tell me about the 8.1 liter big block...

[Rollin Thunder]

hi yall. I have been looking at a sierra or silverado. But the surburban 2500's have cought my eye. I didnt know the 8.1 liter was avail in the suvs, thought only the pick up trucks. How is the power. Will it tow well. How does it compare to a 6.0. ITs gotta be more powerful, but how much more powerful??

Looking at this one. Does it seem like a good deal. Or could I do better??? THANKS A BUNCH!!! I wanna make this my last vehicle purchase for a while. Now if someone would by my dam jeep. :mad3:
EDIT- also what should i look out for with this many miles???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chev...m14QQhashZitem120310356244QQitemZ120310356244

 

[Turbizzy]

I don't drive one but I have driven them at work and i've gotta say it doesn't feel alllll that torquey. I think i'd stick with a Duramax instead of the 8.1 plus i've heard those only get like 9mpg.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I don't drive one but I have driven them at work and i've gotta say it doesn't feel alllll that torquey. I think i'd stick with a Duramax instead of the 8.1 plus i've heard those only get like 9mpg.

I was wondering that. MPG is not a big deal. But you answered my question is it really that much more powerful than the 6.0. according to the web its 340 hp and 455 ft lb of torque, compared to the 6.0 320 and 360 ft lb of torque. You say you dont notice much difference. I still wonder if that difference might be notice when towing. THANKS a bunch for the info though. Giving me food for thought. O yea and im not looking or an MPG mechine. Im lookin for a work a haulic. IS this bad boy up to the task??

 

[Turbizzy]

Should ask Matt14 his father-in-law drives a crewcab 3/4 ton with the 8.1 and 20s with mud tires and he complains about ****ty ass mileage. But yea your lookin for a tow rig. Honestly I can't really compare them since i have not drivin them both enough to give an honest opinion.

I have drivin the 6.0 HO Super Sport Silverado and a non HO 6.0 in a 3/4 ton and the 3/4 obviously feels super heavy and sluggish. But i've talked to guys who've swapped the no HO 6.0 into their 1/2 tons and have told me they scoot pretty good and thats its because of the 3/4 ton runnin gear that they feel soo sluggish so who knows really how the 6.0 and 8.1 compare.

But if you wanna tow then you can't go wrong with a turbo powered Duramax, stump pullin torque and decent economy plus all the goodies to make hundreds of more horsies when you need it. Im not sure if they still offer Diesels in Suburbans, do they?

 

[Jsho13]

I was wondering that. MPG is not a big deal. But you answered my question is it really that much more powerful than the 6.0. according to the web its 340 hp and 455 ft lb of torque, compared to the 6.0 320 and 360 ft lb of torque.

It's that 455 ft/lbs of torque that is going to make all the difference in towing. We have two 1 ton trucks at work with the 8.1 that are work horses. Both pushing 100k miles and still pull what ever is needed. We are usually towing skidsteers or tractors and they are up to the task. They are about as powerful as you will find in a gasser. Now we also have two other newer work trucks with the duramax, they will leave the 8.1's in the dust. If you don't want to spring for the diesel, i am sure the 8.1 will get what ever you need done. We pull a 10,000 pound trailer daily with no issues. Hope this helps.

 

[tybardy]

.... But you answered my question is it really that much more powerful than the 6.0. according to the web its 340 hp and 455 ft lb of torque, compared to the 6.0 320 and 360 ft lb of torque. You say you dont notice much difference....

Turbizzy didnt say it didnt have much more tourque/power compaired to the 6.0L.... he said stick with the duramax... I would have to agree, if youre thinking about this 8.1L, i would also recomend looking into a diesel.. you will have all the torque and power you will ever need and more... that turbo duramax will never leave you wanting. i dont understand big block gas motors anymore; todays motors are designed well and dont have to be massive to give you the results you need, if you want a good pullin, get a good diesel motor

 

[Jsho13]

todays motors are designed well and dont have to be massive to give you the results you need, if you want a good pullin, get a good diesel motor

Thats true, there is no arguing against diesel, but the question is do you need it? Just to buy a diesel truck is going to cost you a couple grand (at least) more than a gasser. How heavy is the trailer you plan on pulling. Like I said 8.1 does very well with a 10k lb trailer. It pulls a lot harder than my Denali. I pulled our Malibu home from up north over this past weekend and that weighs almost 5k lbs and it pulled it just fine. If you are pulling a heavier load than that, maybe look at going up to the 8.1, or if you have the cash - cant go wrong with d-max

 

[Rollin Thunder]

The trailer's i pull i can pull using my 07. But its so new and nice (just turned 5000 miles on the OD) and i wanna keep it that way. I would love to have a diesel, but its 60 cents more per gallon, harder to find in my area (both a truck and diesel fuel) , and the vehicle is more expensive, i cant justify it as the only time i would need to tow over 10000k pounds is when we move the 29 footer to storage for the winter, but i use my buddies super duty for that, i would only need it 4 times a year.. The loads I tow range from 1000 pounds to 6500 pounds.

O yea, and if you look at the ebay link you will notice it ended 3 days before. can you guys answer why??

 

[tybardy]

there is a funny thing about that diesel and the MPG... although the Diesel is .60 more expensive, it will get better milage pullin that trailer than the 8.1 will get you... i hade a ford (i know i know i know) f350 powerstroke diesil with the banks kit with a 10" lift and pretty much all sexyness... getting 12mpgs...

those diesels dont get weighed down like the gas motors do.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

there is a funny thing about that diesel and the MPG... although the Diesel is .60 more expensive, it will get better milage pullin that trailer than the 8.1 will get you... i hade a ford (i know i know i know) f350 powerstroke diesil with the banks kit with a 10" lift and pretty much all sexyness... getting 12mpgs...

those diesels dont get weighed down like the gas motors do.

Hmm. More food for thought. The only issue i see is finding diesel. Not all gas stations have diesel around here, plus I travel alot. Its not un common for me to go 500 miles in to days to areas that are not developed yet. But Im still gunna keep and open mind about it.

I talked to the guy who has the burban, he said he would take the e-bay add off until i saw it, and im gunna go tommarrow.

 

[Jsho13]

Good luck, im sure you won't be disappointed. No replacement for displacement when it comes to gassers.

 

[Turbizzy]

Except for 1 huge turbo!

 

[gmoney_2010]

I cant really compare the 8.1 to the 6 but we have two 8.1 2500HD pickups, one 2001 silverado with over 210,000 miles on it and a 2001 sierra 2500HD with about 70,000.. and a new 08 sierra 2500HD duramax diesel.. so far we can get up to like 22 mpg with the diesel and not for sure about the 8.1 but they are a good 10mpg below that.. anyways the 8.1 are much much faster(not pulling a trailer), they really are quick trucks.. we pull trailer loads of cattle so we put them to good use and the silverado is still running perfect!fast as ever.. idk if this was any help but just though i would say it....

 

[RideTheT]

A friend of mine tows frequently with the 8.1 and he said he doesn't even feel like he is towing. He said it's night and day from the smaller engine. He's had both.