8.1 Chevy Vortec Swap....

[Wayne S]

This project is coming along well. That sucks about the head gaskets, but better you find out now than after everything is finished. Did you contact the seller of the engine?

One other thing about these engines is that they "use" oil. I've had to add 1-2 quarts in between oil changes ever since I've owned my Suburban (2500, 4x4, 8.1, 4.10's). Everyone that I know who has one says the same thing though, so I guess it's just an 8100 thing.

Keep up the good work. With that cam and aftermarket exhaust, you're probably looking at 425-450 hp and 500-525 ft lbs of torque. Hope you're ready for frequent tire replacement.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by 70rs

It's looking like you're in the home stretch now. Nice work. That really sucks that the head gaskets were toast. But now you know the top end will be solid. Do you have any pics of the cold air intake yet? I'd love to see how that is going to work out.
Keep it up, almost there!

I am really looking forward to seeing it on the dyno! Any chance of getting it on video for us to see?

Wayne S This project is coming along well. That sucks about the head gaskets, but better you find out now than after everything is finished. Did you contact the seller of the engine?

One other thing about these engines is that they "use" oil. I've had to add 1-2 quarts in between oil changes ever since I've owned my Suburban (2500, 4x4, 8.1, 4.10's). Everyone that I know who has one says the same thing though, so I guess it's just an 8100 thing.

Keep up the good work. With that cam and aftermarket exhaust, you're probably looking at 425-450 hp and 500-525 ft lbs of torque. Hope you're ready for frequent tire replacement.

Thanks guys. These set backs have just about taking the wind out of my sail...but we are marching forward now.

I did let the seller know- he claimed when I bought it that he bought it from a salvage yard and had no idea if it was good. So, he gets a get out of jail free card.

The push rods are coming now. I needed some that were 8.125 - but Comp doesn't make them that size. I had to get 8.150, and will shim the screw in studs on those valves to get the length back right.

We took video of the first raw start...but can't get it off the Sony camera onto the puter. We reloaded the software twice...but no go. Hope to have it fixed by dyno time. Yes...400 REAL hp and 500 REAL ft lbs of torque would be awesome. The whole plan here was do to "not another" LS swap - yet utilize all the benifits of the LS elenctronics.

Oil burn? I heard that too. This engine is actually a 2007 and came from a medium duty. One place I read said they resolved this issue with better rings/pistons on the newer ones. Time will tell.

Here is a pic of the cold air intake being built. What is tricky here, is I had to notch out the core support (man...I wish I had some of your guys welding and fabrication skills!)....and welded in a work-around.

[69MyWay]

First drive...and video.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see the video.

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Killer-II.html

Now...this is with open manifolds...and many loose ends...BUT - it runs and drives.

Now we are waiting on the hooker side pipe headers and will be able to do this right.

[70rs]

I tried loading the required quicktime program and I still can not watch the video. I would really like to see it running too. I have followed this from the start.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by 70rs

I tried loading the required quicktime program and I still can not watch the video. I would really like to see it running too. I have followed this from the start.

I don't know why that isn't working.

I have it also at www.digitalcorvettes.com. You might be able to see it through this link off that site.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corv...6/limit/recent

[70rs]

Still no luck. I am running Vista on my laptop so that may be an issue. Not sure. I did download the program and saved the video too. I will work on it.

I am glad to hear you got it going though. How did it do?

[snakeater]

Keep the good stuff coming. I am getting the rear of my 69 camaro situated now ( with help) thanks Ron. Next step if sliding one of these bad boy 8.1's in the camaro. Also going to start on a supercharger set-up for it. May have to make all the brackets, but that's par for the course. I think the 8.1 could use just a little more juice for my tastes. Snakeater

[69MyWay]

Good news!

I was having a problem with the dbw throttle.

It worked perfect until you started moving. As soon as the VSS picked up speed - it went to reduced throttle.

Was going crazy trying to figure it out - no error codes.

Turned out I had bad PCM programming. I goofed up and sent a 4x4 base 8.1 truck program to the PCM guy and something in that wasn't friendly to my VSS...etc.

Got that straightened out...and we are cooking with grease now!

If all goes well, the headers should be here this week - that is the last major piece of the puzzle to get it ready for the dyno...and wrap up.

[70rs]

That's great!! Glad to hear it's back on track. I was reading your posts from early and mid October and it sounded like it was kicking your a** a bit. Now it looks to be almost there and ready for some road time soon!!

[awr68]

Goood work Chris!! Looks like your son has grown a little since the Camaro build! Keep at it!!