Bib Block V8s are they dead?

lesmore49 · May 6, 2006

I have heard rumours that the 8.1 V8 maybe not offered in light duty trucks, as of the 2007 model year.

I wouldn't be happy as I have always felt the big rat motor has been a magnifcent engine, in all of it's permutations.

Top NASCAR race engine (remember the '63 Mystery Motor), top dragger, both street and strip, tremendous truck , motor home engine, Medium duty, car, marine engine..you name it, the Rat has done it.

I think GM will have a real hole in the option list if it drops the BBC.

Supposedly diesels will go up, markedly, (I've heard $3000-5000-7000-pick one, according to the rumour) because of more stringent emission requirements.

So, if this is the case, you would think that the BBC would be a more attractive option, for guys who tow heavy loads.

I don't think the BBC (RAT) is too old a design, it still makes competitve hp, even when compared to the , modern OHC Ford V10.

So if the rat is deleted, will anybody really notice? Is it time for this engine to clear out it's desk.

Les, the guy!

mmmikkke · May 6, 2006

That would make all the existing 8.1's more valuable... Do I sense a cult forming??

Mark_in_Tulsa · May 6, 2006

If I was GM I would ditch the BB. But as a fan I would want it around.

But I really don't see them keeping it.

But I too have heard these rumors of the increase in price for a diesel. But I don't know how GM will keep any sales if the raise the price that much. Dodge has come out with its new 6.7 Cummins, and it isn't raising its prices like that, and the new motor will blow away any current diesel, and it will pass the new emissions.

I still want all of the Big 3 to come out with smaller diesels for 1500. I think a nice little 300HP/400TQ small black diesel that gets 30mpg would sell like hotcakes.

May 7, 2006

I want a 572ci in mine!

Antibling · May 7, 2006

Ive driven the 8.1 on a 1200 mile road trip once, and all I can say is, good riddance.

It may have been that I had it with a auto tranny, but that thing was a dog.

And honestly, I think GM's making a wise move. Their HD trucks werent under much scrutiny for emissions till everyone and their grandma had to have a Dmax.

So I think this is a way for them to get rid of all the guys who buy HDs just to have a HD.

People who actually tow and use their HD's for work will figure out if the cost of having Dmax will be offset with their needs.

And honestly, how many trucks have you seen with the 8.1? Other than the truck I drove, I cant recall ever knowing anybody else with one. (I would say a good 75% of the people I know own HD GM's). They all either have the base 6.0 or a Dmax.

Octane · May 7, 2006

I think all the big displacement gas engines are going to go bye-bye because of emissions.

In some states you cant order a Ford Super Duty with a V10 (its only about 5 states right now).

I could see them dropping the bigger gas engines and leaving the diesels for the people who do lots of heavy hauling and just having 5.0L-6.0L gas engines for people who use their trucks for daily driving and light hauling.

Id personally love to have a diesel, but Im not too keen on the purchase and maintenance costs. What you save in fuel you more than spend in buying and maintaining the engine.

Shocker · May 7, 2006

With the rising CAFE standards, I would not be at all surprised to see the 8.1 go away. I also would expect to see smaller diesels in 1500s in the next couple of years. And I completely agree with Mark, they would sell.

May 7, 2006

Make no mistake about it, that engine will be dead. Look at the recent lawsuit over fuel economy standards. These tree-huggers won't pull any punches when it comes to this stuff

OUMike · May 8, 2006

Yea, I dunno. I'm a fan of the big blocks just like anyone, but honestly there isn't any room for them anymore. I think the posts above about a smaller (maybe 5.7 or so) diesel would be an icreadible seller. Fact is, I don't believe anyone needs an 8.1 in a light duty truck. If you have a load that requires that big of a tow, then get a D-Max. Its better for the enviroment, and its gonna last longer.

I've never ever seen anyone talk about expensive costs maintaing a diesel. I know the P-Stroke guys that live on my street have very expensive oil changes, but if you can't afford to change the oil in a $35-$40k truck, then you shouldn't be buying it anyhow. I think GMs truck line is going well. I look forward to the future, and since I'm about to a be a 200k Clubber, I'll get first glance at the new ones in Sept.

zippy · May 8, 2006

I'm expecting to see a bigger cubic inch small block to replace it myself, but I don't see any future for the big machine. With gas prices as high as they are they just aren't selling. I work for a chevy dealer. We sell 3-4 big blocks a year. It's not unusual for us to sell 3-4 diesels in a week.

Draenor · May 8, 2006

I'm expecting to see a bigger cubic inch small block to replace it myself, but I don't see any future for the big machine. With gas prices as high as they are they just aren't selling. I work for a chevy dealer. We sell 3-4 big blocks a year. It's not unusual for us to sell 3-4 diesels in a week.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As with the bigger small blocks, ya can just turbo/supercharge it.

Jared H · May 9, 2006

Why not just incorporate the new "Displacement on Demand" into the 8.1 to increase fuel economy when traveling unloaded as well as building them E85 compatible ... any thoughts?

IMO ... the LSX based small blocks will never be as durable as a big block. Largely because the big block is so overbuilt it can take a lot of abuse with out failure.

gave20 · May 9, 2006

Why not just incorporate the new "Displacement on Demand" into the 8.1 to increase fuel economy when traveling unloaded as well as building them E85 compatible ... any thoughts?

IMO ... the LSX based small blocks will never be as durable as a big block. Largely because the big block is so overbuilt it can take a lot of abuse with out failure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

2 things: we shouldn't need DoD to keep the big block alive; thanks to the morons in DC who pander to the environmental wackos we have pointless CAFE standards. If we where allowed to refine and produce more oil we could have even BIGGER engines in everything with plenty of power in reserve. Secondly GM could easily step up to the plate with E85 and make a statement about the benefits, how they're interested in keeping farms alive and making the country independent on foreign oil; I think they could change things around. It's going to take a car company or an oil company to say THIS will be our new fuel. You can't rely on the government.

Back in the real world: if GM was to implement your ideas that would make sense but lately that haven't done much of anything sensible.