8.1L vs DuraMax tow test

sillsmack · May 14, 2002

All,

Before the new HD trucks were available, TrailerLife magazine got thier grubby hands on a couple and hitched them up to a couple of 10,000lb RV trailers and dragged them through DeathValley.

It is a V E R Y interesting test.

Take a lookie :

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?ID=41779

~Mack

GreenRado · May 14, 2002

I have a lot more respect for the 8,1L now - somehow I didn't expect it to do quite as well!

Guess it depends on what you prefer really, except for the fuel mileage. Still, wonder about long-term durability, for heavy towing duties, of the 8.1L. But we don't really have long-term durability stats on the Duramax either, so who knows?!

antig24 · May 14, 2002

cool article, I didn't think the 8.1L would do that good.

pullinpower · May 15, 2002

Well in the real world it doesnt,at least the 8.1 Ext.Cab s.b.that caterpiller here in town has for a delivery truck won't run with my max going to wynne last weekend. We both had the same size load also. just my 2 cents.

FlyinGN · May 16, 2002

I, on the other hand was surprised that the 8.1 didn't do better. Im not a big fan of Japanese designed oil burners, and I know what properly tuned big blocks can do.. Give me a gas engine any day... The 8.1's I drove are monsters.. 490 cubic inches have a way about them

Frank

DaveRuane · May 16, 2002

That's 496 cubes!!! and I agree - also, no stinky floor mats with gas!

Kansas Kid · May 16, 2002

Thats pretty much the results I would have expected. In the loaded acceleration the Duramax is signifigantly quicker then the 8.1 (about 6 sec) despite being 1000lbs heavier. But when in the hills the 8.1 is able to run quicker not because of more power, but because it its able to take advantage of a wider RPM band. The gas motor was running at over 4000rpm in all of the hill climb tests while the diesel is just chugging along at around 2200rpm. That 2200rpm is going to be alot easier on the motor and more then likely quieter in the cab.

Really, both motors do a good job it just depends on what your preference is. As for me, lets just say I know what a properly tuned oil burner will do....

CMNTMXR81 · May 17, 2002

I have a lot more respect for the 8,1L now - somehow I didn't expect it to do quite as well!

Guess it depends on what you prefer really, except for the fuel mileage. Still, wonder about long-term durability, for heavy towing duties, of the 8.1L. But we don't really have long-term durability stats on the Duramax either, so who knows?!

Why is durability of GM's big blocks always questioned? You do realize the 8.1 is based on GM's old 7.4, I.E. 454 cube V8. How legendary is that V8? The 8.1 will continue that tradition.

The Duramax is one sweet and friggin awesome diesel, but practicality and ease of GAS is more important than a few extra MPG's out of a diesel at least to me.

And mine has no problems leaving tire down and getting up and moving! Some people are quite surprised that she sh*ts and gets as well as it does. My one friend thinks it should be illegal for a truck that size to be so quick.

GreenRado · May 17, 2002

So what you're saying is that a big block should have comparable durability and longevity, under similar towing histories, as a diesel designed and built for heavy duty towing?

Upon reflection, I think, in my first post here, I probably came off sounding like I had little respect for the 8.1L perhaps eliciting your response. Wrong. What I meant was that my respect just went even higher. Sorry if that was confusing. :blush:

Don't get me wrong, CMNT I'm not knocking GM big blocks at all - as a matter of fact, if I wanted a big block, I'd most certainly buy a GM. You have a point regarding the 454, however, and I will concede that if the 8.1 was built especially for heavy duty towing duties, then it should be dependable and durable.

Both of these engines are built by manufacturers and based on programs that have a long history of durability, but we still don't have specific longevity records for either engine - that's the major defense for the Cummins supporters, and also, to a lesser extent, the Powerstroke crowd.

pontiac_m18 · May 18, 2002

GREENRADO & others. As far as DURABILITY, how about a 2001 D/A WITH 300,000 MILES & still going strong!! His name is BROKER & his story is on PICKUPTRUCK.COM = wwwputc.com go to search & type in 300,000 miles & you can go down to the article= duramax durability to read all about it! Howard :exclaim:

GreenRado · May 19, 2002

I couldn't find the article, but if that's true, it's great!!

Just for the record, "stats" generally implies a meaningful number, usually several hundred observations at least, selected at random. I'm sure we will be getting these numbers sometime soon - there's got to be others who drive their D/A's a lot.

Guys, I'm not trying to put down anybody's ride selection here!

P.S. - Thanks for the info about the 300K miles though!

RedHawk · May 19, 2002

That is an interesting article .. Still comparing a power adder to a naturally aspirated gas motor.. The 8.1 is a damn strong but is a sleeping giant ,waiting on aftermarket bolt ons..

Stepside Z · May 20, 2002

Looks like GM has done a great job building two really great engines.

CMNTMXR81 · May 20, 2002

Green, it's not you in particular I meant to lash out at. I just keep reading people questioning the big block V8's durability. While no gas engine I know will match a diesel tick for tick for 300k+ miles, there's no way, unless due to some catastrophic nature that a big block gas V8 should die after 20,000 miles. They too should be able to easily reach the 100k mark and still pull strong.

And like RedHawk pointed out, the 8.1 is a sleeping giant. I can't wait for some heads & cam packages or more options on the forced induction front to come out for the 8.1. 496 cubes with enhanced breathing capabilities would be absolutely absurd....which is why I would have to have it.

Either way, it surprises me that the aftermarket is so slow to embrace both these engines.

GreenRado · May 20, 2002

Yeah man, I'm with ya. I definitely agree the 8.1 is ripe for some hot aftermarket parts - I know GM could easily, let alone the aftermarket arena, build the 8.1L to match or beat any Dod** V10 out there, only hope they do it!!

Something else just occurred to me - the mileage for nearly 500 CI is absolutely amazing. Remember those old Caddies w/ 505 CI (I think)?