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new motor for the m1009

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1009krawler

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tomball, tx
Hello all,

new member here. although i have had my m1009 k5 for a good 5 years now, i have never been much of an internet guru.

Its time to replace the god ol 6.2, looking for more power. I have a chevy 6.0L and a 8.1L, both have brain box and all sensors to make it a drop in.

What motor would you drop in? any one have experience with either?

this is an off road only truck, not worried about gas mileage. Will off course post pics soon.

Let me know what you think,
 
I don't have a lot of experience with the 8.1's , but , the 6.0's that we own have been darn near bullet proof :bow:. We have an 02, and an 03 , both are in 2500hd's and have crazy mileage on them both (362k -03. , 305k -02) .
Neither one has ever been apart, they are both basically untouched other then water pumps and intake gaskets, and basic maintenance items.

I vote 6.0, if I wasn't set on a Cummins, I would be doing a 6.0 in my K5 with out a doubt :D.
 
Thanks for the input!

Ive already got a 5.9 in another truck, was thinking the bbc or sbc swap would add some nice variety to the garage.

Sounds like the 6.0 is quite the engine! i dont have much experience with gassers...
 
If you search around some of the threads in the "driveway" you'll notice a definite trend of LS swaps, and for good reason. The power, economy, reliability, and overall happy factor once done is hard to argue with. I don't know of anyone that regrets going LS over a classic SBC.
Like I said, I have personally been sold on them because of our 2 6.0 trucks. I have been around them since they left the dealers lot, and they are both work trucks, they tow (over weight more then a few times), run highway and more stop and go city traffic then I care to think about. I have done water pumps on both, fuel pumps on both, a fan clutch and alternator on the 03 and leaking intake gaskets on both. Other then that it's oil changes and normal recommended maintenance only.
Eventually my beater will go LS , either a 5.3 or 6.0 and we are prepping to do a 6.0 /4L80 swap into my brothers Wagoneer hopefully by end of summer.


Oh , and welcome to CK5, you rig and your wallet will never be the same ;)
 
I can't say anything bad about the 6.0, they are good engines, but the 8.1 is a little more of a rare swap, and a big block, so there is a little more "wow" factor to that swap.

Martin
 
The 8.1 has more power and is a torquey motor but there is quite the aftermarket now for the 6.0s. So if you plan on doing anything like cams, tunes, intake then I think the 6.0 is better as far as options available.
 
Wow, so you have both motors just sitting there? Lucky

A few years ago, when times were much much better, I had both at the same time. An 03 GMC with the 8.1/Alison and an 04 with the 6.0/4l80e. They were both awesome in their own respect. Tough call sense you have both...

The 6.0 l seems like the sensible choice...unless you're building a mud beast with big meats...

Do you have matching trannies with either? If so, I've heard programming out the torque management makes a huge difference
 
I dont own both motors, my buddy runs a yard. He has both just sitting there, ive got them with my name on it waiting to pick one.

They are very easy to find and cheap, $1500.

No matching trans, going to keep/ rebuild the th400 when i pull the 6.2 out. Adapter plate will fix that issue, and speedo cable be changed also.

not a mud truck, but still running 39.5's

i will post pictures of the k5 later today when i get back to the house.

How do i add a signature? i cant seem to find that option.

Thanks,
Alex
 
1009krawler said:
How do i add a signature? i cant seem to find that option.

Thanks,
Alex
Click to expand...

You might have to be a member, I can't remember.......click on User CP (top left of screen) then go into "edit signature " under settings and options, and add info.

Oh and as far as membership, the $25 is more then worth it , best money I spend every year :waytogo:
 
You need to pay membership before you can make a signature.

If its off road only, and you are going to run 39's, i see no reason NOT to use the 8.1

There is enough support for them to get through the installation. I'd only go 6.0 if you really plan to want to modify the motor once its in.
 
While the 6.0 is a great motor the 8.1L IMO is the best work horse gasser that GM has EVER put in a truck. We have one in an 02 crew dually at work with 170,000 HARD HARD HARD miles on it and it pulls like a champ and makes our 30,000 mile 6.0L truck seem like a POS.

I frequently pull 6000-8000lb enclosed loads, and 15,000lb+ open loads and it scoffs at them like nothing against wind, uphill, through plague. You cant phase the thing...
 
Stomis said:
While the 6.0 is a great motor the 8.1L IMO is the best work horse gasser that GM has EVER put in a truck. We have one in an 02 crew dually at work with 170,000 HARD HARD HARD miles on it and it pulls like a champ and makes our 30,000 mile 6.0L truck seem like a POS.

I frequently pull 6000-8000lb enclosed loads, and 15,000lb+ open loads and it scoffs at them like nothing against wind, uphill, through plague. You cant phase the thing...
Click to expand...
I think you just convinced me..... :D

I, as well, have been debating what motor to switch to.
Same debate with me... 6.0, or 8.1...

My buddy has an 8.1, in his Avalanche.....It's a BEAST.
I think slappin' one in my K5, would be borderline ridiculous.

But, why not!? :haha:


:pimp:
 
Wretched eccess.

I had an 04 2500HD with the 8.1/Allison. It moved that truck like a paperweight. Pulled anything I could fit on my trailer like nothing. Hauled my K5 home from Maine on the trailer like it wasn't there.

So, go ahead and put an 8.1 in the K5, and reprogram the ECM to remove the torque management, and be ready to break drivetrain parts almost 'at will'.

It really depends on the type of wheeling you want to do. Low speed, technical, off camber rock crawling... you'd be better off with the lighter 6.0, the 8.1 is a heavy beast. Mud bogging, massive tires and the such... 8.1 all the way.
 
okay, so i am going with the 8.1L. It will push the numbers i want with little modifications, plus you cant beat a big block chevy!

I will start a thread when i get to work on it. Still a few more parts to collect, i want to replace the gauges and dash when i do the motor (none of them work currently...)

Thanks for the welcomes and the input! Good to be here, glad i finally found a forum just dedicated to my favorite truck :woot:
 
Will keep you guys posted. Here are pictures of my 1009 so far.

IMG_0027.jpg


IMG_0003.jpg
 
Coilovers and links in the front? And your front diff is on the wrong side?

I demand more info and pics!!! :waytogo:
 
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