What Engine You Chose and why VOTE

[Jrodpic]

Have experience with pretty much all 3 of them. Had a 2020 5.3 10 speed. Currently have a 2022 3.0 10 speed. Also have a 6.2 Camaro. So not exactly the same, but close enough.

 

Originally went with the 5.3 over the 6.2 in the 2020 for a few reasons. First was because it is my wife’s DD and our tow vehicle. She isn’t a huge fan of driving my Camaro. Too much power for her. Second was because it doesn’t require premium gas. Already have that with the Camaro so didn’t want to have to run premium in both. The 6.2 seemed to be the only engine with the lifter issues at that time too so that squashed any urge to go that route. Also the 3.0 wasn’t an option in the TrailBoss at that time.

 

When the 2020 got totaled the 3.0 made the most sense. 6.2 and 5.3 both took a significant gas mileage hit and are subject to the lifter issues. We all know the tank size doesn’t favor those who tow so while the mileage hit may not be that big a deal to most it mattered to us.

 

Got a 2022 LTD 3.0 TrailBoss about a month ago that is nearly identical to our 2020. We have been pleased with the 3.0 so far. There is pretty much no noticeable difference between it and the 5.3 performance wise except for the diesel sound. Have gotten over 26 MPG on some highway trips. Haven’t towed long distance yet but got 12.5 mpg in the city towing our trailer to and from storage. The 5.3 got around 10.5-11 on the highway. Like someone else said they all have their place, but I’d recommend the 3.0 to anyone interested. 

[L87Powered]

6.2 is the main reason for getting this truck. Plenty of power and good MPG. I prefer a big V8 rather than a V6 or turbo. Call me old school I guess. 

[John813]

The 6.2L made me switch from Ford to Chevy. 

 

Even with the lifter issues, I rather deal with that possibility than dealing with another Ecoboost issue(3 for 3 in different vehicles) 

 

I wanted a V8 with a lot of power. And that's what I got. Gas prices and MPG be damned. 

[chem_man]

Familiarity with the 5.3 engine.

[the wanderer]

On 4/27/2022 at 11:20 AM, Gangly said:

Peak numbers are useless bragging rights that mean nothing to people who know better.   The L84 5.3 make's its power early and holds it for a looooooong time, with a beautiful and long plateau, PERFECT for towing or grunt work.  In the tow and haul industry(hotshot, etc.) where efficiency is everything, peak motor numbers are for arm chair bragging rights, "area under the curve" delivers a real world product. 

 

You have the right idea, torque under the curve is far more important than 0 to 60 time under WOT. A truck can feel more sluggish around town than a second truck, even if it's faster under WOT. This is the case with the 2.7. Around town and pulling a trailer, it builds more torque (and far quicker) than the 5.3 does. Only when you mash the pedal does the extra HP from the 5.3 win out.

 

Both are probably fine options, I don't own either of them but if I had to pick it would be the 2.7 every day of the week due to what I want from a truck; great power low down and early on. Trucks that need to rev to high to make power but win 0 to 60's are completely irrelevant to me.

 

I haven't yet driven the updated 2.7 but it will probably beat the 5.3 in normal usage. Very subjective of course, but I've driven the old 2.7 and the current 5.3 and my vote is 2.7; can only imagine what the updated 2.7 feels like.

[KARNUT]

My early diesels were good with TQ low HP. They could pull down a barn but couldn’t accelerate worth a damn. My V-10 had both big difference. Unless I’m pulling 0-60 and 30-80 is where I’m looking. Probably 30-80 is the most important if two lane passing is a concern. 

[mwlewis558]

On 5/20/2022 at 6:10 AM, John813 said:

The 6.2L made me switch from Ford to Chevy. 

 

Even with the lifter issues, I rather deal with that possibility than dealing with another Ecoboost issue(3 for 3 in different vehicles) 

 

I wanted a V8 with a lot of power. And that's what I got. Gas prices and MPG be damned. 

My previous truck was a 2012 F150 3.5L Ecoboost. From 60k miles to 195k I only ever had to replace the water pump but I never had the cam phaser tick or any other common issues. The truck had plenty of power and when the turbos kicked in it would fly but gas milage was HORRENDOUS. I averaged 11-13 around town with average driving habits. 

 

I wanted a V8 and went the GMC route and got the 5.3 and I'm loving it. 

[dgstarr63]

I have owned three 5.3 trucks. The 6.2 requires premium fuel and costs more to start with, is harder to find in dealer inventories. My 5.3 trucks do a good job of towing a 6000 lb car trailer. If I was towing any heavier trailer in the mountains, I would go with the 6.2. The diesel has not proven itself yet and requires a very expensive oil pump belt replacement, a very poor design feature.  

[Acpantera]

My choice was the 2.7T, to tell you the truth a truck wasn't on my radar when it came time to replace my Genesis G80 sport. I had my fun with that twin turbo V6. I had recently got back into snowmobiling so I did wanted a vehicle with some towing capability(I was using dads Verano w/studded snows). My son had a new Trailboss w/5.3....no thanks...too tall...too stiff, too thirsty for every day driving.

I checked into the new 2.7 and was impressed with the engineering. In 42 years of vehicle ownership I have only had 1 V8. I just really don't have the need or desire for one. The 2.7 is power dense and pleasing to drive. Rated at over 9,000# towing, I would not hesitate to tow a camper or any other trailer at 5,000# any where at any time for as long as needed. I am usually a more sporting driver than most, but I have a powerful 175hp sport touring bike and a 200hp turbo snowmobile to get my speed jollies. The 2.7 can keep me ahead of normal traffic and still return over 18mpg(can hyper mile over 22mpg) so a V8 would be over kill for me, besides, I personally prefer the sound of turbo spooling up verses the V8 sound....that's just my "thing". As for the folks that are convinced that a N/A V8 will out live a modern Turbo 4, I really don't care because I seldom keep a vehicle longer than 60,000 miles, just can't watch a vehicles value fall next to nothing, so I trade my stuff every 4 to 5 years. Given the good engineering in the 2.7 I wouldn't be surprised to see one last as long as a V8 if cared for properly.

[Mudcon]

6.2 just for the fact it makes me smile when I drive it......

[Fas-T]

3.0 i6 diesel. I have a 60mi daily commute and this engine gives me a 28-30mpg. runs butter smooth with the 10 speed. tows about everything I care about

[Schumacher]

Duramax, these high fuel prices are here to stay for many years.  I doubt we will see oil under 80 a barrel for a decade.  I will take the fuel economy any day over an engine sound and to feel manly.

[4banger]

Why no 2.7t choice?

 

I chose 2.7t for the following reasons:

 

1. Simple Configuration. Inline 4, single turbo, less to go wrong, efficient packaging/weight.

2. Long Stroke. Way more torque than hp. (both the 5.3/6.2 are short stroke motors)

3. Output. Truck power (not car power), see point 2. 430 ft/lbs at lower rpm than the v8's peak torque.

4. Boost. Naturally aspirated engines lose 3% power every 1000', boosted only loses only 0.05% eliminating elevation. I live at 4000' and play to 7000' regularly. By 2500' elevation the 2.7t has same torque as the 6.2 and gains from there, the 5.3 isn't really in the same league at elevation.

5. Weight. ~375 lbs. Nimble handling, less apt to sink front end off road, more tow/haul capacity, 160 lbs less than 5.3.

6. Fuel Economy & Efficiency. Of all the gas half tons on fuelly.com averages the gm 2.7t uses the least fuel beating the ford 2.7tt by 0.15 mpg and the 5.3 by 1.4 mpg. For similar power outputs turbo engine will get ~13% better economy, mostly due to feeding less cylinders at idle and lower rpm. Efficiency in that versatility to sip fuel when not needed but ramp up to big league v8 power when needed.

7. Gas. I love diesel by numbers and performance but one whiff is instant headache and hate the emissions systems issues, complexity, weight, def fluid, and overall costs both new and maintenance. Even without the headache I won't go diesel.

 

Cons or concerns as I see them:

 

1. Sound. V8 wins, but this is only a subjective win. I'm too old to care about the subjective, I'll take objective all day now.

2. Possible longevity win on the v8's. That's the reputation, however; a) 2.7t has 3 years under it's belt winning (no flies on it), b) designed from ground up as a truck engine around a turbo so has the necessary bottom end to handle the cylinder pressures of a turbo, c) passed the same durability testing as the v8's, and d) the original gen 1 cummins turbo diesel was a long stroke inline turbo (most diesels run ~2600 psi) that went a million miles before rebuilds. Seems logical gm, who has been building legends for a long time, would get this right on any new motor, including the 2.7t and the 3.0 diesel. (NA engines ~1000 psi cylinder pressures, Turbo Gas ~2000 psi, and Turbo Diesel ~2600 psi...rules of thumb)

 

When looking at all the objective info available it's easy to see why boost is the future.

Edited June 11, 2022 by 4banger

[Chevyguy273]

I chose the 6.2 because it was the biggest engine available with the 10sp. I ordered my 2020 LTZ crew cab exactly how I wanted it. I absolutely love this drivetrain. There is power everywhere in the rpm range. The transmission shifts so smooth. 

[rcslotcar]

My last two trucks had the 5.3.  The truck I chose was the 6.2 in a fully optioned AT4. When I test drove it I knew it was going home with me.