How many of you guys like it?

Best problem free motor I have ever own, including the hellish rodding I do.

Gas, oil, and GO! That it!!!

Summer 05 - low 13's all motor, no power adders of any kind. thats the goal

I've had no complaints at all with my 8.1. Gets about the same gas mileage as a 6.0 with alot more power:ro)

Love the motor, great work horse in my 11,000lb plumbing truck.:ro)

Drove a 8.1 for 3 and a half years-)1 model. Never a problem and plenty of power. Only difficulty - the gas filler door was about to wear out. Mileage 12-13 on the road and in town sometimes 6 or 7. Now have the D-Max and it getting 16.5 in town and 18 on the road.

Love my 8.1....I've had all the GM engines including the Dmax and wouldn't trade my 8.1 for any of them. Granted, this is a "diesel" website and those that like them love them but for me it is the 8.1.

Tons of power, good mileage and no illusions here - I'm driving a TRUCK and use it for hauling heavy goods/materials/toys...didn't buy it for the mileage to compare to a Toyota or Honda...it's a truck. Also, my family didn't like waiting at -20 for a diesel to warm up enough to start kicking heat out the defroster. I'll take my 13 mpg, go like heck, heat up fast and keep us warm truck any day.

Now for the disclaimer - If you own a diesel and you like it, great. My cousin still owns one and is sold on them. For my tastes, the 8.1 was the optimum engine for me. To each his own.....

My last truck had the 8.1 with the zf6. Pulled my tractor all over the state, with absolutely no problem. In my opinion, GM did a great job bucking the trend that ford and dodge set (large cubic inch V-10 instead of V-8) The torque of the 8.1 was great (and the tires paid the piper for that http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif) I had zero problems with the motor for 3 years, and I would be willing to bet that the guy that bought it off the chevy lot when I traded it in is pleased with it as well......I love my duramax, but if a diesel had not been available, I would have another truck with the 8.1 again....

I love my 8.1 too. Lots of power, getting hypertech soon, got a oil buring prob tho, thinking its in the crankcase

Have it in the wifey's Yukon XL..... It's power is great but the mileage stinks.... A trade off thats worth it IMHO. ):h

Only complaints are the rattle the engine makes when its cold and the 1 quart of oil it uses every 2000 to 3000 miles....... GM says both are "normal" :rolleyes:

I love my 8.1 its bin allot of fun responded good to a cam upgrade and made great power. Did not use oil but it did rattle when cold. After my little accident with nitrous and I pulled the engine apart it looked perfect except for #5 piston, it was missing some of the ring lands. OOPPPPSS!!!!

I currently own a 2002 8.1 liter and a 2005 duramax. I've used both trucks pulling a 27 foot 5th wheel camper with a 19 foot fishing boat tied behind the camper. the whole outfit weighs over 17000 lbs. The gas motor will hold its own with the duramx except on steep grades and in cross wind. One draw back about the gaser is that it is a gaser,7.5 to 8 mpg. The duramx 12 to 13 mpg. The 8.1 will drink oil when worked hard.
Have no complaints, both motors are great to drive and I've had absolutely no problem with either. GM has a great product with either motor.

I love the 8.1 in the suburban lots of power. I pull a 35' Cedar Creek travel trailer weighing around 10,000#. 9-10 mpg towing, Dad's Dmax puling the same camper 10-11mpg. I wish the suburban had the Allison tranny though.

Had to replace camshaft sensor at 40,000 miles and orginal Firestone Steelflex at 45,000.

I recommend the 8.1

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pulls like he##, even with 3.73's and 35 inch tires. Mileage??, well, forget it. Actually gets almost 14 hwy. How?, don't know. About 9.5-10 mpg with son's 4 show cattle and all necc. stuff, about 8000 lbs. extra.Best thing is my boss just got 05 sierra with Dmax, he gets about 17 or so mpg, but diesel is 35 cents per higher so I guess it about evens out, oh yeah... I get 3 oil changes to the price of his 1, and engine was $900 option, not $5000

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pulls like he##, Best thing is my boss just got 05 sierra with Dmax, he gets about 17 or so mpg, but diesel is 35 cents per higher so I guess it about evens out, oh yeah... I get 3 oil changes to the price of his 1, and engine was $900 option, not $5000
Talk like this will start another war with the D-Max guys.:p :D

If you buy oil changes at the dealer, it is about $70 for the Dmax. However, if you do the oil changes yourself, then it is cheaper/same as the gas engine. FYI the Mobil 15w30 I buy for the DMax is $5 a GALLON. The oil for the 94 350 is $2.50 a QUART! :eek:

See, thats what I was talking about. Seem they are quick to defined them selfs and won't leave it lay that both are good engines and we are just as happy with are trucks as they are with theres.

Ah well, don't give those deezul fellas too much heck....some fellas just gotta pretend they're truckers, that's all. :D

We all went through that phase, some fellas just take a little longer to get through it. ;)

not trying to start a war..... main reason for gasser was the Dmax had less than 2 model years on the road so it's reliability wasn't proven in my mind. I worked at chevy dealer when the 6.2 came out, then the 6.5, so you can see my reluctance over a new engine. My boss was same way, he had an 02 GMC 8.1 before 05 Dmax. If I bought a new one now, yeah, I'd get the Dmax. Almost bought 04 Dmax 3500srw but just couldn't stand the front appearance.

I've only had mine 3 weeks and I love it, but I hate the 26 gallon fuel tank and the small tires.

DEWFPO

Had an 8.1L in an '02 3/4 ton Suburban. I loved it, but didn't realize how much I loved it until I traded it for an '04 Yukon XL with a 5.3L. The MPG really is not that much better on the Yukon, but it is an absolute dog compared to the 8.1L. My biggest complaint with the 8.1L was the oil consumption. It burned me up that everytime I got fuel, I HAD to chaeck the oil. Hated the wife to even have to deal with it as I travel quite abit and the 'burban was her vehicle while I was out of town. Spoke to numerous dealers and they all said it was within spec. That really frosted me! A brand new $45k vehicle and I have to worry about burning oil. That's not right! -:t

One dealer told very specifically that GM rates oil consumption in the 8.1 by gallons of fuel burned, NOT mileage. So what did he tell me? "You can burn over a quart of oil for every 100 gallons of fuel and still be within GM specs." ...and I know I burned every bit that much. Didn't trust it!

Since then, I have become wiser, performed a lot more research on sites like this and have learned that it is indeed the nature of that motor. So if I knew then what I know now, I probably would have kept it. Expensive lesson!

Did I mention the power was awesome??????? (okay, back to reality and my 5.3L)

The 8.1 is a great engine and as others have noted, gets about the same milage as the 6.0 with a lot more power.

I use a quart of oil per 1250 or so miles.

I guess I have a different engine than the 8.1 others have. No piston slap and only uses a little over a quart of oil in 3000 miles. Just turned 41k on clock. I agree on the mileage vs. power with the 6.0, my dad has 04 ecsb 4x4 with 6.0 and he gets about the same as I get,and his truck is bone stock while I'm pulling 35's with a cclb

have an 8.1 in my 04 avalanche i had an 02 1500 av with the 5.3 and the 8.1 is by far awsome on power mileage is about the same but it just has the power when needed. anyhow i love the 8.1 period

I really like the 8.1. In 2002 when I bought mine the duramax reliability was somewhat unknown and I just don't keep a truck for more than 100k miles so the price upgrade for the duramax just didn't make sense. The only real complant I have is the oil consumption. My oil light always comes on just before I change it(down a quart) Apparently the 8.1 and caddys northstar engine just do that. I get 10 mpg on average with or without a load. I wish there where more bolt on upgrades.

Jacksonbase

See, thats what I was talking about. Seem they are quick to defined them selfs and won't leave it lay that both are good engines and we are just as happy with are trucks as they are with theres.

I did not say the 8.1L was a bad engine. I was just "debunking" the diesel oil change myth.

1994 350
change oil every 3,000 miles
5 quarts @ $2.50 qt. = $12.50
oil filter = $4.00

total = $16.50

Dmax
change oil every 5,000 miles
10 quarts @ $5.50 gallon = $13.75
oil filter = $8.00

total = $21.75

Cost over 100,000 miles

1994 350 = $550
Dmax = $435

On with the show...

:lol:

I did not say the 8.1L was a bad engine. I was just "debunking" the diesel oil change myth.

1994 350
change oil every 3,000 miles
5 quarts @ $2.50 qt. = $12.50
oil filter = $4.00

total = $16.50

Dmax
change oil every 5,000 miles
10 quarts @ $5.50 gallon = $13.75
oil filter = $8.00

total = $21.75

Cost over 100,000 miles

1994 350 = $550
Dmax = $435

On with the show...

:lol:
Don't worry about it, I have allot of run in with D-Max guys that think anyone that buys a gasser is a fool and are quick to attack. I've crushed a few of them now and don't get as fired up like I use to.
Well 8.1l hold 7 quarts (I think its been almost a year sense my was running):( GM recommend service is 5000 miles but I did a oil change every 3000 miles besides I ran the dog piss out of it and nitrous has a tendency to get into the oil and is very corrosive.

I just wanted to let everyone know I am a newbie on here. I totally love my 8.1, awesome power! It has 42,000 miles on it, with no problems. (knock on wood) I do have the Hypertech programmer, custom made dual mufflers and exhaust, and a KN FIPK filter. Service engine does go on once in awhile with the KN.
Mine does use a quart every 3000 miles though. Dealer had a few bulletins about torquing the manifold bolts. I did help slightly.
Doug

My father really likes his 8.1 in his Yukon XL. He probably would have gotten the duramax if it was an option in the Yukon. Damn that would be a sweet setup. Come on GM guys put it in there.
Chris

This being my first full size truck, I'm very pleased with its smoothness and its
ability to do anything asked of it. I picked a gas engine over diesel due its high
buy in price and the fact its over 30 cents a gallon more here in Connecticut.
While I get 13 on the highway(4.11 locking rear end gear setup) in town is around a steady 10. It also came with the Allision trans. Its a 2500HD Silverado
LT. with extended cab. A little disappointed with tire sizes that were available.
So I'll be pestering this board for some good replacement size rubber. Prefer all
terrain style tires. I realize its a Diesel Place but a little room for us Gas people
is certainly a big help.

I love my 8.1 too. Lots of power, getting hypertech soon, got a oil buring prob tho, thinking its in the crankcase
try going to a dealer and getting them to check it out ... its a known problem that the valve guide seals in the 8100 are inherently weak and prone to problems... just my $.02

valve guide seal huh??? first i have ever heard this.

Most oil problems is due to the pcv system letting the engine suck to much oil vapor, this was carried from the ls1 small blocks. expect ls1 series engines have a external pcv hose which allows them to put a catch can on.

I did not say the 8.1L was a bad engine. I was just "debunking" the diesel oil change myth.

1994 350
change oil every 3,000 miles
5 quarts @ $2.50 qt. = $12.50
oil filter = $4.00

total = $16.50

Dmax
change oil every 5,000 miles
10 quarts @ $5.50 gallon = $13.75
oil filter = $8.00

total = $21.75

Cost over 100,000 miles

1994 350 = $550
Dmax = $435

On with the show...

:lol:Bits and pieces of incomplete info everywhere. BTW you are paying too much for the oil for the gas engine. What about fuel filters, etc, etc. Does anybody, like JD Powers or the like, have a complete, accurate comparison of the operating costs of diesel vs gas?? This site would be a good place for a truly accurate comparison. Great site by the way. Ok now flame away:D

Had an 01 3500 dually with the 8.1, great engine with lots of power, but the cold start knock drove me crazy. mileage while towing[which is every week] 7-8 mpg. now have 04 DMAX no csk, and almost double the mpg. while diesel is currently higher than gas as soon as it warms up and we don't have to share with the home heating oil suppliers it will come down lower than gas. both the 8.1 and the DMAX are great for towing the benefit of better mpg and the longevity of the diesel engine as a work horse is worth the added cost in my opinion.

I thought this was a "do like like you 8.1" thread, guess not.

I'm new to this site, so nice to meet you all. Just wanted to add, I've had my 02HD 8.1/allison since it was new, sold my 95 k3500 SRW 454/auto to buy the HD. The power has been amazing since day one (especially compared to the TBI 454). I have a MAC cold air intake and exhaust, and am putting an order in for a Westers tune this week, so I'll let you know how that goes. I guess I was in the dark on the 8.1 problems I'm reading about here, I thought it was only mine, b/c no one around here has another 8.1 to compare. I get the check oil level light right before my oil change and I'm close to 1 quart low each time, and I have a cold start knock that I kept trying to tell myself was Allison tranny pump, but I guess not!!! Oh well I love the truck and like others said the MPG is nothing to write home about, but who cares after listening to that BIG BLOCK rumbling.

My new '05 has a feature that kills the throttle during shifts(you can't "bang" gears).That's why I bought an 8.1/ZF. Is there anyway to remove this through programming?

on our last sled trip to montana we met a few other guys at the local restraunt, and we both were going for home, he had a nice looking 8.1 with a few mods he said, pulling a trailer about the same weight as mine(7000)lbs, i asked if i could jump in with him for a while, he said he would like to drive mine as well, i have to say it had some balls, but the tranny shiffed a lot lore then mine, and can that thing rev, sounded like my old vortec 350 i use to have, his fuel tank was the same sise as mine, but came down way way faster, like shockingly faster, like stop and look if you had a leak faster, the other guys in the truck said thats normal, we never got to see his mileage, but his dic said 30/100km, as mine said 14l/100km

as for what he said about mine, the other guys in my truck said he was speachlessfor the first five minutes, then replied, "this cannot be normal" when we switched back, i heard him say to his buddys, "i ain messing with that max" , keep in mind, mine is not stock

Love my 8.1,uses a little oil but I live with that. I use it strickly for pulling and I can tell you it runs with the best of them.

Now after reading this thread, I am kinda wishing I had found an 8.1 or a Dmax. Oh well, something to look foward to in the next truck:D

William

It sounds like the 8.1 is an excellent engine, but how many miles can they be expected to last?

I love it in the burb, I just wish it had the allison transmission. It will run with the Dmax anyday.

I like it in the 4500, however it does burn oil, but I think next time I will get a 5500 with the 'max.

I found an article on a GM website (can't remember where now) that stated the life cycle of the 8.1 to be 200,000 miles and the Duramax to be 385,000 miles.

I Just Got An 03 C4500 It Has 4500 Miles On It, Reg Cab With 12 Ft Dump Body On It , 8.1 Mated To An Allison 2000 ,4.87 Gears And I Have A 04 3500 Duramax /allison 1000 Crew Cab Long Box 4x4 3.73 Gears . I Dont Like The 3.73 Gears The Pumpkin Gets Too Hot Already Blew A Rear Seal, I Like The D Max It Gets Good Mpgs And I Like The 8.1 With The Bigger Allison And The 4.87 Gears The Pumpkin Stays Cool . There Was A ,d Max With The Bigger Allison But It Had A Small Pumpkin In The Back Leaking Black Burnt Oil It Ran Hot Also So I Stayed Away From It, It Was An 03 With Only 3500 Miles On It C 4500 Reg Cab With 12 Ft Dump Body On It Both In Victory Red With Alcoa 19 .5 In Wheels Both Look New .

i had an '01 8.1 and traded cuz it was soo bad on fuel. Towing a 27 foot dutchmen fifth wheel fully loaded with 6 passengers it would get like 6-7mpg. Empty it would be around 9-10.

Well I loved that truck...wish it was still ehre ALONG with my duramax. Wish i still had my lb7 too. now wouldnt that be great. having an lb7, lly and 8.1 :cool2:

Anyhow, it pulls great and up to a certain weight I found that the 8.1 actually pulls BETTER until some thousand pounds. THen the diesel will have some advantage. The diesel is also better on really steep hills. Overall the 8.1 makes an EXCELLENT tow rig, not far behind the duramax at all.

Empty it goes like there was no tomoro ...compared to the duramax anyways...but not to my '06 audi coming in a couple weeks :cool:

Oh and my 8.1 burned fuel too, like were talking a quart every couple thousand miles or so. OTher than that and mpg it was GREAT!!!

Now why did they put the power down on it.........-:t

i had the 340hp version...still remember at 4200rmp and max tq. 455 @ 3200. Easiest numbers to remember ever.

Well that's all I have to say about it. I guess i mite add that i too had an allison on it and 3.73 gears.

Later

Love the engine,tons of power. I have not had an issue,except uses a little oil when pulling hard. I use only for pulling a 5th wheel trailer and GCVWR is 17867, and it will run with the best of them.

I want one now. I have been thinking about it for a while now and now I friggen want my own big block. Dont get me wrong, I love my diesel but have always been interested in those 8.1's. Hypertech adds 50 -60 h.p. which is awesome for a gas burner and puts the tq into the 500 ft lbs range. Dammit all of you. I want one.

Can you point me to some Hypertech data that shows a gain of 50-60 HP and +500 TQ for the 8.1L?

All I'm seeing on there website is 20 HP with 87 Octane and 33 HP with 93 octane.

http://www.hypertech-inc.com/ONEREASON.html

DEWFPO

http://www.hypertech-inc.com/images/dynocharts/gm03058.1L.pdf

57 hp and 60 ft lbs

Thanks..... I wish they had some HyperTech data with the Allison behind the big block though.

Those big numbers are at WOT/5,000 rpm only.

Peak HP is 283 at 4,250 RPM (+25 HP) with 93 octane.

Peak TQ is 380 at 3,250 RPM (+21 TQ) with 93 octane

DEWFPO

How would that be different? I thought those #s were pretty good. Over 300 ft lbs from 1200 to 4750. Thats not bad at all. I run a hypertech with my duramax and I was surprized to see that its shelling over 600 ft lbs from 1600 to 2800...Redline is at 3200. My next truck is probably gonna be a big block.

http://www.hypertech-inc.com/images/dynocharts/gm03058.1L.pdf

57 hp and 60 ft lbs

Remeber those numbers are at 5000 RPMS and way passed its peak power. 25 horses and 21 lb/ft torque is all your really getting over the factory ratings. These figures were the main reason I was disapointed with the Hypertech on my big block. I could not feel a difference and the price of Premium at the time was unbearable. Kinda how diesel is now. Oh well pay to play.

Remeber those numbers are at 5000 RPMS and way passed its peak power. 25 horses and 21 lb/ft torque is all your really getting over the factory ratings. These figures were the main reason I was disapointed with the Hypertech on my big block. I could not feel a difference and the price of Premium at the time was unbearable. Kinda how diesel is now. Oh well pay to play.

One of the big reason for the 60hp gain is at 5000rpm is where the computer starts to cut power and the rev limiter is about to come on.
The hyperjunk moves this up another 500rpms.
If you guys want power with your 8.1 don't mess with the hyperjunk.
With a cam, exhaust, and good tune you can knock off 2 sec of your 1/4 mile time. I dynoed 322whp 433wtq N/A with a hyperjunk. With a better tune I could of gained another 40hp.

I agree, the Hypertech and Diablo tuners do quite a bit besides upping power though. What I want is a way to circumvent GM's torque management (is it a timing retard?). With 455 Ft Lbs this thing ought to smoke the tires off the line. Same way with the wife's Trialblazer. Lame off the line get-go. Pulls like a motha at 3,000+ RPMs.
From what I've read, the drivetrain is 'protected' from abuse by the engine PCM retarding timing, and the trans TCM controlling shifts.

Back on topic...do I like my 8.1? Hell yeah! I love to look at that big boy under the hood!

My Avalanche only has 700 miles on it so far. Stock exhaust sounds pretty good but can use more bite (louder!). Dual cats, and big dual exhaust up till the muffler, then it goes to a big Y junction to a single tailpipe. I'm sure that a few HP can be found by replacing the Y with true duals.
If I can find a reasonably priced Diablo tuner I'll give it a try. Not expecting much SOTP gains, but it does offer shift feel tuning, shift RPM changes, and speedo correction.
Might try a K&N or similar aftermarket filter.

Also owned a 2001 GMC Yukon XL 2500 4x4, with the 8.1/4L85E and 4.10s. I swear it was MUCH stronger than my 2005 Av's 8.1. I'm hoping that after a few thousand miles of break in, my '05 will be as strong. Could be the fact that my Av has 2 more cats (in the downpipes, behind the oil pan near the trans, they're not much bigger than the pipes themselves), or the fact that my 01 had 4.10s and the Av has 3.73s.

I put 40K miles on my Yukon XL with no complaints besides the fuel use.

Go for a performance tune by PCM's for Less or Wester's. They take care of the "torque management" and will definitely wake up that big block.

My 8.1 runs great and pulls like a freight train. My brother said no gasser could ever pull like a duramax but I pulled same loads with a but with same loads the dmax fan kicks in on hot days. I love the dmax but my 8.1 pulls just great. Gas mileage drops fast with loads but I like it a lot.

which do ya'll think is faster, 8.1 or dmax? im guessing the 8.1, but a program or 2 and the dmax will hammer that 8.1, pull better, get better fuel milage, and last longer. :D

Faster to what?

60?
100?
1/4 mile?

Put the same money into a Westers program for the 8.1 that you would spend for the DM and I would bet it would be very interesting.

HP = Fuel, period. It's physics. Do you still think that all the black smoke coming out of the tailpipes equals high MPG, I think not.

DEWFPO

My truck doesn't smoke at all. It's not fast either, but it's all stock. If I wanted fast I would have bought gas, but I wanted power at lower rpms and good fuel mileage(16.5 in town, 21 on the highway). Each has it good points. I almost bought an 8.1, but the lure of the Duramax got the best of me.

If you want to run with the Big Dogs......buy a Kenne Bell. It's next on my list and there is no comparison. Install a Transfer Flow tank and you are on your way........

http://www.kennebell.net/superchargers/gm/gm81/regularimages/perf-chart.gif (http://www.kennebell.net/superchargers/gm/gm81/largepics/performancecomparison.gif)


Now that's quite the improvement!!!!!

When the DMax first came out, stock v/s stock, they were pretty close. There have been a lot of refinements and power increases since 2001 and the DMax has quite an advantage now. Install a fueling module (chip) and they're untouchable! In order to get an equivalent power increase out of the 8.1 you'd have to install a supercharger such as the one Whipple (http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/product.asp?ProdID=1138) offers. They're not cheap, at around $5,500 plus installation, but look at how much the DMax/Allison combo adds to the price of a truck and it's a wash.

Towing a heavy load over long distances and in the mountains, diesels have the advantage. The torque curve is broad, enabling a diesel to turn lower RPMs, using less fuel. The turbocharger allows diesels to make equivalent sea-level power up in the mountains, where a gasser would start to lose power the higher you climb. A gas engine can make lot of power and haul quite a load, but the RPMs must be turned higher, closer to the horsepower peak.

I've owned a couple of diesels. My most recent was a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4, ISB Cummins 5.9 with the NV4500 5 speed manual and 3.54 gearing. Stock it was rated at 235 hp, 460 Ft Lbs. It turned the 1/4 mile in 18.9 @ 73 MPH. After I installed an early version of the Edge box (3 settings, low/med/high, and off) I ran a 16.3 @ 86 MPH. Later on I installed bigger injectors from a 275 HP Cummins and ran 15.9 @ 92. These runs were at Rockingham dragway, a 1/4 mile track on a testNtune night, back in 2002.
Check it out..just a chip and turning up my boost by adjusting the wastegate to compensate for the added diesel fuel (stock boost was 19, and I was pushing 30 PSI) my trap speed increased 20 MPH!! And I still got almost 20 MPG on highway trips, and 16 MPG average commuting.
Right now my Avalanche with the 8.1 gets about 11 MPG on my cummute, and about 15 on a highway trip. I have G-TECH'd it at 16.5 @ 85 MPH various times stock. I'm curious what it would turn in the 1/4 mile with a Whipple under the hood! I'm sure the gas mileage would suffer due to a heavy foot though!:cool2:

TByrne Burb went 13.90's with a Whipple and TOG headers.

TByrne Burb went 13.90's with a Whipple and TOG headers.

Your truck still sick Tierod, or is it back together again??

Your truck still sick Tierod, or is it back together again??

I'm working on it. The engine is in it but I'm waiting on the trans. I have a friend shaving c2 piston to get the clearance needed for the clutches.

Personally, I think you should of went for the ATS extreme allison with Ats allison Trans controller
At least you would be driving, and getting twins in the works.

Those number don't sound quite right, how heavy are burbs???


other note:
Going out this weekend, hoping to improve on time of 14.5 at 94 cam only. Got a better tune, one I have been perfecting for two months.

Tierod: what you thinks, I am running 27*advance right now. Was going to try 105 octane they sell around here, and put a couple of more bumps in timing tables. espeically in the 2500 to 3500 rpm's range. to see what the most I can get out this Cam only 8.1 combo.

The way I'm going is allot cheaper than ATS. If the sales man at ATS didn't piss me off by insisting that I had to have a triple lock. I probably would have done it.

I'm not sure what burbs weigh.

I guess give a try. I haven't had any tune experience yet. My engine popped before my edit showed up.

How much of a difference can I expect from using a programmer in my 8.1L?

:ro)

How much of a difference can I expect from using a programmer in my 8.1L?

Unfortunately, not much! And if you run one that has a "premium fuel required" tune, you'll have to use the most expensive gas.

I'm running a Diablo Predator 91 octane tune in my Avalanche. The only difference I have seen are with the shift points of the transmission. Feels the same power-wise. The factory 98 MPH speed limiter can be played with up or down with the Diablo. I set mine at 70 once to see what would happen. Interesting how it cuts out at the speed limiter. This way I didn't have to risk my driver's license with a 98+ MPH run. ;)
If you spend some dyno time and get technical with ignition timing, fuel settings, torque management, etc you might get a noticable power increase, so long as you have done mods like an aftermarket intake, headers, etc.

With a diesel, there is a substantial power increase with a tuner or fueling/timing module (chip). Diesels have the capability, thanks to the turbocharger, to make power because the turbo will compensate for the added fuel by making more boost to keep the air/fuel ratio in check. An overfueled diesel will make a lot of smoke for a few moments till the turbo spools up. With a gasser such as our 8.1s, you can't add more fuel without first making improvements to the intake and exhaust systems, and even more so with a better camshaft and cylinder head work.

I drop little over 2 seconds in the 1/4 mile with cam and tune only with my 8.1, for about $675 and add $200 for the cat back exhaust if you want too.

I call that noticable!

Cam got used for $175
Hptuners software - $500, plus comes with Editor, Scanning, datalogging, flasher, and troubleshooting functions(read, clear and can disable trouble codes)

This being my first full size truck, I'm very pleased with its smoothness and its
ability to do anything asked of it. I picked a gas engine over diesel due its high
buy in price and the fact its over 30 cents a gallon more here in Connecticut.
While I get 13 on the highway(4.11 locking rear end gear setup) in town is around a steady 10. It also came with the Allision trans. Its a 2500HD Silverado
LT. with extended cab. A little disappointed with tire sizes that were available.
So I'll be pestering this board for some good replacement size rubber. Prefer all
terrain style tires. I realize its a Diesel Place but a little room for us Gas people
is certainly a big help.

I just rid of my 8.1l a month ago for a DMax. I had 285/75/16 BFG Allterrain KOs, awesome tires, good profile. I had dual exhaust, AirRaid full air filter system, programmer and throttle body spacer. I had plenty of power, my only problem was when we took a trip over the summer to the Oregon Coast to go quad riding we used a lot of gas. I was pulling about 12,500 lbs and spent $800 for 2000 miles round trip. We figured we got between 5.5 to 6.5 mpg. We would still have the truck but it was 2WD and I wanted 4WD to go down on the beach with our Toyhauler and came across a 2004 4WD CC DMax that I could not pass up.

Let me put it this way..

I'm spraying an 8.1 I have with about a 250 shot. (Custom diablo tuning, flowmaster, drop in k&n ) Not only this motor a viscious animal on the juice but it's rock solid reliable, never a problem, never a hiccup, never a fault code. This truck has towed a 14k lb trailer over 2000 miles at 75 mph, been up and down 8% grades at 12k ft in the mountains, been drag raced, etc. Very reliable, yes of course bad on gas mileage but what did you expect when you bought it?

Mods (Custom diablo tuning, flowmaster, drop in k&n, 250hp shot)

has any one tired gettign the ported heads and better intaske off the baot along with the boat cam they are rated at high 400 or low 500 horse power not sure but then get sum tunign done and maybe a turbo and go mess with suome vettes mustangs

Absolutely LOVE it! I have two; one in my 2001 2500HD w/the Allison and one in my 2002 2500 Suburban. Crazy power. Fuel economy sucks, say 10mpg, but my 6000 engine doesn't much better. You can pull anything...

has any one tired gettign the ported heads and better intaske off the baot along with the boat cam they are rated at high 400 or low 500 horse power not sure but then get sum tunign done and maybe a turbo and go mess with suome vettes mustangs

The boat intake is the same as the truck. It just has a bigger cam.

Is this what you mean. http://video.ls1tech.com/Player.aspx?fileid=66DD2742-2499-4595-8302-B0A8E78DC1B8

I have a 7.4 in my 'Burb and towed for years (Jeep on trailer) about 7000 lbs. With it. It was a tow animal and was fast towing or not. My new truck has a Duramax and is powerful and quick but I think my old gasser is faster even while towing. I haven't towed up Monteagle mountain yet (6% grade) or the big one outside of Denver but I expect that to be where the deisel will outperform 'the Mule'. I did recently towed the Burb behind the 3500 and got around 12.5 - 13.5 which is about what I got with the gasser no load (at a higher speed though!)

I still love to drive the Burb and never expected it to seem like a sports car till I got used to this long bed crew cab! Oh, my 7.4 took about 20 minutes to get warm enough for the heat unless I was towing though (in response to an earlier post from Alaska). Glad it had heated seats!

I debated over getting an 8.1 Yukon XL but the rising fuel costs nudged me over. Deisel is slightly cheaper than regular here and my old one burned premium (.40 or better more than the oil).

Thanks for all of the replies guys.

I have a hypertech programmer for 2001 8.1L models only. Got rid of mine, not by choice Censored , and need to get rid of it.

I have a hypertech programmer for 2001 8.1L models only. Got rid of mine, not by choice Censored , and need to get rid of it.

Can you shoot me some more info please?

I'm getting ready to Whipplize my 8.1 within the next week. I'll let you know how it goes!

I'm getting ready to Whipplize my 8.1 within the next week. I'll let you know how it goes!

Is it a intercooled kit?

No.......

Thats cool. :cool: You will still get a nice gain.;)
My plan is for a STS gutter sucker.:)

Really like our 8.1L. Had thoughts of moving to a diesel but the fuel price/mileage advantage has pretty much disappeared around here. So we are sticking with our crewcab. It is also our plow truck (9' Fisher MinuteMountII).
Currently having a NSBU problem after DEEP early season slush. Allison shipped me a new switch for $60. 45 minute install, but need to have the local (st)ealership ($$$$$) reprogram it- Limping in 3rd until then- codes won't clear.
Love this truck!!!!!!!
John

Now I really want one.......Anyone wanna trade??????

UNIT453, are you pulling our collective legs? :p: Diesel prices will come back down-to-earth soon. I dunno why the prices are so high, and it would really piss me off if I still had my Cummins Ram. I remember when diesel used to be MUCH cheaper than relative gas prices.

I see you're a 9C1 owner. Check out my commuter (fun) car. :cool:


http://n5cwm.dynip.com/959c1/

Hmmmm. It takes a special breed to own one. I have done a lot of work to mine and its not currently registered or road worthy. But it will paint rubber all over the road. Yours looks nice.

My Caprice is totally stock, has about 108K miles on it. About 77K of those were as a NCHP cruiser (North Carolina Highway Patrol). Have you seen the 9C1 forum?
http://9c1.net/
I'm Chris95_9C1 over there.

It's totally stock under the hood, but the original open 3.08 rear is now a 3.42 with Auburn limited slip. I have G-TECH'd it several times and it averages 15s @ 90 MPH. I have no major plans for performance upgrades since this is my commuter car. It really only needs a complete front end rebuild (steering, suspension) and it will be good to go.

As for the Avalanche and the 8.1, I really love the sound of a gas V8! It sounds pretty good even with the stock intake and exhaust. I may go with an aftermarket intake and someday change the exhaust where it Y's near the rear axle. The stock exhaust on the 8.1 is big dual pipes, dual cats, dual mufflers, but Y's to a single tailpile near the rear axle. I'll have an exhaust shop continue the duals, one out each side after the rear wheelwell sometime.

My Av runs mid to low 16s at 86 MPH which is pretty quick for a 6,600 lb truck! Heck my Dodge Ram Cummins did 18s @ 72 stock and after I bombed it, ran 16s @89 (EDGE box, RV275 injectors). Now that was a huge increase from stock...almost 20 MPH gain in the traps! It pulled hard, had a LOT of torque. The 5 speed manual trans was the major setback because of the loss of turbo boost during shifts.

I have always been a fan of caprices. I want to sell it but then again I dont. I have a lot of $ invested in this thing. Its got around 130,000 on it now and with 108 when I bought it. It was a State of Maryland troopers vehicle. I paid $3800 in 2000 for it and now prolly wont get rid of it for anything less than 5g. Every sensor that could go bad, has and has been replaced. I mean everything has been rebuilt. It ran a best of 13.1@ 99 in Jasper county about a year and a half ago. Thats in 100 degree heat with minimal traction on 87 octane with a .8 reaction time. Not bad for a 4200 lb tank. I got it dynoed in Baton Rouge @ thunder racing at 424 h.p. at the fly wheel and 376 at the rear wheels. TQ was 509 at the motor and 458 at the wheels. I absolutely love the car. Its sittin at a friends house in Jersey now because I have no where to park it. I do have a 2001 Crown Vic p-71 that I also own and it is driven pretty much every other day. I drive 75 miles to work 1 way 4 times a week and I alternate vehicles to keep a ton of miles off my truck. I put 18" black cobra rims, painted it factory gloss black, no chrome whatsoever. It looks good. I run a hypertech with that which really helped out the low end lack of tq, a k&n with gutted airbox, tornado, 2 high flow magnaflow cats with magnaflow mufflers w/ resonators. It runs awesome and needs to be washed today.
I contemplated getting the 8.1 because of the fact that it was an $800 option vs $7500. I do not regret getting a diesel at all. In fact, I've never had a problem with overheating like a lot of people have. 32,000 miles and 28,000 of it in southwest Louisiana heat. Never any problems at all. Tranny runs about 120 degrees. Some people have theirs run at 200. I dont see how. I have always wanted to drive the big block and see what its got. I grew up with 350'd 7-71 pickups. I have put about 1000 miles on a 7.4 2500 suburban and the low end torque in that thing was impressive. I have a problem and its the fact that I cannot leave anything stock. There's always a part to put in a motor. Anyways, lets trade for a week and see what happens......
Nick

Now I really want one.......Anyone wanna trade??????

Love my big block (both of 'em) would like to take a walk on the other side sometime though...

Love my big block (both of 'em) would like to take a walk on the other side sometime though...


As would I. I love my diesel but I would enjoy driving a big block....someday....

As would I. I love my diesel but I would enjoy driving a big block....someday....

Well, if ya ever do decide to consider swap. Drop me a line. :)

Rc, are you "unit 34" ? City unit?

PM sent.

LOVE the 8.1 ! Power to spare, even while pulling my 26' travel trailer. With a 4.10 rear end the gas mileage isn't much to brag about but it gets better MPG than my half ton 5.7 to while towing..doesn't have to work near as hard.
talk about passing power!