teddyca

iTrader: (37)

I just bought one for a great price and going to put new bearings/gaskets in it and do who knows. My father has a gorgous 57 Chevy 2 door that I thought of doing a 5.3 or 6.0 swap into but since I have this motor I love love to use it if possible. So here are the million questions I have:

What LS is this considered if any? Or is this a LQX. I know my truck which is a 6.0 is a LQ9 what is the 8.1L considered?

What transmissions mount to this?

Is the block the same for any other motors? example LS1=LS6

Do you know of any companies that make kits for this motor to swap in for instance mounts, etc...

I know swapping in 5.3, 6.0, LS1, Ls6 are the norm is the 8.1L just a stupid idea or did I pickup a nice motor to work with?

Thanks guys

Dirty Vegas

iTrader: (12)

I believe the 8.1's are standard BBC design. They are in no way related to the LSx family, and will not interchange any parts. 4L80e will mount to that behemoth, as well as a Turbo 400/350. As far as mounts go, I think you're looking at standard BBC.

busta9876

iTrader: (3)

8.1's are based on traditional big block chevy, but share electronics with LSx family. 24x crank trigger, 1x cam trigger, coil per cylinder, drive by wire, etc...

Nice thing about the 8100 is all the bolt holes are in the same place as traditional BBC, except all holes are METRIC thread. The 8.1 is a tall deck engine, 10.2 vs 9.8 " deck height, so , head are higher, and outward toward fenders a little more then regular big block. Header patter IS THE SAME, metric holes.

Oil pan is unique, its aluminum, so options for fitment is slim. Mark 5 and Mark 6 oil pans ARE different. The valve cover patter is almost same as traditional BBC, except for one hole on each side. I was able to oval shape the hole in some stamped steel valve covers to make them work. The heads are held on with two additional head bolts, and the pattern is moved around. So 8100 heads WILL NOT go on traditional BBC, or vice verse.

The 8100 is net lash, no adjutment to valve train. However, you can get a stud from ARP with metric threads on bottom, standard on top, and run regular big block chevy adjustable valve train stuff.

Camshaft is roller, you CAN install older Mark V, Mark VI roller cam's. This will change firing order back to 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. In stock form, the 8100 shares SAME firing order as LSx family. Programming would need done of course to change injector bank assignment.

I've had two 8100, and both of them suffered piston failures in the end. I've heard they have weak pistons, but I don't know. I know the motor is a torque monster, and I'd love to find another one sometime and build it.

teddyca

iTrader: (37)

Holy Chit man. Wanna fly out to cali and do a swap for me. HAHA I will pay for the flight. HAHAHA this is some great info. Now I need a 4L80e

Richard454

These motors are designed for a TON of torque -right off idle. HOWEVER- from what I've read- the rod ratio is low-like 1.40 -since the motor has the 6.135 rods and a BIG stroke of 4.37- and w/ the tall deck, the pistons- I would think- are pretty big and heavy. I don't know if/how/cost of changing to a longer rod- not so much as to reduce friction and the time the piston stays at TDC (or BDC) but to run a lighter piston.

Another thing that concerned me when I was looking at one for my project was the foot/minute piston speed. Using a 4500fpm speed -limits RPMs to less than 6k.

And 'busta9876" sort of confirmed my observations....

PLUS this thing is HEAVY- from what I've read 40-50 lbs MORE than a standard iron Big Block-so you are talking upwards of 720LBS!!!

Richard

Here's a swap in a Corvette-

sixt9er

iTrader: (2)

^^^What year Vette is that?

Richard454

It's a 69-

Here's some more pics of the build-

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Killer-II.html

He (Chris) sold the car (back in Jan) before it was finished.

The guy who bought it- finished and it's in Corvette Enthusiast

June (page 59) and July (page 74) issues

You can view the mag online- after you register-

http://editions.amospublishing.com/K...spx?d=20100901

Then you'll find the issues in "archives"

Richard

poconojoe

iTrader: (43)

Actually those are Chris's articles in Corvette Enthusiast
IIRC Chris's user name on this forum is 69myway

poconojoe

iTrader: (43)

To the OP wait until you see the prices on parts for that motor, i.e. gaskets, etc.

xx_ED_xx

iTrader: (17)

I currently have one in my 04 silverado, see avatar. What do you want to know.
Here is a link to my project.

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/showthr...Silverado-SCSB

xx_ED_xx

iTrader: (17)

Most of the gaskets are reusable. head gaskets about 45 bucks a peice.
rod length is 6.700
yes pistons do suck mainly because they have no skirt
the big issue is over revving it with stock valve springs and heavy valves. once they play tag things arent happy anymore just ask busta bigger cam and didnt change the springs. with a big block it is mandatory to change the springs with a cam change. ask me how i know

in stock form with a tune and none of the factory crap 400 hp 500 ft lb motor

I am building another as we speak cnc'ed heads good h beam rods forged pistons and a zz502 cam. should be an easy 500 hp motor

BAMF

I read somewhere that one or two of the back intake ports are choked bad becasue of different placement of head bolts or something, can you confirm this? I'm assuming that a CNC ported head should take care of some of that problem.

teddyca

iTrader: (37)

Well I got the motor last night and you are right its a big pig. I dont think I will do the swap but I will be replacing all the bearings and reselling. But damn does this thread have a wealth of knowledge in it regarding this engine.

busta9876

iTrader: (3)

wouldn't want to trade the 8100 for a turn key 5.3 swap would you? ...engine, accessories, modified harness, manifolds, starter etc....

What kind of shape is the 8100 in? what all did you get with it?


my 8100 did at least leave me with some souvenirs....

poconojoe

iTrader: (43)

Actually you can buy Fel-Pros for about $35 each, but you shoud really buy the head set, which is around $320, plus another $80 for the head bolts, which require replacing

teddyca

iTrader: (37)

The motor only has about 43K on it. I am not even going to crack into the heads or the valvecovers for that matter. It had some knock in the lower end and the tech found a couple bad bearings. Were going to go through the bottom, I am going to clean it up allittle and sell it. I dont want a 5.3 but thanks.

the 8100 has everything on top including the coils, egr, and all the fuel system. All pulleys are there. Looks like all thats missing is the starter, alternator, ac pump, and manifolds. In good running order i am hoping to get about $2k out of it.

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

One of those would go great in my 1983 van LOL, are they still relatively cheap with them no longer being in production?

bczee

iTrader: (12)

from what I have read, is that not many are doing swap for High Performance applications due to the fact that there is not a great amount of HP Aftermarket performance parts, cost wise. Due to all of the changes GM made from the Standard BBC's and what not fit's that Busta so well put... High Performance application are a bit dicey.

But for a torque project, it might be ideal. Dress it up with some bing and it will look great in the engine bay !

$750 L98

iTrader: (7)

Exactly what I was thinking, this thing would be good for towing and the like, not revving. Now, I wonder if a 6.2 diesel or a 8.1 would be better LOL

chasgiv3

iTrader: (1)

Harlan did some testing on these motors a while back and got some 650HP out of them with different cam, pistons, intake etc. Heads I think were modified with different parts also. I do like the torque of the motor for sure. Really helps me in my towing.