I will be orgering a new sivlerado 2500HD, Extended cab, short bed. Should I get the 6L or 8.1L engine? It's only $850 differnece and I get 15% off of that (GMO).

My ? is, how bad is the gas milage with the big one, and how much better is the performance. I don't plan on racing it, but I will tow my race car. The trailer w/car weights in @4500 lbs. I know, overkill, but why not, if I ever get an inclosed trailer, I can tow it.

Thanks,

Roger

<small>[ May 09, 2002, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: rcclass ]</small>

 

The 6.0L will give you around 12-13 mpg, the 8.1L is a gas hog. Lucky to clear 10 mpg on a good day.

At the track, the performance is the same. That 6.0L will easily handle 4500 lbs, and there are more parts available to modify it should you choose to later.

Tony

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by rcclass:
<strong>I will be orgering a new sivlerado 2500HD, Extended cab, short bed. Should I get the 6L or 8.1L engine? It's only $850 differnece and I get 15% off of that (GMO).

My ? is, how bad is the gas milage with the big one, and how much better is the performance. I don't plan on racing it, but I will tow my race car. The trailer w/car weights in @4500 lbs. I know, overkill, but why not, if I ever get an inclosed trailer, I can tow it.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">4500 lbs isn't much of a stretch for either setup, so you can't go wrong here. For comparisons sake... the 6.0 with 4.10's (which is how you'd really want it configured for towing) gets about 2 mpg more unloaded highway then the 8.1 with 3.73's (which is how you can run, so long as you're not going to be towing 10,000+ lbs). The drop in mpg's towing will probably be greater, proportionally, for the 6.0 then the 8.1, because the later has more torque and will "feel" the load a bit less then the 6.0 will.

 

I would get the 6.0. I know you said you don't plan on racing it, but the 4.8/5.3/6.0 have so many interchangeable parts. On the towing, FYI, I tow a 6200# 30' travel trailer with my 4.8 and 373w/posi rear. I am modded with about all the bolt-ons, but it gets the job done. I would get the 373 gear anyway over the 410 if you don't plan on playing to much, simply for no other reason than to keep the engine running lower rpms and a little better MPG. So 4500# with a 6.0, you might forget it's there. The standard towing package comes with a tranny cooler, 373 and hitch. I think the posi is still an option. I would make sure you get that. Let us know what you get.

 

I look at it this way. If you get the Vortec 6000, some day, you're gonna haul or tow something that'll bring it to it's knees and you're gonna say "I wish I had gotten the Vortec 8100!" On the other hand, if you get the Vortec 8100 and you are hauling or towing something, you're NEVER gonna say "Gee, the Vortec 6000 could've handled this, why did I get this huge motor?"

Sorry, the 6000 is a great motor, but in a truck with a GVWR of 9,200lbs, the Big Block 8100 or DuraMax Diesel should be the only engines available in a 2500HD.

As to fuel economy, who cares! What the hell is the difference in 2mpg when I'm giving up the HP and torque that I'd give up by getting the 6000. WIth that said, I somehow seem to manage around 11mpg with my 8100 and I drive it and use it hard.

As to the aftermarket which Nine Ball mentioned, that may be the case now, but keep in mind, the 6000 has been around a year or two longer than the 8100. Once the aftermarket for the 8100 ignites, like Whipple with their s/c, Vortech with theirs, H&C packages, simple physic's will take over....Cubic inches and a power adder like mentioned above will put the 6000 on the preverbial trailer.

I can't wait to see some monster H&C packages coming out, as well as punching it out to 500+ cubes. No 6000 will be able to match it's level of power without a sh*tload of work.

So to sum it up, spend the $850, get the Big Block, be happy each time you floor the 8.1 and listen to the monster breathe it's swan song.

 

Get the dura-max, its powerfull, plus banks make a upgrade kit so it makes ungodly torque.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by rcclass:
<strong>I will be orgering a new sivlerado 2500HD, Extended cab, short bed. Should I get the 6L or 8.1L engine? It's only $850 differnece and I get 15% off of that (GMO).</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well if you want an automatic tranny it will be alot more than $850 difference. The Allison auto adds $2300. If you are planning on keeping the truck a long time, get the 8.1, no regrets.

My next truck will probably be a 2500HD with the 8.1 & 6-speed combo. Should have pretty good top end. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

I have a 2500HD 4x4 with a 6.0/4.10's.

I get about 15 mpg empty. Average 11-12 towing my Camaro @ ~75mph average. When I went to Florida in February I was loaded with about 6,000 pounds between the car, open trailer and stuff in the bed of the truck.

The only place the truck lacked was leaving a light, but only if I really jumped it. If you pulled away normally, it was no big deal. If I romped on it, it took a while to get rolling the way you'd think with the throttle position being used. Considering my '97 truck was lighter and had a 4L60-E, I have to simply chalk the performance of this truck up to the much heavier weight and the taller 1st gear. Once rolling it was a pleasure to drive and when on flat or rolling terrain NEVER even unlocked the torque converter in OD unless I really provoked it.

If you tow a lot of weight, or tow a lot in hills, or want all the power, then the 6.0 is more than adequate. FWIW, I looked at a 8.1 when I bought my truck. I was also afraid of the cost of fuel. So far, no complaints.

 

8.1 bone stock 4 door ran 15.4 @ 90+ several times at MMS. I was impressed. If your not hauling heavy and often it could be best.
Your payment,your choice. either one is top in it's field. Make 'em earn your buisness.
jim