Hello all! Thought this would be the right place to ask. There's an 8.1L Vortec motor for sale in the paper right now, and the ad says it is complete and (if I remember correctly) includes the ECU and wiring harness. Considering that the thing is most likely out of a full size truck, how hard would it be to, say, swap that motor into a Camaro? What transmission could/should someone run with that motor? Does anyone make motor mounts or headers for something like that? How problematic would an undertaking like that prove to be? Thanks in advance for the info. - Freed
The motor probably came out of a late model Cebby 3/4 ton truck. I've got one in my 03 2500 Silverado....it rips! It definitely needs to breathe better, and to make use of it's potential HP more. It just seems like it has lots more power to divulge. I'm sure there are aftermarket headers for them already...it's a Chebby!
I have one in my 02 Avalanche. I believe the specs are something like 330 HP and 450 ft-lbs of torque. One thing you need to know is all the early Vortec engines were prone to piston slap when first started. It's a minor annoyance and GM sez it doesn't mean premature engine wear. I try not to let it bother me, but thought you should know. The trucks, I'm pretty sure, come with the 4l80e tranny. I think the torque these motors make would rip a 4l60e apart. Hope this helps!
Size-wise, I'd say it's comparable, if not overall more compact, than your standard BBC. If you get the ECU/harness you'll be bucks ahead for sure. I don't have ours at the house to look at, but when I was over/under it servicing it I don't remember seeing anything that wasn't your standard fare big block stuff...should be a pretty straight forward swap, if the electronics work out. I bet Painless could get you squared away on the wiring stuff. As for tranny, what you gonna do with this car? If it were mine, I'd *probably* go with an AOD, like a built 4L60E or even a stock 4L80E (does the owner of the engine have the tranny that was behind it?). If a stick is more your style, then just pick your poison. I would definitely go with something with overdrive(s), though. I was really impressed when we got our 8.1L...it would run off and hide from the old 7.4L Vortec, and didn't feel too far behind my Supercharged 454... ------------------------------ Hillbilly Racing Team "Why can't we all just get along, neck"
Thanks for the info, all. Honestly, the engine was just listed pretty cheap and so was a 78 Camaro with no motor/trans, so gears just started turning in my head. I was thinking "fun, cheap 12-second car", "learn about EFI engine swaps", and "fairly easy resale on potentially profitable venture" all at once. I don't think I was too far off on any of those ideas. I've got a long-tail th400 from a BBB LeSabre at home in my garage. Would that bolt up to that Vortec motor? If so, would it handle the torque? - Freed
different bolt pattern BOP TH-400 has a different shape/bolt pattern near the top! You'll need a TH-400 from a chevy, if that's the trans your going to use.
I don't believe the Chevy 400 will bolt up to the new gen Vortecs, either. The bell housing on the new trans are removable and are also part of the structure to give the engine oil pan rigidity.
Well, it's a little less of a bargain than I thought. Apparently this was in a 40k mile Sliverado and the guy got water into the top of the motor and cracked a piston. This cracked piston, in turn, scuffed the heck out of the cylinder walls. The motor is complete from throttle body to pan and has a complete wiring harness, but no ecu. I guess I'll price out what a rebuild & new ECU would cost and take things from there. These things cost about $4500 new, so I think there is still some potential for this endeavor. Heck, it might be worth it just to buy the motor and part it out. Thanks all for the info. - Freed
