5.3 vs 6.2 gm

sirkdev

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Wondering thoughts on how reliable the 5.3 is vs the 6.2. I really want a 6.2 but they are few and far between vs a 5.3. What does it take to make a 5.3 reliable or can it be done? Need to tow 5-8000 lbs. Looking at either a 1500 gm or escalade. Thanks
 

lilduke

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5.3 are good. If you're towing everyday might not be the best, but for towing the camper on the weekend, it will get the job done.
 

JayT

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5.3 is a good motor, go to an auto wreckers they're a dime a dozen. They have to pretty much give them away because there's so many around still that run. The Hemi on the other hand, well....

6.2 is also an excellent motor, but if you're not Towing everyday I don't know if it would be worth it. IMO
 

lilduke

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The problems always seemed to start around 200,000k, I'm guessing you don't run them that far
80,000km on the current one and 225,000 on the last one when i traded it in. Ran good. Had another 100,000 in it easy.

I have a bunch of GM for our company, so i know how long they last. They are basically junk at 350,000km.
The motors can go longer, but the truck is pretty well toast.

Similar to dodge.

Ive seen a hemi with 700,000kms on it also. So i know they can go a long time too.


Changing the oil regularly helps.
 

JayT

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80,000km on the current one and 225,000 on the last one when i traded it in. Ran good. Had another 100,000 in it easy.

I have a bunch of GM for our company, so i know how long they last. They are basically junk at 350,000km.
The motors can go longer, but the truck is pretty well toast.

Similar to dodge.

Ive seen a hemi with 700,000kms on it also. So i know they can go a long time too.


Changing the oil regularly helps.
I put a new engine in mine at 220k and my brother put a new cam and lifters in his at 200k. Mine needed the cam and lifters also but a used engine seemed like a better idea since there was some metal shavings floating around in the oil from the cam for who knows how long. When that happened I started looking into it and apparently it's a very common problem
 

lilduke

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I put a new engine in mine at 220k and my brother put a new cam and lifters in his at 200k. Mine needed the cam and lifters also but a used engine seemed like a better idea since there was some metal shavings floating around in the oil from the cam for who knows how long. When that happened I started looking into it and apparently it's a very common problem
there is millions of hemis on the road. Sucks if you get a bad one i guess.


Getting a 5.3 gmc is no guarantee of a problem free vehicle!

My 2005 avalanche with the 5.3 was the biggest POS "truck" ive ever owned.

The motor was good, but on one sledding trip the muffler fell off and i blew a transmission and transfercase at silent pass....

180,000 km. Traded that baby in and got 2 grand. Had it 3 years and paid over 40g for it! Lol
 

JayT

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there is millions of hemis on the road. Sucks if you get a bad one i guess.


Getting a 5.3 gmc is no guarantee of a problem free vehicle!

My 2005 avalanche with the 5.3 was the biggest POS "truck" ive ever owned.

The motor was good, but on one sledding trip the muffler fell off and i blew a transmission and transfercase at silent pass....

180,000 km. Traded that baby in and got 2 grand. Had it 3 years and paid over 40g for it! Lol
I know every car manufacturer has lemons. That being said, you did say you're motor was good 😏
 

lilduke

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I know every car manufacturer has lemons. That being said, you did say you're 5.3 was good 😏
5.3 is good. Have had lots of them.(still have a few)

Avalanche wasnt a good one, but never had motor problems
 

Trashy

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I had a 2016 Chev 5.3 1500 and 2018 High Country 6.2, now I have a 2010 Sierra 2500 6.0

I would take that 6.2 back in a heart beat and forget about the rest.
 

Bnorth

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Seems like the biggest complaint on the 5.3 is the AFM. If you are deleting it for longevity anyway I would add a decent truck cam and close the power gap to the 6.2 while you're at it.
 

ctd

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If you are looking for a used 6.2L 10spd auto in a 1500 with approx. 78,000km send me a PM.
 
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