I have an older pickup that I no longer have a need for and am considering selling. With the 8.1 motor in it I'm thinking it might be a tough sell. Has any one made this swap or know of someone who has?

 

Don't think it would be worth the swap. Mileage is probably even worse than the 6.0 or 6.2, plus with the 8.1 being an iron block & heads, the extra weight wont help either.

 

I disagree that the 8.1 would be too heavy.... my dad has one in his 2500 HD, and they put Duramax in the 2500 HD.... so why not the H2? It's a 2500 front end...

I think it would be an easy swap... but I really don't think there would be that much in the way of gains... you can juice up a 6.0l just as easy as you can swap in a 8.1l

 

I haven't spent much time looking at what would fit and what wouldn't, it was just something my son mentioned would be a fun project. I have heard there are d'max conversions for the H2 and that would be the proper direction if I needed a trailer toter, but thats not what my wife uses it for. We have an 01 with a 8.1 and were planning to get a new pickup in Sept. and no longer have a use for it. My guess is I will have to give it away or keep it, neither one making much sense. As far the added weight, this is not a vehicle we use for off road. I bought it for peice of mind because the ol'lady drives like sh#t on bad roads. Turns out it's everybody's favorite vehicle to drive. I do feel the Hummer is way underpowered. I used it to pull home our new 24' tag and it wouldn't get out of it's own way, the 8.1 never gets below 65 mph with four bikes and gear. There must be someone out there that has done this conversion and could shed some light.

 

I think it would be a great project.... and I don't think you should let anyone talk you out of it....

but... if you put some different gear in your H2... you might not feel it was underpowered.... I'm passing semis on hills with 41's with my cruise set and at 2000rpm....

but I have 4.88's....

 

I think it would be a great project. If it was me though and I was doing a swap, I would put in the DMAX. My buddy just sold his 8.1 GMC truck and got 10 grand for it. It was an 02 with 160,000 miles on it. 4wd extended cab.
With knowing that I would just sell it before I would take a good truck apart.

Just my two cents! Good Luck!

 

My only thought was the 8.1 might be tougher to get rid of than the 6.0. The 8.1 pickup is also what my wife drives and we have had it since new and it only has 28,XXX miles. 35's w/6in and four doors make it real popular, the 8.1 might make it impossible to sell. I would assume the 6.0 would make it more marketable, and the 8.1 might also do the same for the Hummer. Mileage is not a concern with her vehicles as she only drives short distances. The only thing that would have to be a must is it would have to be 100% right and no less. The fitment I feel compfortable with, the elec. scares me.

 

could you post photos.
and another question had to make modifications

 

You posted on an 8 year old thread.......