6.2 vs 5.3 and premium gas

[Blueinterceptor]

Any body have any regrets getting a 6.2 liter over the 5.3L

and must you use premium gas in it?

im not as concerned with the cost of the gas as is the requirement to use it.

 

[avalonandl]

The power of the 6.2 is intoxicating....

 

[91RS]

Yes, you need to use premium fuel with a 6.2L.

 

[Micahsd]

That’s the one reason why I stayed away from the 6.2, even though it would’ve been nice.

The owners manual says it’s required for the 6.2. Some other posts talked about how you might get a knocking noise due to how the timing might get messed up by not using premium. Here in Iowa it would cost me an additional $6-10 depending on the price to fill it up the 22 gallon tank with Premium.

I had a Corvette in the past that required Premium and I had no issues paying extra for that, but even though the 6.2 is sweet in the Tahoe I feel it’s still far from the performance of a sports car with that engine (plus that’s not why I bought it either), although if you have the extra money to spend and don’t mind paying extra each time you fill up I’d go for it.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

I like the 6.2 in the high country I drove. A lot.
My concern is that with the 5.3, I can use any gas but with the 6.2, I’m really limited. is there an additive that you can use to boost the octane in the event you can’t get premium gas

 

[Stbentoak]

They want + .80 cents over RUL in my area and I refuse to make them rich and get crappy mileage on top of it. Diesel is + .10 over RUL and I’m going 40% further on it. Wouldn’t have bought a Denali w/o a Dmax….

 

[Joseph Garcia]

As can be seen, there are almost as many opinions as folks posting on this topic.

From my point of view, if you are concerned about total fuel costs, then go with the 5.3, and save yourself some money. If you are not concerned about total fuel costs, then go with the 6.2. If you plan to tow a lot, particularly large trailers/loads, then the 6.2 makes more sense to select.

 

[swathdiver]

Any body have any regrets getting a 6.2 liter over the 5.3L

and must you use premium gas in it?

im not as concerned with the cost of the gas as is the requirement to use it.

Curious, where do you live where high octane gasoline is not available?

 

[Blueinterceptor]

Curious, where do you live where high octane gasoline is not available?

Not that high octane isn’t available regularly but if for some reason you can’t find it. Im just thinking with the 5.3 , I can always move up but with the 6.2 I can’t readily move down.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

As can be seen, there are almost as many opinions as folks posting on this topic.

From my point of view, if you are concerned about total fuel costs, then go with the 5.3, and save yourself some money. If you are not concerned about total fuel costs, then go with the 6.2. If you plan to tow a lot, particularly large trailers/loads, then the 6.2 makes more sense to select.

I don’t tow very much. I was curious though, if anyone with the 6.2 regretted it? Note that the max towing package and advanced trailering pkg is not available on the 22 Tahoe with 6.2 engine

 

[swathdiver]

Not that high octane isn’t available regularly but if for some reason you can’t find it. Im just thinking with the 5.3 , I can always move up but with the 6.2 I can’t readily move down.

Well, I'm not aware of anywhere where 91 octane at least isn't available. The extra power is great but if you don't NEED it, the 5.3 will be just fine. If we ever buy a T1, I'm sweet on the diesel engine. By the time we buy one, I'll probably have already replaced the 5.3 in my '09 for a 6.2! LOL

 

[gaffster01]

You absolutely do not need to run premium. In most cases 87 is actually better because it gets turned over faster. Some race friends tested a bunch of gas around us and the 87 was almost always better. With that said I always run premium if I am pulling something.

 

[SSGUNNER]

I had a Corvette in the past that required Premium and I had no issues paying extra for that, but even though the 6.2 is sweet in the Tahoe I feel it’s still far from the performance of a sports car with that engine (plus that’s not why I bought it either), although if you have the extra money to spend and don’t mind paying extra each time you fill up I’d go for it.

I think this is pretty spot on here. I've had the 6.2 in a Camaro SS and while it was great while it lasted even in the 3500 lbs vehicle I felt it was still underpowered. Yes it was fast but even after a few mods there were other cars that would eat it. Take the 392's. So the 5.3 is sufficient and sounds great and won't get the teen drivers trying to race me off the line lol.

 

[hdrolling]

The 6.2 is a higher compression engine than the 5.3, that's why they "highly recommend" 93. At least that's what it says in my owners manual.

I think you would get more responses to asking 5.3L owners if they regret not getting the 6.2L, who wouldn't want more power?

Since on the 2021 GM's, the 6.2L only comes on the top of the line models I'm sure most of the owners can afford the higher fuel costs.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

The 6.2L is now available on the HC Premier RST and Z71.
Z71 also has available eLSD

 

[swathdiver]

You absolutely do not need to run premium. In most cases 87 is actually better because it gets turned over faster. Some race friends tested a bunch of gas around us and the 87 was almost always better. With that said I always run premium if I am pulling something.

With the current ways the vehicles are programmed, this is not so. Running 87 in a high compression engine is going to bust pistons and rings eventually. We see it all the time on here.

87 octane is in no way better for a high compression engine than 93, unless you are comparing Direct Injection engines that are made to run on 87. They will see little, if any improvement with 93. In older, more traditional injected and carbureted engines, higher octane always benefits the engine over lower octane. The get better mileage, run smoother, cooler, etc.

 

[hdrolling]

The 6.2L is now available on the HC Premier RST and Z71.
Z71 also has available eLSD

Available to order you mean? Not an option for 2021's and ordering for 2022's hasn't started yet.

 

[Fireman591]

Higher octane fuel such as premium has nothing to do with energy content or quality. It is a measurement of the gasoline's ability to resist engine knock. Engines that have a higher compression ratio need a higher octane fuel too prevent knock. So too make a long story short you can use a fuel with a low octane as long as your engine is not knocking. I highly doubt you will get knocking in a stock 6.2 engine with a quality top tier brand selling 89 mid grade. My Corvette calls for premium and runs fine with 89 mid grade.

 

[gaffster01]

I have 100,000 miles on. 6.2 that has seen mostly 87 octane other than when pulling heavy loads and had 0 issues at all. I routinely get 23 mpg highway with it. If you want most performance run premium if not no worries running 87.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

Available to order you mean? Not an option for 2021's and ordering for 2022's hasn't started yet.

it’s an option for 22. I built my 22 premier tuesday. Waiting on dealer allotment