could do that and thought about giving that a try since I will likely have to special order to get what I want, unless I go without the NHT package.

 

If you have the 3.0, would you buy it again or do you wish you had gone with a different motor? What about those that have the 6.2?

Also, I've been looking online at dealers just in my area and it seems that the most common trim is either the RST or Custom with a few TBs. I don't see many dealers stocking LTZ or High Countries. Are those just not fast sellers? Of the few LTZ or HCs I see, they are black.

I want leather and power/memory seats so I believe I will have to go LTZ or higher to get that.

 

Yes that is what I do and have my sons do. Build it and then send a PDF version to my dealer and normally the price works out every time. The only time it didn't was on my wife's 2022 when I built it in October of 21, and the truck was manufactured in February of 22.

 

Thanks! I'll give that a try and see what they come back with.

I need to check with some of the dealers and see which ones have the most allocations.

 

Yep allocations are key. Also ask them how many are waiting in front of you... some dealers get more of a certain trim than others too. Or it was like that with our telluride at least.

It would be nice to have more transparency in the auto buying process for sure.

 

.

 

Until the recent price jumps for gas and diesel, diesel and regular were priced very close to each other.
Some days/stations diesel was cheaper and others regular was cheaper.
Premium gas was significantly more expensive.

Today, in this area, premium and diesel are doing the 'which one is cheaper' dance.

Per mile, fuel for the 3.0 is still cheaper than with the 6.2.

And the engine is cheaper.

 

I have a 2017 LTZ 6.2L Max Tow and running the range AFM disabler.. Grabber Tires.. no other mods other than changed cold air intake to K&N intake.. run it daily... I think the last time I checked for the last 1000K trip my average was 20..long term trip of about 15K miles was I think 18..Running 87 most of the time.. especially with the higher prices now.. that includes camper towing.. had a 26' and it didn't really matter what condition it ran.. usually around 8-9 mpg depending on how hard you ran it.. like the highway.. new camper is 37' pulled home 1st trip last month from the dealership and and it still was running around 8 and that was metro driving most of the way home.. can't beat the power..

 

That sounds like a huge camper for a 1500 but thats some good mpgs from the 6.2.

 

Yeah.. can't lie was a bit worried.. haven't pulled it loaded yet.. but on the way home.. was about a 2 hour drive through the metro and then country to home.... pulled better than expected and I didn't have any sway hooked up and the WD hitch was on but not fine tuned.. haven't pulled any giant hills with it.. I know it will sucking gas when I do.. the last camper was about 2500K lighter.. and it had horses to spare.. might use the whole team with this one..