2005 V8's - stock 5.3L or 'chipped' 4.8L?

[dholly]

2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Are there any performance chips available to improve HP, TQ or fuel economy available for the 2005 Vortec 4800?

I am very seriously thinking about buying a basic 1500 Reg Cab 4x4 Work Truck w/ 4.8L, 3.73 axle and HD susp. ($5k in cash back = $18k before TTL) as a 3rd vehicle to trail my B7610 and 7000lb car hauler. Truck is rated 6400lb GVWR w/ 1739lb payload cap., 6900lb max trailer wt., and 12000lb GCWR before the HD suspension upgrade.

Since I am not likely to be maxing payload and trailer cap., I think the smaller V-8 will be sufficient when called upon for towing, and give better fuel economy for the 90%-95% of the mileage use without trailer. However, I am wondering if I 'chip' the 4.8L and add a K&N air filter and Magnaflow exhaust, could it give me similar towing performance than the 5.3L, with better day-to-day fuel economy and performance than either oem stock V-8?

The MSRP price difference to replace the standard V-6 with a 4.8L is $945, and a 5.3L is $1745 or a difference of $800. Here are the engine specs:

Vortec 4800 - 285 HP @ 5200 RPM, 295 lb-ft TQ @ 4000 RPM
Vortec 5300 - 295 HP @ 5200 RPM, 335 ft-lb TQ @ 4000 RPM

So, given MY intended use noted above, would you recommend I spend the $800 difference to get the 5.3L or 'tweek' the 4.8L if possible? Or just go 4.8L and pocket the change?

 

[Egon]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Think I'd go for the larger motor. When towing the expexted loads always seem to grow of their own accord. Have you considered diesel?

Egon

 

[CTDUF]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

I have had identical trucks one with the 4.8 and my current is a 2001 1500 4wd ext cab 4x4 w/the 5.3, both got the same mpg but the 4.8 was not as powerful as the 5.3L. So get the big one. I'm good for 17mpg in everyday driving and 19 on the highway doing the speed limit. But my wife says I drive like a little old lady!!

 

[BobCurry]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Bigger motor.
1. Won't work as hard.
2. Last longer.
3. Same mileage.
Any questions???

We bought the 5.4L Ford for the exact reasons above. Tows the horse trailer with ease (never in O/D!). Spend wisely!!

Bob /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[CMunger]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Bob- I have a 150 also with the 5.4, and I also pull a trailer, sometimes empty, loaded with no more than 5,000 pds. Should I never use overdrive? What about empty? In hills I definitly do not use it towing empty or full.
Chuck M.

 

[rosey]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Which ever engine you decide on install a K & N Cold air induction system ....will increase your horsepower and gas mileage while adding a satisfying growel to the engine under acceleration...check out their website for further info. A snap to install.

 

[Jagmandave]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Big motor, works less, lasts longer. My 2c

Mileage is much more dependant on how it used than size of motor. My '99 Ford F150 had 215 hp and got 15 mpg, my 03 Tundra has 250 hp and gets 15 mpg on the same 20 mile commute, but feels so much better and tows much more easily......................

 

[Dargo]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

Within the last 8 months, I have owned both the 5.4 Ford V8, and the 5.3 Chevy V8. I honestly was not at all impressed with either in the least when towing close to their maximum rated weight on the highway. I wouldn't consider a smaller engine if I were going to tow any.

My towing attitude may be slanted after towing with a Cummins for years though. I always tow in overdrive with it, and it has never, not even once, downshifted on the highway even on the steepest grades when hauling the heaviest loads. Both the 5.4 and the 5.3 gas engines always downshifted constantly. It was almost scary with cruise control on. When going up a grade on the highway, both sounded like they were trying to run the Daytona 500! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I wouldn't go smaller.

 

[Boondox]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

I have the stock 5.3L in my 02 Chevy half ton and love it! Whether the bed is full of hardwood for the winter supply or a 300 gallon tank of water, it has plenty of power to meet my needs. I looked at the smaller Vortec, but the fuel efficiency wasn't that much different and in owner reviews of actual mpg on Epinions.com the consumption was the same for both engines. I get a pretty consistent 17.5mpg in rural driving.

Pete

 

[thcri]

Re: 2005 V8\'s - stock 5.3L or \'chipped\' 4.8L?

I would not and I mean would not get the 4.8L. Everybody that I know that has them are unsatisfied with both fuel and performance. Most of the 5.*L are gettting just as good of mileage or in some cases even better than the 4.8L

I had a 2001 Ford 5.4 that did ok towing and had great gas mileage. My 2001 5.3 Suburban had a bit more power than my 2001 Ford and even yet got better gas mileage. However, I now have a 2004 F150 with the 5.4 and the performance is far better than my suburban but I can't say I am totally impressed with the gas mileage. But I do like the power so I don't complain much about the gas mileage until laterly when the price per gallon has gone way over $2.00.


murph