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Modded 6.0L vs a stock 8.1L when it comes to towing..

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Old 10-31-2007, 10:20 PM
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Yes, I have freeway smoked cars and trucks that wieghed less than the car I was towing on my car trailer, I have passed people doing 5-10 under the limit while towing our 30 foot+ travel trailer going from 45 upto 70 once clear to pull back in.

If you read my posts as written you'll see my opinion is that his truck with the gear that's in it is more than capable of doing what he needs to do. Now if he wants to "beat" a good running 8.1 towing, it's possible, but like I said he's got a lot of ground to cover to do that. He'll need the gear or the blower if that's the plan.

Is there a buddy with a 8.1 that's going to race you to the races? Or is it just the idea of knowing someone might be able to go faster that drives you? The 3500 with the 6.0 is the most cost effective option, it will do what you need it to for the lowest expense. It puts out more power than your Dads's old big block while getting better mileage. If you really want to tow fast get a Duramax.

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Old 10-31-2007, 10:20 PM
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I think the 8.1L is going to be hard to beat when it comes to towing. I don't know about the built 6.0's though. I've towed a lot of weight with my work truck that has the 8.1L and it feels like there's nothing behind me. A lot of towing in the mountains too where it's very windy and up/down hills. A lot of you are talking about taking off from a stand still too. How about passing and while you're already up to speed? I couldn't imagine the 6.0 dropping down and scooting like the 8.1.
Old 11-01-2007, 06:50 AM
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The original question is can he compete against a STOCK 8.1 with his 6.0 with LTs, cam, and tune.

IMO-yes

We can talk about it all day. But a modded 6.0 will be a great tow vehicle all day long. Plus it will kick some **** in a street race.

The mod 6.0 should have about the same torque as the 8.1 with a lot more horsepower and a wider powerband.

Stock 8.1 trucks do tow very well. Nobody is gonna argue that.

When we start to try to compare mod 8.1 to mod 6.0, it really makes no sense.
Who has more/better mods... etc.

The big block has big nuts.

If the question was "which truck can be modded to pull more weight" that's a different ballgame.

Good Morning
Old 11-04-2007, 10:34 AM
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In the end though...you're a small block trying to tow with a big block. It's never going to pull with the ease of a BBC, but it won't be bad by any means.
Old 11-04-2007, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Swang
In the end though...you're a small block trying to tow with a big block. It's never going to pull with the ease of a BBC, but it won't be bad by any means.
Having 132 more cubes, I would guess that the 8.1 would out-tow the 6.0. I doubt the mods listed would overcome that much of a size difference, especially at low rpm's, unless the 8.1 is severely detuned at factory specs. Now add a good roots or twin-screw blower to the 6.0 and it could get interesting.
Old 11-04-2007, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Moddoo
The mod 6.0 should have about the same torque as the 8.1 with a lot more horsepower and a wider powerband.
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en...LRW_Kodiak.pdf

Its gonna be hard to get the 6.0 to match this tq curve. I could practically eat off it. Granted the 6.0 will definatly pull past 4k.
Old 11-04-2007, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by GMC_DUDE
Having 132 more cubes, I would guess that the 8.1 would out-tow the 6.0. I doubt the mods listed would overcome that much of a size difference, especially at low rpm's, unless the 8.1 is severely detuned at factory specs. Now add a good roots or twin-screw blower to the 6.0 and it could get interesting.

add the 3.3L twin screw to the 8.1 and it gets really interesting

http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/...sp?ProdID=1138
Old 11-04-2007, 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Swang
add the 3.3L twin screw to the 8.1 and it gets really interesting

http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/...sp?ProdID=1138

FYI thats a 2.3L compressor NOT a 3.3L
Old 11-04-2007, 05:26 PM
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i tow my dirt track car to the track wih my 6.0, 3200 stal, 4.10's cam in sig..all together weighs 12,000 lbs in the 40 mile trip theres only 1 tall and long hill that it drops out of over drive
Old 11-04-2007, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Moddoo
Are you comparing a stock 6.0 to a stock 8.1?
I don't know what you mean by 'tune-up' but IMO Vinces truck should do very well with the mods.
I would GUESS that with broad the powerband of the modded 6.0, you would beat an 8.1 0-60 with a trailer.

Which cam are you going with Vince?

Sorry for the late response guys. I have been working like crazy. The cam is not optimal, but I think it will work. 225/219 .565/.565 lsa 114. We usually tow around 75mph to the local track that is about 40 miles away. Sometimes we get up to 80mph pulling about 5klbs. You dont really notice you have anything back there until you get ready to pass or going from a complete stop.


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