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Metaluzc Does anyone own the 8.1L Silverado? The 6.0 is 300HP/360LB-FT Torque, the 8.1 is 340HP/455LB-FT Torque, just wondering if the 40 extra ponies and about 100 extra lbs of torque make for one hell of a ride. Has anyone driven both? I am debating as to whether I should just continue to modify the 6.0 in my '03 or try to find a similar mileage 8.1 and mod that out. #1 · May 20, 2010 Does anyone own the 8.1L Silverado? The 6.0 is 300HP/360LB-FT Torque, the 8.1 is 340HP/455LB-FT Torque, just wondering if the 40 extra ponies and about 100 extra lbs of torque make for one hell of a ride. Has anyone driven both? I am debating as to whether I should just continue to modify the 6.0 in my '03 or try to find a similar mileage 8.1 and mod that out. Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · May 20, 2010 The 8.1L I drove was in a 2006 Crew cab Dually 4X4.. With a 35ft enclosed car trailer behind it.. And you slap the HAPPY pedal to the floor and let her grunt away... Unloaded it went like the dickens for something that size.. The 6.0 that i drove was a 2500HD crew cab short bed 2X4 with 9in of lift and 37s on it... and it went well too.. I however am a firm believer that there is no replacement for displacement. But you do have the downside where the 8.1 gets 10mpg most of hte time.. and if you play nice you can keep a 6.0 in the 14 range.. #3 · May 20, 2010 Yeah, I've been reading up on the 8.1L and the only downside seems to be the very poor gas mileage. If I did go the 8.1L route, it wouldn't be my daily driver that's for sure. But with the mods I've already done to the 6.0L, and a future purchase of a diablo sport tuner, I figure I would be around 340HP if not more so it's a difficult decision. #4 · May 20, 2010 The extra 100 ft lbs of torque is definately nice, but the hp isnt that much especially if youv'e already modded the 6.0 #5 · May 21, 2010 WEll here is a good question what gears are you running in that truck??? Because that can make your truck feel like its got 400HP or like its got 2HP And a gerbil...... with 35s you could probably step up some and still keep your milage plus take full advantage of those 340HP.... just my .02... #6 · May 21, 2010 The 496 is on my wish list. Bolted to an 81-ish frame. With a GMT400 Ex Cab sitting on top. #7 · May 21, 2010 There isn't hardly any aftermarket parts for the 8.1l compared to the 6.0l, you wont have much choice on what you plan on doing to the 8.1, unless its all custom. #8 · May 21, 2010 Gears are stock but I've been hearing good things about the 4.56 gears and think I might go that route when I save up enough money. #9 · Sep 6, 2010 (Edited) I have an '04 3500 with an 8.1 & Allison, for about 2 years now. It had 50k on the clock when I picked it up. Milage seemed to be about 10, or less. The battery that was in it wasn't any where near what it needed. After I changed the battery, I noticed an improvement in milage to 11.9. It has been running consistant ever since, for about a year now. btw: this milage is driving around town. Haven't been on a long enough trip since to get an idea on milage for long hauls... I can tell ya, it pulls very well. Push the skinny peddal and off it goes... I've pulled a 22' heavy equip bumper pull with a large quad in the back, and a cherokee on the trailer... Accelerating up hill, there is no hesitation, it just pulls. As far as me being able to compare to other trucks, I can only compare to those I've borrowed, prior to buying this one. I've driven some that just had nothing when accelerating on the onramp... When you have to stomp on the gas that hard, and get that little out of it... I agree with the other comments made, there is no substitute for displacement. Motor is stock, and I'm going to try the E3 plugs, this weekend. Then, add a cold air intake, throttle body spacer, and upgraded MAFS, and see what improvements in mpg, throttle response, mpg, and hp these make. #10 · Sep 6, 2010 Welcome to the club, nwflxjguy. Save your money, theres been several people on this site that have tried the E-3 plugs and they say there trucks run better with the stock A/C Delco's. Also they got misfire codes with the E-3's. Same with the throttlebody spacer and aftermarket MAF. CAI, exhaust and a programmer, alot of us on this site like the DiabloSport Preditor programmer. #11 · Sep 6, 2010

silveradotrailblazer said: Welcome to the club, nwflxjguy. Save your money, theres been several people on this site that have tried the E-3 plugs and they say there trucks run better with the stock A/C Delco's. Also they got misfire codes with the E-3's. Same with the throttlebody spacer and aftermarket MAF. CAI, exhaust and a programmer, alot of us on this site like the DiabloSport Preditor programmer. Click to expand...

maybe people have codes comming up with the aftermarket MAF sensor but not the spacer. and i know lots of people and i myself that have the spacer, and not once have i heard of that. but you are also right about the E-3's i was going to get them but my friend told me just to stick to the stock AC's #12 · Sep 6, 2010 It all boils down to gas mileage. Like others said-no substitute for displacement when it comes to low end and even peak torque.Yes, you can rev the 6.0 higher(cam,exhaust, intake) and get about the same peak hp, but when one is pulling in 4 liters of fresh air per revolution and the other is pulling in just 3 liters per rev-at same RPM-the big one makes more torque-no way around that. Now, if this is mainly a low mile per year toy-and you don't care about mpg or eventual resale-go big. If you plan to put lots of miles per year-or eventually resell it-then go smaller. Remember- big motor vehicles were tougher to sell when gas hit $4. It might do that again if the economy improves. Either way it can be fun. Luck Charlie #13 · Sep 6, 2010 Sorry, let me clairify myself, its me not you. The throttlebody spacer and MAF don't throw codes. I don't think the t/body spacer works and I know the aftermarket MAF's are junk (mines in the bottom of my pond). The aftermarket MAF's just confuse the trucks computer. You really don't want to use one with a programmer or any other type of tune. #14 · Sep 6, 2010 exactly you hit it right on the target. they just throw off your PCM making your engine run lean and confuses it, something you dont want. #15 · Sep 6, 2010 Thanks for the heads-up, silveradotrailblazer. I just picked up my plugs, but have not installed them yet. No very good reviews from the guys at Advanced either, at least for the Jeeps. I will put them back in the bag and return them for some new delcos... ...and invest my $$ in cai, exhaust, and a programmer. thanks again. ---------- Post added at 02:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

phoebeisis said: It all boils down to gas mileage. Like others said-no substitute for displacement when it comes to low end and even peak torque.Yes, you can rev the 6.0 higher(cam,exhaust, intake) and get about the same peak hp, but when one is pulling in 4 liters of fresh air per revolution and the other is pulling in just 3 liters per rev-at same RPM-the big one makes more torque-no way around that. Now, if this is mainly a low mile per year toy-and you don't care about mpg or eventual resale-go big. If you plan to put lots of miles per year-or eventually resell it-then go smaller. Remember- big motor vehicles were tougher to sell when gas hit $4. It might do that again if the economy improves. Either way it can be fun. Luck Charlie Click to expand...

It is kind of my daily driver... I work from home, so I don't need it to get back and forth to work. If I did, I'd need somethign with better mpg... I didn't get it for the mgp, but for its towing....and arh, arh, power. Come to think of it, I can't say much for my Jeep's mpg either... lol. If I can get better mpg with some bolt ons, that is a bonus. Not in either of them for their resale... Thanks for everyones inputs on the upgrades. Much appreciated. Now I know what to focus on for the upgrades. #16 · May 1, 2021 Well I have owned a 6.0 2001 2500HD extended cab long bed since 144,xxx and it about at 240,xxx this has been a truck to own. If you have one and looking to sell it for a new one then your a dummy. Keep this one and buy a new one. I guarantee this one will still be more reliable than a new one. Lol I have always said if you had a old Camaro sitting around than that 8.1 motor supercharger would be a rocket on wheels. I prefer the 6.0 over the 8.1. You get a little better fuel economy with it and if you want something bigger than the 6.0 than move up to the 6.6 turbo diesel. Now that will put your hankers in the back of the seat crack. Which ever one you own or still drive they are fantastic trucks. I would say close to a sherman tank with out the 90mm. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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