8.1 496 fuel injected in 66 suburbun

[c.brown]

just trowing around the idea of puting one of these engines a 496 8.1 liter fuel injected in my 66 suburban just wondured if anyone done this and if so whats the pros and cons thanks

[Captainfab]

It shouldn't be much different that converting to a 5.3 a 6.0 or any other LSX engine. I believe that the 8.1 are a drive by wire though. There are a few guys on this forum that have done the 5.3 or 6.0 swap. I'm sure one of them will chime in.

I would say there would be more pros than cons.

[jgh64pkup]

i think the 8.1 is like a bbc

[Captainfab]

That is true, and a big block will fit without a lot of work as well.

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

i think the 8.1 is like a bbc

[jgh64pkup]

i just looked this up and it has both ls and regular motor mounts

[Captainfab]

Do you have a link where you found the info?

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

i just looked this up and it has both ls and regular motor mounts

[jgh64pkup]

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...n-anybody.html

[Captainfab]

Thanks for the link Gage

Some good info over there.

[jgh64pkup]

ill try to find some more after i get a full 8 hours of sleep

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

.....Some good info over there.

Yeap...thats where my "Z069" build is...check it out sometime !!

[TheDark1]

I have one in my '04 Truck. It's like an old school block with the modern LS style heads. Mine is a drive by wire. Conventional looking gas pedal with a potentiometer with wires instead of a cable. I didn't look at the motor mounts though. The torque is awesome. Let me know if you need any info on it.

[c.brown]

thanks for the info sofar but what im really trying to find out how to do the computer so it will run thanks guys

[Captainfab]

First you will need to have the engine wiring harness reworked (unless you can do it yourself) to accomodate your specific installation. Then once that is done, you will need to have the PCM reflashed to eliminate unused system components (EGR, extra O2's,VATS, etc), and be 'tuned' to work in your vehicle. Most guys send them off to companies that specialize in that sort of thing. Although if you're savy enough you can do it yourself with a program such as EFILive.

There are many companies that can reflash your PCM, but here are a few. Most of these can rework your harness as well.

http://www.fastchip.com/
http://www.lt1swap.com/
http://www.currentperformance.com/
http://www.wait4meperformance.com/
http://www.nelsonperformance.com/

And if you want to give it a try yourself.....

http://www.efilive.com/
http://www.tunercat.com/

Let us know if you to go forward with this project, I'm sure we'd all like to see your Suburban. Some of us may be able to help you out some too. Are you planning on running the overdrive trans that is behind the 8.1?

Originally Posted by c.brown

thanks for the info sofar but what im really trying to find out how to do the computer so it will run thanks guys

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by c.brown

thanks for the info sofar but what im really trying to find out how to do the computer so it will run thanks guys

I might be able to help out a little bit in that department.

[c.brown]

thanks more info not sure what trans is best to run with the motor havent got that far yet anybody know how much an 8.1 is worth i can get one for 3000 with harness no computer

[Clyde65]

You will have to trim the frame a smidge too. The 63-66 trucks all need that to install an LS motor in them. I would suggest motor mounts from CPP ( $129.00) this will greatly help your headers/manifolds depending on what you use. You can go with the stock mounts for a small block, but I think the 8.1 is a big block isnt it? Big blocks were not available until like 68 I think. I put in an ls in my 65 truck and use Wait4me performance, so far so good. I alo would suggest you get the 4L80E trans to handle all that torque, a 4l60/700 wont handle it especially if you have performance mods done to it.

[sailed2japan]

If I remember correctly the 8.1 came with either a 4l80e or allison 1000 from the factory. I would look for a motor with the 4l80e then you could pull the whole harness and have everything you need.

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by c.brown

thanks more info not sure what trans is best to run with the motor havent got that far yet anybody know how much an 8.1 is worth i can get one for 3000 with harness no computer realy need to sell my 468 first if anyones interested about 600 plus horse dart 320 heads 12/1 compression heres some pics of suburban and motor im trying to get rid of thanks again

$3000 sounds steep - I know it isn't the same engine, but a friend just bought a low mileage 2007 L33 (all-aluminum) 5.3L with the the whole engine harness and the accelerator pedal for $1200 shipped to his door.

I'd expect to see a 8.1/allison combo sell for that.

[jgh64pkup]

why dont you just put that 468 in it since you already have it

[oregondunerz]

So here's my take on it.
I have an 8.1 that I intended on throwing in my '65 Chevelle project but I never got around to it. Just beware that they are sort of an odd duck. Yes it is a Big Block but they are not a "standard" GM BBC. You cannot bolt on heads or an intake from a conventional BBC, the holes will not line up. You will either have to keep the stock setup or go a little more custom. There is a company Raylarengine.com that makes alot of parts for the 8.1, mostly in the marine version but everything should work just fine for a street application. Pretty spendy stuff though!

As far as the oil pan, you will have to modify the stock truck pan slightly because they are HUGE in stock form. Once again, a "standard BBC" pan will not work to my knowlege. The 8.1 uses a different bolt pattern and a O-Ring type seal instead of a regular gasket setup.

I intended on running a Hogans sheetmetal intake with my reworked stock heads along with my FAST ECU. I'm sure you can make a LS ECU work as was suggested earlier in this post..?

If you plan on keeping it in "stock" form then I think it's a great plan! If you plan on swapping out crankshaft, camshafts, heads and intake to make BIG BIG power I would suggest just sticking with a standard BBC configuration. You will get a lot more bang for your buck.. Just my .02 cents of course.

Here's a pic of my 8.1 after it got back from the machine shop.

HEADS

-Exhaust ported and bowls cleaned up
-Went from stock 1.74 exhaust valves to Manley 1.88 stainless
-2.19 intake

BLOCK

-Decked
-Line bored
-Balanced
-Eagle rods
-Stock 4 3/8'' crank
-BHJ balancer
-JE pistons (9:1)
-Comp Cams hydraulic roller w/560's lift

[c.brown]

thanks you guys this info really helps the reason for not using the 468 is i want to drive everywhere and anywhere and run pump gas again thanks guys

[oregondunerz]

Originally Posted by c.brown

thanks you guys this info really helps the reason for not using the 468 is i want to drive everywhere and anywhere and run pump gas again thanks guys

The 8.1 will definitely have fuel injected reliability! That's the exact same reason I went that route to be honest. I'm not really a "tuning guru" so I figured having a computer run the thing would make it fool proof.. Anyhow, goodluck with everything bro.

[jgh64pkup]

heres one i found in my area http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/1455528652.html

[oregondunerz]

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

heres one i found in my area http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/1455528652.html

Good find... I hardly ever see these things for sale aside from the occasional fl-Ebay find...

[jgh64pkup]

i wasnt even looking for it i just typed in BBC and that came up