8.1 swap question.

A

Anonymous

Guest
Has anyone ever put the 8.1 in their car? Kind of curious... I sell used LS-1, LS-2, LS-3, LQ-4 and LQ-9 motors and have the opportunity to buy a lot of 30 of these motors. I was just wondering if there is a market for this kind of thing. Thanks! --Jason--
 

blubaldmontess

Dragway Regular
Oct 3, 2005
872
0
16
Clarksville, TN
The reason I didn't go with this si because I didn't know it would fit or not. The market for these isn't real big as far as I know, only because of the aftermarket stuff and prices. I also heard alot about oil consumption; ie many people have been complaining about burning or using oil.

I would check the truck websites to see if anybody has interest:
http://www.fullsizechevy.com
http://www.performancetrucks.net

as well as watching interest on ebay and all.

forgot to ask where you were located, because when I did the lq9 swap, I coulda used a supplier eh?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Updated my profile.... I have family in Jonesville, VA and go up there every couple of months or so. I had heard of some consumption isuues, too. I'm still debating it. An 8.1 would be a good swap for my elky....
 

blubaldmontess

Dragway Regular
Oct 3, 2005
872
0
16
Clarksville, TN
Do they run the same motor mounts as the lsx engines? If so it shouldn't be that hard, if not, I don't know where youd go for some?
 

454mali

Dragway Regular
Jan 26, 2006
1,393
0
0
Cleveland OH
8.1 is a bbc... nothing lsx about it
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Huh... My GMPP catalog lists it as an LS series motor. Oh well. I made my own motor mounts for the Camaro (When I did the swap it was in 2003 when no one was making them yet.) also modified the crossmember myself to clear the camaro oil pan. I think I'm going to see if I can buy a smaller lot from my supplier. Maybe buy just 5. The more I think about it, the more I want to do this in the elky! LOL! Also noticed a stroker kit for these motors at eagle.com that turns these into a 8.7!

Ooopppss! Just double checked: Listed in GM commercial cat. as an "LQ-5/L-18"
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Was Just looking at the specs and they are miserable! The LS-2 makes more power. True, having 496 ci. is pretty cool, but not worth the headache. Guess I'll just go LS-3. I just brought 2 of them back, so I guess I will put one in my elky. Thanks Guys!
 

Deuce4935

Frequent Racer
Nov 19, 2007
341
0
0
Chicago, Il
454mali said:
8.1 is a bbc... nothing lsx about it
The 8.1 has both the lsx and traditional bbc motor mount bosses on the block so you can install without adapter plates. They're heavy on torque but low on hp for the size. Cam swaps are out of the question without major machine work because they werent built to be high-revving, peak power numbers come in under 5000rpm. The swap would be great for an older tbi or carb 1500 series pickup than an elky considering these engines weigh a considerable amount thats going to kill the front end. I have one with 40,000 miles and all accessories that I'd considered dropping in the "BU" but decided against it. Maybe when the time comes, I'll put it in my 89' 1500 2wd Silverado just for kicks.
 

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