2500 8.1 VS 6.0

The Dude · February 27, 2004

Thinking of buying a new 2500 HD 4x4, either extended or crew cab, and was wondering if the 8.1 is worth the money and loss in gas milage, or if I should just go with the 6.0? The only thing I will be towing is my 19 foot bass boat so I guess I really don't need the extra power. But d**n, that big block sure is tempting.

HendyPhoto · February 27, 2004

Go with the 8.1, the mileage isn't all that much worse. You will love it. Better over-kill than under-kill.

GM GIMP · February 27, 2004

I've had both and actually prefer the 6.0 for everything

except heavy towing. But if you want just down-to-earth

raw power get the 8.1, it has plenty and then some!

03GMC2500HD · February 27, 2004

I have the 6.0L and have no complaints for what I do with my truck but if money wasn't an issue I would have got the 8.1L instead. From all the post I have seen, the gas mileage is just about equal between them so I would not even consider the MPG and issue. Comes down to $$$ and power if you ask me.

c5vetteman · February 27, 2004

When comparing gas mileage, are you guys comparing the 8.1 w/ 4:10 gears or the 8.1 w/ 3.73 gears as the 6.0HD only comes with the 4:10 rear end?

linda · February 27, 2004

8.1L with 4.10 gears = stuck to your seat power

the difference in price is only $850, that cant be much over the life of the loan.

If your buying a 2500HD why would you even be considering gas milage as an option? That went out the window when you decided on the 2500HD.

Go with the 8.1L....you will absolutely not be disapointed. I would drive both and feel the diference for yourself. Either way you will have yourself a nice truck for sure.......Good luck

builderpaul · February 27, 2004

The 8.1 is only about $850 more unless you want an automatic than you have to get the allison and that really jumps the price.

Larr · February 28, 2004

I have the 6.0 with 4.10.If they would of have had a 8.1 on the lot or coming in I would have taken that,get the 8.1.

daytona · February 29, 2004

Bottom line is.......what your going to be doing with the truck. I use it for towing a 13,000# boat...........and I have always found the 8.1 with 4:10's over the years to be the best. The larger the motor the more eaze of towing. If it's just an air hauler...........then the 6.0 is the way to go

I also have a 2002 3500 van.....with a Quigley 4X4 coversion, 8.1 with 4:10's and it tows great. Tried to order a 2004 van but the 04's only come with a 6.0 now.........I can't see it towing

422 SS · February 29, 2004

Tried to order a 2004 van but the 04's only come with a 6.0 now.........I can't see it towing

I tow 12-16k on a regular basis with my 2003 3500 Express cargo van with 6.0 and 4.10's.I think alot of people assume things without knowing facts.My van tows that load just as well as my 2002 Silverado HD 8.1 with 3.73's.Granted if I was towing in the mountains our crosscountry daily I would skip the 8.1 and get a Duramax.60% better mileage,quicker and stronger truck than a 8.1 also.The guy that made the original post only needs a 6.0 to pull a bass boat that weighs what 4000 lbs.That's easy towing for 4.8 or 5.3 equipped 1500 even.

linda · February 29, 2004

Granted if I was towing in the mountains our crosscountry daily I would skip the 8.1 and get a Duramax.60% better mileage,quicker and stronger truck than a 8.1.

yup, you got some more torque, i will agree. Quicker? Absolutely not, at least in its stock form anyway. Stronger? Would have to disagree there too, unless your saying its stronger than a 6.0L which would be acurate. The 6.0L has smaller frame rails and i believe a few other frame differences as well. However, the way gas prices are going the better gas milage is definately an incentive. Of course your talking about a $5200 add on for the DMAX plus a $1200 trany if you want the allison. Gas milage and a 60lb/ft of torque difference from the 8.1L dosent justify that much money for me. I drive my 8.1L/alli 4500 miles a year tops, and i go up and down some pretty large mountains pulling some heavy loads, and this thing never even kicks down a gear. Its really up to the buyer and how he wants to spend his money ultimately.

Shark Bait · February 29, 2004

I would go with the 8.1. You may not need the 8.1 now but what about in the future??

Some years ago I needed a truck quickly so I bought a F**d F-250, 5.7, E4OD off of the lot since there were no 460s in Alaska (that should have told me something) and I did not have time to order one. Initially I was OK with the truck but once I got a bigger boat (6,000lbs) it really started to suck. Mileage was not much better (if any) than the 460 and pulling my boat up mountains became a pain in the a**.

When I bought my new Chevy I did not even consider the 6.0. I have a fully built big block in my Airboat and love it. (I don't drive enough miles per year or consistently tow large loads to justify a DMax - and besides diesels stink and rattle.) So I went with the 8.1, Allison, 3:78 and really, really love it. BTW the mileage of my 6700# 2500HD is BETTER than my 5.7 F**d (I still have it for runs to the dump and to haul crap in)).

For me it was a no brainner - look at your needs now and in the future and your pocketbook ($800 bucks spread over the life of the truck aint much). Either one is better than the competetion.

KurtMcMouth · March 1, 2004

Go for the Duramax, hook up some propane and you'll smoke the 8.1

422 SS · March 1, 2004

Granted if I was towing in the mountains our crosscountry daily I would skip the 8.1 and get a Duramax.60% better mileage,quicker and stronger truck than a 8.1.

yup, you got some more torque, i will agree. Quicker? Absolutely not, at least in its stock form anyway. Stronger? Would have to disagree there too, unless your saying its stronger than a 6.0L which would be acurate. The 6.0L has smaller frame rails and i believe a few other frame differences as well. However, the way gas prices are going the better gas milage is definately an incentive. Of course your talking about a $5200 add on for the DMAX plus a $1200 trany if you want the allison. Gas milage and a 60lb/ft of torque difference from the 8.1L dosent justify that much money for me. I drive my 8.1L/alli 4500 miles a year tops, and i go up and down some pretty large mountains pulling some heavy loads, and this thing never even kicks down a gear. Its really up to the buyer and how he wants to spend his money ultimately.

A duramax is faster in a drag race than a 8.1 liter.I do my drag racing at the track not on the internet.I have owned one of each and both trucks made numerous trips down the strip.The 8.1's that I have raced have been beaten by a minimum of 3 truck lenghts or 5 tenths of a second before I Juiced my Duramax.With the Juice they lose by buslenghts and about 1.5-1.8 seconds.I raced one of my racing buddies tow rig with my tow rig a Norwalk raceway.Both trucks crewcab longbed 4x4's his a 8.1,4.10 mine Dmax stock 3.73.He ran 16.40 in the 84 mph range and I went [email protected] was shocked that he got beat so easily.When I told him the mileage I get he decided to get a Dmax when his lease is up.For a 8.1 to run with a Juiced Dmax would take a 250 shot of nitrous or a supercharger with 10 pounds of boost. Only a fool pays full price for a Dmax,they can be had for $4000.00 more than a 6.0 gasser.I paid 4k for mine and have already saved almost $1600 in fuel costs in 22,000 miles.This is using the average fuel costs from the Dmax compared to the 8.1 I used to have.Anyone out there that thinks their 8.1 truck is faster than a Dmax should make a trip to a drag strip to see them run or come to Ohio and I will run you stock or Juiced.I have yet to lose to any HD gasser 6.0 or 8.1 in the 15 or so times I have ran them.I understand guys not wanting a diesel because of the noise,smell and fuel availability issues,but the it costs to much and their slow arguments are plan BS.My 8.1 truck was so shift happy on the slightest grade it drove me nuts while the Dmax loafs down the road a 2000 rpm in OD.My math says by 45,000 miles the fuel cost savings will pay for the upgrade and I'm saving money from that point forward.Also when I trade it they're worth 4-6k more than a comparable 8.1 truck.I average 25,000 miles a year and the huge savings was just to much for me to pass up.