GM 5.7L - Ford 5.4L

[genesis215]

Which of these two engines do you think is best from your experience? Which gets the best fuel mileage when towing? Which one lasts the longest? The reason for asking is because I need a more fuel efficient 1/2-ton van than my current one which has the Ford 351. It is great, but only gets about 15 mpg hwy. with gentle driving, and no trailer.

[IA_James]

The Vortec and TBI 350 Chevys are excellent motors. Not terrible on mileage, plenty of power, and with proper maintenance run pretty much until you get tired of driving them. Water pumps on the newer ones are an issue, alot of people place the blame on GM's Dexcool anti-freeze. Google Deathcool for hours of fun reading. I don't really know anything about the 5.4s.

[TXNSLighting]

it could go either way. they can both get 20 on the highway.

[supercuts]

im a ford guy but hate their gas engines, ford is notorious for exaughst manifold leaks and they all get bad milage....id go chevy

[Petr51488]

I've got a 5.7l chevy. Its an awesome truck and a great engine. And sorry, you won't get 20mpg highway.

[deere615]

The 5.7L is a very nice engine, thats what my dads truck is

[LindblomRJ]

I've got a 5.7l chevy. Its an awesome truck and a great engine. And sorry, you won't get 20mpg highway.

16 MPG is realistic.

[genesis215]

<< im a ford guy but hate their gas engines, ford is notorious for exaughst manifold leaks and they all get bad milage....id go chevy >>

Really? Hmmm, I have had three different Ford gas V8's, the 302, the 351, and the 4.6L Triton (which was the very best one). All three have been GREAT! The 351 gets HORRID mileage (15 mpg, no trailer, and very gentle acceleration), the 302 didn't get that great, but the 4.6 I had got incredible mileage (18.5 mpg), although that is NOT good for it's size. I completely agree that the Ford gassers don't get good mileage for their size, but they are great engines, and many people swear by them. When you compare the fact that my 302 Ford got 21 mpg in a Grand Marquis, and then our friend knows of people who get 30 mpg with the 350 Chevy in a comperable size Caprice, it's a no-brainer that the 350 wins very easily for fuel mileage. I was only wanting to know the 350 compared to the 5.4L Triton engine as far as real life gas mileage.

[thecollector]

The tritons are also bad about head gaskets leaking oil on the pass. side. As far as mileage is concerned it's to close to call. Driving habits, vehicle load, and rear axle ratio will effect fuel economy more than any brand difference. We have a 04 Chevy with a 4.3 for customer support, on a recent trip I barely got to 18- and the van doesn't have much of anything in it. If it's that much of a concern drop some coin and pick up a sprinter chassis van.

[sgrprincees]

I had a 1994 LT1 Caprice and, while I wouldn't call them liars, I would say that anybody who got 30mpg was either traveling 40 miles per hour or was using a very inaccurate gas pump. How fast were you going to get 21? My Caprice would, at best, get 25 mpg going 70ish on the interstate. I wouldn't expect a miracle.

[genesis215]

Not all that fast, maybe 55-65 mph.

[laird006]

chevy 5.7 for sure. Mine has done me great and i know people with 350-400k on the original motor.

[dura to the max]

i have 195k on my 5.7 and love it. awesome power!:weightlifter::weightlifter:
all the 5.4's that ive drive seem to have less low end torque when towing

[genesis215]

Will anyone speak up who likes the 5.4 Triton? I don't care if it has less power than the GM 350. I am very curious about it, because it is alot less expensive to get a Ford Van than a Chevy Van.

[HenryB]

Will anyone speak up who likes the 5.4 Triton? I don't care if it has less power than the GM 350. I am very curious about it, because it is alot less expensive to get a Ford Van than a Chevy Van.

I've got a 5.4 Triton. Nice smooth engine. Pulls well. Horrible gas mileage. None of these engines are getting 20-30 mpg. Mine gets about 12 mpg empty no trailer. Even 15 mpg is really not happening. Sorry to burst bubbles here but honesty is important to me.:waving:

[genesis215]

Are you accelerating hard, and driving it like a hotrod? The Ford E150 w. the 5.4 is rated to get 17. And I have always gotten better mpg than the EPA ratings.

[genesis215]

Do any of you think the 5.4 will get better mileage than the 351? I have a E150 with the 351 right now. Should I keep it?

[mverick]

1997 vortec 5.7 and it gets around 14. And around 6 towing. Has 411 gears though. Towing package. 170000 miles and same motor. But different waterpump. But, hit a deer and cracked the radiator. overheated it a few times and the waterpump went out. So, not the trucks fault.

[supercuts]

Do any of you think the 5.4 will get better mileage than the 351? I have a E150 with the 351 right now. Should I keep it?

although i dont own a 5.4, ive owned 302's and 351's, the 5.4's many of my friends have seem to be much better for mileage and have a bit more power. my advice is to go to a dealer and drive one, see if you like it? dont trust us

[HenryB]

Are you accelerating hard, and driving it like a hotrod? The Ford E150 w. the 5.4 is rated to get 17. And I have always gotten better mpg than the EPA ratings.

I drive like an old woman. I wish the mileage was better.

[nosparkplugs]

"their is no replacement for displacement" you guys must be piddling around with the business. I have run older chevy 305's when I was in college their great for plowing snow, but to depend on these smaller gasoline engines for a lawn care business is a recipe for blown head gaskets, oil leaks you guys realize your over working these engine's & trucks get a big block V8/V10 gasoline engine.

[TandM]

We have a 98 gmc with a 5.7liter motor anf it has 185000 on it and runs great.

[lawnboy dan]

200k on my 5,7 chevy just replaced timming chain-get 10.5 mpg towing with stock tires and rims!~

[TXNSLighting]

ive owned a 5.4l! it got 19 highway at bout 76 mpg. i dont lie about this! who does it benifit for me to lie about this? 5.4's are fantastic engines! will last along time.

[clay duncan]

i have a 2000 f-250 with a 5.4 and i get 15.5 mpg on the interstate at 65-70 mph. i have not had any leaking oil or head gasket problems although i have replaced several coil packs (3). the 5.4 will not win any races but mine has always got the job done. i would but another.......

[HenryB]

I've got a GM 454 big block dually. I get 35 mpg towing a backhoe:laugh:
You guys crack me up.

[4 seasons lawn&land]

we have a 02 E250 cargo van, averages 14mpg

[Penscape Landscaping]

What is wrong with mine? Im getting 9-11 mpg with the truck only!! I have a single flowmaster and K&N fipk kit. I also have just had the plugs changed. I hate the gas mileage but you can not beat a ford truck for working

[SouthernLandworks]

I've got a 5.4L in my F250, Great engine, Decent amount of power for a super duty, I get around 12 mpg towing or not. Although mine does have the notorious exhaust leak:)
Great engine all around. Buddy of mine has a 5.7L with 189,000 miles and has had 7 transmissions but not any major problems with the motor I dont think.

[TXNSLighting]

it was an f-150 and that was highway, got bout 14 or so in town.

[nosparkplugs]

I've got a 5.4L in my F250, Great engine, Decent amount of power for a super duty, I get around 12 mpg towing or not. Although mine does have the notorious exhaust leak:)
Great engine all around. Buddy of mine has a 5.7L with 189,000 miles and has had 7 transmissions but not any major problems with the motor I dont think.

when our 02 F-350 diesel was in for one of the many powerstroke engine problems. The Ford dealer gave us a gasoline loaner on occasion F-250 with the 5.4L gas engine 4x4 sweat "looking" truck; however your full of BS the 5.4L Triton is a slug could not handle our trailers, and sucked gas. We just LOL and did the "I think I can" "I think I can" "choo choo". Truck/ engine smelled like it was on fire/burnt making that "pinging" noise when we would get to our accounts or landscape jobs.

[tugglelandscaping86]

i have a 98 silverado 5.7 and it no way gets 20 mpg it gets about 11 in town about 11 on the highway a nd 6 pulling the trailer- 16 footer. it has lots of power and it can tow more than what the "commercial" once said. i have a picture of my truck hauling a pallet of rocks and yes its overloaded and squating but its a truck and it has the power to get out of any situation you put it in. except for a pond.

[TXNSLighting]

Why bring up a 2 year old thread?

[lawn king]

We have owned 4 5.7's over the years. a 72,73,89 and a 96. They were all good reliable motors with power to spare. Dont plan on 20 mpg, 14-16 tops in a worktruck.

[tugglelandscaping86]

txnslighting how about i didnt read what freakin year it was started and i really dont care, i saw what it said and i wanted to comment on it. thanks!!!