Update to my first review...Not impressed with my choice of powerplant

rudapa · December 24, 2013

I like the MPGs since I'm running empty 80% of the time. I tow a 21' bass boat and it tows fine for me. I never feel like I'm on a drag strip, but the truth is, I'm not ever on a drag strip. 5.3 - 3.42 - 4x4

PaulM · December 24, 2013

Just wanted to give an update to my original review of my new 14' Silverado 1500. It's a crew cab, 4x4 z71, 5.3 with 3.42 gears with 22" GM wheels. The truck it replaced was an 11' Ram crew cab 1500, 5.7 Hemi, 4x4, 3.92 gears with oe 20" wheels. The more that I drive my new truck and tow with it as well, the more I am very unhappy with the power and performance. This truck is gutless compared to the Ram. I'm seriously considering trading it in for a 6.2 version of the same truck with the 3.73 gears. I think it was just stupid on GM's part for not offering optional lower gearing for towing and performance. I pulled out in traffic the other day, not towing or anything and it seemed to take forever to get out of the way of the traffic. When towing, it is even worse, and I'm only talking about 1,500lbs on a small landscape trailer. I know it's rated to tow more, but not in my opinion at the same effort that my Ram could do it. I love everything else, but I've gotta get back to my near 400 or more hp and over 4oo lb tq that I was used to. I am sure that the old 3.92 in the Ram made a big difference too. Screw the fuel mileage when I wanna go and tow! I love my 22mpg at times, but I'll gladly take 15mpg if it can get up and go with no sweat. Anyone else come from a more powerful truck to the 5.3 and feel the same?

I agree, the 5.3L is nothing like the big brother 6.2L. If it wasnt for the amazing deal I got on my 5.3L I would have gone for the 6.2L. And all this time I am spending trying to get more HP out of this 5.3L wouldnt be an issue with the 6.2L.

PaulM · December 24, 2013

I feel the same coming from a2011 Duramax.I feel the 5.3 3.42 to be quite underwhelming.I think they have gone way too far in the torque management and lazy throttle tip in.

Is there a thread on the forum here that shows what the optimal gear size is for your engine/tire size? Trying to see what gears I need to go to when i get 34.1" tires installed next week. Factory tires are 31.9" currently.

PaulM · December 24, 2013

While true, it sounds as if it is exactly the method that people are looking for. You want to feel like it is going faster, but the more refined a truck is along with more stringent EPA/CAFE standards mfg's have to hit, they hinder acceleration.

That said, I would at least talk to Blackbear & see what could be done in terms of tuning. Would be much cheaper than trading IF you are still happy with the rest of the truck.

For what it is worth, 2016 brings a whole new round of EPA/cafe garbage. http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-automakers-will-meet-2016-cafe-standards

Blackbear told me to wait another month or two and they will have the 5.3L Ecotec3 tune complete. Right now they can tune the motor, but not transmission.

Silverado Steve · December 24, 2013

I'm surprised GM didn't offer a 3.55 and a 3.73 like Ford. I've always felt GM really limits the engine maybe to protect the drivetrain. I had a 2005 trailblazer and at the time it felt extremely weak off the line for 275 horses.

Derodeo · December 24, 2013

Rim size can affect the acceleration of the truck? IE 22 inch rims make a truck slower than one with 20 inch rims?

Pretty much worse everything; performance, fuel mileage, impact resistance, braking, smoothness...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/effects-of-upsized-wheels-and-tires-tested?redirect=no

tanked_darren · December 24, 2013

Well I'm shopping for a ford right now they have way more selection in the way of axles. Its almost a joke how gm limits their axle choices.

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voltedge · December 24, 2013

Ok, to answer a few questions about my situation with my truck. I did test drive the truck, infact about 5 different ones with various options and this was the one that seemed to do the best for us. I drove them for a couple days at the time and convinced myself that it would be fine rather than wait on the 6.2, that was not available at the time. I did realize that it was a step back from my old Hemi, but the refinement and the better transmission was what pushed me over the edge. I did not tow with the truck before buying, or it would have never happened. As a matter of fact, I never even put it to the floor and dogged it out, which I should have. Now, all of that said, My Ram would flat out get away from you if you weren't careful and It had a huge set hanging. We just purchased a small farm and I'm getting some livestock that will require a fair amount of towing as well as towing my tractor and implements from time to time. This is why I think a Duramax would not be overkill because it is there when I need it. This is not a daily chore although and the 6.2 could handle it just fine I'm sure. As for the financial loss, I understand all of that and I'm only looking at around an additional $3,000.00 net loss to trade the truck, which the dealership can cover the majority of with some kind of hidden incentives that they get t use as they see fit to make a deal. I will surely test a 6.2 before trading as well as the Duramax when it is available. I love the look of the 22's but never again after feeling the weight of them and the performance decrease that they afford. We'll see!

voltedge · December 24, 2013

Sorry for the multiple posts...computer locked up and I thought it didn't post!

2017SierraSLT · December 24, 2013

My Vortec 5.3 was not a screamer right out of the box. After it has broken in, a MIT, and tune, it is a whole different engine without sacrifice to economy and improving smoothness.

voltedge · December 24, 2013

Deleted, multiple posts

PaulM · December 24, 2013

Ok, to answer a few questions about my situation with my truck. I did test drive the truck, infact about 5 different ones with various options and this was the one that seemed to do the best for us. I drove them for a couple days at the time and convinced myself that it would be fine rather than wait on the 6.2, that was not available at the time. I did realize that it was a step back from my old Hemi, but the refinement and the better transmission was what pushed me over the edge. I did not tow with the truck before buying, or it would have never happened. As a matter of fact, I never even put it to the floor and dogged it out, which I should have. Now, all of that said, My Ram would flat out get away from you if you weren't careful and It had a huge set hanging. We just purchased a small farm and I'm getting some livestock that will require a fair amount of towing as well as towing my tractor and implements from time to time. This is why I think a Duramax would not be overkill because it is there when I need it. This is not a daily chore although and the 6.2 could handle it just fine I'm sure. As for the financial loss, I understand all of that and I'm only looking at around an additional $3,000.00 net loss to trade the truck, which the dealership can cover the majority of with some kind of hidden incentives that they get t use as they see fit to make a deal. I will surely test a 6.2 before trading as well as the Duramax when it is available. I love the look of the 22's but never again after feeling the weight of them and the performance decrease that they afford. We'll see!

wow, PM me the name of that dealership and salesman, Id like to do the same if only 3k loss.

bearman95 · December 24, 2013

My 2010 Silverado had the 6.2 and I tow the same 5,000 pound boat and trailer with both of my 2014 5.3 trucks as I did with the 2010 6.2. Each truck has a 342 rear end as did my 2010. Gas mileage is much better on both my 14's than on the 10. But as far as power goes the 2014 5.3 is in the same ballpark as the 2010 6.2. The 2010 6.2 may have had a little more hump to it but not so much that I noticed a big difference.

bogeypro · December 24, 2013

I agree with bearman. I had a 2011 with 6.2 and I think the new 5.3 pulls just as good and gets muuuch better gas mileage.

I almost bought a ram. Honestly, the hemi felt weak to me. Seems like it is really handcuffed and the transmission was not really a 6 speed...is really a 5 speed with some marketing gimmicks to call it a 6 speed.

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