Built 8.1 vs Built Duramax...
#1
Built 8.1 vs Built Duramax...
For a moment disregard fuel economy, oil consumption, and cost okay?
Here is what I was thinking about today: Could a fully built 8.1 make more power than a Duramax?
Okay lets take a Duramax fully done:
Programming - not just a box, full custom tune
Exhaust - 4" turbo back
Intake - Open filter
Converter - Lower stall ~1200-1500rpms
Valve Body - Shift kit for Allison
Injectors - As large as attainable
Propane - 100hp worth
Nitrous - 150-200hp shot depending on fuel input
Manifolds - Ported and JetHot 2000
Down and Up pipes - JetHot 2000
Heads - Ported and valve job
Turbo - JetHot 2000 on exhaust housing, ported, balanced
Now 8.1:
Heads - Ported, valve job, roller rockers
Merlin block - 4.5" x 4.5" = 572cubes OR 4.6" x 4.75" = 632cubes! I don't think stock block can go to a .350" overbore...this block will work as long as it is true that GM's 8.1 block is a derivative of the Vortec 454.
Cam - 242/250 maybe. 600cubes will eat some cam
Internals - Billet crank, billet rods, forged pistons
Full length headers - 2 or 2.25 primaries w/ 3.5-4" duals
Converter - Higher stall ~2400-2800
Valve Body - Shift kit
Boost - Intercooled Whipple. Could it blow 7psi into 9.4 to 10.4 liters?
Now...all else being equal what is a better setup? What do you think would make more power? Obviously the 8.1 would need a trick fuel system, the diffs would have to get Eaton's, and the Allison would need a full prep @ $5700 alone!
Here is what I was thinking about today: Could a fully built 8.1 make more power than a Duramax?
Okay lets take a Duramax fully done:
Programming - not just a box, full custom tune
Exhaust - 4" turbo back
Intake - Open filter
Converter - Lower stall ~1200-1500rpms
Valve Body - Shift kit for Allison
Injectors - As large as attainable
Propane - 100hp worth
Nitrous - 150-200hp shot depending on fuel input
Manifolds - Ported and JetHot 2000
Down and Up pipes - JetHot 2000
Heads - Ported and valve job
Turbo - JetHot 2000 on exhaust housing, ported, balanced
Now 8.1:
Heads - Ported, valve job, roller rockers
Merlin block - 4.5" x 4.5" = 572cubes OR 4.6" x 4.75" = 632cubes! I don't think stock block can go to a .350" overbore...this block will work as long as it is true that GM's 8.1 block is a derivative of the Vortec 454.
Cam - 242/250 maybe. 600cubes will eat some cam
Internals - Billet crank, billet rods, forged pistons
Full length headers - 2 or 2.25 primaries w/ 3.5-4" duals
Converter - Higher stall ~2400-2800
Valve Body - Shift kit
Boost - Intercooled Whipple. Could it blow 7psi into 9.4 to 10.4 liters?
Now...all else being equal what is a better setup? What do you think would make more power? Obviously the 8.1 would need a trick fuel system, the diffs would have to get Eaton's, and the Allison would need a full prep @ $5700 alone!
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Re: Built 8.1 vs Built Duramax...
Duramax is gonna make more power. The whipple WILL be the limiting factor on a BIG motor that can handle boost.
Hasn't a duramax already made over 800hp and UNGODLY ft-lbs of torque <---What the dyno really printed out.
The 2.2 Whipple in the 8.1 kit won't flow that much air and on a forced induction motor the blower(turbo or otherwise) is the limiting factor for total airflow into the motor.
Hasn't a duramax already made over 800hp and UNGODLY ft-lbs of torque <---What the dyno really printed out.
The 2.2 Whipple in the 8.1 kit won't flow that much air and on a forced induction motor the blower(turbo or otherwise) is the limiting factor for total airflow into the motor.
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Re: Built 8.1 vs Built Duramax...
yea tell us the stock turbo size, or anything you can find out about that motor. i know it is 32 valve aluminum head, 18.5/1 compression (low for a diesel), and a pretty big turbo. we spin our 03 to around 26 psi on level for hot juice box.
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Re: Built 8.1 vs Built Duramax...
One thing you forgot is the 8.1 is a poor choice for a hot rod engine.It's tiny ports are great for torque but bad for high rpm hp.A Dmax would be a much cheaper way to go.I know you said screw fuel economy but a 8.1 with what you described would get probably 5-6 mpg,premium fuel no less,while the Dmax will stomp it and get 18-20 mpg on cheap #2.If you could get big power out of a 8.1 the Allison would need the same upgrades as the diesels.If someone wanted to spend 30k to build what you described it could be done,it's just not practical.