I'm looking at a Yukon XL Denali with a 6.0L. Is there much difference between the 5.3L as far a fuel economy and towing power? Any mechanical issues with the 6.0L? Are you happy with your 6.0L?

Thanks,

Pete

Before we had our Avalanche, we had a Sierra 2500 with the 6L, it would get a maximum of 17 mpg on the freeway going 65-75, the avalanche gets 21.

i'm sure the 6.0 liter is the GM flagship engine right now.

I have a 2001 C3 sierra with the 6.L and it has a digital gauge that tells the mpg and the average mpg. The best mpg ive seen was 18 mpg with a good tail wind and the average is around 14 mpg. As far as power lets just say theres PLENTY of it. The only thing i dont like about the motor is the piston slap (knock) that they refuse to recall (so far). Sounds like a diesal on a cold start up,but they say it will not hurt the motor but we will see.

The 5.3 makes great power for an engine it's size, when compared to the 6.0 it's far lower on torque but still a very capable engine. Piston noise when cold (on some engines) while annoying is said not to affect reliability. My '98 5.7 has had a similar issue since new but at just over 170 km, still runs mint and uses no oil.
IMHO unless you tow large loads on a regular basis the 5.3 is an excellent choice that burns a fraction of the fuel it's big brother will.

Rick
:cool:

My Dad has a 2001 2500 HD and gets 11-12 MPG not by the gauge, by the amnoutn of gas it takes. He says it pulls twice as good as his old 350 though, with only 1 or 2 MPG less.

Thanks for the replies!

I swung by the dealer today and checked it out,snapped a pic. Saaaweet!!!!

Way to flashy for a low key guy like myself :lookaround:

I just bought a 2004 denali short truck. Love the thing. Its beautiful luxurious and fast. Also expect a lot of looks. Fuel economy is not bad but not great. I just bought a fully enclosed v-nose and pulled it about 500 km on a tank of gas.

Buy the truck its worth it. And the difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0 is a lot. power wise

my 03 Sierra crew cab with a 6.0 and 3.73 gears has averaged about 11 mpg since new. (15000km/11000mi) It gets about 11 towing the boat and about 9 pulling the V nose Triton 2 place. The average is probably sqewed to the low side but it's usually towing one or the other so I am not sure what it would be averaging just driving it. Power is excellent, it pulls the boat ( 5000lbs wet) like its not really there.

Thats a sweet looking ride man. All you need to do is tint the windows and put some 22's on it now!

Originally posted by RNM2399@Mar 5 2004, 08:39 PM
Thats a sweet looking ride man. All you need to do is tint the windows and put some 22's on it now!
Ryan,I didn't buy yet. This truck is very nice but its almost $30,000 :cussing:

The search continues!

Around here we call 22s,double dubs :slick: :cool:

The difference in the 5.3 and the 6.0 is about 40HP, and 45lb-ft of torque.

5.3 is 285/325
6.0 is 325/370

Pete, you should have asked me up @ Pinestone. My K2500HD has the 6 L w/ 4:10s Like they say if you have to ask you can't afford it. :D

The last i heard they were giving an extended warranty on these motors with the piston slap problem. Unfortunatly i did not find this out untill my warranty was up.

Originally posted by revrnd@Mar 8 2004, 06:52 PM
Pete, you should have asked me up @ Pinestone. My K2500HD has the 6 L w/ 4:10s Like they say if you have to ask you can't afford it. :D
Kris,I forgot that you had puchased a 3/4 ton. You are right,I should have talked to you.


My brother in law(Ford guy)was telling me one of his friends has a 6L and its been junk from day 1. blah blah blah. That has been the only negative I have heard.

We are looking to buy a couple year old Suburban or Yukon XL. The Denali package comes with a 6L in half ton chassis.Otherwise you have to buy a 3/4 ton to get the 6L. I don't want a 3/4 so I guess I will settle for a 5.3L.The Denali isn't me,no need for all those options.

We can afford it but how much is how much? :wink:

I put 60,000 miles on my 2000 K2500 & had no engine problems. About 14,000 klicks on the '04

The only probs I had w/ the 2000 were non-powertrain related (glass, trim, etc.)