Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what transmission they're sticking behind the V12? Certainly not any of the existing 4-speeds, I'd hope, and almost certainly not the 5-speed Allison. So does that mean we'll see the debut of the X15R 6-speed? Which would be kinda odd, because if there's anything a huge V12 needs, it's not 6 closely-spaced gears (I'm assuming here that the torque curve would be flatter than most pool tables).

BTW - good post, ProudPony

 

There is a new high torque 6 speed auto coming out for the trucks and Vette. From what I understand it will replace the current A4

 

The oils for diesels don't need changed that often, they just don't break down like "Gas Engine" oil. They DO however need the oil checked for fuel contamination, or water etc, on a certain schedule. New filters will clean any dirt from the oil. And the filters should last a bit longer than a cars.
The 7.3L Power Stroke is a great motor, (I install them all the time.) its made by the company I work for; "International Truck & Engine Corp." or as most remember it, "International Harvester"except they sold the Agricultural part...The 7.3L PS is the SAME engine in the 2+Ton Medium Duty "Straight Trucks"...It IS quieter and a "Smokeless" diesel...
I too think it makes more sense in Large truck/SUV applications than gas...hands down!! Especially since companies like "BullyDog" etc make tuner boxes that add like 40-50HP, and loads of other "Bolt-On"parts that can nearly DOUBLE the HP rating in them!!!

 

I don't think that's a fair comment. Yes the old 6.2 was underpowered and lacked reliability, but I don't think anyone confuses it with the Duramax. People know the Duramax is al-new and are not likely to let their opinions of an entirely unrelated engine cloud their judgement.

BTW, I believe the DMAX factory is still operating near maximum capacity, which is why GM doesn't mind charging $7,600 for the option, and which is why they're in no rush to introduce them in the SUVs. After all, even the old Suburbans had the 6.2 so GM must've seen a market there. They just don't have the capacity to fill it right now.

 

Those of us "in the know" understand the huge difference between the two engines. However, I'm sure there's plenty of customers out there who don't. I wouldn't underestimate the number of people who are still heavily tweaked about the 350 Olds diesel they bought 20+ years ago.

That may very well be true, as I now seem to recall that they've got a maximum capacity of something like 160K units/year.

 

You know, GM supposidly did tinker around with a V10 LS engine? I read about it in GMHTP a while back.. Since the design was basically a V8 with two extra cylinders, it had its own set of issues , but raw power wise, it fared pretty well.. In the end, GM knew they could build a bigger V8 easier and had so much success with bigblock V8's..

 

An LS1 would do it too. You take the vortech, put an enclosed 26ft trailer with a car on it, and drive it around daily like that. Do the same with the diesel. I'll bet the vortech drivetrain lasts 50k miles before either the engine or tranny are shot, and the Duramax/ Allison combo will still go 200k+ miles. Thats the difference. An indestructable driveline that will last twice as long as the gas version. JMHO

 

My dad had a customer who made his living hauling a pig trailer behind his early-80s GMC K35, equipped with the 454 and a TH400. That thing was still running strong with over 250,000 on the clock, nearly every single mile of which was spent towing something about twice as heavy as the rated maximum towing weight.

The ol' gas big-block has proven to be very reliable in heavy-duty service for a long time now. It had to be - the 6.2/6.5 was never taken seriously by commerical users.

Now, I'm certainly not going to claim that the 8100 is more durable than the Duramax - by no means. But it's not like the gasser is some kid's toy that's going to wear out if used like the rest of the truck was intended.

And also note that the 8100 comes with the Allison in the pickup trucks. While it only gets the 4L85E in the 'lanches and Suburban 2500, that transmission isn't exactly a piece of junk.

I'm not really sure how this post relates to my earlier thoughts in this thread

 

$7600 by no means reflects the net cost of ownership for the of the Duramax/Allison. Go price what a used 2002 HD truck with 6.0/4L80E is worth versus same truck with Duramax/Allison. I did this at KBB and the Durmax equipped truck with 50k miles on it was worth $5800 more than the 6.0 equivalent. Net cost being $1800.

Owning a Duramax maintenance cost so far at 43k miles haven't been enough to make an issue about it. Oil changes around 7k miles 10 qts with filter $30 each change. Two Allison spin on filters at $9 each and a fluid change once at 25k $80. Rear diff fluid change $30. On 3rd fuel filter at $15 each. So around $325 - $350 in maintenance costs so far.

Looking at the entire scope of cost and ownership end to end in makes diesel offerings very attractive to a good many folks.