engine found need opinions

[emolineaux]

ok guys so i sold my 406 and trans and was going to start my lt1 build if i didnt sell my monte but i was looking around for an ls1 and i happen to come across a cheap priced ls style 8.1L out of a 00 gmc. im thinking about buying it. what are the pros and cons to that motor i dont know much about it, and would it be a pain to put it in my 86 monte? i know they make conversion mounts for the ls1 in my car but idk about the big blocks

[camaro2you]

Its a strong motor i have it in my avalanche its a heavy mother and has a lot of torque but im unsure of what parts are actually available for it.

[ta350]

It is a factory, heavy truck motor. Cast iron crank. Strictly a low rpm workhorse. It is based in the latest series of big blocks, with their cooling and oiling differences, one piece rear main seal. As built, there is nothing hi-performance about it. Heads are small port truck..... but there is a supercharger made for it and i believe 502 heads fit on there.


345HP/460Ft LBs of Torque

[PolarBear]

I think the worst part of the swap (and expensive) are the headers

[NJ346]

erick are you a member on LS1teh? I just did a search over there and found some info: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1025939-8-1-4th-gen-camaro.html . Pretty much they are saying a 6.0 truck block might be the better bet, and the 8.1 weighs close to 800lbs so it you'd have to make sure the suspension on the front end is good in that car.

[ta350]

I would personally get a 6.0L much easier to make power and parts readily available... ls1trucks.com has alot of parts and tech on there


or duramax it like this Grand National

http://18to1.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1

[emolineaux]

i just found a gen 5 454 for $450 guy says it needs rebuild

[DaSkinnyGuy]

find an LQ9 6.0L truck block.

[LTb1ow]

Make the LT1 a 396?

[emolineaux]

i dont want to drop the money im getting from the 406 to get a stroker kit

[sweetbmxrider]

lq4

[Tru2Chevy]

ok guys so i sold my 406 and trans and was going to start my lt1 build if i didnt sell my monte but i was looking around for an ls1 and i happen to come across a cheap priced ls style 8.1L out of a 00 gmc. im thinking about buying it. what are the pros and cons to that motor i dont know much about it, and would it be a pain to put it in my 86 monte? i know they make conversion mounts for the ls1 in my car but idk about the big blocks

It's not an LS-based engine, it's a BBC. I would skip it unless it was dirt cheap. A 6.0L is a good starting point for a build, but I would look around for an LS2 block to start with instead of an LQ9....aluminum > iron

- Justin

[emolineaux]

sorry i thought it was part of the ls family. the 8.1 is $500 and the 5th gen 454 is $450

[Tru2Chevy]

And this is to drop into your MC?

- Justin

[emolineaux]

yes. before i first started this project i wanted it to be a big block car

[Tru2Chevy]

yes. before i first started this project i wanted it to be a big block car

I haven't personally done it, but I wouldn't think swapping a big block into a G-Body would be much of a big deal.

And Scooter - Super Comps for that application are $499 from Jegs....

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker/520/2241/10002/-1

- Justin

[emolineaux]

the headers that i had on the 406 dont fit the lt1. does the lt1 take special headers? i cant find ones for a swap in an lt1 for my car there all gen 1 and the ls1 engines

[PolarBear]

And Scooter - Super Comps for that application are $499 from Jegs....

Yeah I forgot, Rich wanted a specific size for a BBC and not many people made them, the ones available are expensive

[LTb1ow]

the headers that i had on the 406 dont fit the lt1. does the lt1 take special headers? i cant find ones for a swap in an lt1 for my car there all gen 1 and the ls1 engines

Yup, its a special engine.

[WildBillyT]

It is a factory, heavy truck motor. Cast iron crank. Strictly a low rpm workhorse. It is based in the latest series of big blocks, with their cooling and oiling differences, one piece rear main seal. As built, there is nothing hi-performance about it. Heads are small port truck..... but there is a supercharger made for it and i believe 502 heads fit on there.


345HP/460Ft LBs of Torque

QFT.

Not worth it. There aren't that many speed parts for it since a lot of Mark IV stuff doesn't swap over.

[JL8Jeff]

the headers that i had on the 406 dont fit the lt1. does the lt1 take special headers? i cant find ones for a swap in an lt1 for my car there all gen 1 and the ls1 engines

Why don't the 406 headers fit the LT1, same small block motor so they should bolt right up. The LT1 has D exhaust ports but that shouldn't be a problem. I put standard headers for a 68 Camaro small block motor on the 94 LT1 motor that was in the car with no problems.

[ta350]

QFT.

Not worth it. There aren't that many speed parts for it since a lot of Mark IV stuff doesn't swap over.


QFT? Im slacking on the lingo

[WildBillyT]

QFT? Im slacking on the lingo

Quoted for truth, or, as I use it, Quite ****ing true. Basically it means I agree with what you said 100%.

[emolineaux]

i have the lt1 on the engine stand and i went to just bolt the headers on there for now and after i put the first bolt in the rest didnt match up along with the ports.

[ta350]

Quoted for truth, or, as I use it, Quite ****ing true. Basically it means I agree with what you said 100%.
:werddance:

[emolineaux]

ill take pics of it tomorrow to show you guys whats going on with the headers.

[ta350]

I still say go with the turbo diesel like the Grand Natty

[91chevywt]

Eric, I used the headers from the 350 I sold you on my LT1, and they bolted up just fine. I know my headers on the front flanges have two holes, and I had to use the hole closest to the tube and the rest of them lined up just fine. To my knowledge, they don't make special headers for that application. Your 406 headers should work. If you don't have that inside hole, you may have to drill it.

In my opinion, don't go with the 8.1. Its basically a larger displacement 454 with coil per plug ignition. They are decent in stock form, but not performance engines by any means. A good friend has the 4500 with the 8.1, and it makes good low end torque but thats about it. It has about 12,000 miles on it and it already burns oil and has piston slap when cold. Also, I know someone else with a motor home that has the 8.1 (i forget the mileage) and it consumes quite a bit of oil, along with the piston slap. From what I understand, it was a common issue for these engines. Similar to the early 5.3/6.0 truck motors. I believe due to the piston skirt being too short?

[emolineaux]

ok thanks for all the info i actually ended up selling the monte

[creeper]

now you can put all the money into your 98! yayyy!

[emolineaux]

lol. not all but some. i have a few more items i want to sell but ill probably get an intake manifold long tubes catted y and some more suspension

[creeper]

sounds like a good plan to me