No more Big Blocks....R.I.P.

[Charley Lillard]

http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...p;ana=e_article (http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/12/14/daily25.html?surround=etf&ana=e_article)

[SOM2001SS]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[PeteLeathersac]

Anyone else here getting that sick feeling the more it seems GM keeps flushing history and the good things they still had left down the toilet?.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
~ Pete

[69Tom]

That's a sad day. I shall tip one back in honor of my grandfather's time spent there.

[Chevy454]

Bummer...but should be no surprise. The only market they had for the 8100 was in marine & commercial applications...and GM is leaving the the medium duty truck market by canceling the Topkick/Kodiak lines. The 8.1L was a *dandy* engine (we own 2), but GM's hand was forced by our own government & it's ever tightening emissions/economy regulations...

[Born30YrsLate]

Yes...sad indeed...I am also looking at it as they are now building small blocks with the same cubic inches AND more horsepower as the famous big blocks from of old...although there is no replacement for displacement...except for maybe a supercharger/turbo....

[Mr. Chevy]

I'm certain the Federal Government has a hand in this.. They don't want these motors around anymore... Very Sad http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

Rich

[Charley Lillard]

They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm certain the Federal Government has a hand in this.. They don't want these motors around anymore... Very Sad http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

Rich

[/ QUOTE ]

Those big blocks are bad for the environment...everyone knows that. The polar ice pack has gotten smaller every year since they were introduced. Hopefully the ice will now return...at least a few cubes for my drink http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Jim69Z]

Here is a video from our local station today
http://www2.wivb.com/dpp/news/business/150-jobs-and-V8-engine-are-off-the-line

[67 Nova Boy]

Here is a few that might put a smile on your faces!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif Wonder what the reserve is on these. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/961-962-9...=item5ad5be9999 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/961-962-942-351-406-321-323-439-440-170-270-BBC-Blocks_W0QQitemZ390133094809QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMot ors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5ad5be999 9)


67 Nova Boy

[W117Monte]

what plant produced the special order stuff like 502s, and 572s? will they still be around?

[RPO LS7]

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301629

[old5.0]

[ QUOTE ]
They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

I drive a new 6.0 powered 3/4 ton Chevy every day at my job, and I have to say it's stronger than any older 454 truck I've ever been around.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
They are obsolete. Drive a Duramax or strong LS engine and you will see why nobody needs the old big blocks anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]
LOL...true to a point, but the Dmax is terribly complex/expensive, and the LS engine in the HD series won't pull with the big block...my opinion, the 8.1L was *the best* bang for the buck for a no-nonsense HD/towing application. No, you won't have the unloaded fuel mileage of a Dmax (loaded they're nearly identical), but the 496 is 10x easier to maintain or diagnose than it's diesel counterpart. And, last I knew, the 8.1L carried the highest *legal* GVW in the 3500 chassis (before they axed the engine option)...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Not to mention the added initial cost, added maintenance costs, etc...don't get me wrong, we own 2 Dmax trucks and love them, but we also own 2 8.1L trucks...and I hated seeing the 8.1L option go.

[PxTx]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif I love my 8.1 and the 6.0 doesn't compare when pulling trailers. I can't offer an opinion on a 6.2 with the variable cam phasing. I'm sorry to see the 8.1 go, especially with how the newer diesel are less mod friendly and super complicated.

[m22mike]

Another 8.1 fan here...01 2500HD http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif I love my 8.1 and the 6.0 doesn't compare when pulling trailers.

[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto...everyone around here I've talked to that had the 6.0 wished they'd gotten the 8.1L...except for *1* guy, who swears he's getting 18+ mpg from his 6.0! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Anyway, every one of the 6.0 guys say it's the same gas hog the 8.1L is, minus the extra grunt...and you're stuck with either the 5-speed manual or the 4L80/85e, versus the 6-speed or Allison if you go 8.1L.

[m22mike]

Rob
Do you happen to know what the last model year was that Chevy offered the 8.1 gas motor?
And I have heard the same thing on the mileage, around 10 when towing with both http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Your working the 6.0 harder with less tranny. JMO

[1969z280]

I have an '04 2500 Extended cab 4x4 with the Allison and 4.10 Posi. It pulls anything I put on it and has never ever let me down. The Duramax is a great engine but I move my truck almost every day out of the shop and would have gummed up a duramax long ago. Unless your non stop towing the 8.1 is the perfect truck. I ordered it new and will keep it forever. JMO. Ed

[Smokey]

A close friend has a 6.0 with the Allison. Its in a new style. I also have a Duramax with a 480 behind it and a duramax with an Allison. The tranny makes a huge difference.

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
A close friend has a 6.0 with the Allison. Its in a new style. I also have a Duramax with a 480 behind it and a duramax with an Allison. The tranny makes a huge difference.

[/ QUOTE ]
You sure about that 6.0/Ally combo? Are you talking about 2500/3500 trucks? I was thinking trucks got the hydra matic 6-speed automatic (6L80/90e derivative), because I'm pretty sure the Duramax is the only 2500/3500 application that gets the Ally?? How you like the Dmax van??? Those things are waaay detuned because of the tranny, but I always thought they were cool...

And 2007 was the last year for the 8.1L in a 2500/3500 truck...