Buying a 2500HD Ext or quad cab with an 8'bed and 4x4. I'm looking at either the 6.0 or 8.1 for the motor. I plan to add a sc in the coming months. Problem is the 8.1 only has 2 differant sc kit's and the 6.0 should make close to the same pawer as the 8.1 when you sc both. Options ideas on both motors. Is one built any better than the other? I know the 8.1 is a gas hog. I don't want a D-Max right now.

 

the 6.0 in a 2500HD is a gas hog too.
I could have bought any engine and I chose the 6.0 because I believe it to be a better motor AND because Magnuson sells the Radix.

With the 6.0 and the Radix you will not be disappointed!

 

I would do the 8.1, only becasue Whipple makes a intercooled twin screw for it that transforms it into a monster.

 

Paul do the 6.0

 

What do you plan on using it for? If you are towing big loads the 8.1 will give you lots of torque if you can find one. Are the 8.1s still harder to find? Anyway I have a 6.0 and like it fine but I tow 5000-5500# tops. There are a lot more options for the 6.0 if you plan on modding it out. The 8.1 is probably a few extra lbs as well on the front end. I heard the 8.1s like a little oil as well but maybe GM got that problem fixed?
I say go for the 6.0 and the radix would be nice too!

 

 

Both will do you a good job 6.0 gets 2mpg better than a 8.1. The 8.1 does use oil a problem with the intake drawing oil past the seals. Your right when both are SC they make near the same hp but the 8.1 will crush the 6.0 in tq. Hell I've layed down more tq all motor than allot of the SC 6.0 do. You cold do a cam, program, and exhaust on a 8.1 and get damn near the power that a SC would make. But then again it would lack the down low tq that a SC makes.

 

My buddy now has a 2500 HD 4x4 crew cab long bed 6.0. He traded in the same with a 8.1 for it. He made a run from GA to Idaho with a small loaded trailer and said he wished he had the 8.1 back. He never complained about the oil with the 8.1.
Man I tell ya, the Duramax chipped out is a real monster. Five modes to choose from in a plug and play package? Hmmmm? You do need to drill and tap a hole in the exhaust manifold so the chip can monitor the exhaust gas temps. But No Biggie Man.
Why do you not want the duramax? You get the milage, and with the push of a button you are smoking the tires off the line for a low 13 to a high 12 sec 1/4 mile. I have seen it demonstraited. To see that big hauler launch and wind down the strip is a trip.

 

To run low 13 and high 12 you'll have to spend at least $2500 to keep the Allison to gether. All in all it would be about the same for the program and ally build as it for SC for a gasser.

 

Since I don't have an HD, the only thing I can say is to get the crew cab (4 true doors). If I were to buy another truck today, I would change that...... and get an HD.