6.0 vs 8.1 swap in G30 motorhome

[96/chevy/pu]

K, but does the cummins hook up to the 4L80E if not you would have to do a tranny swap also. Just thinking if you did a duramax it would be easier and don't care for that old cummins stuff anyhow, if you go diesel its going to cost craps loads, why not go for the best.

[pl4yboy]

Because Duramax isn't the best. Look at the worlds fastest/most powerful diesels... They're Cummins. Don't get me wrong, the D-Max is nice and is coming along, but it still doesn't surpas the old Cummins 12v.

[96/chevy/pu]

Every cummins in my town blow black smoke for a mile, and couldn't pass a 4 cylinder if they tryed. That image has run't it for the cummins for me. My moms escort could smoke them. Fast is not what diesel is meant for, rather for hauling heavy loads with fuel mileage gains. So if you want both go diesel, if you just won't power the 8.1 will do it. I'm not going to fight the diesel powerplant issue, in the real world we just call them diesel dummys and they'll fight you till your blue in the face, fast thay are not, but they do have benefits in your purpose.

[pl4yboy]

Do you even read what you type before you post it? He isn't trying to make his tank of a vehicle fast. He's needing something with TQ that can pull a brick shithouse. The 12v Cummins is one of the best around for that. 10x better than the worthless 8.1

[collin]

And most likely pass emissions. Most diesel forums can answer the emissions questions. Plus it is leagl to upgrade to newer model engines you just have to retain all emission stuff from that year model engine. I know that will get you pass a sniffer.

depends on the state. I know here in CA you can't turn a gas into a diesel and expect to pass smog

[KenGVR4]

Thanks for your input so far.

I cannot do a diesel swap - not possible. Washington state will not allow you to take an emissions controlled vehicle with a gas engine and swap to diesel. Even if I could a 12v 6BT Cummins would be really hard to fit underneath a G-van. The 4BT would fit better but they are super coarse motors (loud and lots of vibration).

So that being said (unfortunately) - which gasser would you think works better?

[99silveradodude]

o sweet ur in washington, i live over near seattle, but as far as motors i would go with the 8.1 i know people dont like it but i drove a suburban with one with a mild cam in it, and it was able to drift and keep up with v6 mustangs. i know v6 but its a suburban.

[KenGVR4]

So I'm building a list of pros/cons for each motor

Pro 6.0

Relatively inexpensive
Easy to find
Decent amount of bolt on mods and aftermarket support for swaps
Better mileage (in theory)
No issues with fitment
Done a million times in trucks

Con 6.0:

Need expensive bracket or compressor to keep AC
Piston slap issues? (dunno if this is really a problem, it's hearsay mostly)

Pro 8.1

TORQUE
old motor mounts work
TORQUE

Con 8.1:

Unknown fit in G-van (I know you need to notch the frame to fit into OBS)
Big and Heavy
Not much aftermarket support
Probably have to DIY wiring harness
Big Block fuel consumption

So that's what I've got for now - anything I'm missing?

[DRAGGIN95]

I think even a 6.0 would be a ton better than a tbi 350, I know my tbi 350 was a whopping 190 hp stock.

[cjriojas]

IMO, 6.0 bored & stroked to 408. that should put u on par with big block torque while maintaining somewhat reasonable mpg.