2016 5.3 changes?

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

Hey Yall,

So, I have a '15 CC SB 2wd, GU6, G80 5.3 truck.

Well my diff has a gear mesh problem or they forgot to put fluid in the thing or something.. so my trucks in the shop and they gave me a loaner.

'16 CC SB 2wd GU6 G80 5.3

The '16 has less miles (about 700 less, I've only owned my truck 11 days at this point and I already put 800 miles on it before I got it off the road long enough to drop it at the dealer.) but it JUMPS off the line and pulls very strong through 2-3k rpm. My truck isn't a slouch, but it doesn't really jump like this.

Did they make changes to the 5.3? did they prune torque management or something? It's so much more of a joy to drive without that sandbagged feeling.

LongrangeLauber · March 13, 2016

Gearing

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 13, 2016

Gearing

He stated both is the GU6 RPO code which is 3.42.

As for the difference, all I can think of in the drivetrain would be the trans. Maybe the '16 has the 8 speed instead of the 6 speed? Not sure, just a guess.

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

Yup, thats what it is.

I just pulled the sticker (dealer left it in the map pocket in the back of the driver seat) 2nd line on powertrain is 8 speed auto.

my 15 is a 6 I'm sure.

I didn't know they were putting the 8s on the 5.3s.

Well shoot.. now I'm disappointed. I had hoped I could get my truck to perform like this one.

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

It's one of those things like, you get used to it and take it for granted,

It's funny, the '14 6.2s didn't have this, guess the 15s dont either, now the 16 5.3s dont have it. I'm so bad at picking things out sometimes.

My truck drives fine, its not a slouch in driving, but off the line its taking me a good bit getting used to to not get rearended pulling out into traffic ya know? I think I'm gonna hate giving this thing back now lol.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 13, 2016

Well in '15 the only way you could get the 8 speed is by getting the 6.2, but there were a good amount of people that said the tuning wasn't all that great. Almost like they felt rushed to get the 8 speeds out before fine tuning the tune. Honestly I'm not worried about it, 6 speed is plenty of gears for me lol. Especially since my last truck was a 98 Silverado with the 4 speed 4L60e and the truck before that was an 86 C10 with a manual granny transmission where it was 4 forward gears but only 3 normal gears. It was 1-2-3 with an extra low gear so it was L-1-2-3. So I'm not going to complain about having a 6 speed. I have 3.08 gears so be glad you have 3.42s lol. I want to regear the truck asap.

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

I had a 3.08 '14 5.3 before this one. I highly recommend the re-gear. It's worth the money and time. There's a substantial difference in how this one drives from my '14.

But.. theres another substantial difference between my 15 and this 16 from the same diff to the 8 speed transmission.

You just barely touch the gas and the '16 rolls, its very comfortable.

Driving my 14 and now my 15 is like trying to use your gas pedal through a pillow. The 15 is better than the 14 was and certainy once you get moving it has a good bit more grunt, but starting out its like trying to move a loaded semi truck compared to this 16 loaner I'm in.

redwngr · March 13, 2016

For 16, the 8 speed with 5.3 only comes in some trim levels. (other trims/levels still get 5.3 w 6 speed)

Transmission, 8-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode. Includes Cruise Grade Braking and Powertrain Grade Braking

1LZ - Included and only available on Double Cab models with (L86) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Included and only available on Crew Cab models with (NHT) Max Trailering Package or (L86) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine.

2LZ - Included and only available on Double Cab models with (L86) 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Standard on Crew Cab models.

The 8 speed is standard on High Country.

A 2016 LT would have a 6 speed behind the 5.3

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

Believe it or not, the loaner is a CC SB LTZ. Whats the RPO for the 8 speed? I'll verify but the sticker SEEMS to show 8 speed under powertrain.

I actually had to check when I got home with this truck if it was the 6.2 because of how much more power it had over my '15. Its actually fun to drive!

If I can get something like this out of my truck with a re-gear or a tune (or both..) I will likely have to look into it.

LongrangeLauber · March 13, 2016

Let's just say when I replied I didn't read it all the way through cause I had been drinking a good bit lol

Imcrazy · March 13, 2016

On your '15, put it in Manual shift mode and then click it up to M5, push the two haul mode button. It will be more more fun to drive.

darkfox1 · March 13, 2016

the '16 is certainy an 8, I tested the manual mode and it goes to M8.

Bummer.

Well chalk this up to a positive review for the 5.3/8 speed combo from me then! It's a real pleasure to drive compared to the sandbagging 6 speed!

Silverado-Hareek · March 14, 2016

I don't think the 8 speed has anything to do with it. I drove a '15 with a 6 speed that smokes my '14 from a dead stop. I think they changed the tuning.

LongrangeLauber · March 14, 2016

I don't think the 8 speed has anything to do with it. I drove a '15 with a 6 speed that smokes my '14 from a dead stop. I think they changed the tuning.

Were they both the same gear ratios though?

darkfox1 · March 14, 2016

I don't think the 8 speed has anything to do with it. I drove a '15 with a 6 speed that smokes my '14 from a dead stop. I think they changed the tuning.

Did oyu mean 16 with the 6 speed here? or 15?

My 15 drove pretty much exactly the same as my 14, just.. a little bit better, but thats cos I went from 4wd/3.08 to 2wd/3.42 I think.