305 SBC vs 6.2 Detroit: Which would you rather?

Which Engine?

  • 305 SBC

    Votes: 14 38.9%

  • 6.2 Detroit

    Votes: 22 61.1%
  • Total voters
    36

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

TotalyHucked

TotalyHucked

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2020
Posts
2,741
Reaction score
8,880
Location
Auburn, Georgia
First Name
Zach
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra 1500
Engine Size
5.3
Either one would get yanked out eventually but I'd pick the 6.2 truck for 2 reasons. I've never had one and I'd like to tinker on one and the fuel mileage would be worlds better than a 305. My buddy bought a 6.2 burb a while back, if he unloads it cheap I'd pick it up to play with
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,117
Reaction score
23,995
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Everyone mentions the fuel mileage of the 6.2 but not the fuel that generally costs $1 more than gasoline. It makes it a wash, which is another reason I have no preference.
 
Stewzer55

Stewzer55

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2013
Posts
2,243
Reaction score
66
Location
Ohio
First Name
Stew
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
R30
Engine Size
350 TBI
I'm with Bucket here, looking at fuel prices, the extra MPG of the diesel is a was on the extra dollar or so in fuel price. Assuming $2.50/gallon for regular is just shy of $0.18 fuel cost per mile at 14 mpg. A 6.2 in the same truck, lets say 19 mpg average at 3.45/gallon is just over $0.18 per mile. Right now in my area according to AAA, Regular 87 is average $2.65 and diesel $3.89. $0.19 for a 305 @ 14 mpg and $0.20 for a 6.2 @ 19mpg. The maintenance costs are going to be a bigger factor, oil and filter costs and batteries.

Diesel would have to have hydro boost brakes and dual batteries where as the 305 would have vacuum power brakes and a single battery, I think those would really be the only differences in the trucks based on engine choice.
 
W

Wallace6

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2023
Posts
142
Reaction score
77
Location
Wyoming
First Name
Ray
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
There are a few things to be said here. Diesel maintenance,even though these don't mean much. Depending where you live sometimes on a cold day it's just easier to fire up a gasser instead of trying to get the diesel to fire. I own both a 350 burb and diesel truck.
This is all dependent on weather and how much time to get to work
 
ali_c20

ali_c20

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
1,026
Reaction score
1,388
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
Diesel cause I never owned one.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
4,068
Reaction score
5,924
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I have a 6.2 a 350 and a 305 for my use the 6.2 is my preference. They will tow anything and get good milage towing or not.
I just read at @Wallace6 post. I have a plug in block heater in my 6.2 and I nevervreally have a problem getting it to start,but I do think the block heater is a very worthwhile addition.
 
Last edited:
squaredeal91

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
1,804
Reaction score
3,166
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
Goldie Driver said:
It's early, and it's a rainy day so I am foggy and sleepy. :birgits_tiredcoffee

Are you talking like a turbine engine?

Or, electric?:shocked:
Click to expand...
Yes its a little early still lol. When she said that my mind went to antique cars. The early automobiles didn't have a valve cover.i drove a 1916 Chevy that had that with an open overhead valve engine no valve cover. while others had Flatheads still. My friends grandpa made his own dust cover for it. But it's super cool to drive around.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,117
Reaction score
23,995
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Stewzer55 said:
I'm with Bucket here, looking at fuel prices, the extra MPG of the diesel is a was on the extra dollar or so in fuel price. Assuming $2.50/gallon for regular is just shy of $0.18 fuel cost per mile at 14 mpg. A 6.2 in the same truck, lets say 19 mpg average at 3.45/gallon is just over $0.18 per mile. Right now in my area according to AAA, Regular 87 is average $2.65 and diesel $3.89. $0.19 for a 305 @ 14 mpg and $0.20 for a 6.2 @ 19mpg. The maintenance costs are going to be a bigger factor, oil and filter costs and batteries.

Diesel would have to have hydro boost brakes and dual batteries where as the 305 would have vacuum power brakes and a single battery, I think those would really be the only differences in the trucks based on engine choice.
Click to expand...

Howdy stranger! :)
 
Hunter79764

Hunter79764

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2021
Posts
241
Reaction score
326
Location
Grand Prairie, TX
First Name
Shawn
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban V20
Engine Size
350
In a drag race, I'm not sure either would win, but I think I'd rather have some extra torque down low and the idea that I could run biodiesel etc. in case of emergency, so I vote 6.2. But, I've never owned either and never had a diesel, so it's purely an opinion based on stuffs I've heard in the internet, and we all know how reliable that is.
 
87gmcburb

87gmcburb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2024
Posts
51
Reaction score
131
First Name
Don
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
GMC Sierra Classic Suburban
CheemsK1500 said:
A common recurring theme I have noticed, is that the 305 SBC and 6.2 Detroit seem to be hated, even though general consensus deems them both reliable options. Assuming you are given a choice between two trucks that are identical in every regard except for the engine (One has a 6.2 Detroit and the other has a 305 SBC), which are you choosing?

ETA: You are not allowed to perform engine swaps in this scenario.
Click to expand...
Both have their issues, the 6.2 was known to have crankshaft issues due to harmonic balancer issues. The 305 had some cam issues. If I had a SB pick up I would go for the more reliable 305. For a bigger truck like the Suburban I think I would go for the 6.2. The 6.2 had decent low end torque.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,140
Posts
910,041
Members
33,642
Latest member
Bhardiman1
Top