anyone know towing, 5,3 vs. 4.8

[darnie1987]

whats ur budget look like? if you have alittle spending cash, you could get a good deal on a junker 5.3, get a tune, ebay CAI, and vette servos and have a nice set up

[mopower440]

whats ur budget look like? if you have alittle spending cash, you could get a good deal on a junker 5.3, get a tune, ebay CAI, and vette servos and have a nice set up

Thats exactly what im thinking but just wanted to know if the 5.3 was just a little better or a lot better at towing than the 4.8

[darnie1987]

simple answer. based on a 2004 but im guessing your not going to be getting a crate motor.

4.8-liter engine has 285 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 295 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 rpm

5.3 -315 hp and torque is 335

id get the 5.3

[Duct_tape123]

Where are you located? I've got a 5.3 with flat top pistons that would do what you want.

[kerrige]

I think the very best thing for you would be a gear swap. A 5.3 with flattop pistons would be awesome and a dramatic towing upgrade. Stock for stock a 5.3 will be 20% better IMO. The 4.8 is a rev happy motor that isn't the best for towing. The 5.3 also responds much stronger to Bolton's. However, nothing you can do with the exception of a 6.0 swap, is to swap your gears. 4.10s or 4.30s will help you move out quicker and at cruise will hold a lot better. Also reducing stress on the transmission and other drive line parts. A 5.3 with flattops some Bolton's and gears will get you a great setup. Also if you plan to tow a lot you should look at a big trans cooler. My trans temps soar when I tow. Add a 40k true cool and it will stay cool in the hottest summer days.

[mopower440]

well, My old 1989 chevy with 350 TBI and 3.42 gears didnt care what was behind it. It never had to struggle. would the 5.3 be more like that? wondering if the 5.3 is comparable to the old 350 OR, the 305? Im thinking the 6.0 is more comparable to the old 350 and the 5.3 is comparable to the old 305. OR is it the 4.8 and 305 similar and 5.3 and 350 similar? (comparing towing)

[ImportThis]

Never curse a ls engine comparing it to an old 305!!! Before spending the money to swap from a 4.8 to 5.3, swap gears. You'll notice a big difference in pulling power going from 3.73s to just 4.10s. IMO if you're going from stock 4.8 to stock 5.3 you're wasting time and money. Now if you swap a flat top (or mill your heads a bit) 5.3 with a towing cam, and LT headers with a tune, then it would be more feasible.

[bootlife]

I have a 5.3, my friend has same truck with the 4.8, and my 5.3 will out tow him hands down. Taking off with a full size truck on a trailer feel a lil sluggish, at about 55 to 65 you have to watch your speed, my 5.3 wants to run 70. I have 4.10s to but not a lot diff than the 3.73s I'm running 33in tires so it's close to when it was all stock. You already have a 4.8 I'd do gears, and bump up the stall so you can stay in the mid range power that will help a lot. Tune will also help

[mopower440]

If it was a 2 wheel drive then changing gears to 4.10 wouldnt be bad, but seeing as its a 4x4, it would be a pain being i would have to do the front diff gears too, and expensive.

[ImportThis]

It won't be anymore expensive than swapping in a 5.3. Change the rear and run it a while. If you like it then swap the front. If you don't, swap back. Much easier than an engine swap.