North Central US | MiradaAcres - 2/1/2026 08:00
After following the post below and everyone raiving on their permissions diesels I realized I am too young to remember the transition from carburetor to fuel injection. Guys brag about how great 6.2, 6.5 and 7.3 diesels were, but they had their share of issues leaving you stranded at the most inconvenient times; on a newer diesel you can rest the code and get home vs swapping parts alongside the road.
My first pickup was an 87 5.7 TBI then to a 2000 5.3 and 2002 6.0 then to a 2008 6.6. In 430,000 miles the 2008 had less break downs then the first 3 combine with half the miles. I have no desire to go back to those days.
My question is: were the old school gasoline enthusiasts as die hard on the 'new stuff had way to much emissions and stuff to break' and on the 'stick with the tried and true carburetor' bandwagon?
Uh, who's bragging about the 6.2 and 6.5? They were economy engines put in a work scenario and didn't last as a result. We went through 4.
The 7.3 we must be doing something wrong according to you, as it has OBDII but doesn't have any codes and hasn't left us on the road either.
I don't think you can clear an emissions code and go home either, nor if something like the fuel pump fails will resetting a code solve it. I'm not sure where you're going with that train of thought.
6.6 gasoline or 6.6 diesel?
Back then, the idea was tear all the smog garbage off the carburated engine and take the catalytic converter off, then adjust the carb for power or milage, as back then everyone, government and manufacturers, acknowledged that the emissions equipment and adjustments did power power and milage. Gas was expensive and vehicles were sluggish.
TBI was a mixed bag, the early ones had teething problems, but after the first few years it was reasonably dependable but was seen as a half step between DI and carbs.
Also, what did you do to your 5.3? The 5.3 is basically the GM Gold standard since its introduction to today, a very dependable and reliable engine, well designed even with AFM and other modern headaches. |
Gas pickups
