8.1 v8 GMC (vehicle, 2013, fuel, credit)

[Electrician4you]

I might have a chance to pick up a 2002 crew cab long bed GMC with a 8.1. Any bad things I need to know about this beast? I drove one a long time ago when I was shopping for a truck. It was between that and my 7.3 diesel. I dont remember much but I remember thinking holy crap this thing hauls azz. So I remember it wasn't exactly slow. I'm figuring it's at least as thirsty as a drunk sailor at Mardi Gras. I'm guessing 12-14 mpg if I'm granny driving it?

[SD4020]

I get 12 to 14 mpg with my 6.0 in a 2500 4x4. I am not sure how it is with the 8.1. I am starting to look at a 2011 to 2013 Ford F-250 with a 6.2 gas. I am not aware of any glaring faults with the 8.1.

[Electrician4you]

Originally Posted by SD4020

I get 12 to 14 mpg with my 6.0 in a 2500 4x4. I am not sure how it is with the 8.1. I am starting to look at a 2011 to 2013 Ford F-250 with a 6.2 gas. I am not aware of any glaring faults with the 8.1.

Cool man. I'm reading up on 8 liters. They don't seem problematic as far as I can tell.

[415_s2k]

I sold those when I worked for Chevy, around 02-03. They are plenty reliable, as reliable as any other GM V8.

But, yes: they suck gas. Badly. They are really fast; I had an Avalanche 2500 8.1 dealer car for a couple weeks, and that thing could make a BMW with a 3.0 and any one of a number of other cars blush off the line, but you could literally see the gas needle moving down while you floored it.

I'd love to have one, of course Sadly I don't think there are any in China.

[Tiffer E38]

I have a 2002 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1. 12,000 lb towing capacity, and quick as heck, but yeah, gas mileage suffers. it gets 12 mpg loaded or unloaded. Stout engines, though, and should last a long time. Love driving it though, smooth, with a mild rumble to the engine note. It also seems to do well on regular gas (even towing heavy), so it doesn't cost quite as much to run as you might think, especially if it's not your daily driver.

[LakeLifePA]

I have the 8.1 in my motorhome and love it. Maintenance is easy, and it is a beast compared to the old 454s.

[Electrician4you]

I had to pass on it. Way too big to park where I work now.

[JaxRhapsody]

I didn't know gm had an eight liter gasser, Inwonder if they put it in anything else, surely not the escalades I have beaten with a lowly 2.0L

[GTOlover]

Originally Posted by JaxRhapsody

I didn't know gm had an eight liter gasser, Inwonder if they put it in anything else, surely not the escalades I have beaten with a lowly 2.0L

I was used in their 3/4-ton Suburban 2500HD and GMC/Chevy 2500HD/3500HD PU trucks Full size Vans and Medium Duty commercial trucks busses and RV's

[Stonepa]

I had a 2004 Suburban K2500HD with the 8.1. Ran great, hills made no impact , quite on cruise, loud piston slap on start up, terrible gas mileage. Example: My Suburban has 2 26 gallon fuel tanks. Back when gas was expensive, I told my wife to never let the truck go below 1/2 a tank. Couldn't take the cost of that gas hit. One day she brings the car home almost empty. I took it in for gas and, because of the $75 credit card limit many gas stations once had, I had to restart the pump 4 times to fill it up. That was the beginning of the end for that vehicle in our household.