Opinions on Chevrolet 2014+ Ecotech 4.3 - Known as the LV3

Didn't find any topics on this while searching.  I'm shopping trucks and really like the 2014+ body style of the Sierra and Silverado.  Found a decent deal on a 2014 Sierra with the v6.  At first I was like no, but this version of the 4.3 has no relation to the old 4.3.  It's a ~285 horse/300 ft-lb direct injection engine based on the Gen V 5.3 LS - missing a couple of cylinders.  I do know these  have AFM/DOD but are known to be less problematic.  Any opinions on these engines? 

Here is the truck I'm looking at: 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 For Sale in Canton, OH - Motors For Less (motorsforlessohio.com) 

In reply to Scotty Con Queso:

As a GM tech, I can tell you I've honestly never seen anyone do lifters in those 4.3Ls. They're pretty bulletproof and got plenty of punch. The only thing I'll say is that they can be a little bit of a boneshaker when in V4 mode. They're also backed by the 6-speed auto, which had less issues than the 8-speeds that were paired up with the V8s later on. Looks plenty clean too.

In reply to NickD :

Awesome.  Thanks!  This engine seems to be an unsung hero.  Especially compared to the very problematic 5.3 variant. 

My dad has one in a 2017 Silverado, extended cab long bed 4x4.  He's got about 60k on the truck right now.  Only work he's had done on the truck was a failed coil pack or something relatively recently.  Just got tires on the truck.  He and my mom do lots of long distance drives in the truck, they like it a lot.  I've driven it and the V4 mode didn't seem overly shakey to me, and transitions seemed pretty smooth.  Best tank was 23 mpg on the highway, usually averages around 20 or so in mixed driving.  

He was mad when they got rid of the engine; he wants a new truck and has no interest in a turbo 4, nor the fuel economy of an 8.  I told him to just keep driving this one.  

What's problematic about the most recent 5.3?  Is it still the same DoD related issues?

NickD said:

In reply to Scotty Con Queso:

As a GM tech, I can tell you I've honestly never seen anyone do lifters in those 4.3Ls. They're pretty bulletproof and got plenty of punch. The only thing I'll say is that they can be a little bit of a boneshaker when in V4 mode. They're also backed by the 6-speed auto, which had less issues than the 8-speeds that were paired up with the V8s later on. Looks plenty clean too.

What's different about the 4.3 that avoids the lifter failure? A friend of mine runs a local repair shop and I think DoD deletes and lifter replacements on GM trucks are his bread and butter, he's seen them in the shop so frequently that he's sworn of GM for his own personal vehicles.

dannyp84 said:

NickD said:

In reply to Scotty Con Queso:

As a GM tech, I can tell you I've honestly never seen anyone do lifters in those 4.3Ls. They're pretty bulletproof and got plenty of punch. The only thing I'll say is that they can be a little bit of a boneshaker when in V4 mode. They're also backed by the 6-speed auto, which had less issues than the 8-speeds that were paired up with the V8s later on. Looks plenty clean too.

What's different about the 4.3 that avoids the lifter failure? A friend of mine runs a local repair shop and I think DoD deletes and lifter replacements on GM trucks are his bread and butter, he's seen them in the shop so frequently that he's sworn of GM for his own personal vehicles.

No clue what the difference is or why its much less common. Maybe because the 4.3L is less powerful, it spends less time in V4 mode/transitions less?

From what little I know about it beyond the specs, it seems like a good engine. There is also a non-DOD version called the LV1, but it's only available in the 2018+ Express vans. Since those are targeted squarely at commercial fleets, even if the DOD is less problematic in the V6 than the V8, that gives an idea that even GM still can't get past it when reliability and maintainability actually makes a difference on sales. I can't help but want to swap the LV1 into an S10.

NickD said:

In reply to Scotty Con Queso:

As a GM tech, I can tell you I've honestly never seen anyone do lifters in those 4.3Ls. They're pretty bulletproof and got plenty of punch. The only thing I'll say is that they can be a little bit of a boneshaker when in V4 mode. They're also backed by the 6-speed auto, which had less issues than the 8-speeds that were paired up with the V8s later on. Looks plenty clean too.

^^^^^ What he said.  They run forever.   I'm also a GM tech and our parts truck even has that engine.  I wouldn't be scared of owning one.

Are all LV3 trucks E85 capable? Or do you have to check the gas cap to be sure? I always thought it would be nice to run E85 while towing to help keep the engine cooler.

Do they take boost well? I've always thought this engine would make a great basis for a modern Typhoon/Hurricane/Spinnythingy build.

Since you asked my opinion is always get the most powerful engine the chassis had available.

Fuelly shows negligible real world MPG differences between the smallest motor and the biggest motor in a 2015 Silverado.  

Resale is better on the bigger motor.

They are more enjoyable to drive (opinion, but straight facts yo)

Unless the 4.3 is half the price of a 5.3 or 6.2 I would never consider a V6 when a V8 was an option.  

Driven5 said:

From what little I know about it beyond the specs, it seems like a good engine. There is also a non-DOD version called the LV1, but it's only available in the 2018+ Express vans. Since those are targeted squarely at commercial fleets, even if the DOD is less problematic in the V6 than the V8, that gives an idea that even GM still can't get past it when reliability and maintainability actually makes a difference on sales. I can't help but want to swap the LV1 into an S10.

well, also a V6 in a fullsize van is probably expected to run WOT forever, so they may as well save a few pennies and not use a technology that would rarely get implemented.

In reply to 93gsxturbo :

This is very good info and something to consider.  My biggest reason for being open to these engines is in fact the reduced cost of buying used.  The truck I'm looking at is $13.5k with this engine and 130k miles.  Similar trucks (mileage and wear) with the 5.3 v8 are going for ~$20k.  I'm not exactly flowing with cash right now so the savings are worth it to me.  I think for the average buyer, the old 4.3 v6 left a really bad taste in full-size truck owner's mouths.  So this variant is a hard hell no for a lot of buyers because they automatically assume it's equally as bad as the old engine. 

My FIL has a 2020 Silverado W/T. It's the most basic truck Chevy makes; it's a white, no-options, 2WD long bed with that V6. He uses trucks like hammers; he's a general contractor, and they get used HARD. 

He's had zero issues with the engine (or the truck) so far. He likes it because it makes good power for hauling stuff, especially over his old truck, which had an older Vortec 4.3, and that he gets good gas mileage on longer trips. The biggest shock to me was how loud the thing is. The exhaust sounds like it has a performance muffler on it and it has an interesting throaty rumble to it. 

I second the "throw a turbo on it and make a modern DIY SyTy thingy" notion. 

Scotty Con Queso said:

In reply to 93gsxturbo :

This is very good info and something to consider.  My biggest reason for being open to these engines is in fact the reduced cost of buying used.  The truck I'm looking at is $13.5k with this engine and 130k miles.  Similar trucks (mileage and wear) with the 5.3 v8 are going for ~$20k.  I'm not exactly flowing with cash right now so the savings are worth it to me.  I think for the average buyer, the old 4.3 v6 left a really bad taste in full-size truck owner's mouths.  So this variant is a hard hell no for a lot of buyers because they automatically assume it's equally as bad as the old engine. 

My dad has owned 6 cylinder full size GM pickups since 1982. When he bought his first Vortex truck, a 1992, I remember the thing was like a rocket ship compared to the old inline 6 truck. My memory is especially vivid, as I had that thing up to well over 80 mph on some very back roads around our house. It was frighteningly easy to kick the back end around, compared to the old truck. 

When he bought a '96 later on, it was equally as good. Oh, yeah, it did have the old intake manifold issue...at around 300,000 miles, when my brother had been handed down the truck in 2004 and driven it for another 10 years. 

I had another one, forget the year, mid nineties though. It had 200,000 miles on it, and a 5 speed. It would get 25 mpg and was great to drive.  Wish I still had it. 

And Mrs. VCH had a 2 door 4x4 Jimmy with the 4.3, that nearly made 200k before being donated. 

No, they weren't V8s, but guys that bought 6 cylinder trucks didn't use them like V8 trucks. They got pretty good fuel economy, could haul a load of mulch, tow a 20' boat, and were nearly everlasting with basic maintenance.