8.1 vortec: gas guzzling overkill or puurrrrfect for the job

[Zad]

I am looking at a 06 Chevy 2500HD with the 8.1 vortec to tow our 2009 25BHS. The truck will be used almost exclusively for towing and I am mostly considering due to tv being at a good price. Thoughts?

[clubhouse]

Might be overkill but you will love it. I recently upgraded to an equally overkill TV for my TT. I now know people mean when they say "you never hear someone complaining about having to much truck".

[David472]

Although you could easily tow a 25BHS with less truck, that one will provide room for expansion to a larger trailer in the future, if the fancy were to strike.

[Boss Wagon]

I am pulling a 17Z with an E-350 Econoline Chateau, 6.8 V-10 because of the price. The 8.1 vortec is a real stump puller. If the price is right and it isn't an everyday driver, I say go for it.

We only use our van for towing and other duties to the tune of 3,000 to 4,000 miles a year, so the fuel mileage isn't really an issue.

[clutch]

You will probably find that the big block 8.1 will get the same mileage towing as the small block 6.0.

[robo59097]

My buddy has a 8.1 2500 suburban and he gets better gas mileage towing than I get with the 6.0L. On the flip side I am better off without the trailer than him. So if it is your everyday driver you will spend a little more. When we hauled to Florida and back I averaged 6.5 mpg and he got around 9mpg

[Zad]

Thanks guys. I am a little nervous about heading into big block territory however 90% of the miles used will be towing so it just might be a viable option. How about maintenance and repairs, I imagine that will be a tad more too? And durability? I have read they tend to be oil burners.

[Dadof4Girls]

They will use a little oil. If the truck is in great condition, it will be a great RV tower. I had the 8.1 in a Yukon XL, with 4 sp and 4.10. It pulled wonderfully. Fuel economy was not great. Mine also changed with tires. Lost 1-2 mpg when going to mud and snow tires.

[Rustic Eagle]

IMO if the price is right and it's mechanically sound, go with it....., wish I had ordered the 8.1L when I purchased my '02' 2500HD new. My 6.0L gets the job done, but the 8.1L would be nice in the mountains with my heavy TV/TT combo.

Bob

[Crabman]

IIRC these engines are also fairly rare in the 2500`s, only a very small percentage of the ones built are equipped with the 8.1. The volume engine is the 6.0 then the Duramax with the 8.1 in a very distant third. So if you want one, better grab it. They may be hard to find.

[Codiac]

I have an 01 2500HD with the 8.1 and Allison 5 speed trans. It pulls great and does decent mileage if you keep your foot out of it. I live in Montana and pull hills and mountain passes with it all the time. Love it!

[Rustic Eagle]

Yes, the 8.1L is a towing beast! Great engine and transmission combination!

Bob

[Cruzinfools]

I always a small block guy. But I bit the bullet and got a 454 and don't regret it. People ask me what kind of mileage I get? It gets 10 mpg empty and 7-8mpg towing. I tell everyone that I can pass everything but a gas station. I don't even check any more as when it gets to 1/4 tank I get to looking for gas. If people want fuel mileage drive your car and stay in a hotel. If you want to live the camping scene that the TV and camper and enjoy. Figure what eating out cost that will pay for gas and hotel will more than pay for campsite. This is my opinion as I am a mechanic. So enjoy.

[jal0710]

I think you will find that your mileage will not be very good, but it's gas engine that was built for towing, not cruising. I had a Vortec 454 and when switching to a diesel got about 40% better in-town mileage and almost 50% better mileage when towing our FW and boat together. When buying the first diesel diesel fuel as less than regular unleaded gas, not diesel around here is about $.70 higher. Go figure, less refining, no significant additives and the price is much higher. Kinda like when they took the lead out of gas, the price went up because ?

[robo59097]

The 454 is the old 7.4L, the 8.1L is a 496

[jal0710]

I knew that, was just trying to point out the mileage differences between the big block engine and the diesel. If anything, the 8.1 mileage will be a bit worse than the 7.4. GM must have quit making them for a reason.

[Codiac]

Actually the 8.1 does way better MPG than the 7.4 (454). A buddy of mine has a suburban with the 7.4 and he tows less weight. He gets approx 2 MPG worse than I do towing or not. I get 9 to 10 towing

[robo59097]

Florida and back I averaged 6.5mpg with the 6.0L. The smaller engine has to work alot harder on the hills, my buddy with the 8.1L got about 9mpg on the same trip with the same trailer.