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6.2 Ecotec3

G

ggcustoms

Well-known member
Went out to Big Sky a few weeks ago with 4 guys, 4 sleds in a 7' Legend enclosed trailer being pulled by a 2015 Chevy 1500 High Country with the 6.2 ecotec3 motor and a 6 speed (that the driver actually bought the day we left, ha). It was the first time in a long time that I went out west with a non-diesel and I was very impressed how quiet/smooth the truck did and the mileage wasn't that bad, 8+. It had 3.43 gears but a lift and tires put it at about 3.22. I wonder what it would've done without the lift and with smaller stockish size tires. They also have the 8 speed out now too. I wonder how that would pull 6-7k.
 
That motor is a blast. Lots of punch, tons of power. You can smoke them if you want. 8-speed changes the rear end gears. in 2014 you could get that truck with the 3.73 rear end. :)
 
For 2016 you can get the standard 3.23 ratio or in a max trailering package you get the 3.42 which gives you a 9.73 rear end along with:

* TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER
* ENHANCED COOLING RADIATOR
* REVISED SHOCK TUNING
* HEAVIER DUTY REAR SPRINGS AND INCREASED RGAWR
*8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION


Anytime you get a Denali you will get Magnetic Ride control. However the 6.2 is no longer standard.

Three way power steps, LED (upgrade from HID) headlights are upgrades.

The three way power steps are awesome. They fold up automatically and when you tap the hidden switch on the back part they slide backwards so you can use them to get into the back of the box/bed.
 
Denali

I'm in the market for a Denali four door with the 6.2 and 8 speed auto.


For going to the mountains a couple of times a year do I need to try and find one on the lot with the higher numerical rear end ratio?


Does the pick up have leaf springs and no auto load leveling?


Just got back from South Fork with my 2004 Z71 with the 5.3 and have to run 3-3500 RPM in 1st gear on the passes.


I was with a 6.2 Denali (Tahoe size) and the 6 speed. He was pulling tall wide trailer with 2 sleds and he said he never went below 2nd gear but he didn't slow down on the hills.


What do you advise? Or do I need to actually order a truck the way I want it?


Thanks.
 
So what's standard in Denali? 5.3? How much, on average, more does a Denali cost then SLT? And also can you get the 6.2/8 speed in an SLE package?
 
You cannot get the 6.2 or the 8-speed in the SLE. Both are options on the SLT.

5.3 is standard on the Denali, about a $2,000 upgrade.

Not sure the exact cost of a Denali than SLT. Probably $2300.
 
You sound very knowledgeable mile high. I'm guessing you must work in the GM truck industry in some way. Thanks for the info!
 
I would love to upgrade but really don't need to yet, my 2011 GMC Sierra 6.2 6 speed only has 26000 miles and its immaculate. Wish GM would put the new 6.2 in 3/4 ton HD.
 
I hear ya.

Catdiesel, I did a search online after the trip on that exact subject. The general consensus of what people thought (off of a few different forums) was that the reason they didn't/don't is because of the 6.2 having an aluminum block vs the cast iron block of the 6.0. Which is fine if that's the reason but my brother told me they make the 5.3 in both aluminum and cast iron blocks. And why not just make it a premium option on the 3/4 tons like they do currently with the 1/2s. I would think many of the mid-western people on this forum the only time they tow is a few trips sledding out west. That's where it would be nice to have the 6.2 in a 3/4 ton, and with the eco-4 cyl-shutoff doohickey would be a pretty nice daily driver with respectable mpg.

PS. Love your sig pic. I grew up on 70's and 80's Yamahas.
 
Last edited:
I agree GG, a 6.2 as a premium option would be cool. Ya the old yammies were the sled back then. I had couple different SRV's and buddies rode a SRX and a VMAX. I loved the VMAX, baddest looking Yamaha ever.
 
ggcustoms said:
Catdiesel, I did a search online after the trip on that exact subject. The general consensus of what people thought (off of a few different forums) was that the reason they didn't/don't is because of the 6.2 having an aluminum block vs the cast iron block of the 6.0. Which is fine if that's the reason but my brother told me they make the 5.3 in both aluminum and cast iron blocks. And why not just make it a premium option on the 3/4 tons like they do currently with the 1/2s. I would think many of the mid-western people on this forum the only time they tow is a few trips sledding out west. That's where it would be nice to have the 6.2 in a 3/4 ton, and with the eco-4 cyl-shutoff doohickey would be a pretty nice daily driver with respectable mpg.

PS. Love your sig pic. I grew up on 70's and 80's Yamahas.
Click to expand...


Most of that is correct. The 6.0 while dated is a super tough motor that can handle stupid abuse if needed. The 6.2 is more refined and has a ton of power. I think at least with this new 6.2 they could use it in the 3/4 ton, but there is already a shortage of that motor. It in some form is used in the following vehicles: GMC/Chevy half ton trucks, GMC Yukon/XL Denali, Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Corvette, Chevy Camaro, Chevy SS.

The old 5.3 was iron in the 2x4 trucks and aluminum in the 4x4. I don't think the current Ecotec 5.3 is offered in iron.



The current 6.2 with the 8-speed gets 15 in city and 21 on highway.
 
I have a 15 GMC slt pickup with the 6.2 and 8 speed.
I pulled a very heavy four place trailer with four sleds, four guys, all the gear etc and was amazed how well it did. Had to pull a long steady fairly steep pass and the motor hardly knew it had the load behind it. I do have the max tow, the rear of the truck squatted a bit so if I had to pull that trailer all the time I would probably add air bags or a helper spring in back. This combination is so silky smooth and quiet. I only had a thousand miles on the truck so I was a little apprehensive about it not being broken in yet. I have a two place enclosed and can't even tell it's back there when towing. I also have a little taller tire and a 2.5" level with 1" block on the rear. Very happy with this truck so far!
 
I didn't even check my mileage, I think I probably didn't want to know!
Unloaded it is getting 16-21 so far
 
Good info here guys:

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/01/whats-the-best-light-duty-truck-for-towing-2016-texas-truck-showdown.html

Also here

http://www.tfltruck.com/category/show-segments/ike-gauntlet/page/4/

6.2 looks like a great option. Only downside is you have to get the top of the line trim options to get it. $53000 is not a cheap 1/2 ton!

I don't know why anyone would buy a 5.3 over the 6.2 other then to save money.

Watching the videos, the Ecoboost low end torque is still advantageous towing. They shift less and can run less RPM.

If you read the pickuptrucks.com dyno numbers, the 2.7 Ecoboost makes 4 more ft lbs of torque and at 1000 RPM less then the 6.2! Very impressive IMO.

I don't think a guy can go wrong with an Ecoboost or a 6.2, but the turbos definitely help at elevation and add low end torque.

Just my 2 cents.
 
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