what do you find is a reasonable deal for a used 8.1 (L18)?

[324matt]

Since my stock 350 is using more anti freeze and oil than fuel as of late, I have decided to do the 8.1L swap/conversion vs. a LS swap or install a crate 350 or 383. The torque numbers and all of dirty Larry's threads have me convinced. So far my search for an engine has resulted in these prices. One of my concerns is the mileage. How many miles is too many miles for one of these engines, before a swap would be mute?
EBay $1500 + 300 core for a 144k motor
Ebay $2000 + core for a 115k motor
LKQ $1100 + 375 core for a 144k motor
Rv salvage $3000 no core for a 10k motor.

What are your suggestions or thoughts? I'm hoping that someone with experience will chime in on this one.

[68Timber]

Those prices look cheap compared to 6.0 motors I see for sale in this area.

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by 324matt

Since my stock 350 is using more anti freeze and oil than fuel as of late, I have decided to do the 8.1L swap/conversion vs. a LS swap or install a crate 350 or 383. The torque numbers and all of dirty Larry's threads have me convinced. So far my search for an engine has resulted in these prices. One of my concerns is the mileage. How many miles is too many miles for one of these engines, before a swap would be mute?
EBay $1500 + 300 core for a 144k motor
Ebay $2000 + core for a 115k motor
LKQ $1100 + 375 core for a 144k motor
Rv salvage $3000 no core for a 10k motor.

What are your suggestions or thoughts? I'm hoping that someone with experience will chime in on this one.

Search Craiglist too. The RV engine will require you to find all the Truck front accessory drive system, water pump and crossover pipe. I worked with Larry for the company that built the chassis with the 8.1s. The engines are the same but they do differ greatly in that area. Too look "right" you need the truck version of those parts. Besides, the truck stuff if it fails is available at most parts stores. The RV stuff, no so much.

In my mind it's worth it for a low mileage engine from the RV even with changing the front drive stuff. Not that 100k+ is bad on these engines, just like anything else, the lower the mileage the better. Less chance for buildup of sludge and carbon. They were rated for 200k plus by GM. The $3000 question is WHY is the RV in a salvage place to start with? Did the coach get hit? Did it catch fire and burn? If it's not a burn victim and didn't get hit impacting the engine its probably the best bet.

Hopefully the engine is already pulled. Having assisted in pulling a couple in RV's front engine and one rear engine, they are NO fun. Unless you go Roadkill style and cut the whole side of the coach out with a sawzall. We've pulled most front engine rv 8.1's out the front after part of the front cap is pulled and the radiator and support are pulled. Lots of cussing, ensues, but they do come out.

[ZUKE]

Check this out too

http://pacificfabrication.com/produc...-packages.html

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by ZUKE

Check this out too

http://pacificfabrication.com/produc...-packages.html

That's not a bad price for a ready to run crate engine even though it is a used motor the harness it comes with is probably another $1000 if you bought it separately