I know this may not be much of a off-road topic question. But I need some advise/opinion's on later model Chevy truck/Tahoe engines.

On the later model trucks, which engine has a better reputation for reliabilty?
4.8ltr
5.3ltr
or 6.0ltr

I am in the market for a used family vehicle, and we like the styling of the Tahoe's. Been looking at the 2001's and up that are affordable.

I have heard rumor that the 5.3 may have had some either rod knock or piston slap issue's? What have been some common problems with either of these engines or transmission's

Thanks in advance
Don

They're pretty much the same engine (same block, heads, intake manifold, etc) but with different bore/stroke to increase cubic inch size. To address the piston slap issue. The cause is from either slightly out of round cyl. walls or pistons (cant remember which) as soon as the engine gets a bit of heat in it, everything expands and functions normally. You will hear a little bit of a *knock* as 1st startup when its cold out (I didnt notice it until it got under 60* here).

The 4.8 is a POS. It lacks power to pull around a heavy fullsize truck, especially if its towing. The gas mileage isnt that great because of the lack in power.

The 5.3 is a great engine. My wifes truck ('00 ext cab 4wd) gets 18-20mpg with her driving it everyday to work. It will pull a consistent 20mpg on the highway.

The 6.0 is just like the 5.3 but with more power. Ive heard people say that they get shitty gas mileage, but then again Ive seen how most people drive and they think their truck is a fucking sports car :roll:

I dont like to call myself an expert, but Ive had multiple LS1/5.3 powered vehicles (Camaro, Trans Ams, trucks)

I dont think you're going to find a 6.0 Tahoe though. They mainly had teh 5.3's and the 4.8 was few and far between.

Very insightfull info TireFryerSS. Thank you, we just looked at a 2003 GMC Yukon with the 5.3, 87,000miles asking $13.5k, seems to be the average price on Craigslist

You will hear a little bit of a *knock* as 1st startup when its cold out (I didnt notice it until it got under 60* here).



ooooooooohhh! under 60*! bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

:shocked::lmao: expect some flame from the north, eh!

So does anyone have anymore info about the 6.0's??? Reliability and fuel milage. Also how have the tranny's been holding up for you guys?

We've had multiple 6.0 liter chevy's and the reliability has been fine. We sell farm equipment and tow trailers all the time. The thing we had to learn is that the 6.0 liter doesn't make any towing power until you get into the rpm's a bit. The motor will scream but the power is there. We are used to diesels so the higher rpm's caught us off guard.

I've got customers that have had the 6.0 liters with the super loud piston slap. There was a lawsuit, maybe still is, about the piston slap on the 6.0. GM no longer hand fits the pistons into the motors supposedly so that is why they slap and make noise. I've heard the noisy engines and they're louder than an old cummins diesel.