5.3 vs 6.2 EcoTec3 - Which is Better?

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00:31 – 5.3 vs 6.2 Background
01:26 – Performance Differences – Power Output and Performance Potential
02:38 – Towing Differences
03:25 – Gas Mileage Differences
03:21 – Reliability & Common Problems for the 5.3 & 6.2
06:04 – Price Differences
08:03 – 6.2 vs 5.3 Recap

[ohioguy]

The gas mileage similar but the 6.2 takes premium fuel vs the 5.3 running on regular fuel. That’s about $20 more per fill up or $1, 000 more per year if you fill up once a week and $10, 000 more in fuel if you keep the truck 10 years. Maybe not a deal breaker but it does make a difference.

[jimblecha]

Just sold our 2013 Suburban with 5.3 with 265k for nearly 20% of original purchase price. Kept our 2013 Suburban, 5.3 with AFM now at 161k and bought a 2023 Silverado LTZ with 6.2 DFM. Both get comparable MPG, but the 6.2 (13, 300k rated with $850 towing package upgrade) hauls our 7, 000 pound trailer with ease compared to the 10k rated Suburban. We live in Colorado and the hills, altitude and heat were a strain on towing with the 5.3 which was really under engineered for towing. Fuel mileage of 21-22mpg is similar with the power advantage going to the Silverado 6.2. Just had our 2nd oil change and expect the mileage to get even better as the engine gets more miles. We’re retired and enjoy the extra comfort, large computer screen and other upgrades. Especially appreciate the towing package!

[Bill-cklo]

I’ve owned both, and I’m not concerned about gas mileage. I enjoy the power and yes there’s a big difference. If you want better mileage then yes go 5.3. I still get 18-20mpg on the highway

[undeadmonkey]

I have a 2021 Silverado rst with the 6.2. 17K miles, no issues. I love mine. I got really lucky. 17/24 mpg, when I don’t use sports mode lol. Added bed cover helps with aero and mpg.

[Patroit]

I believe those hp and torque specs on the 6.2 are based on the recommended 93 octane. Where I live in northern MN, it's a 92-cent difference between 87 and 91. 93 is hard to find, and I hear of ppl running 87 in the 6.2, but then you're not getting the most out of that 6.2 that you paid extra for. And paying 70k for a truck that recommends a certain fuel grade, I personally would run 91 minimum regardless of what other ppl say. So that was why I got the 5.3. Yes, 6.2 tows more and performs better doing it, but towing a 6k trailer trailer 6-7 times a year also wasn't justifiable to upgrade to the 6.2. Then, the other 99% of the time, when im not towing, I would have to pay $20-$25 more every week for fuel. And the 6.2 takes almost twice as much oil, premium oil isn't cheap. So, in my thoughts, the 5.3 was more financially smarter for my application.

[johnb]

Great explanation for someone like myself who isn't a motor head, thanks for the simple explanation.

[greghollingsworth]

I bought a GMC Sierra SLT with the 5.3. The reason, there was no way I’m buying premium fuel for a pickup truck especially given the fuel consumption when towing!

[carlosloko]

Thanks you I'm getting 2023 gmc yukon at4 xl 6.2L v8 engine I learned a lot.

[jameely]

I’m happy with my 5.3 and I’m not heavy with the gas pedal I fuel once a week

[youarerightboss]

You get what you pay for. The 6.2 is a superior engine and a hp/torque monster.

[simplespeed]

You can drive it in L9 gear and it will still stay in V8 mode. If you bump it up to L10 it will enable the dfm. I drive mine in L9 every day.

[Abcoolad]

With my 6.2 Sierra Denali, I get 22-24 MPG on the highway and I average about 80mph. I have a bed cover so that might help.

[mattbomster]

I got the 6.2 on my 2023 ZR2. No issues.

[DanielStump-sc]

Great clip. I found and plan to buy a 2014 Silverado High Country with the 6.2L. I’m new to AFM/DFM. Sounds like I want a disabler. Any recommendations or things to consider when buying a disabler? Thanks.

[jonlikesmail]

If you don't have the max trailering package (which was pretty much impossible to find when I bought my Silverado in Fall of 2022. Don't know how it is now) the 5.3 actually has 100 lbs more towing capacity than the 6.2. I'm under the impression that the drive train is not the limiting factor without the max tow and the 5.3, being lighter, offers more payload.

[LMDTVNetwork]

I got a 2011 Silverado with 5.3 and I put a chip to shut off the EFM . I have 200k miles on it.

[kellydoyea]

I bought my 2013 ltz 6.2 silverado in 2017, there is no AFM or DFM, soooo glad I found one. They are hard to find, but they didn't add that stupid fuel mgmt on the 6.2 until 2015 I believe, so lucky I don't have to worry on that part. I also have the fairway green metallic which is gorgeous, , when it is clean ha ha. People ask me if it is custom paint all the time, nope it is not. And oh yea I tow my 3 horse bumper pull trailer weekly. I gave up an 8.1 avalanche for it, so wanted to make sure I had the power of the 6.2.

[JASPACBRR]

My 6.2 2020 Sierra gets avg 25.6 in hwy in L9 to avoid DFM.

If I leave it in Drive and let the DFM do it’s work, I got 34mpg average going from York PA to Atlantic City.

Now country back roads in PA I get about 9.8 avg mpg.

[ablejohnson]

No replacement for displacement. Only down side of the 6.2 is you have to run premium.

[frankparisi]

2500 and an extra .50 to1.00 a gall8n more for gas was a deal breaker. The 5.3 has plenty of power for my needs. In my 19 Colorado if I ran regular gas it woukd knock li in e crazy. I suspect the 6.2 is similiar.