How much power from a 8.1?

[Smokin72on20s]

anyone know the specs hp/tq on a 2001 8.1 chevy big block crate motor? asssuming the motor is all stock. The motor is complete, with all the fuel injection. Would could i expect for gas mileage out of this engine?

[lukecp]

Something like 345hp and 455ft. lbs.

[miket]

It's a torque motor...the one in my 2001 Suburban puts out 345hp/467+/- lb/ft torque.

I hear there are some changes coming around for this motor that will improve power. There are superchargers available for them as a bolt on....dyno was done a few weeks back on a 2500 'Burb with 4 wheel drive that put almost 500hp to the ground.

[Smokin72on20s]

what about gas mileage? Are those 8.1s good motors? this motor has 0 miles on it. will it be trouble down the road, or is it a reliable well built motor?

[miket]

They are good motors.

Whats the story? How did you come about it? What's it going in?

I get 13mpg no matter what.....thats also hauling my Chevelle from Missoula MT to Seattle over 2-3 passes averaging 80mph.

[Smokin72on20s]

Well, there is a guy i know that has a 2001 8.1 crate motor with 0 miles on it. It is complete except for ECM and harness. He wants $2300 for it. I was going to put a LT1 in my truck, but now this motor seems like a good deal. I plan on driving my truck everyday, and i dont want to suffer too badd from poor gas mileage. My truck is a 72 Chevy SB 2wd. What kind of trans would work with it? Would a 4L60E work?

[gonebad2]

I have that engine in my 02 2500 HD. On the average, I get around 15 MPG. I don't keep my foot out of it. Plenty of power and hills don't slow it down. The computer cuts out just a little over 100 mph though. I have just a little under 9,000 miles on it. No trouble with it.

[miket]

If it were me, I would pass.

Those motors are HEAVY. They have iron heads on em.

I would go another route...but thats me.

[gonebad2]

I would have to agree with MIKET. save a little more $$$ and go for an LS1. I had an '01 Camaro with a six speed. It got great gas mileage and was really quick. I think you would be much happier. I believe it's the same external dimensions as an earlier smallblock (could be wrong) plus it's all aluminum I sold the car when it hit 25,000 miles. I beat the living crap out of that car on a daily basis and the drivetrain help up just fine. Plus it seems Painless has the wiring you need. Good Luck To You...Greg

[cableguy0]

but because something that gets greats mileage in a nice light aerodynamic camaro could get sh!t mileage in a truck its all about torque and the lt1/ls1 arent torque monsters that 8.1 is. if it were me i would go with the 8.s and have a puter custom done for it to let it run at full potential

[gonebad2]

Guess it depends what kind of power you are after. I have no idea how much my 2500 HD weighs..(4x4 extended cab,short bed). But I would imagine it weighs more than a 67-72 short bed. Got the Camaro past 150 mph many times. Can't get the truck past 100. A guy I know did an LS-1 conversion. Truck(72 short step) really gets on it. You're right, the ls/lt1's are not torque monsters. But they are awesome at high speeds. I guess it just depends what you are looking for.

[miket]

Whoa....there is only 100 lb/ft of torque difference between these motors....but several hundred pounds in weight. Besides, You can get a crate 350 with 260hp and 350lb/ft of torque for $1495.00 with 3 year 50,000 mile warranty.....why buy this 496?

The LT1 and LS1 are VERY respectable in terms of torque especially when you consider the weight.

[68LSS1]

Originally posted by cableguy0
but because something that gets greats mileage in a nice light aerodynamic camaro could get sh!t mileage in a truck its all about torque and the lt1/ls1 arent torque monsters that 8.1 is. if it were me i would go with the 8.s and have a puter custom done for it to let it run at full potential

Do you have any idea what a fully loaded SS or WS6 weighs? And I'm not even going to bring T-tops or convertables into it. Take some guesses.

[gonebad2]

That's true. I used to take the Camaro up to around 5000 rpm and sidestep the clutch. The tires would spin forever....I traded it in on the 2500HD. I feel sorry for the person that buys that car.Hehehehehe. 25,000 miles of pure abuse. But it was a fun toy while I owned it and still made out pretty good when I traded it in.

[Dean23]

id suggest that they r between 3600 and 3800lbs

[gonebad2]

Maybe around 3000 to 3200 pounds???? Mine was a t-top. My Sister has a 35th anniversary convertible with an automatic. Mine with the six speed was a little quicker. I raced my brother in law a few times....On a closed track of course(yeah right)..Take Care Guys...

[miket]

Guess whats in the 4200lb ImpalaSS and 9C1 Caprice police car?


LT1....260hp/330lb/ft torque...good to 140mph.

[68LSS1]

Originally posted by Dean23
id suggest that they r between 3600 and 3800lbs

We have a winner.

[Smokin72on20s]

miket, give me a link to where i can buy a crate motor with 260hp/330ft tq for $1495! i didnt know you could get them for that cheap. Is that a fuel injected motor or carb? I want a fuel injected motor.

[lukecp]

I'm not Mike....but both Summit and Jet's sell the carb'd crate motors for that price....as well as your local GM deler, Scoggin Dickey, and Pace Performance.

[miket]

Smokin72on20s:

Here are some links to look at:

330hp/380lb/ft $2200


or 285hp/355lb/ft $1995

These are carbed engines. If you are looking for F.I motors complete....it will be more $$$$ unless you get a salvage.....which I have heard you can get for 2500-as much as you want to pay...

Check out Sallee Chevrolet

[lewi]

go direct to the GM site at http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/ca...ry_ID=7&Page=1

Nice info on the crate enginges that they have avail.

[Bram]

I have an 8.1L in my 2002 3/4 ton crewcab 4x4 GMC and love it!
Now about the gas mileage, this thing drinks the gas bad! I average 10 mpg, and the best I've seen is 12. When I hook up to my horse trailer though this beast has all the power and then some and I usually pull around 15 thousand pounds. I didn’t buy the big block for good gas mileage I bought it for the power.

[palallin]

Go for torque, first, last, and always: it's a truck.

[68LSS1]

I prefer "Build for horsepower, gear for torque."