8.1l Info

usarmy63b · June 11, 2009

hey guys, new guy here,

i am traditionally a diesel guy, but resently have heard a few stories that peaked my attention in reguards to the 8.1 vortec. i leave for army basic in a week and a half so i wont be truck shopping for awhile, but would like as much info as possible before i do go shopping. i know that gm discontinued their manual transmissions but when was that? is it possible to get the 8100 vortec w/ a stick? what years did they offer the 8100? what kind of fuel mileage would be expected? any idea in price? positive sides, and negitive sides? thanks in advance guys, i really appreciate the info, and sorry for the long post

jason

Draenor · June 11, 2009

There is a plethera of info about the 8.1 on here....

Supersporter40 · June 12, 2009

hey guys, new guy here,
i am traditionally a diesel guy, but resently have heard a few stories that peaked my attention in reguards to the 8.1 vortec. i leave for army basic in a week and a half so i wont be truck shopping for awhile, but would like as much info as possible before i do go shopping. i know that gm discontinued their manual transmissions but when was that? is it possible to get the 8100 vortec w/ a stick? what years did they offer the 8100? what kind of fuel mileage would be expected? any idea in price? positive sides, and negitive sides? thanks in advance guys, i really appreciate the info, and sorry for the long post

jason

Hey Jason, welcome to the fray.

So far I have located only two, maybe three 8.1's and the 6 speed combo. One of them I bought and have not regretted anything aside from it costing so much by the time the exchange rate was done with me and importing costs.

Doing all mixed driving town and highway we get 13.7mpg so far, I would bet 15 highway will be easy to get with the 265 M55's our truck wears.

Drove Dad's Cummins the other day, it is a stick too. It would outrun my 8.1 but not by much in the torque department.

I believe 06 or 07 was the last of the manuals, a dealer told me they were mostly special order at a ratio of 1/100,000. That is third party of course, take it with a fist full of salt. Too bad they don't make it anymore, puts the fun back in driving. Traffic really backs off when this one pulls away from the lights.

usarmy63b · June 12, 2009

thanks for the info Supersporter40, thats exactly what i was looking for. i do have a few more questions.... 1) if you dont mind, may i ask how much the rig ran you before importing and what not? and 2) ive never seen a chevy with a stick inside, do you have any interior pictures? thanks again.

Supersporter40 · June 12, 2009

Glad to help Jason.

Keep in mind the truck had a three inch body lift so the stick is lower in the pic than it should be.

Truck had 80,000 miles on it, got it for $16,000 If I recall, keep in mind it had five grand worth of lift, tires and wheels under it...

Yes I paid too much seeing it was an 02, but it is my favorite body style (last year they made it), it is my favorite color and if you want a farm stick to shift you can't be too picky.

Hulk1999 · June 12, 2009

Glad to help Jason.

Keep in mind the truck had a three inch body lift so the stick is lower in the pic than it should be.

Truck had 80,000 miles on it, got it for $16,000 If I recall, keep in mind it had five grand worth of lift, tires and wheels under it...

Yes I paid too much seeing it was an 02, but it is my favorite body style (last year they made it), it is my favorite color and if you want a farm stick to shift you can't be too picky.

Supersporter40,

Who makes a bodylift for the 8.1?

Hulk

Supersporter40 · June 12, 2009

Supersporter40,

Who makes a bodylift for the 8.1?

Hulk

Hulk, I couldn't find any brand name on the body lift. Suspension lift is a Fab Tech so maybe it was one whole kit?????

Far as I know it is the same lift for all the 2500HD's but I've never worked with them before, I could be very wrong.

Hulk1999 · June 12, 2009

Supersporter40,

Who makes a bodylift for the 8.1?

Hulk

Hulk, I couldn't find any brand name on the body lift. Suspension lift is a Fab Tech so maybe it was one whole kit?????

Far as I know it is the same lift for all the 2500HD's but I've never worked with them before, I could be very wrong.

Roger that. I wonder if a 6.0L body lift would work on an 8.1L. Just thinking about stuff instead of working.

Supersporter40 · June 17, 2009

Supersporter40,

Who makes a bodylift for the 8.1?

Hulk

Hulk, I couldn't find any brand name on the body lift. Suspension lift is a Fab Tech so maybe it was one whole kit?????

Far as I know it is the same lift for all the 2500HD's but I've never worked with them before, I could be very wrong.

Roger that. I wonder if a 6.0L body lift would work on an 8.1L. Just thinking about stuff instead of working.

FWIW I took all the goodies out of my 8.1 and put them in my 6.0. Had to swap the factory parts back and forth for bumper brackets etc, everything exchanged with no issues at all. A Duramax kit *might be a little different but I cannot say for sure.