No more Big Blocks....R.I.P.

[69Tom]

That's a sad day. I shall tip one back in honor of my grandfather's time spent there.

[Chevy454]

Bummer...but should be no surprise. The only market they had for the 8100 was in marine & commercial applications...and GM is leaving the the medium duty truck market by canceling the Topkick/Kodiak lines. The 8.1L was a *dandy* engine (we own 2), but GM's hand was forced by our own government & it's ever tightening emissions/economy regulations...

[Born30YrsLate]

Yes...sad indeed...I am also looking at it as they are now building small blocks with the same cubic inches AND more horsepower as the famous big blocks from of old...although there is no replacement for displacement...except for maybe a supercharger/turbo....

[Mr. Chevy]

I'm certain the Federal Government has a hand in this.. They don't want these motors around anymore... Very Sad

Rich

[Charley Lillard]

They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[old5.0]

[ QUOTE ]
They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

I drive a new 6.0 powered 3/4 ton Chevy every day at my job, and I have to say it's stronger than any older 454 truck I've ever been around.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]
LOL...true to a point, but the Dmax is terribly complex/expensive, and the LS engine in the HD series won't pull with the big block...my opinion, the 8.1L was *the best* bang for the buck for a no-nonsense HD/towing application. No, you won't have the unloaded fuel mileage of a Dmax (loaded they're nearly identical), but the 496 is 10x easier to maintain or diagnose than it's diesel counterpart. And, last I knew, the 8.1L carried the highest *legal* GVW in the 3500 chassis (before they axed the engine option)...

Not to mention the added initial cost, added maintenance costs, etc...don't get me wrong, we own 2 Dmax trucks and love them, but we also own 2 8.1L trucks...and I hated seeing the 8.1L option go.

[PxTx]

I love my 8.1 and the 6.0 doesn't compare when pulling trailers. I can't offer an opinion on a 6.2 with the variable cam phasing. I'm sorry to see the 8.1 go, especially with how the newer diesel are less mod friendly and super complicated.

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm certain the Federal Government has a hand in this.. They don't want these motors around anymore... Very Sad

Rich

[/ QUOTE ]

Those big blocks are bad for the environment...everyone knows that. The polar ice pack has gotten smaller every year since they were introduced. Hopefully the ice will now return...at least a few cubes for my drink

[Jim69Z]

Here is a video from our local station today
http://www2.wivb.com/dpp/news/busine...e-off-the-line