6.2L Silverado

[johnnymac46]

I am in the market for a different truck, I have been looking into the Silverado 1500 CrewCab with a 6.2L. I've done some research and everyone says they need a new tune from the get go. My plan after buying would be Intake, headers, exhaust, tune, and probably a lift.

I'm looking for any problems, complaints that guys may have with them.

Thanks.

[okyankee]

i had a 08 2wd sierra denali. if i remember correctly i would average 280 miles to the tank. and that was mostly highway. before i put the 24's on it, i think i still got only around 300 miles. but they do need a tune for sure. it always took some time before the real power kicked in.

[Steve1968LS2]

I love my 08 Sierra 5.3L crew.. having the bigger engine would make it perfect..

The exhaust was nice at first (Magnaflow) but after awhile I sorta miss the quiet truck..

[johnnymac46]

I currently have a '03 Silverado 4X4 with a 5.3L I put a K&N intake and Catback on it and it gets high 19's on the highway. It got 20.5 once when my dad and I drove from San Diego to Virginia Beach(Dad was driving). I know I wont be getting that with a 6.2 but I'm ok with that.

[GoolsbyCustoms]

Just got an '11 gmc crew w/ 6.2 and get 16s with normal driving interstate/around town combo but have to say power is pretty impressive out of the box and tows like a champ , I pulled Pegasus up to Louisville in a 24 foot and it was awsome. I'm wanting to do a tune but all I'm reading is even with a custom tune the best they are getting is a 15Hp increase due to not being able to do much with the 6 speed auto , or the factory torque management but would definately love to hear options

Traded in an 08 with 5.3 and it is a huge difference , more than was anticipated

[James OLC]

I have an '11 crew cab with the 6.2 and it's a big improvement over the 6.0 vortexMax that I had. Power is noticeably improved, the variable displacement programming is better and the compression braking in trailer mode is interesting as well.

Towing a 20' enclosed with a first gen I averaged 8 mpg... Yep... 8. Doing tha same highway stretch without the trailer I got 18. Towing at 70 is hard on the mileage; towing at 60 isn't nearly as bad.

[BBC71Nova]

I recently went from a '00 5.3 ext cab to a '10 Sierra crew cab w/6.2L. The new truck is noticeably heavier but the 6.2L is a beast. Especially coupled to the 6l80 with the ultra low first gear they have. I haven't towed anything much with it yet but I'm sure it will be much better than the 5.3L. However, I didn't have any issues towing my open trailer with that either as little as I needed to.

My mileage with a lot of highway and granny driving is >17mpg. That's not that bad really. I'd get maybe 18.5 with the old truck under similar conditions. Considering the extra weight and much larger engine it isn't bad at all. I think it is comparable to the same truck with the new 5.3L but without the worries of cylinder deactivation.

With the 6.2L you also get the larger rear diff, 4 wheel discs, oil and trans coolers, etc. Most dealer orders come with the 3.73 diff though which I think would hurt MPG some. If you tow a lot it is probably worth it. You can order w/3.42 or go with the Denali which has 3.42 standard. If you price out the Sierra with the Max Tow options it is really close to price of the Sierra Denali which comes with a few extras and interior/exterior styling differences. One example is the "chromed aluminum" wheels on most now are just plastic chrome dipped covers bonded to a raw aluminum wheel. The Denali 20" wheels are still actual finished aluminum wheel that has been chromed or polished(can't remember which at the moment).

[rsk68]

I have a 2011 4x4 crew cab short bed 6.2, had a 06 5.3, way more power and pulls harder then the 06, pulls my 20ft box trailer with ease, actually helped me decide on the LS swap for the Camaro! Get average 17 mpg.

[Joel145]

I have a 2010 GMC 1500 with the 5.3L, the power is clearly less than the 6.2 but I pull my 16ft enclosed trailer with ease and get 21mpg on the highway with the active fuel management. Just my .02 cents

[johnnymac46]

Thanks for the input everyone. I have a 2010 6.2l crewcab 4x4 lined up once it arrives I just need to check it out.

I'm looking to add the the HP/tq shortly after I get it. I'll probably make it to Virginia speed for a tune within the first month. I was also thinking intake and exhaust. I've used K&N in the past, I was happy with it but if someone knows something better I'm open to suggestions.

Also for the exhaust I'm looking for headers back....anyone know a good starting point? I'm not sure exactly who or what kind of kit I what yet. I have a flowmaster 40 on my 03 5.3 it sounds good but isn't too loud on the highway.

Thanks