Duramax VS 8.1L

yukon25008.1 · August 23, 2012

I,agree,there..kmg...Anything,more,then,a,fender,bender,....things,never,seem,the,same..

But,i,guess,if,you,really,look,it,over,and,drrive,it...checck,fluids,etc....

wish,you,could,get,it,on,a,lift,and,really,see,underneath,of,it!..

Obviously,you,cant,have,a,frame,shop..check,it...

But,i,would,park,ot,on,a,very,level/flat,surface..And,take,some,measurments!

KMGZ400 · August 23, 2012

i just dont see the point in buying a used truck thats been in an accident when you can buy one just as good that hasnt.

SSSilverado23 · August 23, 2012

I,agree,there..kmg...Anything,more,then,a,fender,bender,....things,never,seem,the,same..
But,i,guess,if,you,really,look,it,over,and,drrive,it...checck,fluids,etc....

wish,you,could,get,it,on,a,lift,and,really,see,underneath,of,it!..

Obviously,you,cant,have,a,frame,shop..check,it...

But,i,would,park,ot,on,a,very,level/flat,surface..And,take,some,measurments!

I hear that! That's my concern as Well. I got my buddy coming with me so we will both get under it, up in it, do whatever we got to do. Carfax said rear end collision with some front end damage but guaranteed it to be a clean title. Could have been a minor wreck who knows. I'll keep you guys posted.

Sent From Samsung Galaxy S3

SWDoodle · August 23, 2012

Doodle, you sound very reasonable compared to the usual stuborness I found on the internet while I was searching for a new truck. That is why I signed up here, people seem more respectful and hve more common sense than to say anything without a diesel is garbage. I too, was set on getting a diesel , price wasn't a factor , don't believe in the resale or longevity opinion, but everyone in the real world talked me out of it including diesel mechanics and owners. I do understand it's use and no, I do not tow heavy or drive very many miles.I drove them back-to-back before ordering and I don't see how anyone with an open mind couldn't be impressed with the new VVT6.0/6sp. The duramax, of course is impressive, you expect that, but the performance of the 6.0 is so close, and the corvette sound when you redline it, hmm, makes me wonder what the new 6.2 will be like in the HD's! To the OP sorry to get off topic but any of those 8.1's are sweet but my vote is for the red 06, just check it out carefully.

yep unlike many posters I come at things with common sense and real world experience not the "well my brother in laws F250 7.3 gets 27 mpg" crap. The mileage thing is the most overblown thing ever on forums. It is absurd. I can't count the number of threads I've seen with the tilte "how to improve mileage on my new diesel". They like many read a few posts about the 20 mpg diesel and get drawn into it. It's bunk. I don't care what anyone says. These newer emmision diesels make a lot of power and use more fuel to do it. I know I will get blasted by someone that says "my duramax gets 20 mpg day in day out". Well consider yourself lucky and if you sell it drop me a dime and I'll consider buying it. I thought when I bought mine it would get significantly better than my old 6.0 gasser. It gets about 2-3 mpg better average than the gasser in all driving categories except maybe for very heavy pulling where it is probably better than that. You figure I pay $0.30-0.40 more for fuel and it's close to a wash as far as economics. But towing capibility it isn't close. I respectfully have to argue that the 6.0 vs. LML performance is not close. The LML has twice the torque of the 6.0. Again I don't want to sound like a broken record, if a 6.0 fits you're needs it is a fantastic engine. There is a reason the duramax continues to outsell a gasser even at an almost $9K difference. They are not the same animal. As far as I know they will never have a 6.2 HD. That engine is not intended for HD use. Unless something has changed that's what I've been told. I have always argued that something like a 6.6ish gasser, an 8-speed auto with DI would be desirable. Then you could get a little more torque but still get reasonable mileage to bridge the performance gap there is between the diesel and gas engine. I'm convinced there is a market for this. With the final Tier 4 engines arriving in 2014 these diesels will have even more strict engine emmision requirements and could get even worse mileage than they do already. We'll have to wait and see what they come up with. Now I'm totally off topic and let the flaming begin.

SWDoodle · August 23, 2012

I,agree,there..kmg...Anything,more,then,a,fender,bender,....things,never,seem,the,same..
But,i,guess,if,you,really,look,it,over,and,drrive,it...checck,fluids,etc....

wish,you,could,get,it,on,a,lift,and,really,see,underneath,of,it!..

Obviously,you,cant,have,a,frame,shop..check,it...

But,i,would,park,ot,on,a,very,level/flat,surface..And,take,some,measurments!

I hear that! That's my concern as Well. I got my buddy coming with me so we will both get under it, up in it, do whatever we got to do. Carfax said rear end collision with some front end damage but guaranteed it to be a clean title. Could have been a minor wreck who knows. I'll keep you guys posted.

Sent From Samsung Galaxy S3

Again I would get the red one. I really like the looks of it. If you ever add a lift or larger tires the extra torque of the 8.1 will easily handle it plus it probably won't affect mileage all that greatly. The BB's tend to get the same mileage no matter highway or towing.

stlavsa · August 24, 2012

stlavsa, I am so tired of hearing this on here. The duramax isn't an "upgrade" for everyone just because it costs more. Don't want to be in one of these debates but lots of people actually prefer gas. They are just different, simple as that. To each their own.

It costs more, it tows more, it will last longer, it gets better mileage, and it has a TURBO... its more than an upgrade its the END ALL motor for the chevy pickups if u wanna go tow heavy. OR if ur in a dick swinging contest like stated in this thread.

Im not saying its for everyone (i dont have one), but there is no debate if u wana have the "biggest dick" money can buy its gotta be duramax/allison.

Prokopchuk_9 · August 24, 2012

i just dont see the point in buying a used truck thats been in an accident when you can buy one just as good that hasnt.

+192948484819293!!!!!!!

I wouldn't buy a big block gasser over an LBZ or an LMM. No way, I've drove and pulled with an 8.1, our company had 2 of them. 2005's...they burnt a shit ton of oil, fuel and weren't much more ballsie than a 6 litre IMO. I would rather drive a half ton than the big block. Duramax runs circles around any gasser sold. And gets better fuel mileage and tows better while doin it. The engine longevity gives you the return on the extra $ it costs to maintain. I wouldn't think twice if I seen a carfax like that one, no way in hell I'd lay down any cash for something like that. I wouldn't think twice between that comparison, dmax all the way.

doverarjim · August 24, 2012

I've waited to put my two cents in here. I have not had a BB since my 67 Chevelle and some other drag cars, but I would take the BB over any small block ever made. That being said there is no way in the good green earth you will ever get me out of my Dmax at this point in time. I bought it as my last new truck. So I will keep it till the wheels fall off or I die which ever comes first!!

Prokopchuk_9 · August 24, 2012

I,agree,there..kmg...Anything,more,then,a,fender,bender,....things,never,seem,the,same..
But,i,guess,if,you,really,look,it,over,and,drrive,it...checck,fluids,etc....

wish,you,could,get,it,on,a,lift,and,really,see,underneath,of,it!..

Obviously,you,cant,have,a,frame,shop..check,it...

But,i,would,park,ot,on,a,very,level/flat,surface..And,take,some,measurments!

I hear that! That's my concern as Well. I got my buddy coming with me so we will both get under it, up in it, do whatever we got to do. Carfax said rear end collision with some front end damage but guaranteed it to be a clean title. Could have been a minor wreck who knows. I'll keep you guys posted.

Sent From Samsung Galaxy S3

Again I would get the red one. I really like the looks of it. If you ever add a lift or larger tires the extra torque of the 8.1 will easily handle it plus it probably won't affect mileage all that greatly. The BB's tend to get the same mileage no matter highway or towing.

What the hell you been towing???? A 1500 lbs tent trailer?????? NOTHING gets the same mileage towing!!! Not even almighty 5.9 cummins, and they get the best mileage out of any engine in any 3/4 or 1 ton.

SSSilverado23 · August 24, 2012

Doesnt 2004 Duramax's have the injector issues?

Prokopchuk_9 · August 24, 2012

Doesnt 2004 Duramax's have the injector issues?

Yes, we'll its the lb7 engine that does. From 01-04, GM will warranty them up to 200k kms I think tho.

SSSilverado23 · August 24, 2012

Doesnt 2004 Duramax's have the injector issues?

Yes, we'll its the lb7 engine that does. From 01-04, GM will warranty them up to 200k kms I think tho.

Ahh OK. Found one on that same lot. Same truck red and all but an 04 duramax. 92k miles. But listed at $30k. Seems high. Kbb says $25k

Sent From Samsung Galaxy S3

Prokopchuk_9 · August 24, 2012

Could be an LLY tho as well. If its an 04.5 it's the LLY. A lot better engine, the best to look for in your price range would be an 06-07 classic. You get the same HP/tq as the newer LMM but no dpf, and you get the 6 speed.

HEMICAT · August 24, 2012

Doodle, I'm comparing unloaded performance, not towing. I just don't see the gap. I have a friend with a 2011 LML, we race on the highway its anybody's. Both trucks stock. I can tell he has a little more but if he backs off for anything I have him untill we hit our governers. This guy is a good driver. When we are on smaller, windier roads he can't keep up, but we just figure the diesel doesn't handle very well. Could my truck be hot or could something be wrong with his? We also know a jerk with a 2011 Dodge 2500 with a Hemi and that thing is faster than both our trucks. I just want to say I love my new truck as well and wouldn't trade it for anything right now, but maybe in 10 years we'll get a D.I. 7.0/ 8 sp. Now that would be exciting!

SWDoodle · August 24, 2012

Doodle, I'm comparing unloaded performance, not towing. I just don't see the gap. I have a friend with a 2011 LML, we race on the highway its anybody's. Both trucks stock. I can tell he has a little more but if he backs off for anything I have him untill we hit our governers. This guy is a good driver. When we are on smaller, windier roads he can't keep up, but we just figure the diesel doesn't handle very well. Could my truck be hot or could something be wrong with his? We also know a jerk with a 2011 Dodge 2500 with a Hemi and that thing is faster than both our trucks. I just want to say I love my new truck as well and wouldn't trade it for anything right now, but maybe in 10 years we'll get a D.I. 7.0/ 8 sp. Now that would be exciting!

Look at this and tell me their close. http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2010/08/2010-hd-quartermile-drags-unloaded.html. Maybe you have a faster 6.0 or he has a slouch for a LML. I know that my old 6.0 would get spanked by any LMM or LML in a drag race. But who cares I guess? The Hemi in the Dodge 2500 is pretty salty. But it is a lighter pickup than a true HD. Actually the gas version of the RAM 2500 is a heavy half ton with an 8-bolt axle. It only has an 8800 GVWR compared to the 9500 GVWR for the Chevy HD. Put weight behind that 5.7 Hemi and it goes to crap. The GM 6.0 is the best current gas engine platform of the three in an HD.