8.1 Chevy Vortec Swap....

[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!!!

[69MyWay]

Lots more to come...

The engine came in on Friday - I got it out of the crate and on teh stand. The seller did a first rate job of crating it up - very happy with that.

The car isn't here yet - so it will be a bit before I know exactly where to cut/trim...etc.

Some things I see right away.

#1 - pan is way too deep - it falls 3" below the teeth on the flywheel. It is aluminum and shouldn't be a problem having it shortened - I was told they are not compatible with standard big block pans

#2 - It has a cool cam sensor in the front cover, and the crank sensor is on the back of the block on the bellhousing behind the driver head shooting down to the back of the crank.

#3 - The cross over tube on the heads take the place of the old heads and intake mounted thermostat housing

The knock sensors mount low on the block just like the early efi small blocks.

The engine looks really cool in person - and HUGE.

Won't have a whole lot new for at lease a couple of more weeks

I need to get some pics posted of it on the stand from different angles.

[69MyWay]

OKay...here we are lifting the body back off the frame



Frameless in the midwest....



rolling chassis



Six speed trans:



8.1 dunked in testing fitting it all including the stock manifolds for giggles and grins



and...it is in



Rut row...... the good news is it does clear the hood - with a whisker to spare...bad news is, I don't yet know how I'll connect this to an air filter - to the drawing board.

[8.1 chevelle]

If you could find a marine harness it is only two wires to hook up very easy all self contained best move I ever made is putting one in my chevelle