8100 Vortec: Lets talk
These engines have a lot of potential in my opinion. I did not want to fork out the money (like a lot of others have mentioned) for the Raylar stuff and I am glad I didn't. I ended up getting EFILive and the Whipple intercooled supercharger (minus the electronic piggy back stuff). I installed marine injectors and bought EFILive to tune it all up. Pulled out 50% TM, installed a speed density tune, re-tuned the VE table, refined my spark tables, and refined my injector table....basically I just nailed down a really solid tune on the truck that netted me very little KR through out the entire RPM range.
I have a stock 5 speed Ally that has been solid since day one. I take it to the track a few times a year and run it hard, but the rest of the time its used for camping and day trips and its been about as reliable as it can be. This truck moves and moves nice for a 7000lb truck. Mid 13's with 1.85 60' times and 5.3 second 0-60mph time from a truck this big and heavy is more than i ever thought I could get. All that and only on about 6lbs of boost, the 8.1L's seem to like the added air! All this on stock tires and rims, stock exhaust, and stock fuel pump. I do plan on getting a Corsa 14290 exhaust in the next few weeks though.
Anyway, i was just doing some 8.1L google searches and landed on this thread and figured i would stop in and say hello. There are a few of us out there playing with our Big Blocks. TieRod, Vernon, 8100 hammer, me, and a few other comes to mind. I post over on performancetrucks.net all the time, you can find some more 8100 stuff over there too.
Later,
Jimmie
I have a stock 5 speed Ally that has been solid since day one. I take it to the track a few times a year and run it hard, but the rest of the time its used for camping and day trips and its been about as reliable as it can be. This truck moves and moves nice for a 7000lb truck. Mid 13's with 1.85 60' times and 5.3 second 0-60mph time from a truck this big and heavy is more than i ever thought I could get. All that and only on about 6lbs of boost, the 8.1L's seem to like the added air! All this on stock tires and rims, stock exhaust, and stock fuel pump. I do plan on getting a Corsa 14290 exhaust in the next few weeks though.
Anyway, i was just doing some 8.1L google searches and landed on this thread and figured i would stop in and say hello. There are a few of us out there playing with our Big Blocks. TieRod, Vernon, 8100 hammer, me, and a few other comes to mind. I post over on performancetrucks.net all the time, you can find some more 8100 stuff over there too.
Later,
Jimmie
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
noob hey everyone, i stumbled onto this site after doing a web search on the 8.1, mine was starting to use an incredible amount of oil and also started to rattle so i began pulling the motor out of my truck. i bought another used engine from the wreckers and am hoping to swap it out as soon as work lets up. i will post pics if anyone is interested .
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga CA
Help? I bought 2 of them today! (8.1) from motor Homes I heard dart makes heads and an intake I'm looking for a direction anyone can help? there both complete intake to oil Pan coils and everything .
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga CA
I like how you think Brand new member here... First post!
I joined here because I saw this thread on the 8.1. Lots of good information here guys! I became interested in the 8.1 a few years back not unlike alot of you. The plan is to put it in my Pro-touring '65 Chevelle
. Here is basically what I have so far:
HEADS
-Exhaust ported and bowls cleaned up
-Went from stock 1.74 exhaust valves to Manley 1.88 stainless
-2.19 intake
BLOCK
-Decked
-Line bored (.030)
-Balanced
-Eagle rods
-Stock 4 3/8'' crank
-BHJ balancer
-JE pistons (9:1)
-Comp Cams hydraulic roller w/560's lift
For the engine management I've got the FAST setup. I plan on running a custom Hogans intake however I have not bought this yet. Here's a few pics
I joined here because I saw this thread on the 8.1. Lots of good information here guys! I became interested in the 8.1 a few years back not unlike alot of you. The plan is to put it in my Pro-touring '65 Chevelle
. Here is basically what I have so far:HEADS
-Exhaust ported and bowls cleaned up
-Went from stock 1.74 exhaust valves to Manley 1.88 stainless
-2.19 intake
BLOCK
-Decked
-Line bored (.030)
-Balanced
-Eagle rods
-Stock 4 3/8'' crank
-BHJ balancer
-JE pistons (9:1)
-Comp Cams hydraulic roller w/560's lift
For the engine management I've got the FAST setup. I plan on running a custom Hogans intake however I have not bought this yet. Here's a few pics
I bought two of them today out of motor homes I plan on putting them in my 79 Malibu any advice ?
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I've had mine sitting in a corner for 6 years now but my plans are to have the pistons and rods replaced with forged pieces, Dart intake and heads modified for efi, flipped stock manifolds feeding some twin 76mms, and sitting down in my 94'ImpalaSS, and using a tuned 0411pcm to handle both the eng and 80 or 85e trans. Build should get underway after the holidays.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Good day. Hi all. I love this engine too. I would like to swap it to pontiac 3 gen. And the main thing what I am interested in - crankshaft. what differences between 454 crank and vortec 8100 ? and also, any body knows anything about "That is how it is supposed to be! I have contact with a guy to that topic and we are just about to find out how to modify the block to use Mark IV aftermarket heads like GM did it at
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
Good day. Hi all. I love this engine too. I would like to swap it to pontiac 3 gen. And the main thing what I am interested in - crankshaft. what differences between 454 crank and vortec 8100 ? and also, any body knows anything about "That is how it is supposed to be! I have contact with a guy to that topic and we are just about to find out how to modify the block to use Mark IV aftermarket heads like GM did it at
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
454 uses a 4.0" STROKE / 4.25" bore
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
No- you wont. Good day. Hi all. I love this engine too. I would like to swap it to pontiac 3 gen. And the main thing what I am interested in - crankshaft. what differences between 454 crank and vortec 8100 ? and also, any body knows anything about "That is how it is supposed to be! I have contact with a guy to that topic and we are just about to find out how to modify the block to use Mark IV aftermarket heads like GM did it at
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
its Coolside II project.
It is possible with some small modifications, if you are interested tell me and I send you pics." ? I need this information too. bukaty@inbox.ru
The only way to run GEN IV/V/VI heads on that is to swap blocks.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I've had mine sitting in a corner for 6 years now but my plans are to have the pistons and rods replaced with forged pieces, Dart intake and heads modified for efi, flipped stock manifolds feeding some twin 76mms, and sitting down in my 94'ImpalaSS, and using a tuned 0411pcm to handle both the eng and 80 or 85e trans. Build should get underway after the holidays.
I know they are interchangable, just havent held an 8.1 to compare with a 7.4L or the cheap shortys/fleabay manifolds Im also eyballing
I get that the motors are cheap and you can get them cheap AND running. But for major power a 489-496 makes sense, at least partially. Everything in the world you could ever want is and has been available for them. My two cents, worth about 1 cent.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 993
Likes: 173
From: Euless, TX
For my application the 8.1 will work well. I only paid $1000 for an engine from a 2001 Express cutaway party bus that had 90k on it. Engine is pretty much spotless internally. I already have it sitting in a 1983 G20 van. I stabbed a 502HO cam into it. I have the Dart intake sitting on it. Have heard rumors 2nd gen Camaro headers will fit it in the Van engine compartment but I have yet to order a set. It is a tight fit, especially with the dual AD-244 alternators on it. The pan to crossmember clearance is extremely tight (not any worse than the 6.0L I have sitting in a 1987 G20) but I have it sitting on poly urethane mounts. I am ditching the OBD2 setup and most likely going to use a 4bbl TBI unit and a 1995 TBI PCM to run the 8.1 and 4L80E. Should be in the 450 hp/550 tq range when I am done. Plenty to haul around the 4,700 lbs van and my 6,000 lbs Jayco travel trailer. The 1983 will most likely become a SAS 4x4 when it is said and done sitting on 33s or 35s.
