I like bbq too!

As mentioned - the 8.1L and the 3V V10 are a good match. For me, Ford wins with it's great motor (also used in the industrial field, marine, etc.), but the components and styling.

I couldn't get both so I choose just one ...The right one IMHO

 

the v10 is used in the marine market?

 

2000-2004 V-10...310 hp @4250 rpm, 425 ft/lb torque @3250 rpm (2-valve)
2005-2008 V-10...362 hp @4750 rpm, 457 ft/lb torque @3250 rpm (3-valve)
CHEVROLET V-8...325 hp @4200 rpm, 447 ft/lb torque @3200 rpm (8.1 496ci)

I have an 04 34ft Class A motorhome with the 8.1 (496ci) Chevy with the Allison behind it. The motorhome weighs 18,500 pounds, and I pull a 8000 pound enclosed race trailer. While towing, it gets about 8 miles to the gallon and uses no oil between oil changes. Not towing, it gets about 9.5 mpg.

My buddy has the identical motorhome except it is an 05 with the 2v V10. He pulls the same exact trailer and load weight. He gets about 7.5 miles to the gallon and also uses no oil between oil changes.

Both of our motorhomes were bone stock. We would compare power, and my 8.1 would very substantially pull away from him on level ground, and on steep grades it was even more apparent. He put on a Banks header and full exhaust, and a gear vendors unit and milage went from 7.5 to 8.5 but power on the flats and grades only slightly improved. That being said, I can say my 8.1 with a combined load of somewhere around 26,500 pounds quite noticebly out performs the 2v V10.

However, another friend has the newer 3v V10, and we haven't done as close a comparison, but I have trouble running him down if he gets the jump on me on the steeper grades. So I would guess the 3v is at least comparable, if not a slightly better towing motor than my 8.1. Very close though with the 3v and probably splitting hairs. However my friend with the 3v is getting about 6.5 mpg towing.

If you compare the horsepower ratings the manufacture lists for each motor that I listed above, I would say they are right on the money. Been very happy with my 8.1 with no problems. But for the record.....Chevy sucks LOL

 

Yeh - from what Ive been told the engine is used in some small freight boats used for harbor hopping light cargo from harbor to harbor in Asia (thailand and Vietnam I think)...

 

The V10 is also used in industrial generator applications. It can be ran on LP or Nat Gas.

 

Listen I'm not here bragging about Chevy. I sold my Chevy and have returned to ford for many reasons, the engine not being one of them. But I am an honest person by nature and the truth is the truth. The chevy has the more powerful drivetrain with the 8.1 and the Allison not to mention the American Axle (11.5") in the back. In the 2500HD you get the same size axle that's in the F-350 DRW (Dana 80) which is an 11.5" ring gear. The chevy rides better as well, but the ford reliability and styling is what brought me back. The chevy had some serious reliability issues especially when I was plowing. The chevy was an electrical nightmare with new issues bearing their ugly head all the time. Ford, hands down, is the better work truck.

 

When I was looking at to buy a truck, even though I wanted the SD I did look at the old Chevy's granted the 8.1 was more motor than I'll need for most of the year, I did not like the 6.0 at all so I did my research on all them. The dealer told me it was still considered 'normal' for them to consume a quart every 1000 miles and only recommended that motor with the manual transmission. That being said I took a short cab long bed 4x4 with the 502 (8.1L) and the manual for a spin. It was relatively quick and according to the on board computer averaged 10 mpg flat and my test drive showed about the same. Off the line it had more get up and go, but in all reality it behaved the exact same as my 2V 5.4 without a load on it.

For a ci to ci comparison I would go so far as to say my old 460 was a lot more motor than that '99 8.1. Granted I'd never pull chains with a 4x4 equipped GMT800 with that engine, I was rather dissapointed with it and from a completely 'driving without load' perspective it was a disappointment.

I mean, i have a 5.4 equipped SD that I favored over the 8.1 Chevy... and for moving my bike and camaro around that little motor had never ever missed a beat. That being said, I can't imagine the Triton V10, 2 or 3 valve, would ever be outdone by the general's big 8-holer

 

After reading all your posts i guess i've been lied too... all them GM folk call that 8.1 a 502, yall call it a 496? Not too important but i think i'll take yall's 496 for gospel now... them Chevy folk have a nasty habit of exaggerating

 

I don't beleive your bragging about the Chevy either. I am an honest person too and try to get and give accurate info - just like you. In my experience, the 3V V10 is just as good powerwise as the Chev's 8.1. Just for the record the 2V V10 was as good powerwise as the 454 Chevy back in 1999. When the 8.1L came out it edged the 2V V10 motor...now that the 3V V10 came out it edged the 8.1L - and it will go on and on and on.

 

ya know this is kinda offbeat but relevant, I was at a party with a bunch of people in the motorcycle club i'm getting into, and somehow we got into a discussion on trucks. THere were several guys there that were Chevy to the bone, a mopar fanatic or two, and myself being the only ford guy. None of them seen my truck,

But from the mouths of a Chevy and a Dodge guy (and the scary part is they agreed on this one statement)

'If you want a fast smooth truck, you get a chevy.

If you want more durable truck, with a harsher ride that is still quick, get a dodge.

But if you want a good reliable all around work truck, get a ford. They might not be particularly fast or smooth, but they last forever and can do just about anyhting'

Seeing as I didn't buy my truck to go fast (and it isn't) I completely agree. Just thought it was odd that a Chevy, Dodge, and a ford guy could agree about somehtin... nowhere did they ever bring up a GM or Dodge motor out working a ford motor

 

That's cool. Yeah, I suppose if you want somethin' to go faster that's what we have the aftermarket guys for...

 

This doesn't matter much, 'cuz the manufacturers DO fudge the numbers... but doing the math:

8.1 = 494 ci
496 ci = 8.13 liters
502 = 8.2 liters

My guess is, it's a 496... or they would have called it an 8.2

 

8.1L is a 496 CID. The 502 is a different engine. The Bore and Stroke for each is different as well. The 496 has more stroke and less Bore. Also the heads are different as are a lot of other parts.

 

The big stickers on the side of my motorhome say 496 big block. Maybe it is a conspiracy between Chevrolet, and the sticker manufacture to deceive us. Now I'm wondering what the exact cubic inch of my powerstroke is. What if it is a 5.93 liter, then what???

 

The 8.1L is 496 CID.........8.2L is 502 CID. They are two different engines. The 502 was never used in a PRODUCTION run. It is only offered as it's own entity. Also remember when figuring liters to CID you have to factor in how many CC's the heads are.