Finally drive a GMC 4.3 V-6: WOW!

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Picked up a new 4X4 pickup for the fleet Thursday.
It had the 4.3 V-6, which I expected to be quite tame and gutless.
Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.
This engine has serious grunt and seems as strong as you would ever need.
This brings me to wonder why the 4.8 V-8 even exists since this is clearly the more powerful engine without regard to the published ratings of the two.
Were I buying a pickup, I'd have to consider one of these.
 
Engine technology has come a long way in recent years.

I know my carvans engine has a nice amount of power when you get it going.

Glad to hear you enjoy the V6.
 
This is not the old 4.3 engine, all new in 2014. The 4.8 is gone from GM's lineup except in the vans I think. This 4.3 Ecotec has the dreaded gas direct injection AND the evil Active Fuel Management. With 8500 miles on mine I'm very satisfied so far. For a light duty full size it's fine and I'm getting 21.5-22.5 mpg every tank.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Picked up a new 4X4 pickup for the fleet Thursday.
It had the 4.3 V-6, which I expected to be quite tame and gutless.
Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.
This engine has serious grunt and seems as strong as you would ever need.
This brings me to wonder why the 4.8 V-8 even exists since this is clearly the more powerful engine without regard to the published ratings of the two.
Were I buying a pickup, I'd have to consider one of these.



Here are the specs-
Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 4.8L/293
Horsepower: 302 @ 5600
Torque: 305 @ 4600 4.8L/293

Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 5.3L/323
Horsepower: 315 @ 5200
Torque: 338 @ 4400 5.3L/323
Silverado 1500 4.3L EcoTec3 V6

4.3 V6
-285 hp (212kW) @ 5,300rpm

-305 lb-ft of torque (413 Nm) @ 3900 rpm
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
Can you post a video of this 4.3 burning all 4 tires, because a 6.2 won't even do that.


Not only that, why is he abusing the new truck?
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Picked up a new 4X4 pickup for the fleet Thursday.
It had the 4.3 V-6, which I expected to be quite tame and gutless.
Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.
This engine has serious grunt and seems as strong as you would ever need.
This brings me to wonder why the 4.8 V-8 even exists since this is clearly the more powerful engine without regard to the published ratings of the two.
Were I buying a pickup, I'd have to consider one of these.


Were you driving around in four wheel drive for the fun of it?
 
Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
Can you post a video of this 4.3 burning all 4 tires, because a 6.2 won't even do that.


4Low? Rain? Gravel? Can't think of a modern vehicle that will roast all 4 on dry asphalt or concrete in 4Hi.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: CKN
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Picked up a new 4X4 pickup for the fleet Thursday.
It had the 4.3 V-6, which I expected to be quite tame and gutless.
Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.
This engine has serious grunt and seems as strong as you would ever need.
This brings me to wonder why the 4.8 V-8 even exists since this is clearly the more powerful engine without regard to the published ratings of the two.
Were I buying a pickup, I'd have to consider one of these.



Here are the specs-
Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 4.8L/293
Horsepower: 302 @ 5600
Torque: 305 @ 4600 4.8L/293

Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 5.3L/323
Horsepower: 315 @ 5200
Torque: 338 @ 4400 5.3L/323
Silverado 1500 4.3L EcoTec3 V6

4.3 V6
-285 hp (212kW) @ 5,300rpm

-305 lb-ft of torque (413 Nm) @ 3900 rpm



What year are those specs for? They seem really weak for current 1/2 ton truck.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27

Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.


I assume this was on gravel?
 
[/quote]

I assume this was on gravel? [/quote]

FTW!^^^
Still, this thing also had ample power getting onto a fast and busy interstate, nothing like the old V-6.
This is a powertrain I'd be very happy with were I looking to buy a new half ton pickup.
 
Yeah, I have the old V-6 4.3 and it's pretty weak. It does get decent mileage, though. Usually 19 just driving around and to work. Old technology and will probably be the last truck I ever buy.
 
Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
Can you post a video of this 4.3 burning all 4 tires, because a 6.2 won't even do that.


So much dang torque management.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: cb_13
Originally Posted By: CKN
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Picked up a new 4X4 pickup for the fleet Thursday.
It had the 4.3 V-6, which I expected to be quite tame and gutless.
Imagine my surprise when I inadvertently burned all four tires when I legged it from a standing start.
This engine has serious grunt and seems as strong as you would ever need.
This brings me to wonder why the 4.8 V-8 even exists since this is clearly the more powerful engine without regard to the published ratings of the two.
Were I buying a pickup, I'd have to consider one of these.



Here are the specs-
Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 4.8L/293
Horsepower: 302 @ 5600
Torque: 305 @ 4600 4.8L/293

Engine: Gas/Ethanol V8 5.3L/323
Horsepower: 315 @ 5200
Torque: 338 @ 4400 5.3L/323
Silverado 1500 4.3L EcoTec3 V6

4.3 V6
-285 hp (212kW) @ 5,300rpm

-305 lb-ft of torque (413 Nm) @ 3900 rpm



What year are those specs for? They seem really weak for current 1/2 ton truck.


I'm not sure which year he posted but they're definitely not current. New Silverado/Sierras with the 5.3 are rated at 355hp and 383 lb/ft.
 
I'm surprised it did that. Usually the GM trucks I drive have a huge lag with the gas pedal before the truck actually does anything. The 5.3 V8 has good power, but you pretty much have to floor it to get it all because of the electronic stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'm surprised it did that. Usually the GM trucks I drive have a huge lag with the gas pedal before the truck actually does anything. The 5.3 V8 has good power, but you pretty much have to floor it to get it all because of the electronic stuff.


That may have been a part of my problem.
Give it what I would consider a normal throttle tip-in and it does nothing.
Give it full throttle and the response is dramatic.
Kind of an on/off response that surprised me.
 
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