CMNT is seriously contemplating trading his 8.1 in

CMNTMXR81 · January 9, 2003

Now before all you jump over me. It has NOTHING to do with resale values. I love the Big Block to death and I want to make it a screamer. However, in order to do so takes some serious hard core cash. Hard core cash I currently don't have set up to run on my printing press in the basement. I want to do a heads and cammed 8.1L motor as well as put a blower on it afterwords. That's all fine, dandy and gives me a stiffy. Until I look at the price tag! $5-5.5k for a blower on top of at least $3k for head and cam work. This is even before you factor in my time to install it, tune it, and work out all the bugs.

In contrast, I see some of these D-Max's (as well as PowerStrokes and Cummins) making insane levels of power with little more than "bolt-on" and tuning mods. The price of the truck isn't an issue as I'd get it at wholesale/fleet costs as well as my GM employee discount. My whole problem is simply going diesel. I'm a gasser motor guy and all my training is on gas motors. It's not that I am unwilling to learn diesel, but more or less I don't have the time as I once did. I also really don't want to give up my Big Block as I love it soo much.

Let the arm twisting begin.

Frank S · January 9, 2003

Well look at it like this:

With your GM employee discount you'll be getting the truck for a helluva price and with another $2k +/- on top of the truck price you'll have a screamer that will work hard and give you possibly 400,000+ miles before needing any major work,not to mention improved fuel economy.

Seems like a pretty simple decision to me.

Shaners · January 9, 2003

I have a few personal issues with diesels: I drive too many short trips of less than 5 miles. I can't stand the smell of diesel fuel, and I don't think you can "fuel up" with out getting the smell on you (ie. you better fuel up before you shower and go out on that big date). And finally the noise... Although the Dmax is OK the P-stroke and Cummins are terribly noisy.

I do know that diesels are great powerhouses, and even more power can be added by virtually plugging something in... That would be great!!!

CMNTMXR81 · January 9, 2003

I know mathematically it's an easy answer, but in my heart, is it.

Also diesel fuel is another issue. Around O'Hare in the industrial complexes of Elk Grove Village, Wooddale, Bensenville, Itasca and such, diesel is like water. However, further out in the western suburbs by me where there isn't a large amount of trucking companies, diesel is a little more scarce.

I love the smell of diesel BTW Shaners. It or #1 Kerosene is intoxicating.

Shaners · January 9, 2003

I love the smell of diesel BTW Shaners. It or #1 Kerosene is intoxicating.

I don't care for it... As I go into the shop from the locker room I walk past engine teardown. There are usually 2 engines being torn down at all times. After being up a little later than I should have and drinking one or two more beers than I should have the night before,then the stench of old bacteria ridden diesel fuel and nasty crankcase oil can turn anyones stomach. Now you have to remember that this is @ 6 AM!!! LOL!!!

Also most of our forktrucks are diesel and I always wear gloves when fueling one up, but my hands still seem to stink even if I wash them well. Of course if you like the smell than I guess that's a good thing!!!

sutak · January 9, 2003

Now before all you jump over me. It has NOTHING to do with resale values. I love the Big Block to death and I want to make it a screamer. However, in order to do so takes some serious hard core cash. Hard core cash I currently don't have set up to run on my printing press in the basement. I want to do a heads and cammed 8.1L motor as well as put a blower on it afterwords. That's all fine, dandy and gives me a stiffy. Until I look at the price tag! $5-5.5k for a blower on top of at least $3k for head and cam work. This is even before you factor in my time to install it, tune it, and work out all the bugs.

In contrast, I see some of these D-Max's (as well as PowerStrokes and Cummins) making insane levels of power with little more than "bolt-on" and tuning mods. The price of the truck isn't an issue as I'd get it at wholesale/fleet costs as well as my GM employee discount. My whole problem is simply going diesel. I'm a gasser motor guy and all my training is on gas motors. It's not that I am unwilling to learn diesel, but more or less I don't have the time as I once did. I also really don't want to give up my Big Block as I love it soo much.

Let the arm twisting begin.

As soon as you mentioned the blower for the 8.1 L, I KNOW you will not like the diesel. I don't believe you can squeeze anymore power out of the diesel. My buddy has that aftermarket chip on his Duramax. To be honest I couldn't tell the improvement over the factory Duramax, and it won't burn rubber either. I suspect the computer controls the amount of fuel for the Duramax.

My dually with the 8.1L will burn rubber without the blower! I would be scared to try it with a blower on it.

Larry.

Polaris Man · January 9, 2003

I say go for the diesel, you will like it. Since diesel fuel doesnt boether ya anyway. I know 2 guys really well that have Duramax's one 01 CC Dually and the other has an 03 ext cab both 4x4 with ally. I have driven both of them and pulled with them, sure wish I could afford one. They pull like no other, and about roastin the tires, I beg to differ. I have seen the 03 sit still and roast both rears, pretty sweet, that was holdin it with the brake, but they will do it without. They are a lot cheaper to mod too, around $800 for a Edge Juice box which is 90hp and 250ft/lb of torque, at the rear wheels on level 4. Get you some gauges around $200. Banks exhaust is about $800 i think also. Or just take the muffler out of it and strait pipe it. Get an afe intake. You would have one #### of a Duramax. Oh and the juice box now has a HOT version, i think it is 150hp and I dont remember how much torque. Has no warranty on the hot one though.

clk7711 · January 9, 2003

Well, I'm not a big fan of the diesel smell. After working in a heavy machinery shop for the last three years, it gets old. I see some people on the diesel sites saying them love the smell and it makes them horny and stuff but when you have worked around fumes for a while it starts to get old. Especially in a heated shop at 7:00 in the morning.

As for the Duramax trade, I think you would be happy. The company I work for has nine in the fleet and we are very happy with these trucks. They really have a lot of power just stock . We put an edge power box on one and we were all very impressed with the power it made. It was the fastest diesel I have ever driven.

There are a lot of things you can do to the Duramax for some serious power gains. They are very conservative from the factory.

Good luck in your decision .

maggot · January 10, 2003

Here is my thoughts for a man with like CMN and his money ,brains and love of GM. Yank out and sell the 8.1. . Find a 427 block and build it with modern technology. If you like and can build gassers this would be awesome. You would have the meanest badest mofo of a truck on the road. No matter what you are gonna spend $$ so whay not do somethig unique.

A STINGRAY SILVERADO!!!!!!!!!!!

In my opinion the 427 makes the dmax and the 8.1 look like a 3.5hp lawn mower motor.

k1500chevy97 · January 10, 2003

Nothing beats the smell of raw diesel fuel and diesel exhaust and the sound and power is superior to the gassers

Stepside Z · January 10, 2003

I just bought my first diesel about a month ago. It is a Ford 7.3 and it is noisy untill it warms up and a little noisy around town. On the freeway @ 70 mph I here more steeltex tire noise then engine noise. The truck is averaging 16.5 mpg with 1800 miles on it. Not too bad for a 6K lb truck. Diesel fuel stinks. If you drive or want to drive a diesel then get over that quick. I always wash my hands after I fuel up (and that can take a while because of foaming) and they still sell like diesel. I have also tried wearing plastic food handling gloves with no luck. The bottom line is after you have driven one of these trucks for a while and gain a true appreation for them you will wonder why the big three make gas pick-ups at all.

colosilverado · January 10, 2003

I dunno, but I about fell put of my chair when I read that you were thinking about getting rid of the 8.1!

I mean, how much extra are you gonna have to fork over when you trade in the 8.1? I haven't heard the Max when it has exhaust,etc, but I love the sound of a Rat. Even a mouse sounds good. Maybe a built Max would sound good too and make more power, I dunno.

Jpshostr · January 10, 2003

Nothing beats the smell of raw diesel fuel and diesel exhaust and the sound and power is superior to the gassers

Ya know what, for once I'm gonna agree with you.

Diesel beats gas any day of the week.

Roofer · January 10, 2003

The part that surprises me the most is that the Dmax doesn't smoke. Even on cold morning start ups, it doesn't smoke anything like a gasser and nothing close to the PSD. That Stroker smokes like a son-of-a in the morning. The Dmax smokes a little bit on cold days for about 30-45 seconds and thats it, even with my straight pipe.

The diesel fuel does smell and I don't really care for it. It is nice though pulling up to the Diesel pump when everyone is waiting in line for gas. The truckers always comment on the sound of the Dmax and ask about the Allison.

The part I didn't and still don't care for is learning everything about the diesel, which CMNT will probably have no problems with. The net helps out alot, plus my buddie's dad is a past GM Mechanic of The Year and is now a full time Dmax mechanic, so he knows all that I can't find.

As for a 8.1 beating a chipped Dmax...I don't think so.

Stock 1/4 mile times, the Dmax wins with all configurations being equal. The computer doesn't allow full power on take-offs to prevent the average person from twisting the truck all up when pulling loads.

odoh · January 10, 2003

I've an 02 dmax. Its my second diesel after a VW Rabbit which is turning 20yrs old next month. Thot I'd never get another diesel because they are different but what w/the fuel situation, the returns after the initial investment are better.

After 30+yrs of offshore vehicles (didn't, and still don't care for detroits 'tude ~ the japanese eng is a + tho), I wanted something bigger and went looking for a 6.0L. A sales rep made a passing comment re the dmax and took it for a spin. You know how they like to take you on roads that you can't really open things up. Well, should have seen the look on his face when we blasted by the Sheriffs ofc at 60 in a 35. I was impressed w/the gettup and scoot. To me, it was like a gasser. Fell in love right then ~ later, ordered one thru www.davesmith.com. Like most things in this new century, its high on technology. Not good for us shadetrees. It has 3 computers and lots of other stuff I've not seen before. So, an extended warranty could be a good investment.

For the first time in several decades ~ I don't have to be concerned about not having power for the task. Still, unladen, experience 18~22.8mpg hwy. A downside is out here, if a gas station has diesel, it may be only a single/double pump. With about 8~12 other pump stations, the gassers invariably block access to the diesel and I'm not patient. BTW, love the exhaust and manage not to get the fuel on my person, so not a issue w/me. For us entry level owners, a good diesel forum is a godsend and I consider it essential. I like http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ as it is a dedicated page but don't see why we couldn't have something like that here? Rather than pounding the keybrds re how many angels can dance on a pinhead and the relative resell value someday by&by but perhaps a crossfeed of experiences, addons/mods problems etc. ~ odoh