'05 5.3 310 hp

Anyone have the new 310hp vortec? This is different than the usual 5.3 in that it is all Aluminum. All the remaining '05's on the lots seem to have this option, and one is equipped like I want, and the price is hard to beat. So, any take on this engine? Does it run better than the iron 5.3? Any problems to look for? Thought real hard about an 6.0 05 VHO, but I can get this 5.3 in a 4X4 for 3 grand less, and around here 4X4's retain there value. Hell, there giving me 10.5k for my '99 Z71 with a 4.8 and I only paid 9.5k for it with 73k miles!

Anyone have the new 310hp vortec? This is different than the usual 5.3 in that it is all Aluminum. All the remaining '05's on the lots seem to have this option, and one is equipped like I want, and the price is hard to beat. So, any take on this engine? Does it run better than the iron 5.3? Any problems to look for? Thought real hard about an 6.0 05 VHO, but I can get this 5.3 in a 4X4 for 3 grand less, and around here 4X4's retain there value. Hell, there giving me 10.5k for my '99 Z71 with a 4.8 and I only paid 9.5k for it with 73k miles!

Redneck - I'm curious what the prices are you see? 3 grand less for a 4 x 4 compared to a vho seems unique from what I had seen. Can you detail what you are finding? Thanks.

White Lightening

Redneck - I'm curious what the prices are you see? 3 grand less for a 4 x 4 compared to a vho seems unique from what I had seen. Can you detail what you are finding? Thanks.

White Lightening

Well, equipped the way I want the 4x4 MSRP is 32,329 and that is 24,523 with all discounts. The VHO only comes one way, (atleast the two that I found that are left in the tri-state area), and MSRP is 36,225 making the final price with all discounts 27,706. The "Silverado Performance Edition" is a hefty $3,925 option, but does get you the 345hp 6.0, HD trans, HD oil cooler, HD trailering, locking rear diff., 3.73 axle, traction assist, and 20" chrome wheels. The "safe and Sound" option (which I really do not want) is another $2,685. On the 4x4 for $1,825 you get the 310 hp Aluminum 5.3, locking rear diff., and trailering equipment, with a 3.42 axle. It is really comparing apples to oranges cause the 2wd truck is pretty loaded, and the 4x4 truck is a base model, if I could find the high perf 6.0 2wd truck in a less loaded model I would buy. But then again a 2wd truck around here has almost no resale compared to 4x4, and on the used market loaded vs base does not make a big difference!

Final ? for you VHO guys, is the HD trans the 4L80E that comes in the 2500HD trucks? Or is it just the 4L65E (beefier version of the 1/2 ton 4L60E). I know the rear axle in the VHO is a 14 bolt, cause I counted them.

I wouldn't go any lower than a 3.73 gear ratio, preferrably a 4.10.
I've got the 4.10 gears and 5.3L engine. Torquey at the low end and still get 25 miles per imperial gallon. Rev's out at 2300rpm at 120kph. I think the 3.42 will be underpowered. Dealers here wont order anything other than trucks with 4.10 gears for that reason. I've got the aluminum engine, maybe a liitle noiser than the iron job. What I don't like and the dealer won't tell you is that GM has cruise control issues in that when going down hill, your truck is going to violently jerk and buck. No fix for thisas they say it is normal and you should turn the system off when going down hills. I suspect it has something to do with their "throttle by wire" system.

4L65E.... Heat treated planitaries, etc....

The "Hybrid" rear end has the traction assist which will do almost anything the 4x4 will within reason.

Do a larger search, I found a VHO for 32,800 and after all discounts 25K....

4L65E.... Heat treated planitaries, etc....

The "Hybrid" rear end has the traction assist which will do almost anything the 4x4 will within reason.

Do a larger search, I found a VHO for 32,800 and after all discounts 25K....


4.10's? your kidding right? I got a '99 4.8 with 4.10's and it is a rarity. Every 1/2 ton 4x4 I looked at, and were talking over 50 trucks in the last few months, came with the 3.42's. Oddly, every 3/4 ton 4x4 I have looked at has the 4.10's. I get 17.5 mpg at 70mph with 245 tires with the '99 4.8. You would think that with the same tires an aluminum 5.3 with 3.42's would click off 20mpg. My dad's 04 5.4 triton 4x4 with 3.42's clicks off 18mpg at 70--and its a ford! PS, main reason for not getting a 2500hd, which I can get for with in a few hundred bucks of the 1500, is the 12mpg my buddy gets with his 2500hd at 70mph with the 4.10's. I had a 2500hd duramax that I sold to buy a 1/2, no need to go back to more of a truck than I need--this little 4.8 pulls my 3500lb walleye boat just fine.

Do the new 5.3's have piston slap, cause with 74k miles this 4.8 has never made a peep! Maybe just hang onto it.

Well, equipped the way I want the 4x4 MSRP is 32,329 and that is 24,523 with all discounts. The VHO only comes one way, (atleast the two that I found that are left in the tri-state area), and MSRP is 36,225 making the final price with all discounts 27,706. The "Silverado Performance Edition" is a hefty $3,925 option, but does get you the 345hp 6.0, HD trans, HD oil cooler, HD trailering, locking rear diff., 3.73 axle, traction assist, and 20" chrome wheels. The "safe and Sound" option (which I really do not want) is another $2,685. On the 4x4 for $1,825 you get the 310 hp Aluminum 5.3, locking rear diff., and trailering equipment, with a 3.42 axle. It is really comparing apples to oranges cause the 2wd truck is pretty loaded, and the 4x4 truck is a base model, if I could find the high perf 6.0 2wd truck in a less loaded model I would buy. But then again a 2wd truck around here has almost no resale compared to 4x4, and on the used market loaded vs base does not make a big difference!
Final ? for you VHO guys, is the HD trans the 4L80E that comes in the 2500HD trucks? Or is it just the 4L65E (beefier version of the 1/2 ton 4L60E). I know the rear axle in the VHO is a 14 bolt, cause I counted them.

I can tell you from direct experience that traction was not a problem for my truck in the Wisconsin winter. In fact - going up a steep street in a small town in heavy snow - I crawled up the street and a 4 x 4 truck couldn't. With 2wd - its a combination of a couple hundred pounds of weight in the back end and a locking differential. I used my street Goodyear 20s all winter - no sweat. Also did fine going thru loose construction pea rock that 4 x 4's were having trouble with (about 8 inches thick of pea rock). And - believe it or not - I have more actual total ground clearance than taller 4 x 4's.

I'm biased - I'd look a little more for other VHO's before deciding to see the "LS" type versions. There are a couple in our area at dealers and the employee pricing is about $24.750. One last thing to consider. 2wd's might not be a big selling commodity - but performance trucks are. I could sell my year old VHO for every penny I paid for it - without any difficulty. They are unique (not better - just different) - and they retain their resale value nicely because there are so few of them.

Either a 4 x 4 or the VHO - enjoy the benefits of a new vehicle - the new car smell doesn't last near as long as the payments do :smile: :smile:

Nope, 90% of the 4x4's on the lots in Alberta have the 4.10 gears. I first thought that was too high but with the overdrive automatic it's a good combo.

I have 3.73's ..

The best stock gear ratio ever. I cruise 80mph at 2000rpm with stock 265's

The B4V RPO VHO is 3.73 gears....

I have 3.73's ..

The best stock gear ratio ever. I cruise 80mph at 2000rpm with stock 265's

I also like the 3.73 axle ratio. An excellent choice for fuel economy and power/performance. The AWD SS has the 4.10 and it has great stoplight takeoff - but the 4.10 on the highway just doesn't have all the advantages the 3.73 seems to have.

White Lightening

Yea, I used to drive 2wd trucks threw Pittsburgh winters, and these were open rear ends! If I can find a VHO without the $2,600 "safe and sound" package I will buy it. I never really use 4x4 unless I'm somewhere I should'nt be (got a yamaha grizzly for that) and it would be cool to click off high 14's and get 20mpg on the highway!

What is VHO?

I've had them both and I really can't telll much difference. The 3.73 was matched up to a 5.7L. The 4.10 is matched to a 5.3L. Both were automatic overdrives. The only noticeable difference I can tell is that the truck with 4.10 gears revs 100rpm higher than the 5.7L did with the 3.73. the 5.3L is still way cheaper on gas than that 5.7L was and power wise not much difference.

Heck I use the term VHO and still don't know what it means. "Silverado Performance Edition" is on the sticker though!

VHO => Vortec High Output.... The Silverado Performance Package RPO is the B4V on the tag inside the glovebox. On the window sticker the package spells out the 6.0L VHO 345 HP engine, LQ9. If you have the 310 HP 5.3L it is a VHO, if you have a fridge on your porch you have a .....

VHO => Vortec High Output.... The Silverado Performance Package RPO is the B4V on the tag inside the glovebox. On the window sticker the package spells out the 6.0L VHO 345 HP engine, LQ9. If you have the 310 HP 5.3L it is a VHO, if you have a fridge on your porch you have a .....

I want a fridge on my porch, but my wife doesn't seem to think that's a good idea....

It's gotta have the High Output Tap.....

It's gotta have the High Output Tap.....

Is that for the Guinness?

In that case it means Very Healthy Output fridge......

I gots me a fridge in my geerage does that count? And yes it does have a spout on the side that will dispense liquid refreshment on demand!

Let's see... Fridge in garage owned by a person with the name Redneck... I think we hear a Hell Ya!!!!

hehehe git 'er done! wtf does that even mean, anyway?

just what is says, grab a cold one and GIT R DONE!