8.1 Vortec Conversion...Anybody??????
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Having spent many a cold beer with Gerry72, I think there is a humor factor that must have been missed in his original post. He is one funny guy with a wicked dry sense of humor, that may not have translated in his post about "truck" motors.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
I was also having fun back - and am having fun.
It is all good - truck motor and all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
It weighs around 800 lbs which is about what a stock 69 big block would weigh. No magic weight savings or gaining here. The intake is aluminum and the throttle body weights nothing, but the heads are cast and all eight coils together might weigh the same or more than a standard distributor.
Hey Demon'73, that is AWESOME! Other than some limited choices on the accessory drive, you will find this to be an easy swap that causes lots of jaw dropping and head scratching when the hood comes up.
If you can muster up the green backs, Raylar has some killer stuff for these mills that will put it through the roof.
When you look at the heads, you will notice the exhaust ports are really tight. I am sure there is power there (higher RPM hp) just waiting to be left free. We didn't go there, but I would suggest you take a look at that if not putting hot heads on.
Other than cutting the oil pan, it should drop right in. Make sure you get the GM pilot bearing that fit the stick shift 8.1 motors. It is a nice piece and your six will slide right into it. You need the older T56 set up and it will bolt right up.
Post some pics or link to your build (or pm me) when you can.
Hey Demon'73, that is AWESOME! Other than some limited choices on the accessory drive, you will find this to be an easy swap that causes lots of jaw dropping and head scratching when the hood comes up.
If you can muster up the green backs, Raylar has some killer stuff for these mills that will put it through the roof.
When you look at the heads, you will notice the exhaust ports are really tight. I am sure there is power there (higher RPM hp) just waiting to be left free. We didn't go there, but I would suggest you take a look at that if not putting hot heads on.
Other than cutting the oil pan, it should drop right in. Make sure you get the GM pilot bearing that fit the stick shift 8.1 motors. It is a nice piece and your six will slide right into it. You need the older T56 set up and it will bolt right up.
Post some pics or link to your build (or pm me) when you can.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks Alberta
Hey I'm glad theres a few like you that believe in this engine too. I do. I've heard of Raylar. I'll get into that in the future, when I overhaul it, poke it out to 525ci and supercharge it.
Not many pictures to share as of yet. I live in Alberta, Canada. My tranny is currently on a truck coming from New Hampshire. and my engine is a complete runner with harness and ecm, but it still is in the donor truck (a 2001 3500 dually) and in another town 2 hours away.
I'm currently working on getting everything to my place. I'll put up a pick of the car........but I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it.....
this being a vette place and all 
Hmm. I don't actually have many recent pics of it. its been in my family for 36 of its 37 years. I've had it for 10 now.
Oh heres the tranny thats on its way though
Not many pictures to share as of yet. I live in Alberta, Canada. My tranny is currently on a truck coming from New Hampshire. and my engine is a complete runner with harness and ecm, but it still is in the donor truck (a 2001 3500 dually) and in another town 2 hours away.
I'm currently working on getting everything to my place. I'll put up a pick of the car........but I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it.....
this being a vette place and all Hmm. I don't actually have many recent pics of it. its been in my family for 36 of its 37 years. I've had it for 10 now.
Oh heres the tranny thats on its way though
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Very cool! That F body is one of my favorites of all time. Dropping a modern rat in there is just awesome. I have a LS1 in my 69 Camaro and love the benefit of reliable EFI, overdrive trans...and clean cool looks under the hood as well as mid 12 second quarter mile speed and great gas mileage.
The 8.1 is all that and more - plus it keeps the fenders stuffed - unlike the LS or other alternatives.
The 8.1 is all that and more - plus it keeps the fenders stuffed - unlike the LS or other alternatives.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
Yep - he is correct. However, the full details of the swap will be in your June and July issue of Corvette Enthusiast magazine. The first article will cover the nuts and bolts of getting monster between the frame rails, while the second one will focus on the electronics and fine details of brining it to life as well as the dyno/tune work.
I saved the best details and photos for the magazine piece. I hope it gives inspiration and ideas to others interested in trying something different with the same idea in mind of keeping the huge on large displacement under the hood - with all the benefits of LS technology.
The Last Rat......
I saved the best details and photos for the magazine piece. I hope it gives inspiration and ideas to others interested in trying something different with the same idea in mind of keeping the huge on large displacement under the hood - with all the benefits of LS technology.
The Last Rat......
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks Alberta
Yep - he is correct. However, the full details of the swap will be in your June and July issue of Corvette Enthusiast magazine. The first article will cover the nuts and bolts of getting monster between the frame rails, while the second one will focus on the electronics and fine details of brining it to life as well as the dyno/tune work.
I saved the best details and photos for the magazine piece. I hope it gives inspiration and ideas to others interested in trying something different with the same idea in mind of keeping the huge on large displacement under the hood - with all the benefits of LS technology.
The Last Rat......
I saved the best details and photos for the magazine piece. I hope it gives inspiration and ideas to others interested in trying something different with the same idea in mind of keeping the huge on large displacement under the hood - with all the benefits of LS technology.
The Last Rat......
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks Alberta
Vive Le RAT 
I don't want to spam your thread but since you sold it........I'm not sure I've ever heard of that mag around here. I'd be interested to read your swap article though. any idea how a guy could get it up here?
here's my parts finally in my garage. very very complete engine, uncut harness, and both ECMs. nice base to start.
I don't want to spam your thread but since you sold it........I'm not sure I've ever heard of that mag around here. I'd be interested to read your swap article though. any idea how a guy could get it up here?
here's my parts finally in my garage. very very complete engine, uncut harness, and both ECMs. nice base to start.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks Alberta
Here's a quick question then.....looking at the front end configuration of your and mine.. they're different. my Alt is where your AC compressor is, my waterneck is to the left of the Alt yours is center. my throttle body actuator is different too. still electronic obviously but different......
is it a difference of a California engine to a canadian engine? I wonder......
is it a difference of a California engine to a canadian engine? I wonder......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: salinas ca
Here's a quick question then.....looking at the front end configuration of your and mine.. they're different. my Alt is where your AC compressor is, my waterneck is to the left of the Alt yours is center. my throttle body actuator is different too. still electronic obviously but different......
is it a difference of a California engine to a canadian engine? I wonder......
is it a difference of a California engine to a canadian engine? I wonder......
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 3
From: Clinton IL
I used MEDIUM duty truck accessories to get the a/c up high and alt on the right side. These are found on any dump truck, school bus, wrecker, motor home, or other vehicle with this engine. You can also buy these parts new still.
By the way, the article is now out and you can view it on-line if you don't have a subscription for free.
www.corvetteenthusiast.com - go to pag 58 of the current (June) issue. We'll cover the electrical and other details in the July issue.
I saved the best details and step by step info for the magazine article and I think it will sum it all up very well for those inquiring minds.
By the way, the article is now out and you can view it on-line if you don't have a subscription for free.
www.corvetteenthusiast.com - go to pag 58 of the current (June) issue. We'll cover the electrical and other details in the July issue.
I saved the best details and step by step info for the magazine article and I think it will sum it all up very well for those inquiring minds.
