5.3 vs 6.0

[coombia21]

what is the fuel mileage for a chevy silverado 5.3 ext cab vs a 6.0 reg cab both are 2003 and what are the pros and cons of each and what would i be able to do to improve fuel mileage

[sparkyaber]

if you don't need the 6.0 don't get it. I had a friend who had one, pulling his heavy fish house north in the cold 8 mpg, not so good. He now has a duramax. I would lean tward the 5.3, they are acctually really good as far as mpg goes.

[fishin ike]

I have A 02 silverado 2500hd.I get 12 mpg unless im pulling something heavy then it does drop to 9 or 10 mpg.In my opion the 6.0 is the best gas motor around.

[coombia21]

what can i do to improve the mileage in a 6.0

[Hafnutz]

6.0 engines were only available in the 2500 and larger series in 2003. These came with a 4:10 gear ratio. 5.3s were used in the 1500 series (1/2 ton?) Most of these came with 3.73 gears. The higher 3:73 gears will contribute to better overall fuel mileage.

[LMITOUT]

what can i do to improve the mileage in a 6.0

Trade it in on a Duramax. That's what I did.

Seriously though, you're not going to improve the mileage much with any add-on equip. Go with the 5.3 if fuel economy is your biggest concern.

[coombia21]

but i would like to start plowing next winter and i am not really worried about gas mileage but any help would be great

[coombia21]

how would plowing be with a ext cab 1500 5.3 silverado and how much worse mileage would i get with a 6.0

[Hafnutz]

I don't know that i would do much plowing with a 1/2 ton. Better to look at a 3/4 or even a one-ton. I'm thinking this subject was covered here awhile back.

[LMITOUT]

If you're not worried about mileage then get the 6.0. You'll average 12-13 mpg.

[coombia21]

what kind of mileage would i get with a 5.3

[Valv]

I am driving 2007 1500 Silverados at work and they get approx 15mpg empty and 12mpg towing.

[coombia21]

are the trucks 4x4

[gunmunky]

I personally would NEVER get a truck with the 6.0. I had a 1 Ton Crew Cab with the 7.4 (454 with 4:10 gears) and I would out pull and I got much better mileage than all the people I know that had the 6.0. Everyone that had the 6.0 couldn't get better than 12mpg and when they would pull anything they would get around 8mpg. My 1 Ton would easily get 15 to 16 on the HWY and when I pulled my 12000 lb camper I would still get 9-10mpg. I currently have a GMC with the 5.3 and I think its much better than all the 6.0's that I have driven. If you are going to pull anything heavy, get the big block.

[coombia21]

was your big block a diesel

[gunmunky]

No it wasn't. I personally don't care for diesels. But if you are going to pull/haul a lot , they are the way to go.

[DRH1175]

In 2007 they added a 6 speed tranny to the 6.0 in the HD series. The dealer told me mid teens empty and around 10 - 12 towing. Is he accurate. For those with the Duramax how much did the upgrade cost. They are telling me $11000. Priced around 53k. Ouch!

[Tyler23]

if your going to pull heavy loads go with the 6.0 but personally if i was going to get a pickup to tow stuff i would get a 8.1. you can also get a 1500hd with the 6.0 and 3.73 gears in the back which will give you better mpg. if you dont do much pulling go with a 5.3. thats would i would get even if your pulling a fish house or boat.

[WingDing2]

I have an 2003 1500HD w/ 6.0 I really like it and I have not had any problems with it other than $4.00 gal. gas!

Really if your towing a big boat or 4 sleds or a camper dont get the 5.3

I also own a 2006 Yukon XL w/5.3 works great for haulin the family around and towing a couple sleds but I'm not towing my 5900 lb Sportcraft with it. I use the 6.0

[WingDing2]

Bump it to the top

[hamrej23]

6.0 engines were only available in the 2500 and larger series in 2003. These came with a 4:10 gear ratio. 5.3s were used in the 1500 series (1/2 ton?) Most of these came with 3.73 gears. The higher 3:73 gears will contribute to better overall fuel mileage.

Actually you can get the 6.0 in the heavy halves-1500's

Not anymore though.

They only made them in crew cabs.

[Hafnutz]

Originally Posted By: Hafnutz

6.0 engines were only available in the 2500 and larger series in 2003. These came with a 4:10 gear ratio. 5.3s were used in the 1500 series (1/2 ton?) Most of these came with 3.73 gears. The higher 3:73 gears will contribute to better overall fuel mileage.

Actually you can get the 6.0 in the heavy halves-1500's

Not anymore though.

They only made them in crew cabs.

You're correct. They only made the H.D.1500 for a short time. I forgot about those. I believe you could get the 3:73 gears in them also.

[fishorgolf]

I have a 3/4 ton GMC Yukon XL and I get about 13.5 mpg everyday driving (used to get almost 15 with the hard road tires it came with) and get about 10 mpg towing a 20' glass boat. Not great but I just don't think the 5.3 is much of a towing motor. My Nephew got rid of his 5.3 and got a 6.0 because he did not like how it towed his 17' boat. I think that is a bit much but he is kind of particular. But if towing is not what you plan to do with the truck I would think a 5.3 would be fine.

[fishorgolf]

Also..with the 3/4 ton you get the HD transmission w/cooler etc. Big deal when heavy towing in hot weather, strong headwinds and in the mountains. been in two 1/2 tons when the trannys have blown. Not fun at 2:00 am driving to canada goose hunting.

[WingDing2]

My 6.0 came with the 4L80E Tranny. I was told this is the big boy for gas engines? As opposed to the 4L60E in 5.3's I would assume that was good info, It was from the dealer service dept.