6.2 or 5.3?

[laciek]

i’m on the hunt for a 2016-2020 tahoe. should i get the 5.3 or the 6.2? give me all the info about both, especially reliability. will occasionally pull a smaller boat, jet skis, or a polaris rzr.

 

[swathdiver]

The glorious 6.2 will put a smile on your face every time you start it up and get on it. It will pull a load like it's not even back there too.

Technically speaking, they both would be the same reliability wise and the 5.3 ought to be more enduring because it makes less power in the same size package.

The 4x4 is awesome, especially on slippery boat ramps or inclement weather. Better to have it and not need it versus the other way.

 

[CMoore711]

If you can find one with the L86 6.2 and 10 speed combo that would be what you want. That would put you looking for a ‘18-‘20 Tahoe RST-Performance or Premier trim model; Those are the only two trim levels that the 6.2/10-speed drivetrain were available on. I don’t think the 6.2’s were an option for any ‘15-‘17 model Tahoe or Suburbans. Also, any ‘18-‘20 Tahoe that has the 6.2 engine will automatically have the 10-speed transmission.

The L86 6.2 in the K2XX (‘15-‘20) generation does not have the same recalls as the L87 6.2 in the T1XX (‘21-‘24) trucks.

 

[larryN]

I have a 2020 LS with the 5.3, w/ trailering gears. It has plenty of power to tow my 8K# travel trailer. I was under the impression that th10 speed tranny paired to the 6.2L was problematic?

 

[vcode]

My 2019 Yukon XL does just fine with the 5.3L. It is plenty quick for my daily needs. One thing to consider, the 6.2L wants premium and it is a buck a gallon more than regular here in Wisconsin. That can really add up depending on how many miles your drive.

 

[dgjtools]

i’m on the hunt for a 2016-2020 tahoe. should i get the 5.3 or the 6.2? give me all the info about both, especially reliability. will occasionally pull a smaller boat, jet skis, or a polaris rzr.

I have a 2016 5.3 (6L80) Tahoe and a 2019 6.2 (10L80) Yukon. The 6.2 is faster and is shifts very smooth. Very fun to drive. However, the 6.2 recommends premium fuel. The 5.3 is has plenty of power and is better on gas mileage. I don't know if all 5.3s had the 6 speed transmission, but I would avoid the 8 speed. I should note that the 2018-2020 10L80 transmissions in these SUVs are Gen 1 and are very different than the newer Gen 2 10 speeds with all the recalls. These Gen 1's are almost identical to the early Ford 10R80s with some improvements. GM went with the Gen 2's in 2019 for the trucks and in 2021 for the SUVs.

 

[petethepug]

Solid info on the 10L80. Looks like there’s already 3 Gen that have come out since ‘17.

10-Speed Ford, GM (Gen. 1 & 2) & 10L1000 ID Guide | Sonnax

Learn how to identify 10R60/80/90/140, 10L60/80/90 (Gen. 1 & 2) & 10L1000 transmissions by solenoid locations and size of steel plate.

www.sonnax.com

 

[vcode]

All 5.3L's 2015-2020 had the 6 speed. I don't know that the Gen 1 and Gen 2 10 speeds were radically different, but the Gen 2 was supposed to resolve some of the issues the Gen 1 had. Supposed to.....

 

[RST Dana]

6.2 = more smiles per gallon! I only use 93 octane!

 

[vcode]

6.2 = more smiles per gallon! I only use 93 octane!

95% of the time you would never notice a difference.

 

[SpyShops212]

I have a 2020 LS with the 5.3, w/ trailering gears. It has plenty of power to tow my 8K# travel trailer. I was under the impression that th10 speed tranny paired to the 6.2L was problematic?

The 2018-2020 6.2 10 speed is the best of all of them. I would immediately change oil with 5w30 Dexos 1 gen 3 Castrol oil edge and oem filter. 30k transmission service and if you tow allot 20k.

 

[undy]

The 2018-2020 6.2 10 speed is the best of all of them. I would immediately change oil with 5w30 Dexos 1 gen 3 Castrol oil edge and oem filter. 30k transmission service and if you tow allot 20k.

I went with 0W40 in my 2019 Yukon Denali's L86 like the L87's oil viscosity change. My last two Vetts (C6 Z06 and C8 Z51) used it also. FWIW, I have no existing warranty on the Yukon. It gives me a small amount of gratuitous oil pressure increase and a 30% greater oil shear strength over the 0W20. The increased shear was what I was looking for as it minimizes the chance of any bearing to crank journal contact.

 

[LSCALADE]

I went with 0W40 in my 2019 Yukon Denali's L86 like the L87's oil viscosity change. My last two Vetts (C6 Z06 and C8 Z51) used it also. FWIW, I have no existing warranty on the Yukon. It gives me a small amount of gratuitous oil pressure increase and a 30% greater oil shear strength over the 0W20. The increased shear was what I was looking for as it minimizes the chance of any bearing to crank journal contact.

Have someone scan your engine cal with HP tuners. Your high pressure circuit may be disabled for AFM. If you delete that AFM you can enable it around 3000rpm and you will get about 60-65psi above 3k rpm. My L83 had it shut off. Oil piston squirters also work above 43psi so double benefits.

 

[GMCChevy]

I've always beem happy with the 5.3 although the later year ones are a bit laggy off the line. A lot of people have said it's the tuning.
My old 04 was similar in speed to the bigger engine, didn't need premium and had proper 4x4.. which isn't an issue since they don't stick you with AWD anymore with the bigger one.

 

[vcode]

I've always beem happy with the 5.3 although the later year ones are a bit laggy off the line. A lot of people have said it's the tuning.
My old 04 was similar in speed to the bigger engine, didn't need premium and had proper 4x4.. which isn't an issue since they don't stick you with AWD anymore with the bigger one.

I noticed the lag in a 2015 Tahoe I drove, especially compared to my 2010 Tahoe. They must have improved the throttle mapping as my 2019 Yukon does not have that issue.