My original plan was to get a HO 6.0 LQ9 from an Escalade and twin turbo it. But, I think I changed my mind. . . .again, lol. Now, I want to do a new 8.1 Vortec. I can pick one up with everything including computer and harness super cheap, with no defects and under 40k miles.

Really stupid question time, lol. Is this an entirely new motor or are there just minor changes compared to a 1st and 2nd gen BB? Other than bore and stroke that makes it a 496. Like, just new ignition, heads and fuel/air delivery? The only place I'm finding performance parts or for trucks, so I'm actually assuming there are some major differences. But I wasn't too sure.

I've been looking all over and can't find any decent comparitive specs. Only half assed stuff. You must excuse my ignorance lol, I haven't kept myself up to date on new GM motors other than a 6.0 LQ9, lol.

Thanks in advance for not making me look too much like an idiot, lol.

P.S. I know someone will chime in regarding emissions tests, but that's not an issue since this car will only see the strip and maybe a few shows.

 

wow, interesting question...... sorry i dont have the answer, but it would definitly be a cool swap.... and a torque monster!
better invest in some sfc's!

 

Yeah, the chassis will get every possible stiffening product there is so I don't twist it in half no matter what combo I go with, lol.

The main reasons I'm trying to find out the major differences is so I know if I can swap out all of the brackets and only have the alternator and water pump running off of the crank. A/C and PS will be deleted of course. Maybe even use an electric W/P and eliminate that pully.

If external and properly sized internals are the same as an older BB, I'll have more options for cams, pistons, etc. If it's all different, that will just make the project more interesting, lol. More costly too, but oh well, lol.

 

Some other stupid questions that I can't find answers to, lol. Will the Hooker Super Comps work for headers? Or would I have to have a set made?

I've only found a few Comp Cams for the 8100. Are the others around making cams, rockers, etc. for this motor?

If the block is like a standard 454 I could use 454 crank, pistons and rods, but is the block the same?

Maybe it's just because it's a pretty new engine, I can't find much except marine applications.

 

Whoah, i'd love to drop a 8.1 into my camaro. Good luck with that and would love to see the finished product.

 

Well, there is a guy on eBay with 10 8.1 dealer takeouts. Around 50K miles on each. No defects as far as he knows. They could probably use a refresh though, or at least a real good inspection.

Anywho, $400 for the motor. I found computers for them for $100-$300. And a harness for about $75-$200. May need injectors and rails, that is about $300+/-. All prices found depend on who you get it from. All the performance stuff I could find, in one location, was TBYRNE Motorsports. Like cams, intake, computers, valvetrain, etc.

Total cost that I've figured is about $7000, and have a killer motor with frame twisting torque lol. Man, I need a sponsorship or rich relatives to finish this lol.

 

Don't have much technical responce here, but the 8.1 has a tall intake! You might have hood clearance problems... Keep us posted though! That would be a killer torque monster!!!

 

Yeah, but I have a sawzall and cut off tool, j/k lol. Seriously, I'll probably have a cowl or RA2 hood by then, I hope, lol.

 

I have researched til my eyes hurt, then searched some more lol. Then I posted the ?'s on some other forums. I seem to have stumped at least a few people, lol. I did manage to get a decent picture printed off to compare to an older BB.

But, it looks like the front of the motor is totally different, of course. I'm talking under the whole alt./PS/WP bracket deal they have on there. So, my plan to use an elec. W/P is out. The upper waterneck is relocated to the side of the motor, so it looks like the whole bracket has to stay. I can eliminate the P/S and A/C with no problem, and just leave the crank, W/P and alt pullies. I'll have to find under drive pullies. I'll just have to engineer a way to get a second idler pully in there or relocate the one under the alt.

The exhaust, starter and motor mounts are the last things I need to figure out. And if a T-56 will bolt up or I'll have to get a bellhousing made or an adapter plate. But I'm sure it will work fine. If the front were the same as older BB's, I'd use a motor plate too, but that's axed.

But, even if nothing is the same, and parts are limited, it'll still be a fun project. Just to see how fast I can get this thing to go. I think I should be able to pull 13's or low 14's out of it stock, and in a lighter vehicle, like my Firebird. No telling where I could get it with the parts from TBYRNE and Banks.

 

Update on the exhaust. It's confirmed, regular BB wont fit lol. The bolt pattern is opposite and at about a 45* angle on the 8.1, about a 30* +/- angle on 454/BB heads. So, I'll have to get in touch with a chassis builder friend and get some pipes and flanges made. No biggie. Or see if Burns Stainless can fab up something, even though it would be a good $1000 to get done. But, that's to be expected on a total custom job.

I found an even cheaper motor on eBay, but all the good stuff is missing and it needs the bottom end rebuilt. But, if I had the cash, I'd buy it anyway, lol.

 

Wow. What happened to that poor car? I hope you got it cheap.

 

It came in contact with a deer before I bought it lol. But yeah, I got it cheap.

I started a thread on my forum to follow this process.
http://www.daleotools.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21
May take months, days, weeks or years, but I'll document the process and research there. As time and money allow.

 

Man there sure aren't many people responding to this thread, i woulda thought people would jump!! all over this insane project. you have gotta be rich to do what your about to do. But good luck, i bet it will look sweet when you get it in!
Chris

 

Actually, with all of the parts that I found, I can get a comfortable 500+HP out of the motor and do the swap with trans swap for around $7-8000. Compared to most BB projects, that's cheap as hell lol. And for another $1200, I can add juice to it, safely on stock internals and hit the 600+HP mark. But, the fact still remains, I'm broke now with spring quarter starting lol. So, I'm doing my info search now and pray for a sponsorship or my business to pick up.

 

Ugh, I wouldn't spray a big block. There is so much potential you can get out of it being just N/A.

 

Well, right now, the juice is a big if. Just all depends on what other parts I find in the meantime. If I can punch it out .030-.060, that would be nice, but then I'd still have to find a way to get the optimum compression. And since there aren't any documented builds that I know of, I might have to go through a few motors before I find the right set up. And then, if it isn't fast enough, then I'll spray lol.

 

hansolo, may the force be with you

 

Time to revisit this topic with some new info.

I've been searching far and wide for more info on the 8.1 Vortec and came up with some interesting stuff.

I was originally under the impression, since all pics I found sucked lol, that the motor mounts were like LS1's. Not the case. They are like any other classic SBC and BBC on the frame side and BBC on the engine side. No issues there.

I thought custom headers were the ONLY way I could go. WRONG. I found out the head's exhaust ports are identical to that of classic BBC's as far as size and bolt hole configuration. So, although I'll still need custom ones made, the Hookers would work. . . .kinda. The block is a tall deck, so squeezing BBC swap headers in there will require more frame cutting than I'd like to deal with. So I'll go custom anyway, but it will be easier to get parts and bends done, ina sense.

Also, since I thought because the engine was "new" the mounting for the trans bellhousing was maybe different. Not the case. I could use my current 700R4 if i wanted to, but I'm not. Now, the only problem I have is deciding if I want a 4L60E or a T-56 swap.

Cam shafts I assume would be few and far between. Again, more options than I thought, kinda. Even though they changed the firing order on these motors, like the LS1, someone was able to swap the cam to a ZZ502 with no problems and it runs strong. There is a way to get around the firing order problem as well.

Since I can use a majority of classic BBC cam's, the firing order would be changed back to old school style. The same fellow that swapped his cam didn't use the stock ECM. Instead, he opted to use a MegaSquirt unit for the fuel and a Ford EDIS system for the timing. I think he also used other than stock fuel rails and injectors, so everything was a bit cheaper. In all of the parts I think it's about $400-$600 for everything for fuel and timing. This includes the MegaSquirt, Ford EDIS module, coil packs and crankshaft timing components. So you can still run as a dizzy-less ignition.

As far as other internals, a lot of the parts are close, but not the same. Like the crank will have to be an 8.1 specific crank sinck classic ones are external balanced and the L18's are internal, abnd there are other issues I can't think of right now. So, for now all of my intake, heads and rotating assembly will be coming from Raylar. Unless Eagle or someone jumps in and makes some good parts. All I can find are things good for 800+HP, which is good. But I might want to make it a track only car and want 1200+hp lol.

Off and on, this is what I have come up with so far. It's getting easier as I go, or at least looks that way lol. Mostly it's like swapping a traditional BBC in the car.

Now, to find a motor and get to swapping. Pic's to come when I get things going.