CHEVY GM ENGINE TYPES - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Big Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

CHEVY GM ENGINE TYPES

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

They are probably the same engine. Vortec is a type of combustion chamber in the engine for better performance.

If I was advertising a vehicle I would only show 8.1L Chevy engine and leave the Vortec off since most RVers are more interested in horsepower (HP) and torque ratings for the engine. I would show the HP and Torque instead if it was impressive.

The banks system is an aftermarket add on which increases HP and improves gas mileage.

So an 8.1 Vortec with a Banks System should be a more powerful engine than just a 8.1 Vortec or a 8.1 Chevy engine without the Vortec type combustion chambers.

Try to find out the HP and torque for the engine, that will be a better gauge of how powerful the engine is.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

“Banks” makes several after-market add-on items for engines. Everything from cold-air intakes to exhaust brakes. These add-ons may or may not impact the warranty on the engine assuming there is a warranty still in place. Not saying they are bad. Just information.

The 8.1 “Vortec” is an excellent gas engine in the proper application. But as Larry said, you need to compare the specific engine’s specifications.

BTW, in a motorhome application it is very common to find an Allison transmission coupled with the 8.1. That’s as good a transmission as any available.

Bill

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The normal 8.1 was what we had in our 2002 Dolphin motorhome, with an Allison transmission. I saw no reason to add a Banks kit to it, since we often passed many diesels on the grades.

Big Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks to all.

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

In this case Vortec is an advertising term:
"Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in a 1984 advertisement for the 1985 model year ..." See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Vortec_engine.
As far as I know all 8.1 liter GM/Chevy truck engines are "Vortec".

When they redesigned the 454 engine and came up with the 8.1 L , they incorporated a number of Banks system improvements such as the ram air in and larger dual exhaust system. They used a steel exhaust manifold in place of the old cast iron ones that had a habit of cracking but did not use headers like the Banks system.

I added a Banks system to a 1996 454 engine. It didn't help the gas mileage but may have increased the torque some - at least it seemed to go over the Rockies a little better than without it.

-- Edited by Clay L on Friday 6th of March 2015 03:37:18 PM