Info please 8.1l swap?

Kerr

New member
So guys my suburban decided it wanted to put 4 pistons in the oil pan, guess bad gas :(. Anyway I bought another 8.1l and swapped over the came etc etc but left the turbo off this time. It got real old feeding it at 5 mpg. Long story short I kept all the parts and am looking for a fun project. With the stock motor trans etc we made it in the mid 13s. Not to bad for stock stuff and big turbo bolted on and it being 9000 lbs

Well this got me thinking. Something lighter swap the old 4l80e, 8.1l motor, fuel system and turbo kit into something lighter. I've always loved the Ty and figured it would make a bad asp ride for sure
Really only thing I'm missing is a ecu, a transfer case that will live and I'm sure differentials once they die.


So here are a few questions

1) anyone ever tried to do this swap. It's a traditional bbc that came in the trucks buts a tall deck

2). Where would one find a transfer case to live ( I had the one in the suburban rebuilt but that's a 3/4 ton truck so I'm assuming its a little stronger to start with)

3). At what point do the differentials die. I'm assuming they are not as strong as what the suburban had ( 11.5. 14 bolt and 9.25 front diff).


So what do you think? Any suggestions or ideas would be grate. I'm guessing on the same tune I had in the suburban it should make about 700 hp and god only knows on tq.

Also I'm not looking to cut up a nice truck, it would be something with damage or something that has had a hard life ;).

Other thought was a 90-96 Chevy caprice just because they are almost free at this point. But I'm sure I could ever get it to hook. On boosted launches in 4 hi on the suburban it would spin the 35s.
 

Logan

Member
Re: Info please 8.1l swap?

There is another gentleman on here with a truck that needs some turbo work and other odds and ends that is looking to maybe part with his. That might be a good start. Honestly, I am sure this swap could be done but it is gonna take a lot of fabrication on your part. It sounds like somewhat new territory but I will say this is a pretty cool idea.

I saw a 454 in a first gen S-10 in high school and it was pretty bad ass if not simply because a guy managed to shove that much engine into that bay.

I say power to you! Keep us posted, I am sure some of the more educated guys can give you some pointers and theories to start with
 

2500avalanche

Well-known member
Re: Info please 8.1l swap?

I had a 8.1 in my avalanche. The weight of that motor was insane for the power you get back. Sure, a lot of torque, but you would be better off doing a LS style block. The other issue with the 8.1 is the lack of aftermarket parts. You have Raylar, and that is about it.
Just my thoughts, but if you got deep pockets, go for it
 

Kerr

New member
Re: Info please 8.1l swap?

Good point I didn't think about the ZR2. The Ty just looks a lot better

I don't have any out of car videos :(

http://youtu.be/B4zbJh_LgVQ

I don't sound like a hick in person lol

http://youtu.be/L5DAn2nfCFk

Sometimes it didn't sound good ;). I never did figure out that thinking sound. Also never got it to not try to brake your wrist. It has the huge upgraded tie rods the diesel guys use in truck pulling

http://youtu.be/iwG6RAmCRQU

Better sound of the thunking lol
http://youtu.be/-0KByDDgSPI

Then 2wd just killed tires
http://youtu.be/-wixUyPU0TM

I never got all the bugs out of the tune before it decided to sound like a 12 valve dodge lol. The a/f was always in the low 10s to high 9s. And the trams was never perfect but man it was fun. Here are a few tuning videos

http://youtu.be/ceopnUbCe08

Long steep up hill pull
http://youtu.be/D0Ugx2mzCzo

And then it did this lol


http://youtu.be/hCzee35u0oM
 

Kerr

New member
Re: Info please 8.1l swap?

Yea rylers parts aren't to bad if you turbo on top. Now the price is crazy if you just doing a na build. He told me around 1600 for forged pistons and rods. Also has a striker crank out for them now. 600+ ci :)

We have done a few old school blocks in s10. But once you ad the turbo and plumbing it might be a tight fit. Fab work isn't a big deal my buddy has done a bunch of last swaps in other stuff.
 
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