5.4 Vs 5.3
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...5.4%20Vs%205.3
after a search i found this..... looks like it never came to a conclusion, just that the 5.3 will stomp the 5.4 empty.
after a search i found this..... looks like it never came to a conclusion, just that the 5.3 will stomp the 5.4 empty.
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Originally Posted by bigsnag
No one that I know gets 20 mpg with a 5.3L Chevy. You could with a 5.7 in a 2wd half ton, but these new engines seem to get worse mpg. I also know that the gas mileage on those 5.7's and 5.3's decreases dramatically as your speed increases. With an extended cab 4X4 with a 5.7 it is possible to get around 19 mpg on the highway if you keep your speed to around 65 mph. Stretch it on out to where you are running about 75-80 and they get about 14. That's a voice of experience.
Here's another voice of experience. One of our work trucks is a '01 Silverado, extended cab, 2wd, 5.3, and I think 3.73 gearing. Consistently makes 19-20 mpg on interstate at 75 mph, and about 17 mpg at 80 mph. This isn't a one or two time occurence; most of its life has been that type of driving. With a flatbed trailer with low profile load around 2000 lbs. it comes in around 15 mpg. Camping trailer, about 12 - 14 mpg - depends on wind and speed.
It's never lacked for power for anything we've ever done with it.
BTW, most folks I know with the 5.4 whine about the poor mileage. One guy gets about 14 mpg average in a 4x4 SD extended cab. Not too bad.
Regardless of what you drive fuel economy is highly dependant on driving habits.
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I think the milage can be attributed a little to the overall design of the truck. It seems to be a commom theme with the GM trucks even in the 3/4 and 1 tons. The motors make a little better milage but the trucks are a little lighter and not as high off the ground. Both are pretty nice trucks - I'd take either.
Post Fiend
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
A few comments: the 5.3 is now rated @ 310 HP, 335 ft/lbs@4000. There's an optional 6.0 in the 1/2T's that comes in at 345HP, 380 ft/lbs@4000. Ford's 5.4 comes in at 300Hp, 365 ft/lbs @3750.
It's not that far apart, but the F150 in a 4X4 S/C (typical model) weighs 547 lbs more, empty, than it's Silverado counterpart. When you move to the HD2500/SD class, that weight differential balloons to over 1100 lbs empty. Say what you want- it takes more fuel to move additional weight down the road. That extra weight also extracts a penalty off of a stoplight.
It's not that far apart, but the F150 in a 4X4 S/C (typical model) weighs 547 lbs more, empty, than it's Silverado counterpart. When you move to the HD2500/SD class, that weight differential balloons to over 1100 lbs empty. Say what you want- it takes more fuel to move additional weight down the road. That extra weight also extracts a penalty off of a stoplight.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mi
even though the new 3v makes more hp, it also weighs 500 more pounds....i read somewhere and was verified my a buddy that goes to northwestern ohio mechanical school, and he said that it takes 10 hp to 100 lbs ratio, so if you believe that this means the new 5.4 has 40 more hp, 500 lb heavier which is 10 hp less in hp to weight vs the old 5.4....not like any of this matters, but i really wonder....
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Myersville, Maryland
My daily driver (soon to be sold) is an 03' sierra 1500 w/ the 5.3L Its a single cab with 4x4. I have left a lot of vehicles in the dust with the truck off the line, its quick and has lots of power all the way too 100mph..then it shuts off...but hey its not a race car 
. The VERY BEST mpg I have EVER gotten with the truck is 17 highway. On average it makes 14-15. I also found for some reason I got worse mpg with the tailgate off....anyway Be proud of me...I'm ordering a brand new F350 this month. I had a 97 250 before the GM and I will never buy another GM again.
. The VERY BEST mpg I have EVER gotten with the truck is 17 highway. On average it makes 14-15. I also found for some reason I got worse mpg with the tailgate off....anyway Be proud of me...I'm ordering a brand new F350 this month. I had a 97 250 before the GM and I will never buy another GM again.
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Originally Posted by polarbear
A few comments: the 5.3 is now rated @ 310 HP, 335 ft/lbs@4000. There's an optional 6.0 in the 1/2T's that comes in at 345HP, 380 ft/lbs@4000. Ford's 5.4 comes in at 300Hp, 365 ft/lbs @3750.
It's not that far apart, but the F150 in a 4X4 S/C (typical model) weighs 547 lbs more, empty, than it's Silverado counterpart. When you move to the HD2500/SD class, that weight differential balloons to over 1100 lbs empty. Say what you want- it takes more fuel to move additional weight down the road. That extra weight also extracts a penalty off of a stoplight.
It's not that far apart, but the F150 in a 4X4 S/C (typical model) weighs 547 lbs more, empty, than it's Silverado counterpart. When you move to the HD2500/SD class, that weight differential balloons to over 1100 lbs empty. Say what you want- it takes more fuel to move additional weight down the road. That extra weight also extracts a penalty off of a stoplight.
EDIT: this was the 1/2 ton Silverado.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
My mom has the 5.3L with a little over 115K on it. Still runs great, no problems to speak of, just did the regular oil changes and stuff like that, will still beat a 5.4L off the line without a second thought.
Not to mention all the ricers around here *rolls eyes*.
Not to mention all the ricers around here *rolls eyes*.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Alabama
Look if you want to compare two trucks to each other; then take one of each' back them up to each other' put a tow strap in between them and see that the '04+ F150 5.4 will drag the '04+ Silverado 5.3 around all day and won't have to risk blowing the engine at 4000rpms doing it!
After all in a fullsize truck what I want is something that is going to pull
After all in a fullsize truck what I want is something that is going to pull
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From: North Dakota
Originally Posted by farmtwuck
I'm sure you're aware of this but I saw an ad last night for the new Silverado with the 6.0. They're advertising 10,000 lb. trailering capacity. I saw somewhere on FTE the other day that the F-150 has a trailering cap. of 9500 lbs. Maybe there's your 547 weight difference coming into play?
EDIT: this was the 1/2 ton Silverado.
EDIT: this was the 1/2 ton Silverado.
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From: North Dakota
Oh and by the way, hooking two trucks together proves nothing more than who has better traction, who is heavier, and who is the better driver! It proves nothing about low end torque or power!! If you feel like breaking stuff go ahead, its not my wallet.
Post Fiend
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From: Joppa, Maryland
Originally Posted by SLE
Oh and by the way, hooking two trucks together proves nothing more than who has better traction, who is heavier, and who is the better driver! It proves nothing about low end torque or power!! If you feel like breaking stuff go ahead, its not my wallet.
-Paul
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Originally Posted by SLE
I thik these manuf. are in such a "I've got the biggest wee wee" contest that just about every thing is becoming overrated, these companies keep upping the power and decreasing economy even when fuel seems to be as volatile as ever. I have no Idea how many diesel owners I've heard say they're happy with the current power output but would welcome better fuel economy, ecspecialy at 3.29 per gallon!!! But what do we get, more power and less economy, and they wonder why they're in such finacial trouble, if I made decision like that I'd be in trouble too!!!