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5.3 or 6.0 Litre

vegas1500

vegas1500

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
23
Location
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Hey guys i need some input.  Just sold my 97 Z71 with a 350 Vortec.  I want to pick up a 07 Avalanche in the next week or two.  I am struggling whether to go with the 5.3 or the 6.0 Litre.  The truck will NOT be a daily driver.  It will be used as a weekend driver and used for holidays to pull a trailer with 2 quads through the mountains.  Because of this, fuel mileage is not a huge concern.  I have been doing some reading on here, and it seems like the 6.0 Litre is under powered.  I am also interested in the 6.0 because it has a heavier trans and (i think) extra engine and trans coolers.  Any input from 6.0 owners would be great.  FYI, i have not test drove the 6.0.  Thanks for your input..... :help:
 
Get the 6.0L.  You will not be sorry.  I would not call it underpowered.  It's actually quite peppy.  I just traded a 98 Tahoe with the 350, and my Av is much quicker.  It could be better, but hey, it's a 3 ton beast...how fast can it really be.
 
By the way :welcome:  to the club,  bigger is better
 
I would not only be looking at the size of the motor but the suspension is suspect as well for towing. We towed 60 miles (mostly on level) with my 04 Av/4.10 rr and 28 ft car trailer loaded. It didn't do too too badly powerwise. However, the ride was quite jouncey as compared to being towed with the HD2500 BBC. The Av definitely needs some help in the rear suspension dept., Air bags at least. I only towed with it once because the HD was in the body shop.
 
With the 6.0L option, you must get the 4.10 rear, 4L70E "super-duty" transmission, external engine oil and transmission oil coolers and autoride (which should reduce the "jouncey" ride that EZ Rider mentioned in his 2004).? The 6.0L Avalanche is as set up for towing as any 1500 can be.? My 6.0L has tons of low-end torque; I'm very happy with it so far.
 
Thanks guys.  The autoride is standard on the LTZ regardless of engine size.(here in Canada anyway!!).  I can get the 5.3 in 4:10 or 3:73.  The 6.0 is standard with 4:10.  If i go with the 5.3 it would definitely have the 4:10 gears..cant wait for the new toy and this site is a wealth of info..... :love:
 
Everything I have seen in the forums about  towing on the 07's says the 6.0 is the way to go  :D
 
Honestly if you can swing the ridiculus $6k+ the 6.0L costs its the way to go...but for your needs a 5.3L with 4.10s would do the job.  IF you are going to option out a 5.3L 3LT or LTZ ...they just pay the extra $1k for the 6.0L.
 
Go with the 6.0, you'll be happier when towing. My 3/4 ton had a 6.0 and definitely has the performance edge over the 5.3.
 
Just towed my 4 place snowmobile trailer up Rabbit Ears, I have a 6.0 with 4.10s.  I traded a 2004 Ford F250 6.0 diesel in for this, so I knew I was going way down in torque.  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now, I'd say the 6.0 is marginal for towing.  This is not a heavy load, probably only around 4000 pounds.  I would think the 5.3, even with the 4.10s, would be underpowered up at this altitude.
 
69 Z11 said:
Just towed my 4 place snowmobile trailer up Rabbit Ears, I have a 6.0 with 4.10s.? I traded a 2004 Ford F250 6.0 diesel in for this, so I knew I was going way down in torque.? I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now, I'd say the 6.0 is marginal for towing.? This is not a heavy load, probably only around 4000 pounds.? I would think the 5.3, even with the 4.10s, would be underpowered up at this altitude.
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I agree. get to a fairly steep grade and you'll wish you had given the extra dough for more gough....go! :rolleyes:
 
Thanks guys.  May not even matter anymore.  Speaking with the dealer, they tell me GM is no longer building the 6.0 in the LTZ.  I want a LTZ so i guess it will be a 5.3 with 4:10's.  Just will have to "mod" her up for more power!!!!! :E: :laugh:
 
WHAT?  I just got my 6.0L LTZ from the factory on March 8, and they just STARTED building them with 6.0Ls in late Fall 2006 as a mid-year option.  I would be very, very surprised if your dealer is right about this. 
 
They just said no more 6.0 Litre in the LTZ.  You have to get an LT if you want the 6.0.  There are still some 6.0 "floating" around, but not in the configuration I am looking for.  Keep in mind, this may just be a Canadian "thing"!.  :E:
 
Wow - 6.0 no longer listed as an option for the Av on either the GM or GM Canada websites.  Dealer may be right on this one.
 
Chevy.com has never included an option to "build and price" a 6.0L Avalanche.  The only mention anywhere of the 6.0L is on the specifications page under "trailering." I think the marketing department has really fallen down on the job with the 6.0L option.
 
 
Wow, what if they start putting the 6.2 in right now?  Those of us that just got a 6.0 will be freaking out!!!!
 
Camper Man said:
Chevy.com has never included an option to "build and price" a 6.0L Avalanche.? The only mention anywhere of the 6.0L is on the specifications page under "trailering." I think the marketing department has really fallen down on the job with the 6.0L option.
?
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I'm not sure I ever tried to "build and price" one, but I'm certain it was listed on both GM and GM Canada under specifications.  Now it isn't which tells me something is up.
 
Nawwwwww.  A dealer that doesn't know what they are talking about?  Impossible!
 
I bought a 2003 4x4 and traded it on a 2007 with the 6.0 and I love the 6.0.

Sounds great and pull hard when you need it to.

I ordered mine as a fully loaded and optioned LT and I have all the options the LTZ has other than the heated washer fluid.
 
What are the options on the LTZ that you have to have?  You can get a LT with nearly everything you can get on an LTZ.  I have a 5.3L/4.10 and I am regretting it!  Get an LT with the 6.0L if you can.  I am in basically the same situation as you where mine is primarily used for towing and the 5.3L even with the 4.10 is a DOG!  I don't know what I was thinking when I didn't opt for the $1,000 additional 6.0L
 
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