Mid-grade gasoline

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Feb. 14, 2023 10:51 am

SMITTY wrote:
Thu. Feb. 09, 2023 9:25 pm
In theory they adjust, but we all know reality is much different.

Case in point, my '07 Silverado with the LMG 5.3 - also flex fuel. Knocked like hell on 87 when at full bore or towing, right from the day I drove it off the lot. I made it knock on the test drive! The computer just couldn't pull enough timing out of it. When I started towing more frequently I just bit the bullet and kept her full of 93. Only thing that makes it go away.

One time I was being a cheapskate and tried 89. Had to haul a car up to ME that week. I couldn't go over 50 MPH on hills, or else I'd have scattered the engine all over the highway! You should've heard the violence happening inside all 8. Makes me cringe just thinking about it. I couldn't give it any more than 1/4 pedal!
The 2007-2011 Silverado's with the 5.3 are terrible, plain and simple. Tons of build quality issues, and GM definitely did not have the AFM figured out yet. If your 2007 Silverado can't tow a light load on 89 grade octane without knocking, something is wrong with it. A custom tune could probably correct it and disable the AFM as well, but I agree that you should not have fix poor factory engineering out of your own pocket. For a reliable tow rig, a 2500HD with the 6.0 would have been a much better (albeit thirsty) choice.

Back in the 80's when fuel injection was coming out mechanics were saying "it won't last, you will never be able to fix it, etc". Yet here we are talking about how reliable some of those vehicles turned out to be. Sure there were some that were junk - that was also true of carbureted vehicles.
Sunny Boy wrote:
Sat. Feb. 11, 2023 12:46 pm

Our two 2020 eco-boost Fords have not had any problems in the tens of thousands of miles on each with just regular gas.... which is what Ford says to use in them. And Ford says to use the less expensive blended oil, not full synthetic.
Same for us. We recently traded our 2016 Expedition with the 3.5 Ecoboost and it was still running like new after 130K miles on 87 octane and Motorcraft oil changes every 5-6k miles. We replaced it with a 2020 Expedition, which has the 2nd Gen. 3.5 Ecoboost. It too has excellent performance on 87 octane gasoline.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Tue. Feb. 14, 2023 11:52 am

Seems to me---if ya start something on 87 octane--you'll be good--my trucks, tractors, chain saws--lawn tractors all do real good--every fall before I put up what's needed to be put up for the winter, I put some MMO & come spring all start up well. Batteries are a whole different story--I usually get 3 yrs out of most of them.

 
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Post by hank2 » Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 12:27 am

Rob R. wrote:
Tue. Feb. 14, 2023 10:51 am
The 2007-2011 Silverado's with the 5.3 are terrible, plain and simple. Tons of build quality issues, and GM definitely did not have the AFM figured out yet.
There were plenty of problems with the AFM on the 5.3's. The 4.8 was the answer without AFM. I bought a new '08 Silverado 1500 with 4.8, 4wd and towing package. Very tightly constructed at their best plant back then, Fort Wayne, I think. Standard cab, no power locks, or windows, etc. Almost a work truck. Lots less things to go wrong. Probably weighed at least 500 lbs. less than a gussied up extended cab. Great acceleration. Paid just under $20k at their Sept.' 08 huge sale. Bankrupt 6 months later.

The next gen Silverado, 2012 or 2013 on, under "Government Motors" build, had incurable chassis shake. I believe that lasted about 3 years. Tons of used one year old Silverado's, back then, on the lots.

I don't know if they've dropped the 4.8 non AFM or not by now. They were tuned just a bit more than the 5.3 at one time. Flat top pistons, etc. I always used 89 PO and had no problems at all, even with a good load, steep grades, etc.


 
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Post by SMITTY » Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 5:32 am

My truck knocked from DAY ONE on 87. It's the way it was built.

It'll be getting an overhaul anyway, once I get the funds for a built 5.3 that can handle a supercharger, cam, and headers I've had for a year now. Then I won't need that diesel truck I SHOULD have bought in '07, if I had the dough at the time.

 
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Post by freetown fred » Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 8:48 am

Always the story Jon$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 
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Post by Rob R. » Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 9:15 am

SMITTY wrote:
Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 5:32 am
It'll be getting an overhaul anyway, once I get the funds for a built 5.3 that can handle a supercharger, cam, and headers I've had for a year now. Then I won't need that diesel truck I SHOULD have bought in '07, if I had the dough at the time.
Your next challenge will be keeping it cool, and not scattering the rear differential.


 
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Post by freetown fred » Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 11:53 am

You're just tryin to cheer Jon up???????????????? :lol:

 
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Post by SMITTY » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:01 pm

:lol:

Rob R. wrote:
Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 9:15 am
Your next challenge will be keeping it cool, and not scattering the rear differential.
Already visted that, Rob - that's why I pulled the trigger on the go-fast parts. Put a new BEEFY 4-pinion pneumatically locking carrier in there in 2019 when the stock spider gear teeth were found in the cover magnet at 97k miles. :yes:

Keeping a truck engine cool is easy. Plenty of room. Stock cooling system is actually very good, and will handle the extra 150 to 200 HP. My buddy's '11 Camaro is running the stock cooling system at 1,100 RWHP. :o That car is INSANE ...
Last edited by SMITTY on Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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SMITTY
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Post by SMITTY » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:02 pm

freetown fred wrote:
Thu. Feb. 16, 2023 8:48 am
Always the story Jon$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Ain't that the truth, especially today! :o

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