chevy 8.1L

Vernon in Ks · Nov 18, 2013

Whats the word on Chevy 8.1L gassers? Good/Bad

Fordfarmer · Nov 18, 2013

My FIL has one. I think the word for it is "thirsty".

buickanddeere · Nov 18, 2013

Not a whole lot of power for the size and weight.
Stay with 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2 .

Nate V. IA · Nov 18, 2013

I have had one for 4 years, mine is a 2002. She has 157k on the clock, uses about a quart every 5,000 miles. It has the 4.10 rear end and gets 8mpg on a good day. I only use it for pulling, 8-10,000 lbs is all I ever pull with it. Contrary to what all the diesel lovers say I have yet to run out of power but, but, but, I'm not running thousand of miles a year driving through the mountains with 24 ton of iron on a 32 foot flatbed. This is central Iowa flatlands, no big hills to speak of and if they're steep they aren't very long. I had a 2001 ford v10, this will definitely out pull it. The powertrain has been trouble free, the rest of the truck well...

I love diesels, someday when I can justify it, I'll buy one. Probably put a cummins in a 78 f250, best of both worlds.

Nate

Nate

cjackman · Nov 18, 2013

It will like to drink for sure. I always liked the 5.3. Dad had a 3/4 ton with the 6.0 and I had a half ton with the 5.3. My half ton would walk the dog with that 6.0 while getting better fuel mileage.

caseyc · Nov 18, 2013

I service lots of them. Lots of power, lots of fuel! Very problem free motor. Customers like them for the most part. 5.3's and 6,.0's are good motors too, definitely better fuel mileage, will still get the job done just fine but the 8.1 is a horse.

Casey in SD

mkirsch · Nov 18, 2013

A quart of oil every 3000 miles or so is typical. There is nothing wrong with the engine. Even the older 454's were known for doing that. Mobil 1 full synthetic 5W30 and a ~180 degree thermostat cut oil consumption significantly. It's a heat thing.

It was designed to run with the diesels from around 2001. If you're expecting it to compete with a brand new Duramax or 6.7 Cummins or Powerstroke, you're just being stupid.

I'm getting just shy of 12MPG driving empty with mine. Towing goes from 7-10 depending on what it is and how far.

rustyfarmall · Nov 18, 2013

I've got 2001 K3500 dually, 4x4. 6 speed manual. Bought it brand new. Yes, it is thirsty, and because of the 4.10 gears, it really does not like cruising at 75 to 80 mph on the interstate highways, but it will do it. Averages 10 mpg just running errands and such. Figure about 8 mpg with the gooseneck trailer, loaded or empty makes no difference. It got as high as 13.8 mpg once, on a 300 mile round trip, no load, no trailer.

The truck stays in the garage most of the time. It comes out only when I need it for what it can, and will do.

Goose · Nov 18, 2013

Where is there flatland in Iowa? North of Des Moines around Mason City?

cole in mo. · Nov 18, 2013

One would think with 494 cubic inches under the hood it could handle better gears than 4:10

Nate V. IA · Nov 18, 2013

There is quite a bit of it in my area, Ames to Carroll and North to Fort Dodge, I recall I35 North of Ames to be fairly flat as well. I live 5 miles West of the Des Moines River so I do get to pull some hills occasionally. If you drive through Iowa on I80 you don't get to see much of the Iowa I know and am familiar with. I don't think I have ever even stood on a terrace in my life, but I don't get out that much. LOL

M Nut · Nov 18, 2013

No problems, have 80,000 on a 2001. Pull 25ft gooseneck often with 12 1,000 lb bales of hay.

Sprint 6 · Nov 18, 2013

Good engine as others have said. What is it in? I have a customer with an 8.1/Allison in a 4500 tool body truck. It averages 3-4 mpg.

Nick m · Nov 18, 2013

My dad bought one new in 03 or 04. Was a real good truck. Used about 1qt/oil change since new. He sold it with around 100000 on it recently. Only issues were sensors in the Allison (under warranty ) and the radiator/tranny cooler mixing fluids. I think he"ll miss it. He said it got 11mpg pulling or not. Boight a 1/2 ton. All in all, seemed like a good truck.

OliverGuy · Nov 18, 2013

I have 3 in 4x4 1 ton dumps with 12' beds. '01, '03, '05. Just about the most trouble free engine here. Uses a quart in 1500 miles. Remember the AT transmission you get. Ours get used hard and loaded heavy about every day. I haul mulch and scale at 18-19,000 sometimes. I'd buy more if I could find ones that suit me if that tells you anything. They get 6-7mpg loaded plus trailer for me, but everything else just about does too. Except cab over Isuzu, 15mpg! I love that one.

bobs old iron · Nov 18, 2013

i use to drive a ken-worth that got that good of mileage,,,lol

Mike in Mn. · Nov 18, 2013

Have one in a K3500 GMC. all good, no bad!! The only bad I have heard is if you have the 8.1/Allison combo with a 4.10 gear and do a lot of snow plowing they are slow in reverse. Mine never leaves the place without a goose neck hooked to it so I like the low reverse.

chevy 8.1L

Vernon in Ks

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Fordfarmer

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buickanddeere

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Nate V. IA

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cjackman

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caseyc

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mkirsch

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rustyfarmall

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Goose

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cole in mo.

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Nate V. IA

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Nick m

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bobs old iron

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Mike in Mn.

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