'73 Country Squire DRW tow vehicle

In reply to DILYSI D

Uh, yes it is. It sucks gas and has no significant performance advantage over a 6.0. At least that was the case with the three '02 GMC's I drove. Definitely doesn't have performance on par with it's size. My smallish and old 454 has way more power in a heavier truck than any 8.1 I've driven.

I'm gonna have to go with the dissenters here. I love's me some weird but aside from the airbrushed wood grain there's nothing appealing about the customization on that car at all.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to DILYSI D Uh, yes it is. It sucks gas and has no significant performance advantage over a 6.0. At least that was the case with the three '02 GMC's I drove. Definitely doesn't have performance on par with it's size. My smallish and old 454 has way more power in a heavier truck than any 8.1 I've driven.

Sounds like you've driven broken trucks.

6.0 = 300HP / 360 ft/lbs.
454 = 290HP / 410 ft/lbs.
8.1 = 340HP / 455 ft/lbs.

In reply to DILYSI Dave

Have YOU driven them? I stand by my statement. What you posted are just peak numbers, which don't tell the whole story. I have driven several of all of these (your numbers on my 454 are incorrect, BTW), and the 8.1 doesn't offer any significant performance benefit to offset it's thirsty nature. It's also not supported well by the aftermarket, so improving it is difficult. That's all I'm going to say about it. I really feel no need to defend my opinion to you any further.

I have a 2002 2500HD long bed crew cab with the 8.1. It will tow the world. Empty, it is far quicker than something that weighs damn near 4 tons should be.

I posted the numbers for the strongest 454 offered in a Silverado that I could find. The old 454SS for instance was only good for 230 / 385.

You're right though, it is a thirsty bitch. I've eeked out 12mpg unloaded on the highway, driving slow. But pretty much, it's 10mpg, regardless of load or driving style.

Your opinion that you don't like it is fine. Just don't go spouting off incorrect assertions like "no significant performance advantage over a 6.0" and "less power than a 454". That's just spreading bad information.

I'd rather run a 3v 6.8L than an 8.1.......it makes awesome v10 noises while getting E36 M3 for milage.

The 390 in this won't get fuel milage, but the FE motors possessed unusual torque production. I've driven several 390 powered trucks that could pull just about anything.

In reply to DILYSI Dave:

Okay, I wasn't going to say anything more about this, but since you have accused me of spreading incorrect assertions, I feel I must.

First, you obviously have thin skin when it comes to your truck. Fact is, it IS slower than my 454 pickup, and by a pretty large amount. I know that because I've driven both. I'm pretty sure you haven't, so if you don't believe it, then come over and prove me wrong. Otherwise keep it to yourself, because I'm sure you wouldn't want to be accused on spreading incorrect assertions (I mean, who would, right?).

Second, I said my observations about the 8.1 were based on vehicles I've driven, and they were. No bad information there either, as it's my opinion. I drove otherwise identical GMC sierra 2500's back to back. Not numbers, not documented test, just my experience. One had the 6.0 and the other the 8.1. When I drove the 8.1 I immediately wondered where all the additional power was. I never said it wasn't more powerful or faster. I was disappointed in the difference as it didn't at all feel like 2.1 liters of additional power, and absolutely was not enough to justify the gas mileage.

Now, put that same engine in a vehicle like the one above that is undoubtedly much heavier, and..Wait for it...it's a pig of an engine. My 6.0 is a dog, and the 8.1 is a little better, but calling it fast? Ha, that's a joke.
That's my opinion. Take it or leave it, but don't call me a liar or mistaken for expressing and honest opinion based on an actual comparison that I did just because you are offended that I didn't praise the engine in your own truck.

^ BS. V10's are incapable of making awesome noises.

8.1's with the 4L80E are not as "strong" feeling as the same engine in front of the Allison 5-spd. Trans choice makes all the difference in the world.

In reply to Bobzilla:

Go back to listening to your kia bob.

And yep, I'm still pretty sure the 390 would pull about anything.

I would love that TopKick Van, love it... until I had to feed it and buy shoes for it. I remember when it was on ebay and wanting it then. I am not quite sure about the Country Squire, that is a awesome and then awful at the same time.

In reply to LopRacer:

If it didn't cost so much, I'd like to get the wagon and return it to stock. I think it would be a lot cooler that way.

My 8.1 was all kinds of quick in a big truck; I averaged 8mpg though and traded it for a duramax after 20k miles. Banks duramax ended up being much quicker and better than twice the mileage.

Back to our regularly scheduled airbrushed wood grain wagon discussion.

Just to keep things accurate this wagon is a 1972 and not a 1973 despite what the ad poster listed as the year. I drove a 1972 Ford and it has the small front bumpers. The 1973 was the first year of the 5 mph bumpers.