8.1L Vortec
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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8.1L Vortec
Not a V10, but another under-appreciated gasser for sale that I thought I'd share. Hope I'm not breaking any rules here. I am not at all affiliated with this truck or the seller. Just passing along the ad. I know these trucks have a cult-like following. Much like the 6.8L V10.
GMC Sierra 2500HD
GMC Sierra 2500HD
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
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From: SW Virginia
That's a little high. A good friend of mine had a 2001 Chevy 2500HD LT with the 8.1 and the Allison. It only had 41k on it and he sold it a couple of months ago for $13,500 and it was absolutely spotless.
The 8.1 is a 496ci big block that was GM's workhorse gas engine in the 2000s model trucks up through about 2006, IIRC. It's a great engine and I'm thinking it was rated around 340 HP and 455 TQ. It was still available in the motorhome chassis after they took it out of the pickups, and may still be today. My friend's truck was outstanding at towing and was super comfortable. The 8.1 was definitely an under appreciated engine in the pickups.
The 8.1 is a 496ci big block that was GM's workhorse gas engine in the 2000s model trucks up through about 2006, IIRC. It's a great engine and I'm thinking it was rated around 340 HP and 455 TQ. It was still available in the motorhome chassis after they took it out of the pickups, and may still be today. My friend's truck was outstanding at towing and was super comfortable. The 8.1 was definitely an under appreciated engine in the pickups.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
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From: Iowa
"The 8.1 was definitely an under appreciated engine in the pickups." LOL
1.3L bigger than the 6.8 v10 3v with slightly less power and burns more fuel. Sorry I'm a v10 lover and find it amusing to find a GM for sale on FTE, I do hope that you do get a good price for the truck though.
1.3L bigger than the 6.8 v10 3v with slightly less power and burns more fuel. Sorry I'm a v10 lover and find it amusing to find a GM for sale on FTE, I do hope that you do get a good price for the truck though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: laporte in
"The 8.1 was definitely an under appreciated engine in the pickups." LOL
1.3L bigger than the 6.8 v10 3v with slightly less power and burns more fuel. Sorry I'm a v10 lover and find it amusing to find a GM for sale on FTE, I do hope that you do get a good price for the truck though.
1.3L bigger than the 6.8 v10 3v with slightly less power and burns more fuel. Sorry I'm a v10 lover and find it amusing to find a GM for sale on FTE, I do hope that you do get a good price for the truck though.
Maybe next time you should look at the ad....
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
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From: McHenry, IL
It's kind of funny someone should bring up the 8.1. I test drove one of those back in 2004. It was a 2001 Chevy 2500. It had power, but what turned me off was the knocking noises it made for the first minute or so. Needless to say, I passed on it and found my first V10 a week later. It was a 2002 F250. I've owned Ford cars before but that was my first Ford truck, and that's all I'll own from now on.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: laporte in
Lol. I know someone that has the 8.1 in a dually, never heard a complain. Shows how great big gasser motors are! My dad has a 6.0 vortec in his 2500, and he seems to love it. Averages about as good as his d max on mileage
Junior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 76
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From: Pitt Meadows, BC
Previous vehicle to my current '01 F350 V10 3.73 gears was an '01 Suburban 2500 8.1L 4.10.
Towing similar trailers with both, must say the 'Burb was a bit nicer, which I"m sure has to do with the differential ratios.....3.73/V10 always hovers at the downshift point when towing 63MPH in OD.
The Burb would hold that speed in OD much easier, due to the 4.10's.
Both are towing beasts, but to be honest, I liked the deep 'growl' the 8.1L gave out compared to the V10's.
The oil consumption issue the 8.1L has disappeared as soon as I switched it to synthetic, and the startup 'knocking' didn't bug me at all.
Don't get me wrong, still like the V10, and if I had 4.30's I'm sure I'd love it.
Enough rambling on.....bottom line: both great gassers!!
Mike
Towing similar trailers with both, must say the 'Burb was a bit nicer, which I"m sure has to do with the differential ratios.....3.73/V10 always hovers at the downshift point when towing 63MPH in OD.
The Burb would hold that speed in OD much easier, due to the 4.10's.
Both are towing beasts, but to be honest, I liked the deep 'growl' the 8.1L gave out compared to the V10's.
The oil consumption issue the 8.1L has disappeared as soon as I switched it to synthetic, and the startup 'knocking' didn't bug me at all.
Don't get me wrong, still like the V10, and if I had 4.30's I'm sure I'd love it.
Enough rambling on.....bottom line: both great gassers!!
Mike
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
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From: Iowa
Lol, I did and the ad is on FTE. Although looking at the first post I see that it is not his truck, I still hope the seller gets a good price.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Given the understandably fervent admiration of those on a FORD Truck Enthusiasts forum one needs to mind all this brand switching least it cause a ruckus!
Even though I'm long time GM performance fan (right long with Ford and Chrysler too) I'd own nothing but a Ford van, can't give me a Chevy even for free--Ford makes a superior truck in that line.
And I'll bet there's a few Fords for sale on the GM forums too!
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 2
You fellas can bad mouth the 8.1 all you want. My brother and a good friend both have them. They get about the same mileage as my V10 and they will both out pull the V10 when loaded heavy. One of them is at something over 300k miles.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
The 8.1 was a cool engine, 8.1L V8 it would even in be cool in a fiat ram truck!
