Another tow question

[Tin Hut]

I'm trying to weigh pros/cons between a GM tow vehicle with 6.0 liter and the 4.10 ratio vs the 8.1 liter and 3.7 ratio. I'd think the 6.0 liter would get better mileage and the 4.10 gives me close to the same towing capacity as the larger engine. Sort of a Ginger vs Mary Ann I guess, but I'd appreciate the groups wisdom.

[vajeep]

Hut,
Chevorlet considers 1 quart of oil for every 100 gals of fuel normal. I have a friend that has a 2500 Suburban that would be happy to talk to you. Just pm me and I will give you his number.
As far as the 4.10 gears the weight of your trailer will be your guide.
From the Chevy trailer data:
2wd 6000 vortec 3.73 #7900 8100 10,500
2wd 4.10 #9900 8100 12,000

4wd 6000 3.73 #7600 8100 10,200
4.10 #9600 8100 12,000

(with quadrasteer -300#)
For my 27' Overlander the 4.10 rear is over kill and I will work to change my gears back to 3.73.
Hope this helps!
Abe

[cosmotini]

Originally Posted by Tin Hut

Sort of a Ginger vs Mary Ann I guess, but I'd appreciate the groups wisdom.

As a kid, I was partial to Ginger, but now would think she'd be "high maintenance", so I'd opt for Mary Ann


Dennis

[Tin Hut]

I've always stuck with Mary Ann.

[thenewkid64]

At the risk of being a bit off color:

Ginger is the one you want to date and get lucky with. Mary Ann is the one you want to marry.

I try to think long term

[summerkid]

The two concepts are mutually exclusive? Ick.

[john hd]

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

At the risk of being a bit off color:

Ginger is the one you want to date and get lucky with. Mary Ann is the one you want to marry.

I try to think long term

my thinking exactly brett!

john

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

At the risk of being a bit off color:

Ginger is the one you want to date and get lucky with. Mary Ann is the one you want to marry.

I try to think long term

Brett... I'm appalled! That would be appalled with a Capital "A", two "p"s, and two "l"s.

Roger

[john hd]

so who would you pick roger?

john

[davidz71]

tin hut,
I considered the 6.0 with 4.10 vs. the 8.1 with either the 3.73 or 4.10 rear end. I can tell you that the 6.0 really likes the 4.10 since it likes to rev. I chose the 8.1 over the 6.0 in the 2001 model because of more than numerous complaints about noise (CSK) from the 6.0. I have been extremely pleased with my 8.1/Allison auto transmission combination and now have 33,100 miles on it with no problems. They seem to have taken care of the short piston noise problems they were having with the 6.0.

Comparing comments made from forum members and those from the www.pickuptrucks.com forum, the 6.0 gets 2-3 mpg more on the highway solo (18 mpg) than the 8.1 (14.5-15 mpg) but towing seems to be a dead heat (10-12 mpg). I'd rather have the extra power/performance of the 8.1, reliability of the Allison (the manual is good also) over the 4 speed auto of the 6.0, and the fact that the rear end is a heavier duty unit with the 8.1/Allison combination. Matter of fact, it has the same transmission/rear end that the 3500 dually has. You can't ask for a better combination out of a 2500hd than that other than the increased mpg of the diesel.

Towing capacity of the 6.0 with 4.10 in the 2500hd ext. cab short bed 2X4 is 1,400 lbs. less than the 8.1 with 3.73 in the same configuration. The 4x4 with 6.0 has 1,900 lbs. less than the 8.1. I think you get the picture. There is no substitute for cubic inches.

[Tin Hut]

Thanks Craig for the advice. That's the way I'm leaning. Sounds like most of the issues with piston slap has diminished in the last year or so and I like the reserve power the 8.1 has over the 6L

[vajeep]

FWI

the 6000 vortec has 325 hp and 365# of torque
the 8100 vortec has 320 hp and 440# of torque and is a $950 option.
the extra 75# of torque cost $12.66 per pound is pretty steep in my book.

abe

[87MH]

Originally Posted by vajeep

FWI

the 6000 vortec has 325 hp and 365# of torque
the 8100 vortec has 320 hp and 440# of torque and is a $950 option.
the extra 75# of torque cost $12.66 per pound is pretty steep in my book.
abe

The following was downloaded from the Chevy Vortec Engine site:

First, the specs on the 6.0 liter engine:
Horsepower:
325 @ 5000 rpm
GMC Sierra Denali
320 @ 5000 rpm
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL/XL Denali & Suburban
315 @ 5000 rpm
H2 (prelim)
300 @ 4400 rpm
Chevy Express, GMC Savana, 3500 series, 2500 HD & 3500 GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pickup and crewcab

Torque:
370 @ 4000 rpm
GMC Sierra Denali
365 @ 4000 rpm
GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali
360 @ 4000 rpm
GMC Yukon XL/Suburban, Chevy Express & GMC Savana 3500 series
H2 Prelim
2500 HD & 3500 GMC Sierra & Chevy Silverado pickup and crewcab

And for the 8.1 liter:

Horsepower:
340 @ 4200 rpm L18
325 @ 4000 rpm MD L18 w/LRW power option
295 @ 3600 rpm MD L18 w/LRZ power option
225 @ 3600 rpm MD L18 w/LQR power option

Torque
455 @ 3200 rpm L18
450 @ 2800 rpm MD L18 w/LRW power option
440@ 3200 rpm MD L18 w/LRZ power option
350 @ 1200 rpm MD L18 w/LQR power option

Originally Posted by vajeep

the 6000 vortec has 325 hp and 365# of torque

The 325/365 are at 5000 and 4000 rpm.

Originally Posted by vajeep

the 8100 vortec has 320 hp and 440# of torque

The 320/440 rating is about 4000 and 3200 rpm.

In my opinion, the 8.1 liter engine is the clear winner. The 6.0 liter would be turning it's heart out at a continuous 4000 to 5000 rpm.

Granted, I would not turn the 8.1 liter at 4000 rpm continuously either, but my 454 engine runs all day long in the 345 at 3000 rpm.

And gets up to 3600rpm in second for as long as it takes to pull a hard hill.

All depends on what you really need - my vote would be for the 8.1 liter for consistant heavy duty work.

[vajeep]

The numbers I posted were from the Chevrolet.com build it site. The numbers were from the options area for motor choices.
I am all about knowing more about the motor that is in my Suburban.
I am rated for 9300# total trailer wt. Our 27' Overlander is rated at 4500 empty. I long ago realized the Ford/Chevy Gas/Diesel Ginger/Mary-Anne
etc.. Was all about what the driver wanted to be driving. I love this forum because I always get honest answers.

Abe