2015 Silverado 1500 with 6.2L Corvette engine

[r carl]

Originally Posted by Estoniankid

Aren't other engine options available?

What advantage is corvette engine besides weight?

You need to use premium in it I think.

[m.hony]

Power...
Acceleration...
Bragging rights...
Coolness factor...

[SchuHouse]

I have the 2014 chevy 5.3 LTZ with HD tow package and 3.73 rear axel towing the '28. I use a propride hitch
Plenty of payload (ober 11000 lbs)

It is a great combo.

[dznf0g]

eleven thousand pounds of PAYLOAD....now that's a maxtow package I could live with!

[SteveH]

Uh, I think maybe a typo error?

[DC Bruce]

As someone who is still shopping for a TV for my new 27FC sitting on my dealer's lot, let me share my experiences. I would prefer a half ton, just because it makes a nicer daily driver, IMHOP. The issue is not towing capacity, it's payload. However, if you shop carefully you can find one. The F150 ecoboost with the max trailer tow package has a 7650 lb GVWR. The problem is that most of these trucks sitting on dealers' have door stickers with max payload of less that 1500 lbs. After much frustration I finally figured out the problem. Dealers are ordering these things with glam 20" wheels fitted with P-metric tires that carry 32-34 psi. If you want the benefit of the maximum payload of these trucks, you have to throw out these wheels and tires and replace them with a set of 18-inch wheels and "LT" tires that are rated for 60 psi. That's a roughly $1500-2000 purchase at Tire Rack. Of course you could special order a new truck fitted out that way, but dealers seem more interested in giving a price break on a truck on the lot. The Fast Lane truck guys ran the 6.2 Silverado up the long I-70 grade to the Eisenhower tunnel pulling 10000 lbs. Even using tow/haul mode, the transmission bounced back and forth between second and third gear. It seemed like the transmission waited too long to downshift (below 3000 rpm) and then up shifted too soon (around 4500 rpm). The star of that test was the Ford ecoboost even though it has 60 less nominal horsepower and 30 lb. feet less torque. Pulling the same load, the Ford met or exceeded the 60 mph speed limit all the way. Of course the high altitude has less of an effect on the turbocharged engine and the engine develops max torque at 2500 rpm. No free lunch: it also sucked more fuel than the Chevy and its grade braking on the way down was less effective. The Chevy held the speed limit all the way down without the driver using the service brakes.

[A W Warn]

My personal experience with my Silverado 5.3L has been quite different from what is stated above, regarding climbing grade. As an example: I have gone up I-40 near Black Mountain NC. That grade is a 6-7 mile grade at 5-6%. With my present truck I can tow up it easily holding 55 mph using cruise control, while towing my Safari and exceeding the maximum payload on the truck. The six speed shifts down as required (usually to 3rd), but never shifts up while climbing using tow haul mode. I've climbed that grade 3 times this year. Last time I decided to see how it would perform going up, so not using the cruise control it easily accelerated on the climb up to 60 mph. It would have gone faster, but I did not want to.
I've done the similar climbs going up I-77 and on US-421 climbing onto the Blue Ridge. Same results.

[SteveH]

I had an '07 GMC 1/2 ton with the 5.3L, auto, and 3.73 gears, but then the auto trans was a four speed. It towed the '01 25' Classic we had at the time marginally well, but was inadequate IMHO any time there was a serious grade, or especially a grade at high altitude. Changed the gears to 4.10, and that helped, but not really enough. I traded it for a 3/4 ton Duramax and never looked back.

However, GM has made significant improvements since '07 with both the 5.3L engine, and especially the six speed transmission. They will now comfortably do what my '07 had to really struggle to do. I'm talking about second gear, 4,000RPM, and 50MPH on just the hills around where we live at about 1,000' AMSL. At altitude (8-10,000FT) we were at 30MPH, low gear, and 4,000RPM, and heating up quickly. No fun at all.

[phbarnhart]

I watched that Fast Lane Truck video and was a little surprised by the result of the 6.2 Silverado. I'm confident the result will improve markedly with the new 8 speed transmission and its next generation controller.

[SchuHouse]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Uh, I think maybe a typo error?

Sorry. Was a typo. Max conventional towing is 11,400
Not payload

[BoldAdventure]

Corvette engine is just a sales marketing gimmick. You know how many trucks and cars have "Corvette" engines. That's a lot of Corvette engines. Basically every 350 out there would be a "Corvette" engine. It's BS.

The 6.2L is a nice engine, being a GM guy, owning multiple Camaro's a lifted Trailblazer, and Pontiac GXP with the 6.2L and a Corvette, I went to look at Silverado's for a tow vehicle. The disappointment for me was that the 5.3L with 3.42 gearing is the most common. If buying used, you'll be hunting hard for a 6.2L geared right.

But if buying new, you'll be pleased.

And for M.Hony the 4.30 gears are nice in the Tundra, but the subpar interior trimmings which look like a Camry (poke poke) lol Although that rear window that goes down is sweet looking. And the new ones, I like the styling exterior, but I still feel the interiors are a let down.

Ever notice no one ever asks about the Nissan Titan, I mean it hasn't been updated since what, 2004?

[m.hony]

I guess I like the Camry look.
I've been driving Japanese cars for 30 years. Ain't gonna change now.
It kinda drives/rides like a big ole Camry, too!

[BoldAdventure]

lol The Tacoma is one of my favorite mid sizes. We almost bought one to do an overland rig with roof top tent, but then the wife told me we were expecting and I decided on the Airstream dream.