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6.0 vs. 8.1liter engine

carload4916
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ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

It's not really a problem. It is just how the motor runs. Remember even the gen 1 & 2 small blocks used about a quart every 3000 miles.

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carload4916
carload4916

I am looking at buying a used Chevy 2500hd and debating on which engine to get. This truck will get used on a farm as a work truck so it will do some towing from time to time but also as a run around

ATMINF
ATMINF

The 8.1 motor is very strong, uses about a quart of oil every 2000-3000 miles. The gas mileage is around 8-11, but when towing, it will not drop too much. The 6.0 uses about a quart every 4-5000 miles

becker87
becker87

Good point, I guess the moral of this thread is go drive them both, get the one that seems to be in better shape.

rune Enthusiast

rune

Posted
Posted

I picked up a 06 8.1 in November and have put close to 11k miles on it since then. Drove it from WA to GA, and changed the oil from dino to synthetic. It had burned maybe .5 quart in 4000 miles. I then turned around and drove from GA back to WA. I now have close to 7k on the Mobil 1 and am not even down 1 quart. I really think it's hit or miss on if you get an oil burner. I suspect a lot of it comes from the early years when GM had a lot of slop and is less after they made the changes in 03(?). I did the back and forth on the 6.0 vs 8.1, and ultimately decided the difference in fuel economy was so minimal that I wanted to be able to tow and not know the trailer was back there.

manley Enthusiast

manley

Posted
Posted

For what it's worth, my Dad has an '02 with the 8.1 & the Allison transmission.

It's a strong engine, no doubt. However, the transmission is loud, whiny, and clunky.

I'm not a fan, for that reason. He's carried it to the dealer & to a transmission shop, and they have told him it is "normal."

I don't buy it, and am not a fan...

Just my $0.02.

scott

ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

My 4L80 is loud, whiny(straight cut gears),and clunky,but since its a 3/4ton truck and not a Caddy I expected that. What were your Dad's expectations? (this is a question, not trying to be a smart butt). Is this the first HD truck, or is it more hard shifting that other HD trucks that he has owned? I know I have had others that owned 1/2ton trucks comment on the ride & firmness of my truck, but when I explained it they understood.

 

The reason the Trannys are like that is because the firm shifts = less slipping, reduced wear/heat, and the gear cuts make the overall package more robust. Granted would I like better if it was smoother? Maybe? but part of getting the strenght, is the trade-off of soft shifts. Hope this explians it.

carload4916 Enthusiast

carload4916

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks for all the help, guys.

 

Here are the two trucks I am interested in right now. I hope to test drive them in the next day or two.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=47172&endYear=2007&modelCode1=CHEVC25&showcaseOwnerId=4672542&startYear=1999&makeCode1=CHEV&sellerTypes=b&searchRadius=10&maxPrice=22000&bodyStyleCodes=TRUCKS&mmt=[CHEV[CHEVC25[]][]]&listingId=339595483&listingIndex=3&Log=0

 

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=47172&endYear=2007&modelCode1=CHEVC25&showcaseOwnerId=4672542&startYear=2000&makeCode1=CHEV&sellerTypes=b&numRecords=100&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=20000&bodyStyleCodes=TRUCKS&mmt=[CHEV[CHEVC25[]][]]&listingId=338397459&Log=0

 

Both of these trucks are close to identical. The first one has the 6.0 and the second one has the 8.1. Both are CCSB and the first truck is 2 years newer with a few more miles.

Edited by memory1
dewfpo Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

Posted
Posted

I picked up a 06 8.1 in November and have put close to 11k miles on it since then. Drove it from WA to GA, and changed the oil from dino to synthetic. It had burned maybe .5 quart in 4000 miles. I then turned around and drove from GA back to WA. I now have close to 7k on the Mobil 1 and am not even down 1 quart. I really think it's hit or miss on if you get an oil burner. I suspect a lot of it comes from the early years when GM had a lot of slop and is less after they made the changes in 03(?). I did the back and forth on the 6.0 vs 8.1, and ultimately decided the difference in fuel economy was so minimal that I wanted to be able to tow and not know the trailer was back there.

I heard they made changes to the intake manifold bolts in the 2004 MY to solve this problem. Mine doesn't use much oil either and it's a '05.

 

DEWFPO

carload4916 Enthusiast

carload4916

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I would go with the 2003, soley for the color and fewer miles.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't know what it is but the white color does not do it for me, just to plain.

 

Hopefully I will go test drive them tomorrow and find out more details.

Edited by memory1
ATMINF Enthusiast

ATMINF

Posted
Posted

I would go with the white one, it does have more miles, but it does not look like it was used to tow a gooseneck or 5th wheel. So it probably only towed "medium" heavy loads 6000-10,000. While the 2003 has a gooseneck ball in the bed, and probably used hard to tow heavy loads. Granted that's just a guess, but most bumper towing is max around 10k, where as a gooseneck and 5th wheel goes up to 16,000. Both trucks are capable of towing up to 16K in the gooseneck/5th wheel configuration, and bumper pull up to 12k.

carload4916 Enthusiast

carload4916

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Hopefully I will get to go tomorrow to look at them and try to find out what these trucks were used for.

 

Are you sure both trucks can pull the same amount? It looks like the maroon one has a heavy duty trailering package and heavier springs and the white one does not have that according to the specs. The heavy duty trailering package was another thing I liked.

 

One thing that concerns me is the maroon one was in an accident according to carfax. It looks like it just had damage to the right rear.

 

One thing I don't understand. Why are some carfax reports free and others you have to pay for?

 

I found another truck I am interested in. http://louisville.craigslist.org/ctd/3639796374.html

 

This one does have a few more miles but is also a little cheaper. Is there a big difference between Chevy and GMC?

Edited by memory1
kstruckcountry Senior Enthusiast

kstruckcountry

Posted
Posted (edited)

Basically no difference between Chevy and GMC. Most people stay away from vehicles with 5th wheel hitches and overload springs because those are generally trucks that have been used the hardest. However, since the mileage is decent I wouldn't worry about it too much if everything is in order. I've seen babied low mile trucks have tons of issues, and beat to hell work trucks that run fine. A lot is luck.

Edited by kstruckcountry
Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

GMC usually runs a little more expansive new. I prefer the look of the GMC. But that particular try l looks like a good deal. Decent miles on it. Doesn't hurt to go look at it and ask questions

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

 

 

becker87 Senior Enthusiast

becker87

Posted
Posted

I would go with the white one, it does have more miles, but it does not look like it was used to tow a gooseneck or 5th wheel. So it probably only towed "medium" heavy loads 6000-10,000. While the 2003 has a gooseneck ball in the bed, and probably used hard to tow heavy loads. Granted that's just a guess, but most bumper towing is max around 10k, where as a gooseneck and 5th wheel goes up to 16,000. Both trucks are capable of towing up to 16K in the gooseneck/5th wheel configuration, and bumper pull up to 12k.

 

Good point, I guess the moral of this thread is go drive them both, get the one that seems to be in better shape.

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