HemiHunter

I can't vouch for a modded 6.0, but having owned both I can say that if you already have the 6.0, you might as well keep it , cause only towing that kind of difference doesn't justify the price of another truck (unless you're looking). I've towed My Firebird on trailer that weighed about the same as what youre towing, my stock 6.0 did just fine, there was never a lack of power, the 8.1 I have now just seems to have extra power left over. at that weight you should be just fine. if you were towing like 10-12k lbs i would justify the 8.1 much easier

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

I am not planning on getting rid of the truck or going with a 8.1L. It would be cheaper to just go FI than to switch now.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Well I guess until they come up with a headers and ORY package for my 3500HD LT Crew Cab Dually I wont be able to compete with the 8.1L normally aspirated.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Vince, you'll be fine with the 6.0 for your use. I towed from Columbus, Ohio to Martinsburg, WV last weekend with my 2007 (classic) 6.0 liter C3500 (single rear wheel, extra cab, long bed) with 4.10's (but I have the 265 tires and not the smaller 245's, so I'm probably closer to a 3.73 truck) and a 4l80e. That trip runs you through the mountains of MD, WV and PA for quite a ways. I pulled some furniture out there and drug a Ford taurus (2002) back with me in a friends 24 foot Pace Shadow enclosed trailer that still had spares and tools for the race car in it (about 8,000-8,500 lb trailer). I ran up and down grades as steep as 8% (one of which is about 8 miles long on the way up) and we were at roughly 15,000 lbs total weight (GCVWR). I was going easy to save some fuel at 65mph, it pulled right up the hills while running on the cruise control. It never lost a single mile per hour (well, it dropped 1-2, shifted down to 2nd gear and went right back to 65). I've towed a 7500 lb open trailer at speeds as high as 90 and run 75mph up 6% grades on cruise and it handled it the same way. My truck is as stock as the day I bought it at this time.

We towed 895 miles that weekend and averaged 8.2 mpg. Trans temp never went over 190 (it was 50-ish degrees out) and I've seen 190 degree trans temps driving home in rush hour traffic in the summer with the truck unloaded. Most of the time the trans temp sat at 140-150 (until the 8% grades started). More power would always be nice, but the truck really pulls very well in stock trim. I'm quite happy with the way it handled last weekend.

Here's a pic of what I was pulling.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Awesome!! Is the 2007 Classic 6.0L the same as the older LQ4's rated at 300hp/360tq?

ob_silverado

I think the long tubes will hurt your towing. I have been debating them for myself. I think if you are unhappy with the towing to put a blower on it and be done with it.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Yup, that's the same rating that GM gave my truck. 300/360.

chevy6.0fan

I pulled 13K from Houston to San Diego with a 6.0 at roughly 80 mph. Right at the end I overheated the tranny on a continuous 9% grade, but that was it. Other than that it pulled like a champ.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Well the Pacesetters are going back anyway because they are not a direct bolt on and the ORY does not fit. That was a waste of time and money. The cam is in and even with a tune my SOTP's dont really feel that much of a gain. As for the blower I have been looking for someones car to get a ride in and I cant find anyone with a truck like mine with a blower.

VINCE

iTrader: (1)

Guys dont get me wrong I pulled my C5 from Michigan to Florida avg'ing 75 to 80mph and sometimes I forgot I was towing something, but that is on the highway. Around town from stop light to stop light is when you notice you are towing something..