8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310
01-25-2017, 12:08 PM
#22
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I'm curious to see how much your fuel mileage improves, with the better overall gear ratio and a more powerful, yet potentially more efficient engine. Gonna be more enjoyable to drive for sure!
01-26-2017, 09:38 PM
#23
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Got the wiring harness in from Ken Wolkens @ www.standaloneharness.com. I built the harness myself on the Corvette LS swap and the 6.0 in the tube buggy. It takes a lot of time and is definitely not for everyone. I was in a hurry on this build and Ken advertises a 2 week turn around. He was true to his word and had it back in no time. He did a great job and I love his harness relay and fuse block. Here are a couple of pics of us getting the harness on the engine and figuring out where to mount the ECM, TCM and TAC module. Ken offers a great price for his services and does not loom the harness which I think is a huge advantage because you can route your wiring easily, tape the harness together where it should be, and pull it for final loom.
Last edited by Moodified13; 01-26-2017 at 10:13 PM.
01-28-2017, 01:22 AM
#26
It's actually a little more retro than the breaking bad one.
Google "Ring Brothers Winnebago" and you'll see my inspiration.
Oh yeah, I ended up buying a newer RV, but the 70s eyebrow Winnie with 8.1/4L80. updated interior is in the near future. Just need more shop space.
Google "Ring Brothers Winnebago" and you'll see my inspiration.
Oh yeah, I ended up buying a newer RV, but the 70s eyebrow Winnie with 8.1/4L80. updated interior is in the near future. Just need more shop space.
01-29-2017, 07:57 PM
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Aux fuel pump When I was reinstalling the fuel tank I had planned to just plug the old line that fed the carburetor at the tank. A previous owner had installed an electric pump at the tank to assist the mechanical fuel pump on the 454. I was about to remove it when i remembered that on 2 previous occasions I forgot to bring gas for my kid's fourwheelers and I had to lay under the Airstream and drain gas from the tank. Not especially cool. So I decided to leave the old pump hooked up and run a switch to the generator compartment. Now all I have to do is uncoil the fuel line and flip the switch.
01-30-2017, 10:42 PM
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Got a lot done tonight. Got the wiring harness loomed and installed, fuel lines to the back of the engine, and the front dress is now installed for the last time. This took some doing because the crossover tube contacted the floor of the cab. We had to cut out a halfmoon of the floor, then bend the side panel and reweld it. Worked pretty well. I normally spend more time on the front of my motors dressing them up, but on this one since you can't see the front and only see it from the top and rear I decided to concentrate on that.
01-31-2017, 05:15 AM
#30
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Damn I love this. As others said - different and just plain awesome. 8L daily driver bus..bahahahah!
Thanks for sharing. Have wondered what sort of stuff people could get up to after seeing those vortec crates around, now my question is answered
Thanks for sharing. Have wondered what sort of stuff people could get up to after seeing those vortec crates around, now my question is answered
02-01-2017, 10:38 PM
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Wiring Got the fuel lines completely run. (Well Trey did, I worked on the electrical most of the night). The ECM, TCM, accelerator pedal, and TAC module all found homes tonight. I got enough of the wiring done to prime the pump and adjust the rail pressure to 62PSI. I have read that the 8.1 likes as much as 67 or 68. (Any input on this would be greatly appreciated) I'm now in the middle of integrating the new harness into the existing motorhome harness and removing the wiring we no longer need. It's a slow process, but I enjoy a wiring project like this.
02-07-2017, 07:55 PM
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I'll post a few pics of the inside, it's in pretty good shape. My wife's grandfather replaced all the carpet with hard wood floors and we redid the 1980’s upolstry.
The wiring is done and some of it is a little close to where the headers will end up so we decided to order some wrap and cover them to reduce the chances or melting the wires. We should fire it for the first time tommorow after we install the exhaust.
(All the loom was not installed in this pic, but you get the general idea of where the tac module, ecm and fuse block will live. The TCM is mounted out of sight behind the ECM)
The wiring is done and some of it is a little close to where the headers will end up so we decided to order some wrap and cover them to reduce the chances or melting the wires. We should fire it for the first time tommorow after we install the exhaust.
(All the loom was not installed in this pic, but you get the general idea of where the tac module, ecm and fuse block will live. The TCM is mounted out of sight behind the ECM)
02-08-2017, 10:42 PM
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Welded the O2 bungs in the headers, wrapped them in fiberglass wrap to avoid melting wires, and bolted them in with stage 8 header bolts. A full nights work!
(Pics of my buddies taking on the itchy task of wrapping the headers while I wrapped up some wiring issues, took pictures, and drank rum!)
(Pics of my buddies taking on the itchy task of wrapping the headers while I wrapped up some wiring issues, took pictures, and drank rum!)
02-09-2017, 07:53 AM
#38
02-09-2017, 08:25 PM
#40
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AWESOME project!
I have an 80s Bluebird Wanderlodge Pusher with a 6V92TA (turbo and supercharged) with an Alison 5 - speed auto.
I've thought about how to squeeze out some more power with an engine swap, but haven't figured it out.
this is rated @ 330 horse and 1200 ftlbs @ 2000 rpm.
@ 40k lbs it doesn't go uphill too fast.
I did the same as you.. reupholstered inside, new hardwood floors and updated some of the electronics (flat screen, bluetooth amp and sub).
The old school telephone that can dial from the driver's command center, the can and the bedroom remains
Doug
I have an 80s Bluebird Wanderlodge Pusher with a 6V92TA (turbo and supercharged) with an Alison 5 - speed auto.
I've thought about how to squeeze out some more power with an engine swap, but haven't figured it out.
this is rated @ 330 horse and 1200 ftlbs @ 2000 rpm.
@ 40k lbs it doesn't go uphill too fast.
I did the same as you.. reupholstered inside, new hardwood floors and updated some of the electronics (flat screen, bluetooth amp and sub).
The old school telephone that can dial from the driver's command center, the can and the bedroom remains
Doug