Hey Guys:

Just a novice question.

I see alot of guys going to the 6.0 when their 4.8/5.3 gives up the ghost, but why is it I haven't seen anyone has step up to the 8.1L for a RCSB truck? Has noone done this type of swap before? I was thinking of this on my new 5.3, and sure it will not pass emissions, but just how tough and how much $$ could this be? Just seems to me after you spend 5k on a Radix, then rebuild the tranny so you can have the power, it would be almost the same $$ (after pirating the computer and harness as well) to get the big daddy motor in there. Torque would be brutal to say the least, what about HP? Help me out, am I missing something, or alot of something???

 

Probably becasue the aftermarket is not as big as the 6.0L engine goes, so there arent as many aftermarket parts, plus I think that the engine is kinda heavy compared to the 6.0L.

 

the 8.1 is a big block, it would require new motor mounts, new fuel system, new computer, probably new tranny, cooling system, drive shaft...it's heavy as hell. it's not a direct swap such as the 6.0. the 8.1 in a new rcsb has been done, and i'm there are more and more 8.1 mods available all the time, but i don't think it's really that economical of a swap when you can just build a stroker LQ9 and make monster power and very dependable daily driver.

 

God lord, the front end of your truck would weight a ton. The big block has to be at least 300lbs more. You would have to get a 4L80E to take a built 8.1. Not alot of performance parts available. By the time it is done you would have a single cab HD.

 

I think a good built 6L or 408 small block will outperform the 8.1L and be much easier to install.

 

single cab 1500 hd with a 2/4 drop 22's, sounds pretty pimp, but VERY expensive. you wouldn't have to buy a front drop though cuz that thing weighs so much.