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THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor. |
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#1
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GM8100 & Allison experience ?
I’m looking at a 07 Kodiak 5500 with 8100 GM & Allison driveline. Normally I’d prefer a diesel but the price is attractive. It has under 50k miles and was garaged and used exclusively for pulling a horse trailer to shoes. Is this a good power train and is it powerful enough to handle a 5th wheel camper through hills ?
No, the gas mileage isn’t a concern, it won’t be a daily driver. Just a toy hauler for vacations and hauling my off road toys.
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Two 1975 455 Grandvilles & '79 455 Trans Am ‘69 Camaro SS 396/375 (owned since ‘88) ‘22 Toyota Sequoia V8 ‘23 Lexus LS500 awd ‘95 Ford F-super duty 4wd 7.3 p-stroke & countless Jeeps & off road vehicles. |
#2
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We used to have a 2007 duallie with that power train. Used it to pull a heavy gooseneck horse trailer with living quarters. Much better torque than a 454. Not as much as a Duramax but we were happy with it. It actually got a little better mileage than the 454's because you need less throttle and would stay in closed loop most of the time. High % throttle position throws the computer into open loop and the fuel injection richens significantly.
FWIW, Eric
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"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" noted philosopher Mike Tyson Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” |
#3
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Only thing I remember hearing about them was they tend to use a little oil. I considered this combo years ago, but they never stayed on the market very long. Ended up with an 09 Duramax.
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#4
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The 8.1 Allison combo is a great setup. The diesel would be more powerful, but the 8.1 can hold its own.
The Allison trans is an absolute unit.
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"Those poor souls have made the fatal mistake of surrounding us. Now we can fire in any direction" 1970 Trans Am RAIII 4 speed 1971 Trans Am 5.3 LM7 1977 Trans Am W72 Y82 1987 Grand National |
#5
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Great combo! I had the 5 spd. I think the newer 6 spd would be even better. It did use a little oil & a lot of gas but that’s to be expected.
Murf |
#6
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496 is a great engine. I would put a larger transmission cooler, and change the spin on trans filter when you get it. This is mandatory.
There are Threads on this set up on GMTRUCKS.com.
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"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
#7
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Quote:
Murf |
The Following User Says Thank You to Murf For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
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My buddy has a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 with that powertrain and he loves it. Fuel economy is not great but it sure pulls nice. He has not had an trouble with his. He maintains his vehicles well and has over 100,000 miles on it.
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The Following User Says Thank You to jerry455 For This Useful Post: | ||
#9
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For heavy hauling this is a nice combination. As I see it, the primary advantage over a Duramax is the lower cost buy-in and the much less expensive maintenance and repair costs as the vehicle ages. Of course it won't have the torque and power of a Duramax but a set of new injectors won't set you back 8K either. Anyone who is a good GM car technician can work on an 8.1. Duramax takes some more advanced skills and scan tools. Duramax is perfect for people who put allot of mileage on their vehicles year around. Then the cost per mile is very attractive. For the use you describe, the 8.1 should give you good service. The Allison synthetic fluid situation has a specific VIN break where they changed from Dexron III, to full synthetic Dexron VI. You should be able to find the VIN break info on-line. The issue is seal compatiability on early units when Dexron VI is used in the early Allison 1000's. I think you will like it.
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The Following User Says Thank You to mgarblik For This Useful Post: | ||
#10
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I have that combo in an 02 2500HD - I've had it 16 years and no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. I think I'm around 180k now - still uses a quart of oil between changes, but no worse than it did 130k ago when I got it. No major drivetrain issues but did have to replace the crank position sensor at one point which was a major PITA.
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#11
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Love mine. 2005 Gulfstream Super C motorhome. It's been my tow rig for my 28' enclosed trailer since 2007. Been to Norwalk and back to Maryland every year since 07, except for 20 of course.
Many trips down south also. 58000 miles and no complaints so far. 8.1L, 5spd Allison.
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1964 GTO 501, Edelbrock Heads NA, 3460 lbs. 9.76 @ 137mph 1971 Trans Am Lucy Blue, 11.56 @ 115 1966 LeMans. 462, SD prepped Kaufman D ports. 11.90 @ 112 1976 Trans Am twin turbo 462, SD Edelbrock heads 8.50@159 2009 G8 GT |
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