8.1 Chevy Vortec Swap....

[69MyWay]

Okay...I know this is not the most popular, but it is proposing a very interesting angle to my next project.

I picked up a 2007 8.1 off ebay that will be here soon. It is sans accessoreis, harness, and computer. I am told these will run off the LS1 harness (with some mods) and LS1 computer.

Plan is to bolt it to the Richmond Six already in the project 69 Vette that I'll be building.

It has eight coils, eight injectors, front mounted drive by wire throttle body...and roller cam.

They turn 375 hp and 500 ft lbs stock and are good for a little more with a cam, tuning, headers...etc. Raylar makes aluminun heads...cams, etc. and can get an easy 700 out of them.

I think my biggest issue will be fitting the throttle body side under the hood - the intake is 10.5 inch tall on a tall deck (L88 hood being used). Direct fit headers will be an issue (will be running hooker side pipes).

They look like this, and to the casual observer will appear to be an LSx on steeroids!



From a budget side, I picked mine up with 40k miles for 1K plus shipping. considering all else is LSx off the shelf stuff - it shouldn't take much to get it running.

Anybody else crazy enough to fool with one of these?

[70rs]

I worked at a GM dealer for a bit and got to drive a few trucks with that motor. There was a tech there that had stuffed one in a '70 Monte Carlo and he took me for a ride. Both the trucks I drove and the Monte had stock engines with auto transmissions.
All I can say is that Monte HAULED A**!!! The Monte was going to be set up for drag racing but still had stock suspension when I rode in it. It was actually kind of scary how poorly that car handled that motor.

The engine itself is a good unit. GM quit making it only because the 6.0 in the trucks was doing better in sales. The 8.1 got such poor MPG and the gas prices were going through the roof, it didn't help either. (the Monte had a stock truck computer and modified harness, not sure about the throttle)

That engine in a 69 vette would be pretty cool. The aluminum heads would help alot if you can get them. That is a huge, heavy motor but strong and reliable.
I can't tell you anything about the harness and computer running right from an LS1. I would try and get a comp from a truck and tweak it instead. They are cheap in the wrecking yards and can be programmed many different ways.
Good luck with the hood clearance.
Post some pics when you get it installed.

[69MyWay]

That's always great to hear the "been there...done that - or rode in that...." story.

I have confirmation the engine is in route from the seller to me and should be here Friday.

I have been talking to Jared at www.currentperformance.com about wiring...etc.

He also confirmed the 8.1 runs on the same system as the LS, but doesn't know the wire harness lengths - he suggested I get a donor harness, measure things out - then send to him for tweaking.

He can also make sure we match the correct dbw pedal..etc.

I need to talk to Richmond about what sensor will go in the trans for speed readings that the LS will read, so I can make sure I get the cruise control functioning through the LS system and dbw too.

The car is now in a safe place in Cali - and the shipper will pick it up on a couple of weeks or so and it will be headed my way.

Between now and then I need to get a lift in stalled in the shop to make it easy for me by myself to pull the body on/off the frame....and get this puppy hooked up.

Here is a pic from the seller of the engine crated and ready to roll.

[70rs]

Very cool. Please start a build thread and post lost of pics. I like to see this one go together.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

The car is now in a safe place in Cali

so you think........................

Jody

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by camcojb

so you think........................

Jody

[70rs]

I just saw a post on Chevelles.com about the 8.1. Look up raylarengine.com and check out what they have. Heads, intakes, cams...they say they can push it over 600 hp with bolt ons. They even have a Gen VII 600 cid block. 765 hp and hp and 825 tq with 700 rpm idle on 89 octane gas. That one is a turn key marine engine but with a few mods who knows? Big fun huh?
Good luck!

[69MyWay]

I spoke to Raylar the other day. They KNOW this motor inside and out - in fact, the first 8.1 they messed with was dunked in a C5 convertible after major mods to the intake and pan to fit between the hood and ground.

Do you have a linky to that other discussion with the Chevelle guys?

I got the motor yesterday. It is now on the engine stand - I've been eyeballing it. Looks like the oil pan HAS to be chopped down - and no doubt the intake where the throttle body goes in will need some mods.

[70rs]

I don't know how to link it. I am a TOTAL computer idiot. Just go to chevelles.com and look in the engine forum for a thread "8.1 heads" .
That site is set up pretty much like this one. You will have to join to post questions.
So far everyone over there has been really nice, in spite if the fact that I don't own a Chevelle. I had my engine build plan posted there. In fact the guy who is supplying the rotating assembly is on that site (Mike Lewis Racing Engines). He has done motors for guys on this site as well. It was another member here (gmorris) that referred me to the Chevelle site and Mike.
Good luck with it and be sure to keep it all posted.

[1nkred1ble]

thats it ????
no updates???
arrgggg!!!