I am thinking about a new truck. Just thinking, not quite ready to buy. I am looking for a combination of fuel economy and some performance. I have a 4.3 now and it performs fairly well. Just wondering what everyone thinks of the 4.8 engine. There are some good deals on Silverados with that engine and would like to know what everyone thinks about it.

 

What year are you trying to get? My 03 with the 5.3 runs great on gas I have no problems with mine , I think it cost me from LA to Denver 280 in gas .. If your going to get a new truck the flex fuel has that programming to shut off 4 cylinders while driving on the highway to conserve gas.. I think that comes on the 4.8 , 5.3 , and the 6.2

 

I have 2 friends with 4.8. One is a 01 single cab z71 that is lifted 6 inches and he can drive that truck wherever, it has plenty of power and gas isn't that great with the lift and 37s but he pulls a tractor with no problems. My other friend has a 05 or 04 2wd extended cab with the 4.8 and same thing he gets decent gas mileage and plenty of power to go with it.

 

Is it as reliable as the 5.3? I was thinking of buying a new one and wondering about the reliability between the two and also the gas mileage between them. I have found that you can't really believe the mileage rating they put on the sticker.

 

The 4.8 and 5.3 are identical engines except the 4.8 has a slightly shorter stroke,so the only difference is the crank shaft....that's it.

The LS series are arguably the most reliable V-8 engines ever made.

 

my dad has a 2000 silverado with a 4.8 and hes getting 25mpg right now its amazing for his truck having as much torque and "get up and go" as it does right now if you get one get K&N for it very worth it for us

 

I have 04 4.8L with 190,000 and still get around 20 mpg highway/17 mpg city with highway speeds around 75-80 mph. Plenty of power. I have had some issues but it NEVER let me sit, check out my issues on the post i posted today.