8.1 Towing/Performance

DonClark149 · July 30, 2004

I have a 01 3500 w/ 8.1 & Allison w/ 4.11 posi. I need to get places quick, usually sudden bursts of speed w the occasional freeway run. What can I do to the 8.1 to get the most power? I am very new to this engine, so any help would be greatly valued. I have thought of a Pro-charger, but their literature says one is not available. I would look at the Whipple, but no intercooler.

8100HD · July 30, 2004

Whipple is available with an intercooler for the 8.1....personally I would put on a non-intercooled kit and save the intercooler for room to grow.

Fastchevys · July 30, 2004

No complaints from the non-intercooled Whipple, I've had it since December 2001. Pulls my 26' enclosed car trailer with ease!

whitesnake01 · July 30, 2004

I have a Whipple on my 454, which I use for towing. I would definitely have bought an intercooler if one was available. I've had to seriously beef up my cooling system, from the stock HD system, to make it work acceptable well under heavy load. When you tow, you get hot, unless you drive on mostly flat terrain. The intercooler may also help you run on lower octane gas while towing.

As for power. Oh yea.

8100HD suggested a good approach. Start without one, and add it later. Based on my experience, you'll find out real fast if you need it. Try towing on a hot day with the A/C on in hills. Also get one range colder plugs right off the bat. Given you have an 01, get your radiator rodded out and flowtested as well. Good luck.

Chev8.1 · July 30, 2004

Give raylarengines.com a look if want look at a N/A motor.

Heck, with new heads, intake manifold, and cam. That good for 550 hp. throw in the whipple S/C and that good for 780hp. Pricey but too FUN.

Also this setup will need a performance allison from Suncoast, ATS, or TransGO.

tbyrne · August 1, 2004

I run the intercooled Whipple on my '02 8.1 Suburban and will be installing the non-intercooled version on '02 Silverado HD. I pretty much use these trucks for the same thing as you and also do some towing. I skipped the intercooler for the HD to do what others have mentioned - leave some room to grow. I've asked ATI if they will be doing anything for this motor. They don't have any plans for an 8.1 kit in the near future.

Fastchevys: How's your Allison doing behind the supercharger and other mods?

Raylar Engines makes some VERY good products for the 8.1! I see that they now have their Cool Gap intake manifold available along with a bunch of other parts for the 8.1. I'll be making another call over to them tomorrow

It's interesting that alot of us though so much of the stock 8.1 when they first came out a few years ago. Now we're looking to add a few hundred more horsepower to the rear wheels!

2002 8.1 Silverado HD - Full Throttle lift, 37" tires, 4.56 gears, Comp Cam, TOG headers, Volant induction plus more! Whipple supercharger coming soon!

2002 8.1 Suburban -Intercooled Whipple supercharger, 22" wheels/tires + more - 407hp/558 ft-lb torque at the rear wheels - 13.93 @ 95.79 MPH

www.tbyrnemotorsports.com