Is there a big difference between these two? What year did the Vortec start?
I'm looking at 3/4 ton Suburbans and I'm just wondering if I should just focus on the Vortecs or if there is any real advantage to them.
I've got a '01 Suburban with the 5.3 Vortec now.

I want this thing to be able to haul ass with my Land Cruiser on a trailer behind it. Will I be able to keep up with my buddies with Cummins tow rigs? (Other than passing gas stations.) Loaded what should I expect mileage-wise? 8 mpg?

thanks:beer:

Well on paper they are supposed to be quite different, but in real life, I haven't really seen it.

I recently traded my '01 Ram 3500 Cummins HO 6 spd regular cab, for a '99 Chev K3500 Crew Short Dually. I'm very happy with the truck. But I guarantee, that it can't keep up with my "old" Cummins, not towing!

I have a buddy who has a TBI 454. All that is done to the motor is exhaust. He doesn't run converters, which makes a big diff, but with 5K behind mine, and 7k+ behind his, he pulls me from a rolling start (enough to make me wanna :barf: ) We have the same gears, and weigh almost exactly the same, but he is on 35's and I'm on 215s.

I get about 10-12 mpg normally, and around 8-9 towing.

I really have to appologize to everyone out there with a gas towrig, since, the only reason the gas prices are rising, is that I sold my Diesel!!!:mad2: :D

Headers, Exhaust, and an aftermarket Filter system (not just a replacment element) are supposed to make a big diff, and get them up to around 14 mpg, which would be a little nicer.

Alomst forgot.

I have two Friends with the 5.3 Vortech, and you WILL not be happy about the unloaded performance of the 7.4 Vortec.

The 5.3 SCREAMS, and the 7.4 can hardly break the tires loose.

Once you hook up a trailer, its a different story.

Cool. Thanks a lot for the info. I guess I just need to find one and test drive it to see how it does. I'll try to get it home and hook up the trailer and see how it tows too.

Did you get another Cruiser? I met you once at Hollister probably a year and a half ago. You and Lee were making some Jeeps look silly. I was in the Avis Blazer. :D

I got all the parts, just need the time to put it together now.:D

I remember the Avis Blazer, gotta like wheelin' a rental;)

Well I beg to differ. I have a 98 K2500HD with a vortec 454 and have always had dually's with TBI 454 and there is a vast difference. Vortec started in 96 for big blocks. I live in CO and regularly pass Dodges and especially PSD's going over the passes. I see them with Ski-Nautic's (2700?lb) and I have a 2100lb trailer and a 5800lbK-5 and I pass them as if they are sitting still going up Vail pass (10660FT' high). I get 13 MPG on the interstate empty with Cruise and 9MPG going to Moab over the passes. From Alabama to Colorado on Flat ground I got 11MPG pulling the trailer. If you put the juice to a diesel it will out pull me, but for 5000G difference in sticker price I can buy a lot of gas.