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

[Chevy454]

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

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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.

[m22mike]

Another 8.1 fan here...01 2500HD

[Chevy454]

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I love my 8.1 and the 6.0 doesn't compare when pulling trailers.

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Ditto...everyone around here I've talked to that had the 6.0 wished they'd gotten the 8.1L...except for *1* guy, who swears he's getting 18+ mpg from his 6.0! Anyway, every one of the 6.0 guys say it's the same gas hog the 8.1L is, minus the extra grunt...and you're stuck with either the 5-speed manual or the 4L80/85e, versus the 6-speed or Allison if you go 8.1L.

[m22mike]

Rob
Do you happen to know what the last model year was that Chevy offered the 8.1 gas motor?
And I have heard the same thing on the mileage, around 10 when towing with both Your working the 6.0 harder with less tranny. JMO

[1969z280]

I have an '04 2500 Extended cab 4x4 with the Allison and 4.10 Posi. It pulls anything I put on it and has never ever let me down. The Duramax is a great engine but I move my truck almost every day out of the shop and would have gummed up a duramax long ago. Unless your non stop towing the 8.1 is the perfect truck. I ordered it new and will keep it forever. JMO. Ed

[Smokey]

A close friend has a 6.0 with the Allison. Its in a new style. I also have a Duramax with a 480 behind it and a duramax with an Allison. The tranny makes a huge difference.

[Chevy454]

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A close friend has a 6.0 with the Allison. Its in a new style. I also have a Duramax with a 480 behind it and a duramax with an Allison. The tranny makes a huge difference.

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You sure about that 6.0/Ally combo? Are you talking about 2500/3500 trucks? I was thinking trucks got the hydra matic 6-speed automatic (6L80/90e derivative), because I'm pretty sure the Duramax is the only 2500/3500 application that gets the Ally?? How you like the Dmax van??? Those things are waaay detuned because of the tranny, but I always thought they were cool...

And 2007 was the last year for the 8.1L in a 2500/3500 truck...