I am on the edge of getting a new LS this week.... The dealer is saying the 4.8 is better on MPG over the 5.3 lt. Power is fine and I don't plan to tow anything, but my buddy says the 4.8 is a cheaper motor for 'fleet sales' and that is not as good as the 5.3.

What do you think?

Thanks- Kevin

 

I just looked the MPG of both engines up. Seems they are almost identical in MPG. Personally, i have never had the 4.8. But there was a post a few weeks ago about the 4.8. Most everyone that had it was disappointed in the 4.8. One person said they upgraded tahoes simply because the 4.8 was such a dog! I am sure someone with 4.8 experience can fill you in a little more thorough.

 

Yup that was me. I traded my 03 just because of the 4.8. It was weak!!!

 

5.3 definately

 

For those of you that are use to American V8 power then for sure go with the 5300 but if you are not towing a 4,000lbs or heavier trailer, drive primarily in low elevation areas and on the flats and have been happy with V6 equipped vehicles in the past then the 4800 is more then adequate.

The 4800 (293ci) lacks some of the grunt of the 5300 but is extremely quick to rev due to its short 83mm stroke.


295 ponies is nothing to sneeze at either, it wasn’t so long ago that the world famous Chevy 350 TBI put out only 200hp and not many people complained about it.
In fact during the late 60’s and early 70’ the venerable GM 283ci V8 engines were widely regarded to be some of the very best small blocks in existence with most production 283’s twisting only a lousy 175hp on the dyno, but damn! Did they rev.

 

With my old 4.8 when I was in the highway and hit an incline my truck would slow and when I tried to accelerate it would downshift but would not accelerate. It did happen after the 22". I even did exhaust, intake and computer upgrade but it still did the same thing.