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danio3834
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
7.0L DI? Sign me up for that powerhouse. #gmcsierra
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leavethegun-takethecannoli
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
I can't stop crying long enough to read the article...sniffle...sniffle.

Thhherrre gggonnna toss the big-block...sniffle, why?

(Dries eye with shirt cuff.) #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
For a vehicle like this to be allowed to be registered for on-road use with anything but a compression-ignition engine violates all sorts of laws of reason. I won't go so far as to say they ought to be outlawed, but come on, a gas engine in a truck? Really? Once you've gone oil-burning, you never go back. #gmcsierra
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kingfling
11/09/09

@mechimike: 'cause you could save $1,000s and still get decent power to tow and haul. #gmcsierra
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
11/09/09

@kingfling:

More like save $7K, and in the case of a big block, tow the same amount. Too bad only the 6.0 is left, which at least still saves all the money. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: And get 10 mpg. And only last 200K between rebuilds. My '92 Dodge Cummins gets 21 mpg (not towing), has 250,000 miles, and runs better than any gas truck I've ever owned. They routinely go for 300 and 400K between rebuilds, and that's if you're a bit flighty on the maintenance. Oh, and 5.9 litres? Tows my car hauler just fine. #gmcsierra
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
11/10/09

@mechimike:

A GM big block will run WAY past 200K miles without a rebuild (like 300K). They get worse milage, but if you don't tow a ton of miles, you'll be way ahead with upfront savings.

If you tow consistantly and enough miles, diesels the only choice. For low milage towers, a BBC works great. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: In my experience, the diesels hold their value much better, too. A 200K mile diesel truck that's 10 years old will still bring about 1/2 the cost of a new one on the used market, whereas the gas trucks depreciate much, much faster.

Depending on where you live, the diesel may also be cheaper to run, since they aren't subject to the same inspections as gas vehicles, and some of them can be run on veggie oil if you're so inclined. Maintenance is also somewhat less frequent. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: The diesel is also much more pleasant to tow with, IMO. I have a 5 speed model, and the Cummins will plod forward in just about any gear once rolling. I've towed with gas vehicles, and shifting is a much more frequent experience there. #gmcsierra
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
11/10/09

@mechimike:

Have you towed with a BBC with the Allison? Not a 6.0 or a Ford V10, etc?

Again, the resale isn't true as used they tend to cost the same delta more as new (5-7K). So maybe % wise you've "lost more" but in reality it's the same $ lost.

Any savings on inspections would certainly not surpass the greater mainanence costs. On the last service I had done, here's the differences I saw:

$60 vs $120 for transmission fluid
$35 vs $95 for fuel filter

The list goes on and on like that.

So, if you don't tow a lot of miles there is no need to waste your money on a diesel if there's a BBC option. When I was truck shopping I did the full business case, and it would take something like 100K miles to pay off a diesel, and I'll never tow that much. You diesel guys refuse to accept it, but I guess I'd be adamant too if I wasted a lot more money (that was said tongue in cheek fyi). #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: I've had my Dodge about 2 years, and already put over 21,000 miles on it. Most of that there was a trailer behind it or a ton and a half of something in the bed. Of course, I only paid $5000 (it was 15 years old with 229,000 miles on it when I got it)for the truck, and yes, an oil change is a $50 affair rather than $20. But I also hope to have the truck for a long, long time. And I like being able to go 500 miles between fillups!

Diesels don't need any ignition system maintenance, either- no plugs, wires, etc.

Oh well, arguing on the intrawebs = pissing into a tornado. #gmcsierra
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
11/10/09

@mechimike:

Well, for 5K you can't go wrong.

When GM shopping, you won't touch a D-max for that much, and I didn't want an older vehicle.

Also, you've put a lot of miles on it, so you seem to be missing the point that gasser's are only better for the occaisonal tower. If you tow a lot, then the diesel starts to make lots of sense. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: I guess I can buy that, problem is, spending 30k on a vehicle to be used only infrequently doesn't make a whole lot of sense, period, regardless of the powerplant. Nor does driving a vehicle that gets 15 mpg as a daily driver, unless your commutes are very, very short. *shrug* I see too many "cowboys" around here driving 20 miles or more each way to work in gas hogs. I'm somewhat guilty, though since my g/f and I both commute to the same place in her 20 mpg jimmy, I rationalize by saying we're using the same fuel as if we each drove a 40 mpg separately! #gmcsierra
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
11/10/09

@mechimike:

You don't have to rationalize fuel use on Jalop!

I see the thought on new gas ones, but it still takes 100K miles to make up the upfront costs. So if you don't plan to drive it into the ground for whatever reason the business case still makes sense for a gasser (although you can't get the big block any more). In stock form, a D-max doesn't drive any faster either, and the fuel economy isn't much better due to DPF, etc.

Overall, I'd prefer a diesel, but for the 6K I spent on my loaded 01 with a big block/allison, there wasn't any way to justify spending more for a D-max with higher miles. #gmcsierra
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FordTuffMcgruff
11/10/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: I use my F-250 with a 460 for pulling a gooseneck short distances. Rebuilding it to late 1960's pre smog specs was cheaper than going diesel and resulted in a truck that pulls just as well as our 7.3 powerstroke. For companies and people that do in town or any other short distance hauling a big gas motor makes perfect sense... that extra 6 grand up front buys alot of gas over the next few years. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/11/09

@RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment: Yeah, I've heard the Cummins are better for MPG- the best gasser Dodges that would tow what I needed to tow got like 5 mpg worse.

Back when gas was 4 bucks a gallon, I bet there were some screaming deals to be had on a good used tow rig, especially with a gas engine. Nicely bought. #gmcsierra
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mechimike
11/11/09

@FordTuffMcgruff: I guess we can agree on this one. I use my Dodge diesel for a lot of long distance stuff- I've towed from Nevada to SC, for example- and its great for that. You can actually go the entire day without shutting it off, just idling at the fuel station. But for short, low miles stuff, I could see the gas being more economical.

But man, that sound when the turbo spools up. Its awesome. ;-) #gmcsierra
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marklar
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
7.0 liters = 454? How's about a throwback SS model? #gmcsierra
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theeastbaykid
11/09/09

@marklar: You'd need to punch it out to 7.4. #gmcsierra
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token_illiterate_commenter
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
Does it come with 427 emblems with crossed flags? #gmcsierra
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dal20402
11/09/09

In reply to 2011 GMC Sierra Spotted Camo-Free, Maybe Getting 7.0-liter Gas Engine
Why bother with that out-of-date 8.1 liter big block when you could have a lighter, more powerful, more efficient DI 7.0 small block? #gmcsierra
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Ben Wojdyla
11/09/09

@dal20402: You're boring. #gmcsierra
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