ok this question has probably been asked to death, but i'm still hungry for all the info i can get. Gm's 8.1... what is there for performance parts and what have people done to it. my 93 chevy is gettin tired and she needs a replacement. I want my next truck to have some spunk to her... i've seen so many 6.0s get up into the 600hp range... but i can't bear to go to a small block (the fuel doesn't bother me). All I can find is 6.0 parts.. does any one know where i can find parts for the 8.1. I've seen marine 8.1's get high, but those aren't all that street legal. If i have to i suppose i'll drop down to a small block but as a last resort.... Ideally i'd like to drop an 8.1 in2 a 2500hd ec sb and sell off the 6.0. Go w/ either a intercooled whipple or procharger cuz i'm not 2 sure if i want twin screw or centrifigal. The allison is just not a performance tranny and the 4l80E has more successes under its belt than i can count. i'm guessin $50k w/ truck and mods after i'm done....ouch i guess thats y i've done nothing but work my tail off for the past 8 yrs and live like a granny

 

No there are quite a few parts:

Cams, headers, Intakes, MAF, Programmers, EDIT works with it, Whipple has a twin screw supercharger, you could easily get the heads ported too.

The Allison is a badass trans. If you tow with your truck you'd need a Multiclutch converter so you won't slip in OD. http://www.suncoastconverters.com/index.html and www.atsdiesel.com has them. They will take in excess of 450+rwhp and 800+rwtq with that Multiclutch converter and a valve body mod.

I am gonna flip my Z71 in ~October (I'll have enough to pay in full) and buy a 2500HD DMax/Allison 4x4. Check out www.bullydog.com or www.duramaximizer.com or www.atsdiesel.com for performance. You have programmers, propane, 4" exhaust, NO CATS from factory, nitrous, and 20+mpg on the freeway in economy mode with the programmer...

 

I have two 8.1s that I've been modding. This first in in a Suburban. It has a Whipple supercharger/intercooler, Volant induction, TOG headers, Direct Hits Ignition and custom programming. So far it's run 14.5 @ 92. The second truck is a Silverado HD. Mods for that one include a Volant induction, ported throttlebody, TB spacer, TOG headers, Comp Cam, custom programming and electic fans. I may be doing the heads in the near future.

Mileage isn't as a good as a diesel but they have plenty fo power

Tom

 

Remembr the 8.1L is just a Big block chevy any od the mk6 parts will fit it there are the edelrock AL cylinders heads and cams galore + the usaul headers exhausts etc. there isn't as much stuff developing as the 8.1 is at the end of its life cycle.

 

Do the intake ports on those heads match up to the stock intake manifold?

 

No ****? I thought this was a redesigned motor like the Gen III motors! I heard it was just an increased stroke 454.

Why is it at the end of its life cycle?