Suburban 8.1 vs excursion v10

MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
I have owned a 2000 excursion 7.3 and I had a 2002 Yukon xl 8.1 both were nice but the Yukon was lower maintenance and felt like a corvette suv!! The X was very heavy and not as fun to drive. On another note my wife would not drive the X but loved running around in the big block when not towing. I had 410 rear end so 10mpg was the usual . Miss that truck but we down sized our trailer from 32 ft and 9000 pounds to 28ft and 4500 pounds. My 07 suburban 1500 does just fine.

Owning both an Ex V10 and 7.3L F-250, I should point out that the different Ford engines make a profound difference in the feel of the two.

The 7.3 truck feels lethargic compared to the V10. And it should, the 7.3 is a slow accelerating engine in spite of being able to patch out just a bit off the line. The V10, on the other hand, is very snappy as the OP is likely well aware of. Other than a possible slight Burb ride advantage due to lighter axles (unsprung weight), I think the 8.1L and 6.8L are probably very comparable in driving. Although the V10 has less displacement, I think it meets or exceeds the 8.1 V8 in low end torque and, powerwise, the 310HP V10 is quite comparable to the 300HP LT1 V8 my wife had in her '95 Corvette.

Offhand, with a load, the V10 will easily beat the stock 235HP 7.3 up a hill in a race. The best thing about the 7.3 is it's ability to run at 60-65 mph right at full torque peak and use 40% less fuel. Already at peak, the 7.3 seldom slows and shifts out of overdrive for me. My V10 shifts down often, and with the same 3.73 gears, it does not often pay to run in OD except on level ground with the wind. Once the V10 shifts down however, it scrambles like a cat after a rabbit, very much like I imagine the 8.1 to do.

The F-250 rides better in speed dips. The Ex has short travel and stiffer rear springs to lower it, and they hit the rubber snubbers fairly easily, especially in front. On smooth highway, they are similar.

Wes
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