8.1l conversion
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
8.1l conversion Hi all, Ken here.
I am brand new here.
I have searched many sites, and on here as well and no one seems to have an answer for me.
I bought a complete 2005 8.1l motor, with all the wiring and pcms etc with the exception of the pedal and Tac module.
No one seems to be able to tell me what pedals and tac modules might work, or if I must use an 8.1l specific pedal and tac module.
I want to put this motor in my 72 Chevelle with a 700R4 tranny so I can have the low gear that trans offers. I can install a valve body that does away with the TV cable and still retain auto shifting so thats no issue.
So I am looking for help on how or what to use for a pedal and TAC module to make this work.
I would really like to have a 90 or 100mm throttlebody, so if a Corvette or GTO throttle, TAC and pedal could be used or adapted without upsetting the 8.1 pcm then that would be a perfect choice.
As a side note i do have access to EFI Live programming so I can delete all torque management etc from the PCM
I can have the harness redone for $225 to clean it up, and or delete emmisiosn if I wanted to, however with all of the issues with the SMog police I think I will leave emmissions in tact.
Or I can buy an aftermarket harness.
My preference would be converting my own harness to stand alone status with the four wire hookup I read so much about.
Anyone got part numbers, or hard data for any of this?
Thanks for your help and considerations
Ken
I am brand new here.
I have searched many sites, and on here as well and no one seems to have an answer for me.
I bought a complete 2005 8.1l motor, with all the wiring and pcms etc with the exception of the pedal and Tac module.
No one seems to be able to tell me what pedals and tac modules might work, or if I must use an 8.1l specific pedal and tac module.
I want to put this motor in my 72 Chevelle with a 700R4 tranny so I can have the low gear that trans offers. I can install a valve body that does away with the TV cable and still retain auto shifting so thats no issue.
So I am looking for help on how or what to use for a pedal and TAC module to make this work.
I would really like to have a 90 or 100mm throttlebody, so if a Corvette or GTO throttle, TAC and pedal could be used or adapted without upsetting the 8.1 pcm then that would be a perfect choice.
As a side note i do have access to EFI Live programming so I can delete all torque management etc from the PCM
I can have the harness redone for $225 to clean it up, and or delete emmisiosn if I wanted to, however with all of the issues with the SMog police I think I will leave emmissions in tact.
Or I can buy an aftermarket harness.
My preference would be converting my own harness to stand alone status with the four wire hookup I read so much about.
Anyone got part numbers, or hard data for any of this?
Thanks for your help and considerations
Ken
There is not much info due to the fact that this engine doesn't have much of a following in the High Performance world and little equipement is listed or made for this engine. Not much is interchangeable from the other BBC engine. It was built and stays pretty much a Truck engine.
Good luck hunting down what you need. I know I don't have any working knowledge of this. I know there has been some swaps, but didn't really follow them.
BC
Good luck hunting down what you need. I know I don't have any working knowledge of this. I know there has been some swaps, but didn't really follow them.
BC
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 2
From: Felton Pa
I will say even with the valve body the 700r4 is junk. My 454 broke my 700 so many times I finally set it aside. I'll sell it to you... LOL... 2800-3200 stall, tci full maunual valve body and a full onslaught of upgraded internals. It broke for the last time so it sits on the garage floor!!!
The PCM will have some numbers and letters on it.
Search "engine computer" using various year trucks on car-part.com till you find a matching pcm- the letter code is what you want to match. Then buy the parts you need using that year & model truck.
Dart is the only one making parts for the 8.1. -for ag irrigation water pump use-
Good luck with the 700. I hope you like swapping trans.
Search "engine computer" using various year trucks on car-part.com till you find a matching pcm- the letter code is what you want to match. Then buy the parts you need using that year & model truck.
Dart is the only one making parts for the 8.1. -for ag irrigation water pump use-
Good luck with the 700. I hope you like swapping trans.
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 821
Likes: 4
From: Elkridge MD
the 4L60e is the next generation of the 700R4. I have blown up a few 700R4s in the past and I wouldn't think of using one again.
as for the 8.1, I think I remember hearing about some company modifying them for boats and making some real HP. Out of the box though, I don't even think they hit 300HP. Mid 200s I think.
as for the 8.1, I think I remember hearing about some company modifying them for boats and making some real HP. Out of the box though, I don't even think they hit 300HP. Mid 200s I think.
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 821
Likes: 4
From: Elkridge MD
Hmm.....
After a quick search, it appears I might be wrong about the 8.1. Wikipedia has this to say:
The Vortec 8100 (RPO L18) is a V8 truck engine. It is a redesigned Chevrolet Big-Block engine and was introduced with the 2001 full-size pickup trucks. It is an all-iron engine (block and heads) with two valves per cylinder. It retains the same bore centers as the old 7.4 L big-blocks, but stroke was upped by 9.4 mm (0.4 in) to reach 8.1L (496cuin) for a total of 107.95 mm (4.3 in) bore and 111 mm (4.4 in) stroke. Power output ranges from 325 hp (242 kW) to 550 hp (410 kW) and torque from 455 lb·ft (617 N·m) to 690 lb·ft (936 N·m). Vortec 8100s were built in Tonawanda, New York. The Vortec 8100 is the engine used in the largest Uhaul, their 26-foot (7.9 m) truck. GM stopped installing big block V-8's in the Silverado HD trucks, when the GMT-800 series was discontinued in 2007. 8100 marine engines range from 400 to 600 hp (447 kW) and come with a stand-alone Engine Control Module (ECM). The last L18 was manufactured in December 2009.
Important differences between the Vortec 8100 and older big blocks include a changed firing order (1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3), a new 18-bolt head bolt pattern, different symmetrical intake ports, different oil pan rails and the use of metric threads throughout the engine. The fuel-injection system for the Vortec 8100 is nearly identical to that used on Gen III engines, right down to the fuel and spark tables in the ECU.
After a quick search, it appears I might be wrong about the 8.1. Wikipedia has this to say:
The Vortec 8100 (RPO L18) is a V8 truck engine. It is a redesigned Chevrolet Big-Block engine and was introduced with the 2001 full-size pickup trucks. It is an all-iron engine (block and heads) with two valves per cylinder. It retains the same bore centers as the old 7.4 L big-blocks, but stroke was upped by 9.4 mm (0.4 in) to reach 8.1L (496cuin) for a total of 107.95 mm (4.3 in) bore and 111 mm (4.4 in) stroke. Power output ranges from 325 hp (242 kW) to 550 hp (410 kW) and torque from 455 lb·ft (617 N·m) to 690 lb·ft (936 N·m). Vortec 8100s were built in Tonawanda, New York. The Vortec 8100 is the engine used in the largest Uhaul, their 26-foot (7.9 m) truck. GM stopped installing big block V-8's in the Silverado HD trucks, when the GMT-800 series was discontinued in 2007. 8100 marine engines range from 400 to 600 hp (447 kW) and come with a stand-alone Engine Control Module (ECM). The last L18 was manufactured in December 2009.
Important differences between the Vortec 8100 and older big blocks include a changed firing order (1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3), a new 18-bolt head bolt pattern, different symmetrical intake ports, different oil pan rails and the use of metric threads throughout the engine. The fuel-injection system for the Vortec 8100 is nearly identical to that used on Gen III engines, right down to the fuel and spark tables in the ECU.
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I think I've read that the torque capacity of the 700r4 is something like 400 or 450 ft. lbs. My guess is that big 'ol 8.1L makes more than that in stock form, at least it should. I think you're making a mistake by mating that trans to an 8.1. Start looking for a 4L80e.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: thurmont, maryland
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Dart makes the carburetor intake for $575 and you can use a standard dizzy at that point. RAYLAR has performance cams & such and there is a company in Calif that is very up on these engines and sells performance 'packages'. they install them in everything. Can't remembertheir name but DART put me in contact with Wayne?? there. I have a complete one of these engines, with 75K miles on it, for sale cheap in Southern NJ if anyone wants to try it. Crossy
I got a new 8.1l crate motor off craigslist a few years ago, once I found out that what little aftermarket parts were out there and how much those were - I sold it...
The serp setup (alt, waterpump, ect) is exclusive to the 8.1l, you might be able to cobble something together. The engine is super heavy, my advice- sell it. You should be able to sell it and get enough funds to build a nice 6.0l with more power, less weight and tons more potential....
The serp setup (alt, waterpump, ect) is exclusive to the 8.1l, you might be able to cobble something together. The engine is super heavy, my advice- sell it. You should be able to sell it and get enough funds to build a nice 6.0l with more power, less weight and tons more potential....
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 2
From: Stockett, Montana
I'd sure like to see the aftermarket take an interest in these engines, there's so much potential. I bet a bone stock 8.1 with a small shot of spray in a 2800-3000 lb car would be pretty brutal with the right converter and gear of course. I'd love to try it!!
Yeah, I think a lot is being left on the table by not developing the 8.1L aftermarket.
