81 Engine Tranny swap
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Towanda Pa
81 Engine Tranny swap
I purchased an 81 with an automatic tranny. The engine is not original and I have no ideas about what kind of power it puts out. I am considering rebuilding the engine but I have no experience with rebuilds. Does anyone know what engines will drop in if I go with a crate? I would also like to put a manual in it. I'm hoping someone has experience or links that I can use to help make my decisions.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
What kind of transmission; 4, 5, or 6 speed? Any small block Chevy engine will bolt in. Mods needed if you want to go with a LS engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
http://www.jegs.com/i/Blueprint+Engi...13CT1/10002/-1
anything carb, like this, will fit no problem. if you go with fuel injection you have some custom work to do. You will have to buy pedles and other things to put in a 4-5 or 6 speed in the car. It can be done and several are doing it as we type. Just read around.
anything carb, like this, will fit no problem. if you go with fuel injection you have some custom work to do. You will have to buy pedles and other things to put in a 4-5 or 6 speed in the car. It can be done and several are doing it as we type. Just read around.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Towanda Pa
Thanks for the advice. Just to clarify a big block will drop in? I'm not sure how well the engine performs as I don't have anything to compare to. There is lag once I push the gas before it goes. Not sure if something isn't adjusted right or what the problem could be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Even in perfect working order the '81 with the L81 engine and three speed auto trans is not a "get pushed into the seat" setup.
Delay could be timing is off or the carb needs rebuilding as the off idle circuit is not working. Could also be trans is slipping....need more information as to the delay.
Later
Delay could be timing is off or the carb needs rebuilding as the off idle circuit is not working. Could also be trans is slipping....need more information as to the delay.
Later
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
It is "relatively" easy to swap out a small block auto with another small block and manual trans. Especially in the 81.
There are a lot of pictures and threads in the forum on how to do it.
There are some parts to buy for the manual conversion, and you do have to dismantle part of the dash to put in the pedals and wiring and such as well as modify the console to fit the shifter.
Look at what you want to keep from the original engine. If you can use the brackets for the alternator, power steering pump, A/C etc then you can save money.
If you go with a big block, very little of what you have will work. You will have to get it all.
As is stated earlier in the thread, you need to sit down and do a little figuring as to what it is you want to do.
Do you want, or have to replace the motor? What kind of performance do you want?
Are you sure you want a manual? Do you want to run pump gas?
How far do I want to go, and how much money do I have to commit to this project?
There are a lot of pictures and threads in the forum on how to do it.
There are some parts to buy for the manual conversion, and you do have to dismantle part of the dash to put in the pedals and wiring and such as well as modify the console to fit the shifter.
Look at what you want to keep from the original engine. If you can use the brackets for the alternator, power steering pump, A/C etc then you can save money.
If you go with a big block, very little of what you have will work. You will have to get it all.
As is stated earlier in the thread, you need to sit down and do a little figuring as to what it is you want to do.
Do you want, or have to replace the motor? What kind of performance do you want?
Are you sure you want a manual? Do you want to run pump gas?
How far do I want to go, and how much money do I have to commit to this project?
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