anyone know towing, 5,3 vs. 4.8

[mopower440]

on the 1999-06 trucks, can anyone tell me from experience, if the 5.3 tows a lot better than the 4.8, given they have the same rear gear ratio..?I know theres not much difference in the torque and horsepower numbers, so am really wondering.. I have a 1999 ecsb 4x4 3.73 gears, and tow a boat that weighs around 3100 lbs with trailer and it has to downshift constantly to go up any incline and it struggles more than i like. My buddy has the same truck, same gears, only his has the 5.3 and he tows a little heavier boat and says his doesnt struggle at all, goes right through the hills and all with no constant downshifting. anyone have any real world experience between the 2 engines towing? heck, my old 1989 with the 5.7 TBI, didnt care how heavy the load was, it would hold 70 down the interstate through hills and all!

[RS/SS 4.8]

4.8s dont like to tow. Mine doesnt even like 500lbs in the bed with 4.10s. 6.0 is the answer.

[mopower440]

i know about the 6.0 but wondering about the 5.3 vs. the 4.8

[RS/SS 4.8]

If its a 4.8 vs 5.3 then the 5.3 takes my vote. The stroke on the 5.3 is the same as the 6.0, 3.622 while the 4.8 crank is like 3.25 or somethin close, longer crank=more torque and therefore struggles less when towing/hauling. If u want to keep the 4.8 maybe some lower 4.10s, 4.30, 4.56 ect gears may help.

[mopower440]

na, im going with bigger engine. The 6.0 is 2 1/2 times the price of a 5.3, and money is tight, thats why im want to do the 5.3 and not the 6.0. BUT, if the 5.3 didnt tow a good bit better than the 4.8, i wont swap the engine, thats why i was asking. I guess im wondering will the 5.3 be a lot better on towing than the 4.8..I knew it had to be better with the longer stroke and all, but how much better..

[RS/SS 4.8]

Thats a good question. See if your buddy lets u borrow his and see for yourself. You can try contacting Nelson Performance (Allen runs around under the name of farmtruck on here) about a custom tune. That may help enough and only runs about 300 last time I checked. Oh by the way you should see what the 07+ 6.0 cost.

http://www.nelsonperformance.com/
210-626-0278

[bstill]

Try towing 6k pounds with a 4.8. It's awful.

[darnie1987]

x2 on the 5.3 get a tune and a ebay CAI spend about $450 bucks and youll have a decent truck to pull a load. deff alot better than a 4.8, just remember there is no replacement for displacement

[mopower440]

i know, was just wondering if was a night and day difference or not enough to bother with a 5.3

[Botlfed]

My shortwide 5.3 towed a car from Seattle to oklahoma with no problems cruising at 75 my cc 4.8 can barely tow itself lol nah itll tow just about anything but its gonna struggle and suck the mpgs