2003 8.1 l 2500

brian schuetta · 04-18-2017, 09:50 AM

Anybody have an opinion on these trucks? 130K, everything works, Allison trans, Dana rear, $6000. Has hail damage and there was a 5th wheel on it. Guy who has it just bought and says it has valve or lifter noise but in my opinion it's quiet and sounds normal. How many miles can you get out of these engines and what kind of mileage do they get?

Ed Wright · 04-18-2017, 11:34 AM

Those things were a problem to get past EPA certification. A friend of mine is a GM Calibration Engineer, and worked on that deal. Power and gas mileage left on the table there. All in the computer.

I have not heard any complaints about durability. I had one in a motorhome. Thought it was fine. Had mine up to 8 mpg towing my race car, if I stayed under 70.

Dwight Southerland · 04-18-2017, 12:33 PM

Brian -
I tried to respond to your PM but your email box is full.

Bob Don · 04-18-2017, 01:16 PM

I have a 2002 2500 HD with 8.1/Allison. Runs great, tows great. I have found a minor rap when first starting cold but it goes away in about 30 seconds. It uses a quart of oil in about 3k miles. I get about 10 mpg towing a 24' enclosed with a 3700# car (about 8000# total).

brian schuetta · 04-18-2017, 02:49 PM

PM mailbox fixed.

brian schuetta · 04-18-2017, 02:55 PM

I thought $6K was a good price for it. The owner says he's not comfortable with the noise he hears so it might be for sale again. It drives nice and you sure can feel the power. My other big block truck ( 1970, 3/4 ton, 402, TH400, Dana 60 4.11 ) is more of a museum piece now even with 83K miles. I really liked the new version BB and might wait for it to go up for sale again. So if you got a tune on that 8.1 there would be more mileage without hurting power?

04-18-2017, 09:50 AM	#1
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	2003 8.1 l 2500 Anybody have an opinion on these trucks? 130K, everything works, Allison trans, Dana rear, $6000. Has hail damage and there was a 5th wheel on it. Guy who has it just bought and says it has valve or lifter noise but in my opinion it's quiet and sounds normal. How many miles can you get out of these engines and what kind of mileage do they get?

04-18-2017, 11:34 AM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: 2003 8.1 l 2500 Those things were a problem to get past EPA certification. A friend of mine is a GM Calibration Engineer, and worked on that deal. Power and gas mileage left on the table there. All in the computer. I have not heard any complaints about durability. I had one in a motorhome. Thought it was fine. Had mine up to 8 mpg towing my race car, if I stayed under 70. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

04-18-2017, 12:33 PM	#3
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,980 Likes: 52 Liked 724 Times in 177 Posts	Re: 2003 8.1 l 2500 Brian - I tried to respond to your PM but your email box is full. __________________

04-18-2017, 01:16 PM	#4
Bob Don VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 1,476 Likes: 980 Liked 778 Times in 175 Posts	Re: 2003 8.1 l 2500 I have a 2002 2500 HD with 8.1/Allison. Runs great, tows great. I have found a minor rap when first starting cold but it goes away in about 30 seconds. It uses a quart of oil in about 3k miles. I get about 10 mpg towing a 24' enclosed with a 3700# car (about 8000# total). __________________ Bob Don 128 SS

04-18-2017, 02:49 PM	#5
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: 2003 8.1 l 2500 PM mailbox fixed.

04-18-2017, 02:55 PM	#6
brian schuetta Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san antonio tx Posts: 255 Likes: 5 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: 2003 8.1 l 2500 I thought $6K was a good price for it. The owner says he's not comfortable with the noise he hears so it might be for sale again. It drives nice and you sure can feel the power. My other big block truck ( 1970, 3/4 ton, 402, TH400, Dana 60 4.11 ) is more of a museum piece now even with 83K miles. I really liked the new version BB and might wait for it to go up for sale again. So if you got a tune on that 8.1 there would be more mileage without hurting power?