8.1 ? Gone Forever?

[yukon25008.1]

ive had an 01 2500hd w/ 8.1

and my 04 yukon xl 2500 w/ 8.1 and love it to death,just curios whats next for the gm big block.

not that i have the money for one but i do really like the new body style yukons and suburbans but dealers told me 6.0 is it or a 6.2 if its a denali,....

[Phazer_II]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

[yukon25008.1]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

 

 

ive never heard of or seen a 350 hp 6.0? also would they really go backwards and bring the 7.4 back??

[Stevens03]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

 

 

ive never heard of or seen a 350 hp 6.0? also would they really go backwards and bring the 7.4 back??

 

 

L76 6.0 has 367hp and 375tq

[yukon25008.1]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

 

 

ive never heard of or seen a 350 hp 6.0? also would they really go backwards and bring the 7.4 back??

 

 

L76 6.0 has 367hp and 375tq

 

 

 

ok, so if they have a 367hp small block,, will the 7.0.. from vettes be it os will they go with a fuel injected 8.2 (502)

just curious

[steiny93]

against the question, what will gm do in the big block space going forward?

 

my hope / guess is nothing

here is why

 

gm is engine fat, by that I mean they have many similar but different options, keeping all of those lines up and running isn't free, just imagine the bloat from a parts / inventory perspective

 

additionally we have the govt oversight making it painful for gm to spend as freely as they once did, my guess is that they are looking to consolidate whereever they can

 

With the current hp/tq numbers on the 6.0 and 6.2 and having the dmax above that, why would they need to envolve yet another engine? Evolving and enhancing an engine like the 6.2 makes sense as it can be dropped into a pile of different applications (due to its characteries, quick rev, high r's). Building out a 8.1 replacement when the dmax is overwelmingly superior for towing and the 6.2 is superior for rapid rev / peakyness just doesn't make sense in my book.

 

my 2 pennies

time will tell

[angelic0-]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

 

 

ive never heard of or seen a 350 hp 6.0? also would they really go backwards and bring the 7.4 back??

 

 

LQ9 ?

[2000DV4.8]

There's a high performance version of the LS engine called the LSX 454 (7.4L), so a low performance truck version is certainly possible. Given that the 6.0L is over 350 hp, a 7.4L version would probably out-run the older 8.1.

 

 

ive never heard of or seen a 350 hp 6.0? also would they really go backwards and bring the 7.4 back??

 

 

7.4 liter SMALL BLOCK. That's what LSX means.

[Larry]

Yep, the last 8.1L was product around December 2nd 2009. I was able to grab some pictures of the very last 8.1L’s a few weeks ago before they are gone for good.

 

What a lot of people seem to not understand about a big blocks and an LS engines are the differences between torque and Horsepower. While the LS engines deliver plenty of horsepower (In fact, more HP the L18 8.1L) the torque on LS (L96 6.0L for example) doesn’t come in until over 2,000 RPM’s. The 8.1L produces over 200 lb ft of torque at IDLE, which is why it was a great medium duty and industrial engine (generators, well pumps, etc). The 8.1L may not be as athletic as an LS engine when driving around town but it gets a lot of work done without trying very hard. Hook up a trailer behind a 8.1L then a 6.0L. The LS engines can’t compare. There is no naturally aspirated LS engine that will come close to the lowend torque a big block has. Period

 

Last of the 8.1’s…

[Phazer_II]

Larry...I'm with you! My boat has a 454 Mercruiser, and I love the big power advantage that comes from big-displacement torque.

 

The originator of this post has an 8.1 with 320hp/440lb torque. He has reason to be proud, because the BB torque is what makes things happen.

 

My truck has 353hp/373lb, which sounds good on the HP, but the torque is off...that is why I think they developed the six-speed with the lower first gear.

 

But looking forward...the LS engine is here for awhile. If you believe Wikipedia, the limit in displacement is 511ci. That hot rod LSX 454 I referred to has a smaller bore, and a longer stroke than my 7.4, which should give it a torque advantage. If I was a gambling man, I'd bet that GM engineers and Mercruiser Marine engineers are developing an engine to fit the Marine/Motor-home/etc demand. (The after-market company than does all the R&D). Anyway, the 6.2 is getting closer in torque, so it's just going to be matter of time before we see the big torque numbers from the LS series IMO.

[yukon25008.1]

Larry...I'm with you! My boat has a 454 Mercruiser, and I love the big power advantage that comes from big-displacement torque.

 

The originator of this post has an 8.1 with 320hp/440lb torque. He has reason to be proud, because the BB torque is what makes things happen.

 

My truck has 353hp/373lb, which sounds good on the HP, but the torque is off...that is why I think they developed the six-speed with the lower first gear.

 

But looking forward...the LS engine is here for awhile. If you believe Wikipedia, the limit in displacement is 511ci. That hot rod LSX 454 I referred to has a smaller bore, and a longer stroke than my 7.4, which should give it a torque advantage. If I was a gambling man, I'd bet that GM engineers and Mercruiser Marine engineers are developing an engine to fit the Marine/Motor-home/etc demand. (The after-market company than does all the R&D). Anyway, the 6.2 is getting closer in torque, so it's just going to be matter of time before we see the big torque numbers from the LS series IMO.

 

Thanks for the reply, id do love it, i actually just got lucky and got and 8.1 out of a wrecked tow truck, its an 04 model. just curious what do do with it now, can i change the intake and make it carberated?

[yukon25008.1]

Also i just cant see the famous 454, be converted into a small block motor, for any vehicle.

I figure its time for something diffrent, gm cant just keep going bigger and bigger, i gues we will see.

Thanks again

[Larry]

If I was a gambling man, I'd bet that GM engineers and Mercruiser Marine engineers are developing an engine to fit the Marine/Motor-home/etc demand. (The after-market company than does all the R&D). Anyway, the 6.2 is getting closer in torque, so it's just going to be matter of time before we see the big torque numbers from the LS series IMO.

 

You’re correct. Expect to see an engine larger than 6.2L but smaller than 8.1L that will be introduced in the updated GMT900 HD’s, maybe as soon as this year’s Chicago Auto Show. This engine has something common with the ZR1 Vette that we have never saw offered on a GM truck engine before. It will be impressive engine but the jury is still out as to how well it will serve as a diesel alternative and 8.1L replacement. With all of the latest diesel emissions changes diesels are overrated and cost too much these days, while the durability and MPG has gone into the dumper. Now more than ever, GM needs a severe duty gas engine. Poor timing for GM to kill the 8.1L! I doubt the new engine will get any better MPG than a big block.

[yukon25008.1]

If I was a gambling man, I'd bet that GM engineers and Mercruiser Marine engineers are developing an engine to fit the Marine/Motor-home/etc demand. (The after-market company than does all the R&D). Anyway, the 6.2 is getting closer in torque, so it's just going to be matter of time before we see the big torque numbers from the LS series IMO.

 

You're correct. Expect to see an engine larger than 6.2L but smaller than 8.1L that will be introduced in the updated GMT900 HD's, maybe as soon as this year's Chicago Auto Show. This engine has something common with the ZR1 Vette that we have never saw offered on a GM truck engine before. It will be impressive engine but the jury is still out as to how well it will serve as a diesel alternative and 8.1L replacement. With all of the latest diesel emissions changes diesels are overrated and cost too much these days, while the durability and MPG has gone into the dumper. Now more than ever, GM needs a severe duty gas engine. Poor timing for GM to kill the 8.1L! I doubt the new engine will get any better MPG than a big block.

 

 

I see, I understand times are changing but they need to remeber theres so many people out here that love gm big blocks and really want/need them. why wouldnt they just introduce a new/improved 8.1 you know maybe better mpg with more hp and tq. they did it with 5.7 and 6.0 right?

[Larry]

I see, I understand times are changing but they need to remeber theres so many people out here that love gm big blocks and really want/need them. why wouldnt they just introduce a new/improved 8.1 you know maybe better mpg with more hp and tq. they did it with 5.7 and 6.0 right?

 

There was no need for a new and improved 8.1L, as nothing was wrong with this engine. It literally had zero durability issues that needed dealt with. The engine died because of corporate politics and state of the industry. GM "LET" their medium duty truck die (when they could have sold it to International) and marine, industrial, and Workhorse chassis did not warrant enough volume to keep the engine in production at Tonawanda, NY assembly. Then again, the 8.1L was also low cost alternative to the expensive over hyped, over rated....Dirtymax, which GM had millions into to meet 2007 and 2010 emissions (diesels will help with future CAFE, even as expensive as diesels will be to own and operate), so it had to die to keep it from cannibalizing Dirtymax sales once the 2007 diesel emissions drove up the diesel truck cost. The 8.1L left the Silverado/Sierra lineup in 2006 but the remaining engines will be used up to 2011 in RV and marine applications. The so called 8.1L replacement will not get any better MPG in the real world.