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Tahoe for a tow rig?

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Lets see... 255 HP VS 300 HP. I think I'd rather have the 5.3.

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well theres more to it than that.the old tbi 454's were only 230 hp,but almost 400 ft lbs of torque.its all about a broad power band,which the 5.3 dosent have.it pulls like hell in the upper rpm's.great for passing on the freeway,but they just arent great pullers. great car engines(can you say LS1).
 
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The 327 is more of a revving engine if I recall. I think it has more HP but less torque than a 350. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thats just what I heard.

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thats right.i have spent alot of time in both.in a drag race,the 5.3 wins,but not when theres a 24'proline behind you.

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I couldn't disagree more.
The 5.3Ls everything the 350 was and more.
I've driven serveral examples of both - the 5.3s kick major butt over the compitition and it feels stronger off the line the than 350 ever did.
I haven't ever towed with a 5.3L personaly- I have however, heard everything from "it sucks" to "it's great".
And everything inbetween.
You just don't buy a SBC-anything for it's towing performance.
You buy 'em because they are the ideal "all-round" engines.

I'm not trying to stir the pot here - I'm just that impressed with the 5.3s.
They pull hard, off the line and clear up to the shift, for what it is. A small block in a heavy truck.
In my opinion.
 
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The 327 is more of a revving engine if I recall. I think it has more HP but less torque than a 350. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thats just what I heard.

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thats right.i have spent alot of time in both.in a drag race,the 5.3 wins,but not when theres a 24'proline behind you.

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I couldn't disagree more.
The 5.3Ls everything the 350 was and more.
I've driven serveral examples of both - the 5.3s kick major butt over the compitition and it feels stronger off the line the than 350 ever did.
I haven't ever towed with a 5.3L personaly- I have however, heard everything from "it sucks" to "it's great".
And everything inbetween.
You just don't buy a SBC-anything for it's towing performance.
You buy 'em because they are the ideal "all-round" engines.

I'm not trying to stir the pot here - I'm just that impressed with the 5.3s.
They pull hard, off the line and clear up to the shift, for what it is. A small block in a heavy truck.
In my opinion.


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dont get me wrong,i think the 5.3 is a good motor,and it is strong,but thats not what my point was.i HAVE towed with both,alot.a 98'with the vortec 350,and a 00'with the 5.3l,and the 350(96'and up) flat out tows the new motor.unless you have personal experience with both,how can you dispute that?
 
this is why the vortec 350 pulls better.from the gm website.

c/k series
5.3l,295 hp @ 5200rpm 330ft.lbs torque @ 4000

chevy express van(current)
vortec
5.7l,255 hp @ 4600 330ft.lbs torque @ 2800rpm /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
 
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I HAVE towed with both, alot. A 98' with the Vortec 350 and a 00' with the 5.3l. The 350 flat out tows (better than) the new motor.
Unless you have personal experience with both, how can you dispute that?

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Fair enough, you have me dead to rights. I've never towed with the 5/threes - yet.
But... (you knew that was comeing, /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)
What were the rear gears ? What package was it wraped in ? What was the load ?
I've driven piles and piles of both (back to back), in all kinds of configurations. Rear gears, make a huge difference, as does the packageing.

I have nothing but respect, I do indeed, trust your opinion.
Makes me a more well-rounded and informed individual. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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This is why the Vortec 350 pulls better. From the G.M. website.

C/K series
5.3l,295 hp @ 5200rpm 330ft.lbs torque @ 4000

Chevy Express van (current)
Vortec
5.7l,255 hp @ 4600 330ft.lbs torque @ 2800rpm



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Peak power numbers are miss leading - at best.
Over-all average power is where it's at.
Average power, will out run - higher peak numbers, hands down.
The 5.3s, have a better average, then the 350s. If I recall correctly, somewhere around 300 ft/lbs of torque from 2000 awn-up.

The 5.3s, come factory equiped with all the goods.
All the stuff we'd bolt on to our trusted SBCs - right out of the factory.
They are trick, if you ever get the chance to disect one, take it.

By-the way, dude. Don't be afraid to use the SHIFT key, every once in awhile. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
both trucks were 1/2ton 2wd extended cabs.the 350 truck had 3.42's,and the 5.3 truck had 3.73's.the 5.3 trucks are geared a little lower than the earlier trucks,i noticed that 4.10's are an option on 4x4's,where as 3.73 is as low as you could get on the old body style trucks.i guess thats because of the power band being higher in the rpm range.
 
2 dr or 4 dr tahoe?

with the 4 dr tahoe, your not that much shorter than a suburban. Here's a nice one though, they did make 6.5 TD tahoes!, with a 4L80e tranny!

Anyways, in terms of towing- stock tires, some beefier rear end is probaby a good idea- at least a SF. 8000 lbs is douable, but you should look into weight distributing hitches, anti sways, electric brakes on all axles... the safety factor is like night and day.
 
WOW looks like this blew up. I havent had a chance to check in in a few days and its now theres quite a bit here. LOL!

Anyhow I went and looked at a really nice 97 today...to bad the salesman just couldnt give me a straight answer. All I wanted to know was how much they were gonna give me for my trade in. I know Im gonna have to eat some of it and all I wanted to know was HOW FREAKIN MUCH. He never would tell me. Damn lost a sale over a number. /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

Ive done some more searching and have come up w/ quite a few more w/in 50 miles of me. One is a Z71 model too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I may have to get that one. I have seroiusly considered trying to get a new one but Im pretty sure I dont wanna spend that much. But hey, ya never know.

Ill be getting one soon, yeah itll be a bit overloaded but for as little as I plan to tow I dont think itll kill it.

Thanx for all the help yall. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
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