4.8 V8 with a Manual

[darcane]

Are these as impossible to find as it seems? I want a 99+ 2wd extended cab truck with a V8 and a manual. So far I've found about 10 for sale in the entire US (most out of my price range) and none within 1000 miles of me. Ugh!

Can anyone tell me what the tow rating is for a truck with a 4.8 and a manual? I want to get something I can tow a camping trailer with, but doesn't suck down gas while performing DD duty. I can consistently get over EPA ratings when I drive a manual, and I like rowing my own gears, so I'd rather not get an auto.

Mike

[Pyrotechnic]

These are extremely rare. If it makes you feel any better, GM does not even offer a manual in full size trucks anymore.

[darcane]

Yeah, I know. That seems crazy to me. Not even in the V6 trucks.

And that sure doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling...

Mike

[Gray Ghost]

If you go back to '06 they're not quite so rare. Still hard to find, but not impossible.

My foreman has a 2006 RCLB with a 6.0 and a 5 speed manual.

Why a 4.8? You'd be better off with the 5.3 and mileage is almost identical.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

If you go back to '06 they're not quite so rare. Still hard to find, but not impossible.

My foreman has a 2006 RCLB with a 6.0 and a 5 speed manual.

Why a 4.8? You'd be better off with the 5.3 and mileage is almost identical.

This came up in a thread on the 88-98 board. I am 99.99% sure you could not buy a 5.3 with a manual tranny. I have been proven wrong on other things before so please do so if you can (not a challenge, just interested in learning more when i can!).

Just after I bought my '06 I was looking through GMC's site and came upon some specs for the different models and options.
A Yukon with a 4.8 was rated at less MPG than a 5.3 (like 19 vs. 21). I assumed it had to do with the higher torque of the 5.3. That seems to be the real difference; I think the 5.3 is only 10hp better but like 30ft#'s better.

To the OP, I am not sure if I have seen a ext cab with a manual and a v-8 but I have seen a crew 2wd with a manual before. And only once.
I just traded my '06 4.8 5-speed in, but it was a regular cab. Fun truck but I was ready to get a car.

[Gray Ghost]

The brochures don't say....they only say the 5 speed was available in the 1500/2500/3500 series depending on bodystyles and availability. I've never seen a 5.3 manual but I have seen 4.3's, 4.8's and 6.0's with 5 speeds....so why not 5.3's?

[Palf70Step]

That's kind iof funny. When I was looking to replace my Dodge Last year, all I seemed to find in the 99-04 range I was looking were the 4.8 or 4.3 with a 5 speed manual. It took me like 9 months to find the 02 I have now. I guess it must be the area of the country.

[darcane]

I can find a bunch of trucks with the 4.3 and a manual. It's the 4.8 that is the needle in the haystack. They only offered an auto with the 5.3, so that's the reason it's out of the picture. I don't know why they did it this way, but Ford also did the same: manual or auto with the 4.6L, auto only with the 5.4. I'd consider Ford, but I've had bad luck with them and Chevy generally gets more power and better mileage with the same size engine.

I still haven't figured out the tow rating on a truck like this. Any tips on finding that info? The only sites I can find that indicate tow rating show it as a range and don't clue you in as to where in that range a particular configuration falls.

Mike

[darcane]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

To the OP, I am not sure if I have seen a ext cab with a manual and a v-8 but I have seen a crew 2wd with a manual before. And only once.
I just traded my '06 4.8 5-speed in, but it was a regular cab. Fun truck but I was ready to get a car.

Interesting... a 1500 crew cab? The only manual crew cabs I've seen are the HD trucks with a 6.0L.

I know the truck I want exists, since I found one for sale "locally" (150+ miles away): http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/1322376615.html
2000 Silverado, 2wd, extended cab, 4.8 with a manual. The only reason I'm not buying it is that it has 161k miles on it. I'd prefer not to have the long bed, but I'd take it if that's all I can find.

Mike

[Gray Ghost]

Baffles me why a 5.3 couldn't have been ordered with a 5 speed....I'm gonna find out why.

Good luck finding your truck. That's one looks good and if the miles are all highway, it could go for 160k more!

[Pyrotechnic]

If that truck has had oil changes every 3000, there should be plenty of life left in that motor. The useful life of these newer engines is around 250,000 if they are cared for, less or more depending on condition.

I have a feeling GM didn't want to put the heavy duty granny geared truck transmission into the half ton trucks. The 5 speed behind the 4.8 is a light duty truck transmission, and with the 4.8's short stroke, it doesn't have a bunch of torque down low like the 5.3 does which is better for the lighter transmission. Similar to the 3rd gen F-Body how the T5 couldn't be had with the TPI 350, only the 305.

I never understood why there hasn't been a strong half ton truck transmission. You either have a weak transmission that can't be offered with the largest engine, or you step up to a brute strength granny geared 3/4 or 1 ton transmission. No middle ground. Give us a half ton transmission that has good ratio's, shifts quickly, and is strong. Actually I do know why we don't have these......automatics are where the bulk of sales and money is at.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

If that truck has had oil changes every 3000, there should be plenty of life left in that motor. The useful life of these newer engines is around 250,000 if they are cared for, less or more depending on condition.

I have a feeling GM didn't want to put the heavy duty granny geared truck transmission into the half ton trucks. The 5 speed behind the 4.8 is a light duty truck transmission, and with the 4.8's short stroke, it doesn't have a bunch of torque down low like the 5.3 does which is better for the lighter transmission. Similar to the 3rd gen F-Body how the T5 couldn't be had with the TPI 350, only the 305.

I never understood why there hasn't been a strong half ton truck transmission. You either have a weak transmission that can't be offered with the largest engine, or you step up to a brute strength granny geared 3/4 or 1 ton transmission. No middle ground. Give us a half ton transmission that has good ratio's, shifts quickly, and is strong. Actually I do know why we don't have these......automatics are where the bulk of sales and money is at.

Well... one interesting truck came up in my search. It's not what I'm looking for but still interesting. This guy swapped in a six speed from an F-body:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1327048870.html

If my search continues to drag on for a long time, I might go for that 161k mile truck. I'd have to talk them down on the price a ways though.

Mike

[ts71281]

I have an 04 reg cab short box 2wd 4.8l 5 speed truck. I had to drive from Minneapolis to Oklahoma to get mine (bought it new in oct of 04) I've stored it every winter and last summer swapped in a cammed and headed 6L with long tube headers. It lays down so so power but is fun to drive with the 5 speed in a relatively light weight truck.

When it was new (already ripped off the crappy door mouldings)


6L swapped in:


As it sits today:




Let me know if you guys have any Silverado questions. I know these trucks inside and out. (literally)

Power it lays down at the rear wheels

[deyomatic]

I'll be interested to follow this thread. I hate the fact that they don't offer them anymore. When all of these automakers started advertising that they were slashing their prices and doing employee pricing a couple of years ago I checked the GM and Ford sites and played with the "Build and Price" pages and every time I wanted a V8 it made me change the tranny option. Lame. I wish they could understand and make what we all really want- and not just for trucks. I just got back from Ireland two days ago...it's upsetting to see what Ford and GM, even some Japanese manufacturers have over there that we'll never see.

Oh well.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by ts71281

I have an 04 reg cab short box 2wd 4.8l 5 speed truck. I had to drive from Minneapolis to Oklahoma to get mine (bought it new in oct of 04) I've stored it every winter and last summer swapped in a cammed and headed 6L with long tube headers. It lays down so so power but is fun to drive with the 5 speed in a relatively light weight truck.

Let me know if you guys have any Silverado questions. I know these trucks inside and out. (literally)

Beautiful truck! I'd be happy with a reg cab if I didn't have kids. However, I need the extra space of an extended cab.

The main question I had was the tow rating. The GM Media Website is a fantastic resource with all kinds of data on their vehicles made in the last decade or so. It shows a maximum tow rating of 7300 for a 2001 2wd, ext cab truck with a 4.8 but doesn't specify tranny and states that it will vary with equipment. I presume that the manual tranny won't reduce the tow rating below 4000 or so which is probably the heaviest trailer I'd ever tow, so I should be fine.

The only other question is... where do I find one? I've found one more in my searches and it's 2800 miles away. If I have to go more than 1000 miles to get one, I'll probably bite the bullet and deal with an auto.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by ts71281

It lays down so so power...

Looks to be ~350hp at the wheels; thats "so so"?!?!?
What do you mean by "headed"? It had aluminum heads to start with right? What did you end up doing to them?

Have you thought about a different tranny? I was disappointed with the 5-speed in my '06. I didn't like the split from 2nd to 3rd gear; too much spread. I woudl have preffered a tranny that had a more even spread through out the gear range.
I thought the truck posted above with the 6-speed conversion was interesting.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by darcane

I presume that the manual tranny won't reduce the tow rating below 4000 or so which is probably the heaviest trailer I'd ever tow, so I should be fine.

I think the manual tranny raises the tow capacity but have nothing to back that up.

[BossHogg69]

the reason you can't find a 1/2 ton with a 5.3L and 5spd is because the torque rating of the 5spd's GM used is less than what the 5.3L puts out. The various versions of this tranny (going back to '88) are not rated for anything over 300lb-ft. Dodge used a version of this transmission too (NV3500). Not to say they will break right off the bat with anything over that (many factors to consider there, traction being a big one), but it doesn't look like GM was willing to risk it with the 5.3. As stated earlier, it's a light duty truck transmission, not a heavy duty/towing oriented trans.

A buddy of mine tried to order a 2002 sbrc truck with a 5.3/5spd/3.73 gear and was told by the dealership that combo was not offered at all. He ended up getting a 5.3/auto/3.73 instead of getting the smaller 4.8/5spd. I would love to have a 5sp in my '05, but sometimes it's kinda nice not rowing gears in traffic. I do all my shifting in my '69!

[ts71281]

Originally Posted by darcane

Beautiful truck! I'd be happy with a reg cab if I didn't have kids. However, I need the extra space of an extended cab.

The main question I had was the tow rating. The GM Media Website is a fantastic resource with all kinds of data on their vehicles made in the last decade or so. It shows a maximum tow rating of 7300 for a 2001 2wd, ext cab truck with a 4.8 but doesn't specify tranny and states that it will vary with equipment. I presume that the manual tranny won't reduce the tow rating below 4000 or so which is probably the heaviest trailer I'd ever tow, so I should be fine.

The only other question is... where do I find one? I've found one more in my searches and it's 2800 miles away. If I have to go more than 1000 miles to get one, I'll probably bite the bullet and deal with an auto.

Well, I found an ext cab 4x4 4.8L 5 speed truck for you in MN - check your PM's

[ts71281]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

Looks to be ~350hp at the wheels; thats "so so"?!?!?
What do you mean by "headed"? It had aluminum heads to start with right? What did you end up doing to them?

Have you thought about a different tranny? I was disappointed with the 5-speed in my '06. I didn't like the split from 2nd to 3rd gear; too much spread. I woudl have preffered a tranny that had a more even spread through out the gear range.
I thought the truck posted above with the 6-speed conversion was interesting.

The engine I started with was a 5K mile 6L Lq4 from a van - I removed the heads and put a set of ported 243 casting heads (from a LS2 6L) that were ported with upgraded valve springs, lifters, cam and pushrods. I also am running long tube headers, a 90mm intake manifold from a Trailblazer SS and a cold air intake. These engines are very easy to work on.

You're right about the 5 speed having strange gear spacing, the 1-2 shift rock 'n' rolls, but the 2-3 is pokey. I still shut down the camaro boys and just the other night killed a SRT-8 challenger.

Like I said, I'm kind of a brat. The 6L goes so so in my opinion, my 1970 has a 468 big block, it pulls stronger

[ts71281]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

the reason you can't find a 1/2 ton with a 5.3L and 5spd is because the torque rating of the 5spd's GM used is less than what the 5.3L puts out. The various versions of this tranny (going back to '88) are not rated for anything over 300lb-ft. Dodge used a version of this transmission too (NV3500). Not to say they will break right off the bat with anything over that (many factors to consider there, traction being a big one), but it doesn't look like GM was willing to risk it with the 5.3. As stated earlier, it's a light duty truck transmission, not a heavy duty/towing oriented trans.

A buddy of mine tried to order a 2002 sbrc truck with a 5.3/5spd/3.73 gear and was told by the dealership that combo was not offered at all. He ended up getting a 5.3/auto/3.73 instead of getting the smaller 4.8/5spd. I would love to have a 5sp in my '05, but sometimes it's kinda nice not rowing gears in traffic. I do all my shifting in my '69!

You are right, they rate the trans to only 300 ft lbs, however with my previous cam in my truck I was getting away with 400 RWTQ on the stock trans and clutch and have had zero issues. clutch remains strong and the trans still shifts nice with no funny noises. I will tell you I NEVER tow. The truck is a street queen. My truck box is as flawless as the outside if that tells you anything about how the truck is used. I bought my truck with the 4.8L and 5 speed knowing someday I wanted to swap in a 6L or a 408 stroker. At least the trans/clutch pedal/wiring was all there and appropriate.

[Gray Ghost]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

the reason you can't find a 1/2 ton with a 5.3L and 5spd is because the torque rating of the 5spd's GM used is less than what the 5.3L puts out. The various versions of this tranny (going back to '88) are not rated for anything over 300lb-ft. Dodge used a version of this transmission too (NV3500). Not to say they will break right off the bat with anything over that (many factors to consider there, traction being a big one), but it doesn't look like GM was willing to risk it with the 5.3. As stated earlier, it's a light duty truck transmission, not a heavy duty/towing oriented trans.

A buddy of mine tried to order a 2002 sbrc truck with a 5.3/5spd/3.73 gear and was told by the dealership that combo was not offered at all. He ended up getting a 5.3/auto/3.73 instead of getting the smaller 4.8/5spd. I would love to have a 5sp in my '05, but sometimes it's kinda nice not rowing gears in traffic. I do all my shifting in my '69!

So why did they offer it with a 6.0 liter that put out over 300 ft/lbs in every version made?

Oh and the one my buddy has is a 5 speed 3/4 ton 6.0 and he does a ton of towing. Are you sure there's not a version rated higher than 300? My take is that is not the reason at all...probably has something to do with emissions. That kind of thing happened all the time in the 70's....no four speed with certain motors.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Gray Ghost

So why did they offer it with a 6.0 liter that put out over 300 ft/lbs in every version made?

Oh and the one my buddy has is a 5 speed 3/4 ton 6.0 and he does a ton of towing. Are you sure there's not a version rated higher than 300? My take is that is not the reason at all...probably has something to do with emissions. That kind of thing happened all the time in the 70's....no four speed with certain motors.

The 6.0L/5-spd is only in the HD trucks and it's a different tranny (NV4500 instead of NV3500).

Thanks for looking for me, ts71281, but I'm looking for a 2wd.

Mike

[Gray Ghost]

I thought that might be the case. I can't imagine a light duty tranny in a 3/4 ton.

[kevinr1970]

I remember a few years ago reading about the RST (Regency Sport Truck) conversions.
IIRC (this was about three years ago), Regency asked for a 5.3 with a 5-speed manual and GM said no.
They asked for a 5.3 with a six speed and again GM said no.
So they finally asked for a 6.0 with either an auto or manual and GM said no.

They were told by an unidentified person within GM that GM felt it would be too direct a competitor with the Silverado SS.