The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Engine & Drivetrain

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-23-2003, 03:06 PM   #1
67 C-10 LWB
Registered User
 
67 C-10 LWB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bay City, MI, USA
Posts: 452
Question Reliability of new Vortec V-8's (4.8,5.3,6.0)

Hi all, I'm going to be in the market for a new used truck soon, like probably within a month or less. Going for a 99/00/01 Chevy/GMC 1/2 or possibly 3/4 ton 4x4 ext cab shortbox.

I was just wondering if anyone knows of any major issues w/ the new V-8 engines that come in these. I know I've heard of lifter noise and oil consumption problem I think, but don't know of anything else. My parents used to have a 00 1/2 ton w/ the 5.3 and the motor blew up w/ less then 30K on it. I don't know what exactly happened, all I know is they were told it dropped 3 cylinders, they were in New Mexico when this happened and had it repaired under warranty.

So any help on this would be great. Also how is the 8.1L big block in the 3/4 tons? like gas mileage as compared to the small blocks and reliability as well. Thanks

Ean
__________________
1999 Silverado Ext Cab Short Box Z71

2006 Trailblazer (wifes)

2 '04 KFX400's

My Site
67 C-10 LWB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 03:43 PM   #2
tom hand
CCRider
 
tom hand's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA
Posts: 2,232
I had an 01 1500HD crew cab. It had the 6.0. It had the dreaded "piston slap" and sounded like a deisel for the first five minutes when you cranked on a cool morning. The best I ever got out of it was 11 mpg in the city, though 8-9 was more likely if your foot got heavy. It would get 17 mpg on the highway empty, but would go to 8 mpg on the highway pulling a large enclosed trailer...8 x 8 x 20. I was never too impressed with it...I bought a motor home to pull the trailer and it gets almost as good [?] mpg.
__________________
72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS
tom hand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:16 PM   #3
lukecp
Formerly yellow72custom
 
lukecp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7,531
My boss has a '99 with a 5.3 in it. It is a 2wd ex. cab shortbed truck. He likes it alot...has 55xxx miles on it and no problems. Has alot of power too....puts you back in the seat impressively for a 5 thousand pound truck. He says it gets about 15-17 mpg.

I have heard of the piston slap over the internet, but everyone i know with a newer Chevy is pretty happy with it.....
__________________
'72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride.
'70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck.
'97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg
lukecp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 04:39 PM   #4
CEDJUNIOR
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Irving/Valley Ranch, Tx
Posts: 897
I forget where I read it, but GM says the piston slap wont cause extra wear or damage the engine.
__________________
GM RPO Codes

'95 K1500 4x4 Ext Cab
5.7 TBI
NV4500 Tranny, 14 Bolt swapped in, locker, 3.73's
CEDJUNIOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 05:24 PM   #5
Tom
driving is in my blood
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,687
Who cares? A leaking exaust wont do damage but it still sounds like crap, so do these motors with the piston slap.

The problems so far have been piston slap, oil consumption, and you CANNOT get 100% throttle with the 8.1L unless the computer thinks its towing somthing. Unloaded it just will not happen.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle.
-98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes.
-02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front
-CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis
DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.
Tom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 06:09 PM   #6
78chevstepside
Registered User
 
78chevstepside's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: lacenter, washington
Posts: 718
Talking

I have a 02 silverado 1500 lt extended cab ( you can ride back there not like the ford)with the 5.3 and automatic. 35k and no problems at all(no piston slap). I really like this truck it has a lot of power 285 horse at 4000 rpms( 3.72 rearend). most trucks and cars i have bought i got tired of right away . i have owned this truck for 2 years and still like it. I get a honest 18 m.p.g. jay
Attached Images
 
78chevstepside is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 07:13 PM   #7
TIMSPEED
 
TIMSPEED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 1,321
I'm also considering getting a new 5.3 Vortec Chevy truck...They seem pretty nice for the price.
__________________
I have a few cars...
See Them Here
TIMSPEED is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 07:18 PM   #8
67 C-10 LWB
Registered User
 
67 C-10 LWB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bay City, MI, USA
Posts: 452
Thanks for the info guys, the general consensus seems to be they are pretty decent. I'm gonna get one just wanted to check and see what I am getting into.

Tom what is this about not getting full throttle? is that the way it was designed, or was it a boo boo by GM?

Thanks again

Ean
__________________
1999 Silverado Ext Cab Short Box Z71

2006 Trailblazer (wifes)

2 '04 KFX400's

My Site
67 C-10 LWB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 07:29 PM   #9
Tom
driving is in my blood
 
Tom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,687
Its the throttle by wire system GM used. Other then that I have no idea what the deal is, I just remember a 12+page thread on chevytalk talking about it and some guy trying to find a way around it....
Tom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2003, 11:26 PM   #10
miket
Registered User
 
miket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 1,466
All,

As my signature indicates I have a 2001 Burb with the 496/8.1. They are drive by wire....computer controlled. Yes I have the piston slap noise AND I go through 1qt of oil every 1000 miles or so.
GM says this is acceptable (not sure to who though).
First off, do some research on the web and make sure you can live with the possibility of owning a truck with these two traits. Second, GM says it won't hurt anything.....maybe not, but I don't like it.


Does it perform? You bet. My Burb moves for a 7000lb rig.....plus a supercharger is available too.

PM me if you have any questions.
__________________
FocuzTech Performance


Evergreen Protective Coatings
Gatorhyde...the best kept secret in spray in bed lining & protection
miket is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 11:20 AM   #11
Mike76251
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,500
Piston slap is okay??????
I have heard it all now.
All they need to do offset the darn rod or better yet..........make the piston FIT the bore.
I drove a 2002 truck with a 5.3 and the thing had NO power.
That engine would just wind and wind and sound like it was coming apart but it wasn't pulling that truck worth a crap.
Mike76251 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2003, 03:11 PM   #12
stelth2002
Young Gun wth Fast Inline
 
stelth2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,475
wow

First off i think that you would be wise to invest in a truck like that. But first off milage is a pretty iffy thing depending on the truck. I used to work at a dealership and drove just about everything under the sun. The 496 is totally unbelieveable as far as stock power and the ability to get more. I drove one that just had a supercharger on it and i dont know if it had 100% while empty, but i can tell you you dont need it. It will SMOKE them with 40%. I pulled a trailer with my derby car, a lincoln town car, and tried to pass someone and i was goin about 40. It broke losse quite easy. But economy, maybe 12. The 5.3 is a good 1.2 ton engine that ive seen. THe 6.0 is garbage. It looses the economy and compared to the 8.1 i would much rather have the 8.1. But if you want a run around truck with maybe towing get the 5.3, if your not towing i would look at a 4.8. if you get a short bed. I have a diesel, it gets 22+ really, and i can pull too. However, when i hook onto a heavy trailer im about 10-13.
__________________
1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!
stelth2002 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2003, 02:55 PM   #13
BookMan
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Iowa City, IA, USA
Posts: 9
In my experience vortec engines have a problem with leaking intake manifold gaskets. They leak coolant at the corners both internally and externally. I've probably seen a dozen of them. Especially with that newer orange coolant. The problem seems to be with the stock plastic gasket.
BookMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2003, 03:37 PM   #14
stelth2002
Young Gun wth Fast Inline
 
stelth2002's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,475
I agree the gaskets on the intake are a problem. Usually they creep up quite fast, so if you got good ones you know. But if they are take them in and they have some that are much better replacements.
__________________
1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!
stelth2002 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2003, 06:03 AM   #15
Mike76251
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,500
I just love it how everyone including GM said "there is no problem" with losing those 4 center intake bolts.
Now GM has had to develop a "special" gasket at a cost of several thousand $$ to fix the leaks.
If anyone out there is (or has been) offended by my advice to send the vOrtecs back across the border..........GO POUR A GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE IN YOUR CRANKCASE and get it over with.
Mike76251 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2003, 11:12 AM   #16
miket
Registered User
 
miket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 1,466
Mike76251,

I am over it....nothing I personally can do about it....hopefully GM fixes it at some point.

67C10:

You may want to visit this forum just to read about the feedback on the GM trucks....you might even find one for sale if you are still looking...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showforum=3
__________________
FocuzTech Performance


Evergreen Protective Coatings
Gatorhyde...the best kept secret in spray in bed lining & protection
miket is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2003, 02:27 AM   #17
Mike76251
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,500
miket,
I doubt those bean counters up there will let them fix it as it takes 15 seconds more on the assembly line and 40 cents more in bolts to fix it.
Mike76251 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2003, 08:45 AM   #18
Beefcake
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Motor City
Posts: 540
We have a question for those bean counters here at GM..... "IF WE DONT HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL WE HAVE TIME TO DO IT OVER?????"
__________________
72 GMC Camper Special 2500.

currently has 350/350/14 bolt. 383 and 400 tranny is in the works.
Beefcake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2003, 10:34 AM   #19
Mike76251
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,500
Quote:
Originally posted by Beefcake
We have a question for those bean counters here at GM..... "IF WE DONT HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL WE HAVE TIME TO DO IT OVER?????"
I wonder if you might know of the guy that specified the internal parts for the 1982 700R4?
If he is a drinking buddy or something don't answer.
Mike76251 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com