GM 1500's

sledsarecool

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Hey guys/gals

Currently in the market for a new pickup, leaning heavily to the 2015 GM 1500 Sierra/Silverado lineup. The bind I am in though is 5.3L or the 6.2? Never owned a gas pickup before or a 1500. I am coming from the diesel side previously had a Duramax and a Cummins. Right now the only thing to haul around is a quad(outlander 1000) would really like to get a travel trailer in a year or two, but that is just a idea in my head not dead set on getting one.

So the debate is 5.3L or 6.2 have heard good about both. How does the 6.2L compare to the 5.3L in everyday driving. Currently driving from Edmonton SW to Nisku everyday for work. So the truck would see a lot of highway driving, but still and good mix of city stop and go.

What are your opinions on both and what would you pick?
 

lsone

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6.2 all the way. For what you'll save in fuel mileage with the 5.3(not much at all), you'll really miss the extra power of the 6.2
 

pfi572

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6.2
On my fourth one . Great engine and the newer ones from 2014 are better yet.
 

kovs

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Love my 6.2. I would order one tho. Most of the dealers don't bring them in with the Max tow pkg. if you plan on a trailer soon well worth it .


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Bigblack

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Never owned a 6.2, but had a 2006 5.3 Crew 1/2 ton and put 300,000km on 'er with only regular fluid changes. Even had original brakes on it when I traded on my 2010. The new one has been just as bulletproof. Putting on a lot less miles now so only at 130,000 and not looking to trade in any time soon. Had to do oil cooler lines this past summer on the 2010...other than that, zero issues. I get over 20 mpg hwy (17 US MPG) combined mileage....although living out of town, 90% of my driving is hiway. This is not by the "lieometer"...I get 600km to a tank and put in 80 to 85 liters just about every time I fill. For towing a small trailer the 5.3 is fine. I towed a 20' Jayflight with my 2006 and going up and over the mountains, she was in lower gear RPM mode a lot...and NOT good mileage. But for driving them like a car 99% of the time it's great. The auto 4x4 works awesome in the snow too.
 

Marley

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Have a Duramax and a 2014 GMC 5.3 All Terrain edition. Lightly loaded and driving the speed limit the 5.3 will average over 20 mpg.
The 5.3 tows surprisingly well but of course the gas mileage goes down big time especially with a head wind.

I don't tow a lot but I do have a big Chris Craft cabin cruiser boat (sleeps 6) and for that it is Duramax time.
 

youngpolarisguy

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Get the 6.2 it doesn't have all the active fuel management crap the 5.3 dose and i am sure it doesn't have variable cam timing either, i know some the 5.3's had cam issues due to the displacement on demand.
 

Cat401

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Get the 6.2 it doesn't have all the active fuel management crap the 5.3 dose and i am sure it doesn't have variable cam timing either, i know some the 5.3's had cam issues due to the displacement on demand.

you're half right....the older 6.2's did not have but the new ones do.....my '11 6.2 does not.....my '15 has it....not sure what year it changed
 

youngpolarisguy

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Well that sucks. That was one of the perks to the 6.2. Well I still say 6.2 the power is nice when towing and it not hunting gears all the time.

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tex78

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Get the 6.2 it doesn't have all the active fuel management crap the 5.3 dose and i am sure it doesn't have variable cam timing either, i know some the 5.3's had cam issues due to the displacement on demand.
No the 6.2 have the same cam and lifter issues


Cams are 195 buck new what does that tell ya for quality , Chinese sh!t and have no hardening to them
 

pfi572

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No the 6.2 have the same cam and lifter issues


Cams are 195 buck new what does that tell ya for quality , Chinese sh!t and have no hardening to them

So change oil lots then ?
These new ones take 8 L .
 

kovs

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5000kms - more important in these new engines than old ones to change every 5k


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tex78

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So change oil lots then ?
These new ones take 8 L .
Yes that helps forsure, don't go by the change oil life at all



Problem is this new oil sucks balls and has no zddp, which is the film to keep metal things from fawking each other up
 

pfi572

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Yeh I never go off of the dash chit.
Every 8000 on Duramax and same for 6.2.
Sorry back to topic OP.
 

sledsarecool

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Thanks for all of the input!

Heard a rumor that gm wants you to run premium in them? Any truth to that?
 

tex78

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Nope, never heard that

U want teir one gas ( good stuff like shell)

Give it a shot of sea foam every 10 tanks or so, makes a big difference
 
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MK4TDI

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Thanks for all of the input!

Heard a rumor that gm wants you to run premium in them? Any truth to that?
That they sure do. Main reason why I didn't go that route. Didn't want to have the computer freak out when a guy is back in the middle of the bush and the only fuel supplied is what ever they can get.

If I wasn't using the truck for work I would definitely go with the 6.2 and likely pair it up with that 8spd.

The 5.3 in the max tow with the 3.73 gears has got a lot of jamb, it still does gear hunt a bit more than I'd like. I found that putting the transmission in manual mode and gear 5 sure helps in the city. It also doesn't use the AFM in manual mode until it's in 6th.

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