Posted 2007-03-21 3:23 AM (#57436 - in reply to #57413) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
No more 8.1 in the 2500 & 3500 pickups, just a 6.0 gas with a new 6 speed auto (not the Allison) and the Duramax with the 6 speed Allison. Not really sure you will be able to get a manual trans in the 25 & 3500 trucks. You can still get the 8.1 in the 45, 55, 65, 75 & 8500 trucks as well as power for gen sets and marine applications. Don't think they sold enough 8.1's to justify cleaning up the emissions. The new 6.0 has more HP (at a higher RPM) than the 8.1, but yhe 6.0 is way off on torque. I'll be keeping my 8.1 for a while. If you are looking a big gasser in a new 3/4 or one ton truck, then you will have to look at the V10 Ford.
Posted 2007-03-21 8:56 AM (#57448 - in reply to #57436) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Veteran
Posts: 167
Location: Monroe, WA
V10 Ford? Did they quit on the V10 Dodge, too??? Girlfriend's hubby bought one, when they came out, man that thing was a pulling machine..... sucker was FAST, too (or so the Montana SP guy said - 130 across the flats of eastern MT)
Posted 2007-03-21 11:11 AM (#57451 - in reply to #57413) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I believe that 2003 was the last year Dodge put a V10 in a 2500 or 3500 pickup. They built some "go fast" versions of a 1500 with the V10, it was called a ZRTVXOICU812-10 or something. These 1500's didn't even come with a hitch, no towing, just going!
Posted 2007-03-21 3:39 PM (#57470 - in reply to #57451) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Veteran
Posts: 167
Location: Monroe, WA
Mmmm.... the one I remember was an extra-cab 3500 dually 4wd. They put a humongous camper on the thing for the family and STILL hauled **s with it. Big block mopar folks from way back. After the husband was killed (run down on his Sportster in an intersection by some knucklehead) the wife kept the truck, traded off camper (which she said swayed too much for her personal comfort) and got a 28 foot bumper pull travel trailer to camp with. She said she didn't even know it was there until she went to back up.2003, huh?? might have to do a bit of shopping.....
Posted 2007-03-22 12:49 PM (#57501 - in reply to #57413) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Regular
Posts: 70
Location: Louisville, KY
If I had to guess, I would say that 2003 or 2004 would have been the last year for an 8.1 gas...I looked at a 2003 Avalanche with an 8.1...wasn't dumb enough to buy, though!!! After researching, it got about 8 MPG w/o trailer!!!
Posted 2007-03-22 1:26 PM (#57505 - in reply to #57413) Subject: RE: Does GM still make the 8.1 V?
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
2007 classic was the last of the 8.1/496 Big Block in the GM 2500 & 3500 pickups. The 2500 Avalanche was discontinued a few years back. Not sure when they dropped the 8.1 availability in the 2500 Suburban and the Yukon XL. The new 900 series 2500 & 3500 trucks will only have the 6.0 gasser and the Duramax Diesel.