I just replaced my old trusty 1989 Suburban with the vehicle of my dreams......2004 Chevy Suburban 2500 LT, 4WD. It has the 8.1 Liter Big Block (It's a monster), 4.10s, power everything, and I got the "Secret Service" Black with tan leather interior. Now I won't slow down when I'm going up Sandstone Hill on I64 in WV. This hill is 4.5 miles long and has about a 9% grade. It's the mother of all hills. My old Suburban, while towing my Camaro, would slow from about 77-80mph at the bottom to about 40-42mph at the top. This thing should maintain 65-70mph on the hill, towing the car, without sweat.

 

hope you got a good one, the problem with those motors were burning oil within 30k. 7mpg not good. im sure they fixed the problem by now.

 

I'll keep my eye on it. As far as the mileage, my '89 got between 9 and 11mpg, and that was without much power. Now, at least I'll have the grunt whenever I want. Plus this one has the Autoride suspension, and it rides like a Cadillac compared to the old straight-axled '89.

 

I think you'll be surprised as to how much MPH you'll still lose.......... But then again i don't have any experience with the 8.1. I just find that most gas motors don't like to be bogged and worked. If you make the trip soon post up how she did.

 

i want one now

the 350 is getting old

 

What no more "the basics is enough" ??????

 

I've got the 8.1 mated to the Allison 5-speed and a 3.73. I run a lot of standard load wieght (about 1,500 #) with part of that in a high wind drag ladder rack. Power up hills is no problem, but the loud sucking sound of the fuel being drained from the tank can be distracting. With normal driving in town, I get about 10 MPG. With my trailer loaded with 5 ATV's and running a steady 70 MPH, it runs about 7-1/2 MPG. I'm taking it on a 2000+ mile ATV vacation trip this summer and am removing the ladder rack just for the trip to see what kind of milage I can get.

It does burn some oil - Chevy considers this in the normal range. I usually need to add 2 qts. when it's getting close to oil change time. Great engine, great tranny, lots of power and pull but the next truck will be a diesel.

Jaybee

 

This motor doesn't bog, period. My dad has an '02 2500HD crewcab with the 8.1 and Allison. He pulls a 26" enclosed car trailer, and that thing maintains on hills, even without full throttle, and that trailer with the car and fully loaded, weighs about 8000 pounds (Fully equipped Haulmark Edge with finished walls/ceiling/floors/cabinets, etc.).

This motor revs eagerly just like the LS-based engines (just not as high).

 

Here is my Suburban.
See if this link works, Suburban

If not, here is my Yahoo album:

My yahoo album

 

Congrats on the new truck. A couple of friends have pickups with the 8.1L and love them, tons of power. They have not experienced the "oil consumption" problem mentioned earlier either.

Enjoy.