Rob,
You heard right. The 8.1 is dead. Largest gasser for GM is the 6.0 if I understand it correctly.
I am finding that the more things change, the more things stay the same. After I have worked the truck over, I am finding that I can get about 10 out of my old school with the 24' box on behind. Savin' my money for the petro to make it to Michigan!