81 Engine Swap ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO TX
81 Engine Swap ?
I have a 81 that has a L 48 motor swapped in. This eliminated the ECM. I know its been done but cant fine a good, complete writeup about removing the ECM and all components and associated wiring. Is there one I am not finding? If so, can someone point me in the right direction? I would like to eliminate the slop in the engine compartment and excess wiring under the console.
Thx
Thx
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
The 81 had a regular 350 (L48 or forged L82)from the factory as far as l know you just need to swap carbs and remove some sensor wiring from The computer unless the transmission is controlled by it but I doubt it. A Haynes it chiltons manual should explain it all in more detail with diagrams explaining which wiring is for what. You might find something here by using the search function but I doubt it would be complete.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 18, 2014 at 12:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
The '81 is unique in many ways, but the one of the coolest (IMHO) is has an L81 engine (the only year the engine and year model numbers matched). Only the Corvette got it. The only thing special about it is computer controlled spark and quadrajet.
There is a write-up, somewhere on this forum, that explains exactly what you're looking to do.
There is a write-up, somewhere on this forum, that explains exactly what you're looking to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The AIM shows the computer installation and the wiring harness. Removing it all should not be a challenge other than getting to it. FWIW: if you make a clean removal, you may be able to sell the goodies to someone who might need it.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jul 19, 2014 at 12:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
The '81 is unique in many ways, but the one of the coolest (IMHO) is has an L81 engine (the only year the engine and year model numbers matched). Only the Corvette got it. The only thing special about it is computer controlled spark and quadrajet.
There is a write-up, somewhere on this forum, that explains exactly what you're looking to do.
There is a write-up, somewhere on this forum, that explains exactly what you're looking to do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO TX
augie, really dont know. I purchased this as a project and the PO told me the motor was swapped to a L48. It has a new HEI, new cam, intake and carb. He said the mechanic told him the lower end was in good condition. I'm a little ways away from making it run but want to possibly tackle this while working on the interior..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
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
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 28
What exactly are you trying to eliminate? Once you remove the CCC harness it's basically headlights, turn signals/parking lights, HVAC, choke, cooling fan, starter and the gauges.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Amorget,
We have 2 81's just recently purchased off EBay. Stupid us, wanted some Winter projects, and my wife and I both love the C3 body. On mine, the engine was removed, another block was rebuilt and installed. Since then, all the AC was removed, the computer removed, and things rerouted. What's left is a bunch of hoses, wires, no radiator shroud, but 345 HP is left. I'd like to clean mine up, while removing the HVAC, Smog crap, and unneeded wires from my wife's car. She wants more HP. I'm not a mechanic at all, and the thought of getting in too deep scares the crap out of me. I just don't know what I'm doing.
I have the 81 Assembly Manual, the Chilton's Manual. I'm going to begin taking out the interior of mine soon, as well as the front and rear bumper and replacing those. I also need to put in a front impact bar, since mine was broken. I will do my best to trace wires, look at wiring diagrams in the books, and see what is what.
These cars are to be just toys for us, to go to car shows, and we both have had so many Vettes in the past, that we really don't care about the matching numbers and such. We only want to drive them, burn a little rubber once in a while, and have fun.
We have 2 81's just recently purchased off EBay. Stupid us, wanted some Winter projects, and my wife and I both love the C3 body. On mine, the engine was removed, another block was rebuilt and installed. Since then, all the AC was removed, the computer removed, and things rerouted. What's left is a bunch of hoses, wires, no radiator shroud, but 345 HP is left. I'd like to clean mine up, while removing the HVAC, Smog crap, and unneeded wires from my wife's car. She wants more HP. I'm not a mechanic at all, and the thought of getting in too deep scares the crap out of me. I just don't know what I'm doing.
I have the 81 Assembly Manual, the Chilton's Manual. I'm going to begin taking out the interior of mine soon, as well as the front and rear bumper and replacing those. I also need to put in a front impact bar, since mine was broken. I will do my best to trace wires, look at wiring diagrams in the books, and see what is what.
These cars are to be just toys for us, to go to car shows, and we both have had so many Vettes in the past, that we really don't care about the matching numbers and such. We only want to drive them, burn a little rubber once in a while, and have fun.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
It's an L-48, 2 bolt main with L-82 style magnesium valve covers and L-82 aluminum intake manifold.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
augie, really dont know. I purchased this as a project and the PO told me the motor was swapped to a L48. It has a new HEI, new cam, intake and carb. He said the mechanic told him the lower end was in good condition. I'm a little ways away from making it run but want to possibly tackle this while working on the interior..
Performance all depends on your wallet and the motor should hold up fine unless you start throwing NOS in it. If it was my car? I would go with cam and heads if money allowed. Than manifold and carb. You can reverse that order depending on funds but the heads and cam will be the biggest bang for the buck!