The GM8 makes a difference to the airflow - there is a significant difference to the elbow which makes it less restricted - but if I was buying a new turbo, I sure wouldn't spend that money on a GMx... the ATT would be a better choice for your $$.
All GMx turbos really need to have intercoolers (or WMI) on them in order to make up for the high IAT thing...
I gotta tell you though, your truck can be made to pull, and pull hard, under the conditions you describe... it's a matter of doing lots of little things, rather than one big thing.
- clean rad. No, REALLY clean. Pull it out of the truck and spend 3 hrs making sure.
- Genuine ACDelco thermostat. Ignore the 180* stuff, just make sure it's a genuine ACDelco.
- either install a SD tuned fan clutch or do the fan clutch mod
- 2 bottles of water-wetter in your coolant
- do the TCC-lock mod. Your tranny puts out HUGE heat.
Then find the sweet spot (where your truck likes to settle down and pull) and drive....
I pulled a 9800# high-front 5er through the Trinity pass in N Cal (#299 from Eureka to Redding), no sweat. Also pulled through Salt lake to St George, through Vegas, to LA, then back to Sacramento. No Issues.
Before I did all those things, I overheated on a 1* grade on an 80* day...
BUT... if you want your truck to really pull, get an ATT. The guys who pull with them are very impressed, and you'll get better mileage, too.