The 4.3

[Bowed]

bought a 2006 silverado with 4.3 / automatic earlier this week . Last night looking at fuel economy.gov it shows the 2006 chevy truck V6 and V8's get the same gas mileage , what's up with that ? What are you guys with the V6 actually getting for gas mileage and also how will the V6 stands up long term against the V8 . I thought I was making a good overall choice at the time but now think I made a mistake . Your thoughts.


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[truckdude239]

the 4.3 is a good motor i would think that it would get alittle bit better mileage though

[Pyrotechnic]

The 4.3 is based on the Gen 1 SBC. The LS based V8 motors in the same trucks are a completely new design and are just that much more efficient than the Gen 1 series the 4.3 is based on. This is why the V8 can pull of the same or better mileage numbers.

The V6 trucks are more aimed towards people that aren't speed demons and arent going to tow...they just want some transportation with cargo space. This saves money on the sticker price. Could also save on insurance for young drivers. It's not really about saving gas.

The 4.3L is a very reliable engine. Just as good as the V8 and will last just as long. The only difference is acceleration, towing ability, and cost.

[Bowed]

[QUOTE=The V6 trucks are more aimed towards people that aren't speed demons and arent going to tow...they just want some transportation with cargo space. [/QUOTE]


Possibly strange that this one has electronic tow mode . It is just an around town truck that I bought to use when the wife has the car (often ) , so It will never have to work very hard . I would have definitely bought a V8 if I had known they get the same mileage .


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[oomag12]

Originally Posted by Bowed

Possibly strange that this one has electronic tow mode . It is just an around town truck that I bought to use when the wife has the car (often ) , so It will never have to work very hard . I would have definitely bought a V8 if I had known they get the same mileage .


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I bought on 06 new with the 4.3. 18 mpg tops under best conditions. Check the production sticker on the drivers door, if it says GM De Mexicali, your in for a ride. This truck is junk, I'm having another issue at this time. Good luck.......tranny gone at 38k, $1700, fan speed control in cab,42K, $350, photocell for daylight running lamps buried under dash, outside warranty, repaired myself after I replaced halogen headlights twice because they on constantly. Current issue with cat. converter gone at 88k I have dumped just under $800 in it with a local (I thought decent) tech, I'm still in it with for not using the correct cat. and I'm still receiving code and 13 mpg...........I'm just before striking a match to it.. This is a "wt" and they all have the "tow mode" button on the shifter.

[NONHOG]

Mine is an 08 WT 4.3 and I really like it, I bet I would love an LS engine but who cares I can't afford one. I average about 18 mpg . I try hard to get that. I have gotten 20 a couple of times . the off idle low speed torque is awesome but goes away almost instantly . I have yet to tow more than 8-9 hundred pounds . I have to wonder about its 5K rating ?
I feel I made the right move for the money.

[Mykk]

When mine was a 4.3L (2004 1500 2wd) I'd average 18-19 around town & 21-24 on road trips. And that was with alot of bolt ons & mods

[Pyrotechnic]

Originally Posted by Bowed

Possibly strange that this one has electronic tow mode

Well I didn't mean it couldn't tow at all, because it certainly can. I meant more serious loads that would require a V8.

Funny thing is, that 4.3L has more power than some smog era V8's.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If you baby it, it will do better than the V-8's, not by much, but a little.

My Z71 is getting 14/18 (city/highway.) I have to take it easy to get that 14 as well. I wouldn't be surprised if your regular cab 2wd 4.3 could get 17/20-21.

oomag12, sorry you're having so many problems. Other than routine maintenance my truck hasn't had anything break on it with 115K on the clock. Also, if you're not light footed, 13mpg is normal for stop and go driving, especially with most of today's gas using E10 year round. Also, if your tires are larger than stock, it will give you a lower mpg # (odometer won't be spinning as fast.)

[oomag12]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

If you baby it, it will do better than the V-8's, not by much, but a little.

My Z71 is getting 14/18 (city/highway.) I have to take it easy to get that 14 as well. I wouldn't be surprised if your regular cab 2wd 4.3 could get 17/20-21.

oomag12, sorry you're having so many problems. Other than routine maintenance my truck hasn't had anything break on it with 115K on the clock. Also, if you're not light footed, 13mpg is normal for stop and go driving, especially with most of today's gas using E10 year round. Also, if your tires are larger than stock, it will give you a lower mpg # (odometer won't be spinning as fast.)

Naw man, no prob., this truck is just junk, plain and simple. Its a Mexican Chevy. It has and has had, numerous issue's. I always averaged between 18 and 20 mpg. I drive 80 mph straight highway to most of my sites. I don't buy into the "baby" the motor, they are made to roll. My 97 Z-71 Sierra is Canadian production and solid, set the cruise at 80 and roll. In Feb. 06 GM was in turmoil again with sales, and I got this 06 wt for 14,800. I really wanted trade up for the 08 wt, but GM isn't given *hit for the "classic" 06 wt's.

[Josh]

The 4.3 will get decent mileage, I have a 4.8 in mine and averaging lately around 16 city and 20-22 highway depending on if i encounter hills or not. I don't baby her, I drive the piss out of the truck cause the power band is over 4k rpm... I've towed 7-8k pounds with it and it'll do it but doesn't like it. The 4.3 will tow 5k or so but its really straining the motor. The guys with 4.3/5spd seem to really love their mileage alot more than the automatics... Mexico chevy built trucks are hit and miss, I've seen some with 200k on em with very few problems and then some that are pure junk...

We have a Mexico built Yukon XL and so far it's been a good truck has all the typical little problems and the previous owner fixed all the usual 2003 issues. So far 18k miles and all I've had to do is replace the battery. Previous owner had to do the AC and a few little odds and ends, was covered under GMPP tho (I work for a dealer and bought it from my work, we sold it new and only place to ever work on it, I have full maintenance records). The mileage on it varies, I usually get about 15 normal driving, and around 18 hwy/city with 20-22 highway. The 4.3/4.8/5.3 all get about the same mileage cost and power is about the only difference.

[Huck]

The 4.3 which is basically 3/4s of a 5.7 block runs good but mileage was never a strong point. May be a factor of rear end gears?? My 91 would do 20 hwy and 15 around town. My 2000 Z71 and my 2002 both with 5.3's will give me 20mph hwy and 15 in town. It's the little crap that drives me nuts!!
The only thing about the 4.3 it was a regular cab with 34 gal tanks--could go 600+ miles on fillup!!

[Palf70Step]

I have an 2002 W/T w 4.3 and automatic. I average around 15 in town (always with AC) and I don't watch my foot very much. 20 on the highway.

My 92 WT was a 5 speed and I think that is a better combo behind the 4.3. I normally saw between 21-24 for highway mileage with it. The 4.3 seems to be sooooo much happier with the manual vice the automatic.

I keep wondering if the will come up with a sliced 5.3 to replace the 4.3 with the newer technology that might help with the mileage and power.

[KShortell]

My neighbor and I both bought new Chevys within a couple months of each other. He bought a 4.3L W/T reg. cab long bed; I bought a 4.8L LS ext. cab reg. bed. He gets 2-3 m.p.g. more than I do on the highway, 1-2 more m.p.g. in town. We both have the 3.23 rear end axle ratio.

I've managed to get anywhere from 14.6 m.p.g. (first tank) to 18.7 m.p.g. on the highway. I've been getting around 16 or so in town.

We're both pleased as punch with our trucks. We had different needs and each truck fits them well.