INTERNAL ENGINE MODIFICATIONS Valvetrain |Heads | Strokers | Design | Assembly

6.0L to 8.1L Swap?? 6.0 Locked Up

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-31-2008, 10:38 AM
  #1  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
bmbutler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston, TX (La Porte)
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 6.0L to 8.1L Swap?? 6.0 Locked Up

My Nelson Tuned 6.0 has been a good motor for 4 years until last Thursday when it locked up.
Has anyone done a swap in a 1/2 ton to an 8.1L? PMs welcome.

I found an 8.1L in Houston for $1900 with 6 month warranty with 53K miles and comes with ECM.

I already have the 4L80E conversion...what else will I need. New harness?
Will it fit or will I need HD hood? Any suggestions?
If not, I found another 6.0 for $1600.00

Also, how do you get a hold of Nelson Performance these days? I called the number but no answer.
Old 03-31-2008, 11:41 AM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
bmbutler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston, TX (La Porte)
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 6.0 to 8.1

Finally got through to Nelson Performance...I guess I've been out of the loop for a while because his business must have grown BIG!!!
There's a 2-day period before he may be able to personally call you back, at least that's what the lady that answered the phone said, ....and they will not tune on Saturdays anymore. With no days off except Saturdays and a 400 mile round trip to factor in. I think Nelson may be out of the question now days. He was a great guy, and worked unbelievable magic, but I may have to find a new tuner....that sucks.

Who else in southern texas tunes with a dyno and knows about motor swaps for 99+ Silverados?

And the one I really need help with:
Replacement 6.0? Rebuild the one I got (assuming block is alright) or 8.1L (if its worth the trouble).
I have about $3000 budgeted for this project.

Thank you all!!!

I tried searching for past threads on 8.1s but am not having good luck.
If there are any threads on the 8.1 and swapping, please direct me to them.
Old 03-31-2008, 11:48 AM
  #3  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (7)
 
99Silverado5.3's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: (281)-(713)-(832)
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Go with the rebuilt 6.0...maybe bore it to 370.

8.1 not worth it imo.
Old 03-31-2008, 11:55 AM
  #4  
Hunt&Fisherator
iTrader: (15)
 
silver-mod-o's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SETx
Posts: 14,314
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

the 8.1 has little to no aftermarket support... GEN III smallblocks are everywhere... I'd go back with another 6L
Old 03-31-2008, 12:14 PM
  #5  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Red04Silverado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Maple Park IL
Posts: 771
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Its really to bad no one has any aftermarket parts for the 8.1. Always wondered what a hop up 8.1 would do in a 1500.
Old 03-31-2008, 12:38 PM
  #6  
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
ls6musclehead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 103
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

IMO 8.1l is just to heavy for the power available. If the current 6.0l is locked up and repairable, get a stroker kit online and go. No replacement for displacement.(and wieght savings)
Old 03-31-2008, 12:39 PM
  #7  
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
ls6musclehead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 103
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

BTW what caused it to lock up?
Old 03-31-2008, 12:49 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
KevinF56's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by ls6musclehead
BTW what caused it to lock up?
yeah i'd like to know this as well.
Old 03-31-2008, 12:53 PM
  #9  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
bmbutler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston, TX (La Porte)
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Locked Up

Not sure yet what the cause is yet. I haven't used nitrous the past year.
I plan on tearing it down or at least starting tonight.
I was driving it pretty hard last Thursday, it got right up to about 5900 RPMs in 2nd gear and right when it went to shift, it died. No noise or anything.
I actually thought I lost another transmission.
When I coasted to a parking lot, I tried to start the motor back up. Starter was hittin hard, but wouldn't turn motor. Opened the hood and smoke was coming out of the air filter. Got home and found a breaker bar and socket, motor still wouldn't turn over. Oil has metal flakes in it (off dip stick) and the level is twice as high as normal...I'm guessing there's water in the oil.

I am anxious to see what the internals look like. I've taken the valve covers off just to see if anything unusual in there going on and it all looked good...hopefully the cam is still okay.

I guess I'll forget about the 8.1
Old 03-31-2008, 07:03 PM
  #10  
TECH Junkie
 
ZO6Ted's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 3,295
Received 252 Likes on 164 Posts
Default

An 8.1 with aluminum heads would sure be fun, just not for the $3000.


Quick Reply: 6.0L to 8.1L Swap?? 6.0 Locked Up



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 PM.