Not Impressed

Friz · April 22, 2005

I have a 1995 K3500 Crew Cab Longbed with a TBI 5.7 bone stock. Although adequate, I have always longed for more power. This is a heavy truck to pull around even unloaded.

Today, I had the opportunity to drive a 2004 K3500 Crew Cab Longbed with a 6.0 for work. I took it on a 150 mile run, some interstate, some two lane, and around town.

I really did not see any performance difference in the two vehicles. I was shocked! I've heard so many great things about the 5.3 and 6.0, I was expecting to be pushed back in the seat. I did notice higher shift points with the 6.0 though. My 5.7 hardly ever goes over 3000 rpm in normal driving. The 6.0 frequently went to 3500 before shifting.

My 5.7 has the 4.10 rear gear, I don't know what gear is in the 6.0, but it is a base model, so I assume it is a 4.10 also.

My wife has a 4.8 in her Tahoe, and I do notice quite a bit better acceleration there, but it is a much lighter vehicle than the trucks.

What gives?

Friz · April 22, 2005

To the top.

Hey, I'm not trying to be a wise guy, I'm looking for some feedback here!

USA1Fan · April 22, 2005

You're not the first I've heard make a comparison like this between the 5.7 and the newer 5.3 / 6.0 engines. My father currently has a 1971 K1500 350ci and a 2004 Z71 ecsb 5.3l (3.73). Until just recently he also owned a 1998 rcsb z71 5.7l (no idea of the gearing on this or the 3 speed on the column '71 though). He commented that the hp / torque numbers he's seen for the new truck are much higher than for either of the other trucks but that he doesn't think his new truck feels as strong as the other two.

I think it's mainly because the new engines rev higher and get less of their power down low than the 5.7 did. That makes the 350 feel stronger off the line and probably where most people drive them 90% of the time ( 1500 - 3000 rpm, or like me with my own '04, <2500 rpm). The real power for these new engines is a bit further up in the rpms, but it IS there.

MrQuadrasteer · April 22, 2005

Torque Management ?? Maybe ya got a dud ?!!? You still had the e-brake on ?!!!?

My 6-O was okay stock. Nothing phenomenal but not bad for 6000lbs.

Pop a Wester's tune in there and be wow-ed !!!

snoman · April 22, 2005

I have a 1995 K3500 Crew Cab Longbed with a TBI 5.7 bone stock. Although adequate, I have always longed for more power. This is a heavy truck to pull around even unloaded.
Today, I had the opportunity to drive a 2004 K3500 Crew Cab Longbed with a 6.0 for work. I took it on a 150 mile run, some interstate, some two lane, and around town.

I really did not see any performance difference in the two vehicles. I was shocked! I've heard so many great things about the 5.3 and 6.0, I was expecting to be pushed back in the seat. I did notice higher shift points with the 6.0 though. My 5.7 hardly ever goes over 3000 rpm in normal driving. The 6.0 frequently went to 3500 before shifting.

My 5.7 has the 4.10 rear gear, I don't know what gear is in the 6.0, but it is a base model, so I assume it is a 4.10 also.

My wife has a 4.8 in her Tahoe, and I do notice quite a bit better acceleration there, but it is a much lighter vehicle than the trucks.

What gives?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I own a GM TBI 350 and a GM Vortec 350 and the difference between them is night and day. The TBI unit does not like to pull much above 3 grand or so and the Vortec 350 is just starting to run at that speed and pulls strongly to 5000 RPM. The TBI engine seem to get load moving for a standstill a bit better and is perker around town as low RPM's but the Vortec 350 engine really gets with it if you get into it and get the revs up.

whitesnake01 · April 22, 2005

If this was a used truck, do not overlook the impact of a truck "learning" the driving habit of a previous owner, which can impact shift patterns slightly. Just a thought.

Superman TNT · April 22, 2005

I have owned both. I had a 96 1500 Z71 Ecab 4 x 4 with the 350 and 3:73 rear gears. I pulled a small (6,000lb) 5th wheel with it with absolutely no problems. On the intersatet I could set the cruise at 73 and the engine never even shift down when I came to small inclines.

I replaced this with an exact copy 2001 1500 Z71 Ecab 4x4 with the 5.3l and 3:73 rear gears. I don't care what anyone says that engine sucks! I pulled (or attempted to) the same exact camper. That truck worked its butt off to try and pull it. The dealer told me "oh ya, it will pull it better than your 350". Ya right. What a dog. I did like the interior updates of the 01 but that 5.3L V8 (it is suppose to be a V8) sucks! I would never buy another one. From my own personal experience my 350 would tow that dog 5.3 around in circles.

I have been told the 6.0L is much better although I don't have any personal experience with it. Anyway I solved my towing problems once and for all and bought an 04 2500HD w/ the 8.1 and Ally tranny. Now I can tow.

If you tow anything over 2,500lb I wouldn't waste your time with the 5.3!

mcreyaufmiller · April 22, 2005

I need a drink.

Friz · April 22, 2005

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'm not really missing much seeing the replies that you guys left. Most of my driving is in the lower rpm range, so all that power coming on at high rpm won't do me any good.

I suppose with the efi, the mpg would be a little better, but maybe not if you need to wind them up.

Here's an question, and this applies to most vehicles across the board these days;

Why are the manufacturers building motors that like to turn a lot of rpm to get the power up, then gear them so they never run those rpms?

Even with a 4.10 rear gear, my truck and the 2004 that I drove run 2500 rpm at 75 mph.

Can anyone give me mileage feedback for a crew cab 6.0?

Mark_in_Tulsa · April 22, 2005

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'm not really missing much seeing the replies that you guys left. Most of my driving is in the lower rpm range, so all that power coming on at high rpm won't do me any good.
I suppose with the efi, the mpg would be a little better, but maybe not if you need to wind them up.

Here's an question, and this applies to most vehicles across the board these days;

Why are the manufacturers building motors that like to turn a lot of rpm to get the power up, then gear them so they never run those rpms?

Even with a 4.10 rear gear, my truck and the 2004 that I drove run 2500 rpm at 75 mph.

Can anyone give me mileage feedback for a crew cab 6.0?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HP wars my friend. Thats what its all about.

BUT, yes with the newer motors, with a higher RPM torque numbers, they are still getting better MPG towing even if they do have to make their power higher up.

snoman · April 22, 2005

I have owned both. I had a 96 1500 Z71 Ecab 4 x 4 with the 350 and 3:73 rear gears. I pulled a small (6,000lb) 5th wheel with it with absolutely no problems. On the intersatet I could set the cruise at 73 and the engine never even shift down when I came to small inclines.

I replaced this with an exact copy 2001 1500 Z71 Ecab 4x4 with the 5.3l and 3:73 rear gears. I don't care what anyone says that engine sucks! I pulled (or attempted to) the same exact camper. That truck worked its butt off to try and pull it. The dealer told me "oh ya, it will pull it better than your 350". Ya right. What a dog. I did like the interior updates of the 01 but that 5.3L V8 (it is suppose to be a V8) sucks! I would never buy another one. From my own personal experience my 350 would tow that dog 5.3 around in circles.

I have been told the 6.0L is much better although I don't have any personal experience with it. Anyway I solved my towing problems once and for all and bought an 04 2500HD w/ the 8.1 and Ally tranny. Now I can tow.

If you tow anything over 2,500lb I wouldn't waste your time with the 5.3!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem with the 5.3 Vortec is that its power peaks above 3000 RPM in order to get its HP ratings and in a truck with 3.73's and a trailer it S U C K S !! you need a minimum 4.10 if you want to pull anything of any weight and a 4.56 if you pull serious weight. The 5.3 is not a bad engine if it is properly geared to load.

Friz · April 22, 2005

I need a drink.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's Friday, 1805 hours. The daughter's comfy, supper's been eaten.

It's martini time!

XTOAK · April 23, 2005

Hey Fritz, get out there and drive the same model with an 8.1L in it....that 6.0 is a real dog in the heavier truck but the 8.1 is perfect....it'll put the grin back on your face that you get with your older truck!

Wingnut · April 23, 2005

I need a drink.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let's have one together.

I have both, and what most are saying is right. The '92 is very snappy on bottom, and the '02....Well...It's just a dog

Until you get the RPM's up anyway.

Frank S · April 23, 2005

Torque Management ??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bingo.

It's a night and day difference going from an OBS 5.7 Vortec to the NBS 6.0. The TQM they put on the new ones severely chokes the engines down and makes for a not so impressive stock feeling IMO.