How long do Suburbans Last?
Question:
I’ve been looking at used Suburbans and the ones in my price range 10-15k, (or maybe 20K tops) have lots of mile on them already. To spend that much money for a vehicle that already has over 90Kmiles in some cases, and maybe only has a few years of life left, seems rather extravagant. Then again, some would say that Suburbans are extravagant cars. I’m also concerend that we live in upstate NY where they put lots of salt on the roads, and haven’t seen a lot of old Suburbans around. How many miles do people get out of these before they start falling apart? And, how much money should one plan on investing per year to maintain them? Is there anything that can be done to extend the life of the body/chasis? I have nothing against investing in a new engine or making other major investments in a vehicle to keep it running. I just would not want to have to rebuild the whole thing. I really want to buy a Suburban that will provide the most economical and realiable transportation over time. Maybe I should just keep saving, and buy a new one that I can pamper from the start. Pete M.
Response:
Hi,regards from sulivan county! In my opinion,some of them can last a very long time.It depends alot on many factors,The C/K 2500 has much heavier duty parts than the C/K 1500 in many areas.Example…Brakes,suspension,and even the frame is stronger. Also,while the 4 wheel drive makes it a much more capable unit where we live,it also takes away from it’s longevity.(because of weight and complexity). The two engines,5.7 and 7.4 are great engines.The 5.7 gained alot of power in 94 and in 97.the 7.4 gained Hp in 97. Weak spots include the quality of the switch gear,controls,and hardware(locks,handles).Some people have electrical probs.(most cars eventualy get these).They should be good if they were well taken car of…moshe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’ve been looking at used Suburbans and the ones in >my price range 10-15k, (or maybe 20K tops) have >lots of mile on them already. To spend that much money >for a vehicle that already has over 90Kmiles in some cases, >and maybe only has a few years of life left, seems rather >extravagant. Then again, some would say that Suburbans >are extravagant cars. I’m also concerend that we live in >upstate NY where they put lots of salt on the roads, and >haven’t seen a lot of old Suburbans around. >How many miles do people get out of these before they >start falling apart? And, how much money should one plan >on investing per year to maintain them? Is there anything >that can be done to extend the life of the body/chasis? >I have nothing against investing in a new engine or making >other major investments in a vehicle to keep it running. I >just would not want to have to rebuild the whole thing. >I really want to buy a Suburban that will provide the most >economical and realiable transportation over time. >Maybe I should just keep saving, and buy a new one >that I can pamper from the start. >Pete M.
Response:
I have seen nothing economicl about driving one of those land yachts. They are intended to haul heavy loads or big families or boats,etc etc etc. The two brothers that own the dealership I work at own two 97’s. They probably got a good deal since it is a GMC dealership but more importantly they need to haul all their fishing gear and their boats when they go to fishing tournaments. What I am getting at the loaded Sub. are geared at the more financially well endowed where as a stripped down is geared at the working class. But these things will always bring a good resale for tose reasons. Many people like them and need them. Mark S. — "My Opinions" "Constructive Opinions Boast Character, Negetive Promotes Disillusions"
Response:
> It was in 95 that all the improvements came, even in the ck trucks- that > was the first year that the throttle body was eliminated, the vortech > engines used, the interior was updated, and dual air bags were > added. "goodwrench" > Moshe Berger
Actually, the 95 Burbs. Tahoe/Yukons and C/K still had throttle body injection. The Vortec engine line was introduced in 1996 and dual airbags followed in 1997. Chuck
Response:
95 Suburban still had a throttle body. 96 got the Vortech. 95 Tahoe came out with the Vortech on the 350 cid engine. ronb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >It was in 95 that all the improvements came, even in the ck trucks- that >was the first year that the throttle body was eliminated, the vortech >engines used, the interior was updated, and dual air bags were >added. "goodwrench" > Hi,regards from sulivan county! In my opinion,some of them can last a > very long time.It depends alot on many factors,The C/K 2500 has much > heavier duty parts than the C/K 1500 in many > areas.Example…Brakes,suspension,and even the frame is stronger. > Also,while the 4 wheel drive makes it a much more capable unit where > we live,it also takes away from it’s longevity.(because of weight and > complexity). > The two engines,5.7 and 7.4 are great engines.The 5.7 gained alot of > power in 94 and in 97.the 7.4 gained Hp in 97. > Weak spots include the quality of the switch gear,controls,and > hardware(locks,handles).Some people have electrical probs.(most cars > eventualy get these).They should be good if they were well taken car > of…moshe > >I’ve been looking at used Suburbans and the ones in > >my price range 10-15k, (or maybe 20K tops) have > >lots of mile on them already. To spend that much money > >for a vehicle that already has over 90Kmiles in some cases, > >and maybe only has a few years of life left, seems rather > >extravagant. Then again, some would say that Suburbans > >are extravagant cars. I’m also concerend that we live in > >upstate NY where they put lots of salt on the roads, and > >haven’t seen a lot of old Suburbans around. > >How many miles do people get out of these before they > >start falling apart? And, how much money should one plan > >on investing per year to maintain them? Is there anything > >that can be done to extend the life of the body/chasis? > >I have nothing against investing in a new engine or making > >other major investments in a vehicle to keep it running. I > >just would not want to have to rebuild the whole thing. > >I really want to buy a Suburban that will provide the most > >economical and realiable transportation over time. > >Maybe I should just keep saving, and buy a new one > >that I can pamper from the start. > >Pete M.
Response:
It was in 95 that all the improvements came, even in the ck trucks- that was the first year that the throttle body was eliminated, the vortech engines used, the interior was updated, and dual air bags were added. "goodwrench" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi,regards from sulivan county! In my opinion,some of them can last a > very long time.It depends alot on many factors,The C/K 2500 has much > heavier duty parts than the C/K 1500 in many > areas.Example…Brakes,suspension,and even the frame is stronger. > Also,while the 4 wheel drive makes it a much more capable unit where > we live,it also takes away from it’s longevity.(because of weight and > complexity). > The two engines,5.7 and 7.4 are great engines.The 5.7 gained alot of > power in 94 and in 97.the 7.4 gained Hp in 97. > Weak spots include the quality of the switch gear,controls,and > hardware(locks,handles).Some people have electrical probs.(most cars > eventualy get these).They should be good if they were well taken car > of…moshe >I’ve been looking at used Suburbans and the ones in >my price range 10-15k, (or maybe 20K tops) have >lots of mile on them already. To spend that much money >for a vehicle that already has over 90Kmiles in some cases, >and maybe only has a few years of life left, seems rather >extravagant. Then again, some would say that Suburbans >are extravagant cars. I’m also concerend that we live in >upstate NY where they put lots of salt on the roads, and >haven’t seen a lot of old Suburbans around. >How many miles do people get out of these before they >start falling apart? And, how much money should one plan >on investing per year to maintain them? Is there anything >that can be done to extend the life of the body/chasis? >I have nothing against investing in a new engine or making >other major investments in a vehicle to keep it running. I >just would not want to have to rebuild the whole thing. >I really want to buy a Suburban that will provide the most >economical and realiable transportation over time. >Maybe I should just keep saving, and buy a new one >that I can pamper from the start. >Pete M.
Response:
What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? Steve
Response:
: What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? : Throttle body injection (TBI) uses a system where fuel is injected at the throttle (where the air enters the engine) through one injector. The same mixture is the distributed to all 8 cylinders. I’m not familiar with the Vortech system, but it’s probably a multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) system, where each cylinder gets its own injector. MPFI allows the computer to tailor the mixture for each cylinder separately, giving better efficiency and more power. MPFI systems are usually sequential, which means that each injector fires at different times to deliver the fuel at just the right instant. – "Once you have their money, |Nabeel Ali never give it back" | –The 1st Rule of Acquisition |http://alcor.concordia.ca/~stali
Response:
Steve: > What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? > Steve
There are *vast* differences between the TBI and Vortech engines. First of all, the Vortech is a multi-point injector system. The TBI is like a carb with two injectors that spray fuel into a venturi. The Vortech injection system is more accurate, better at fuel metering, and gives much better performance overall. It is also much more complex and costly than the TBI. The Vortech also has different heads and a different cam than the TBI. The Vortech manifold has longer runners (but the intake is also plastic, YUCK). The TBI engine has a "hi-rise" config. made of aluminum. The heads of the TBI engine are "plain old Chevy cast iron" heads. The Vortec are also cast iron but are machined differently. I am not sure about valve diameters, etc. However, from the driver’s perspective there is a RADICAL difference in performance! I have a 95 GMC K1500 4WD with the TBI and a 98 Yukon with the Vortec. The Vortec starts on the first crank, unlike the TBI which is cranky, the Vortec has a MUCH better torque curve off throttle, the Vortec is also much quiter and smoother. However, the TBI unit is easy to work on while the Vortec requires a lot of extra equipment, including an ODB-II monitor to even do what could be refered to as a tune-up. I had to buy a Snap-On ODB-II computer to analyze my engine. The TBI unit has an older ODB-I computer that is easy to use. Any other questions? If I can help, write or post. -Matt — Matt Silveira | | At one time, we joked about selling IT Engineer | | this to the Soviets to set their Hewlett-Packard | | computer science progress back 20 UNIX Sys Admin | / | or more years. VLSI Lab,SIL Support | /_ _ | Ph. (916) 785-1959 | / | using Unix and C. We decided we’d Ext. 51959 | | better keep mum, assuming it was a Pager: 536-6209 | | passing phase." | | Ken Thompson, UNIX co-founder
Response:
OK, so given the choice, which would you buy, a 95 w/ TBI or the 96 with the Vortech? I’m in the position of looking for a used vehicle and might actually have that choice. I’m interested mostly in having something that is reliable, and easy to maintain. Since I don’t plan on doing things like tuneups myself, would the simpler TCI be of any benefit to me? Does it cost more to have the Vortech tuned up than the TBI tuned up. Is either one more problem prone than the other? Pete M. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Steve: > What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? > Steve > There are *vast* differences between the TBI and Vortech engines. First > of all, the Vortech is a multi-point injector system. The TBI is like a > carb with two injectors that spray fuel into a venturi. The Vortech > injection system is more accurate, better at fuel metering, and gives > much better performance overall. It is also much more complex and costly > than the TBI. > The Vortech also has different heads and a different cam than the TBI. > The Vortech manifold has longer runners (but the intake is also plastic, > YUCK). The TBI engine has a "hi-rise" config. made of aluminum. The > heads of the TBI engine are "plain old Chevy cast iron" heads. The > Vortec are also cast iron but are machined differently. I am not sure > about valve diameters, etc. > However, from the driver’s perspective there is a RADICAL difference in > performance! I have a 95 GMC K1500 4WD with the TBI and a 98 Yukon with > the Vortec. The Vortec starts on the first crank, unlike the TBI which > is cranky, the Vortec has a MUCH better torque curve off throttle, the > Vortec is also much quiter and smoother. However, the TBI unit is easy > to work on while the Vortec requires a lot of extra equipment, including > an ODB-II monitor to even do what could be refered to as a tune-up. > I had to buy a Snap-On ODB-II computer to analyze my engine. The TBI > unit has an older ODB-I computer that is easy to use. > Any other questions? If I can help, write or post. > -Matt > — > Matt Silveira | | At one time, we joked about selling > IT Engineer | | this to the Soviets to set their > Hewlett-Packard | | computer science progress back 20 > UNIX Sys Admin | / | or more years. > VLSI Lab,SIL Support | /_ _ | > Ph. (916) 785-1959 | / | using Unix and C. We decided we’d > Ext. 51959 | | better keep mum, assuming it was a > Pager: 536-6209 | | passing phase." > | | Ken Thompson, UNIX co-founder
Response:
> It was in 95 that all the improvements came, even in the ck trucks- that > was the first year that the throttle body was eliminated, the vortech > engines used, the interior was updated, and dual air bags were > added.
So if I were looking to buy a light used Chevy (full size) pickup, then 95 or newer would be the way to go?
Response:
TBI short for Throttle Body Injection uses a centrally located 1 or 2 injectors and fuel atomization occurs in the intake manifold runners. Vortech or PFI, Port Fuel Injection uses injectors-1 per cylinder directly spraying into or just before the combustion chambers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? > Steve
Response:
> OK, so given the choice, which would you buy, a 95 w/ > TBI or the 96 with the Vortech? > I’m in the position of looking for a used vehicle and might > actually have that choice. I’m interested mostly in having > something that is reliable, and easy to maintain. Since I > don’t plan on doing things like tuneups myself, would the > simpler TCI be of any benefit to me? > Does it cost more to have the Vortech tuned up than the > TBI tuned up. Is either one more problem prone than > the other? > Pete M.
Pete, Get the Vortech. I have a 96 K1500 SWB 350 5-speed 3.73 gears. Lots of power, reasonable fuel economy. The engine and accessories are the quietest I’ve ever heard. Tune-ups are a 100K mile thing, so is the coolant. This engine pulls hard all the way to the redline and uses 87 octane gas. I get 15 MPG in town, 19 on long trips. No engine problems at all in 30K miles. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Steve: > > What’s the difference between TBI and Vortech? > > Steve > There are *vast* differences between the TBI and Vortech engines. First > of all, the Vortech is a multi-point injector system. The TBI is like a > carb with two injectors that spray fuel into a venturi. The Vortech > injection system is more accurate, better at fuel metering, and gives > much better performance overall. It is also much more complex and costly > than the TBI. > The Vortech also has different heads and a different cam than the TBI. > The Vortech manifold has longer runners (but the intake is also plastic, > YUCK). The TBI engine has a "hi-rise" config. made of aluminum. The > heads of the TBI engine are "plain old Chevy cast iron" heads. The > Vortec are also cast iron but are machined differently. I am not sure > about valve diameters, etc. > However, from the driver’s perspective there is a RADICAL difference in > performance! I have a 95 GMC K1500 4WD with the TBI and a 98 Yukon with > the Vortec. The Vortec starts on the first crank, unlike the TBI which > is cranky, the Vortec has a MUCH better torque curve off throttle, the > Vortec is also much quiter and smoother. However, the TBI unit is easy > to work on while the Vortec requires a lot of extra equipment, including > an ODB-II monitor to even do what could be refered to as a tune-up. > I had to buy a Snap-On ODB-II computer to analyze my engine. The TBI > unit has an older ODB-I computer that is easy to use. > Any other questions? If I can help, write or post. > -Matt > — > Matt Silveira | | At one time, we joked about selling > IT Engineer | | this to the Soviets to set their > Hewlett-Packard | | computer science progress back 20 > UNIX Sys Admin | / | or more years. > VLSI Lab,SIL Support | /_ _ | > Ph. (916) 785-1959 | / | using Unix and C. We decided we’d > Ext. 51959 | | better keep mum, assuming it was a > Pager: 536-6209 | | passing phase." > | | Ken Thompson, UNIX co-founder
– Cheers, Steve 82 Z28 96 K1500 The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not represent those of my employer or any one else. "It riles them to believe that you percieve the web they weave…" Moody Blues
Response:
:> OK, so given the choice, which would you buy, a 95 w/ :> TBI or the 96 with the Vortech? :> > There are *vast* differences between the TBI and Vortech engines. First :> > of all, the Vortech is a multi-point injector system. The TBI is like a :> > carb with two injectors that spray fuel into a venturi. :> > However, from the driver’s perspective there is a RADICAL difference in :> > performance! I have a 95 GMC K1500 4WD with the TBI and a 98 Yukon with :> > the Vortec. The Vortec starts on the first crank, unlike the TBI which :> > is cranky, The TBI from an 89 GMC pickup I installed on my 78 Ford Van 351W always starts on the first crank… super reliable since I did the conversion in August. Power is excellent with aluminium intake, headers and dual exhausts on a stock ATK rebuilt engine. There are aftermarket injectors, larger flow throttle bodies and chips available, too. The C6 tranny is rebuilt by myself with B&M parts. Certainly more consistent and reliable than a carburetor, and less costly to maintain than multipoint. TBI is a very reliable system. Had a leaky O ring on an injector… just try to find that with multipoint. You can actually see it on TBI since the injectors are mounted above the throttle plate. Very easy to fix.. under $2 for the whole exercise. Naturally, multipoint sequential is going to be better metered… but some of the other high mileage service intervals have more to do with the chemicals used than the engines themselves.
