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8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310

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Old 01-25-2017 | 11:38 AM
  #21  
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Wow.. this swap works for me ! different is good !

keep the pic's coming..

BC
Old 01-25-2017 | 12:08 PM
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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!
Old 01-26-2017 | 09:38 PM
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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.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6390.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6391.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6392.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6393.jpg  

Last edited by Moodified13; 01-26-2017 at 10:13 PM.
Old 01-27-2017 | 04:42 PM
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I absolutely love this. I was considering an 8.1 swap into a 70s "eyebrow" Winnebago after doing an LS swap 68 corvette and 72 Olds, but just not enough space right now for a rig that size.
Keep posting lots of pics
Old 01-27-2017 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by garys 68
I absolutely love this. I was considering an 8.1 swap into a 70s "eyebrow" Winnebago after doing an LS swap 68 corvette and 72 Olds, but just not enough space right now for a rig that size.
Keep posting lots of pics
Is that like the one in Breaking Bad?

Andrew
Old 01-28-2017 | 01:22 AM
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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.

Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
Is that like the one in Breaking Bad?

Andrew
Old 01-29-2017 | 07:57 PM
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Default 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.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6396.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6399.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6401.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6402.jpg  
Old 01-30-2017 | 06:37 AM
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A cool way to "pull up to the filling station" on the 4-wheeler!
Old 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.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6425.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6424.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6427.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6426.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6430.jpg  

8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6429.jpg  
Old 01-31-2017 | 05:15 AM
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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
Old 01-31-2017 | 07:37 AM
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cool rig!

and yeah ony the very strong can keep on budget. i usually get about 95% done and then I wanna hear it run so IM like F-it lets ebay some AN fittings!
Old 02-01-2017 | 10:38 PM
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Default 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.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6432.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6434.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6433.jpg  
Old 02-02-2017 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
Is that like the one in Breaking Bad?

Andrew
I think it's like the one the Ring brothers did with the LS3.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-winne.jpg  
Old 02-03-2017 | 12:52 PM
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That's a really cool swap! Glad to see something different! Any pictures of the inside of the RV?
Old 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)
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6434.jpg  
Old 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!)
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6495.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6497.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6498.jpg  
Old 02-08-2017 | 10:52 PM
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Default Inside Pics

Don't judge me for the pink zebra pillow! I'm married.
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6505.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6499.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6500.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6501.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6502.jpg  

8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6503.jpg   8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_6504.jpg  
Old 02-09-2017 | 07:53 AM
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I am so digging this thing. I know Tiny Houses are all the rage, but I'd totally rock something like this instead of a house built on a car trailer.

Andrew
Old 02-09-2017 | 02:30 PM
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Great project, and amazing fast work! Sub'd for the first burnout vid!
Old 02-09-2017 | 08:25 PM
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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
Attached Thumbnails 8.1 vortec and Allison Swap into 1984 Airstream 310-img_1464.jpg  


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