8.1 burb

[imiceman44]

So Pros and cons ?
Stock 245 75r16 Or the 1.2" larger dia 265 75r16.

Con $260 more for set of same same, in 265 75 r16.

Tow rig and boat launcher, no off road.

I vote 265 75r16
I put 265 70r17 on mine, same size overall.

 

[imiceman44]

The 8.1 burb is a good find at that price.

Like Ron said, keep an eye on the oil level. Between the poorly designed pcm system and the fact it’s a giant big block it will be thirsty for oil. The GM standard was 1 qt for every 100 gallons of fuel run through it is normal.

Mine is good for a quart in 2000-2500 miles. Some use more, some use less.

Definitely get some Taylor 10.4mm wires for it when you do plugs. It totally helps with the low speed lugging.

It really doesn’t need a major tune, but getting the torque management turned off and burst knock retard turned off will allow the 8.1 to have all the power it can make without the Nannie’s holding it back.

So is that also normal on an L29?
Mine has 126k and it's needing top offs before oil change is due

 

[Wes Harden]

Normal for almost any Chevy V8,

 

[82355]

What gears do you have?

On my '05 Suburban with a 5.3, I put on a smaller tire, because it didn't have enough gear. It only had 3.42's, and was down shifting to second all the time. Real pain in the butt. Put the smaller tires on it, and it does not down shift near as much. If I lived somewhere flat, it wouldn't be so bad.

Martin

 

[ZooMad75]

So is that also normal on an L29?
Mine has 126k and it's needing top offs before oil change is due

It is very specific to the 8.1 due to the poor pcv system. The L29 is a little more conventional in the pcv system so it shouldn’t be as bad.

I don’t think it’s uncommon for a big block to use some oil.

Back on the 8.1 there are a couple of GM bulletins over what length of intake bolts were used. Using the wrong one by year could result in the intake bolts bottoming out before the gasket is fully clamped and it would suck oil from the valley into the intake.

 

[Wes Harden]

Zoo you still have access to gm service history?
Would be nice to know if any of the service bulletins we're done

 

[ZooMad75]

Zoo you still have access to gm service history?
Would be nice to know if any of the service bulletins we're done

Nope.

Access to that and the gm parts catalog are the ONLY things I miss from being at the dealership.

 

[Wes Harden]

Might have to hit up my old coworkers they should have access, is hit and miss when it work for us

 

[Wes Harden]

What gears do you have?

On my '05 Suburban with a 5.3, I put on a smaller tire, because it didn't have enough gear. It only had 3.42's, and was down shifting to second all the time. Real pain in the butt. Put the smaller tires on it, and it does not down shift near as much. If I lived somewhere flat, it wouldn't be so bad.

Martin

3.73 in this one

 

[imiceman44]

3.73 in this one

My 2wd avalanche is the same.

 

[82355]

I'd drive it for awhile on the current tire, and see how it runs.

Martin

 

[Wes Harden]

I would but I don't trust the current shoes, side wall cracks and spilts.