8.1L install into 1978 K10…DONE

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by K20chevy

Hi Larry,

Thanks. I like they way it drives and the power it has.

Someday I might make it out there. Then we can sure do a tow test or if I´d be there, go wheeling somewhere nice.

You didn´t miss any thread, I haven´t started on on the build. I never thought anybody would be interested, so I just kept it to myself... but if there is interest, I can put one together. I documented everything with pictures anyways.

Oh, yeah….lots of cool places to go wheeling, fishing and camping close by here. If you ever make it out, let me know.

You should put together a thread. We all love pictures and that is a really cool combo you have that hasn’t been very well documented. 5.3L and 6.0L / 4L*0E swaps are dime a dozen. A 6.2L with a ZF 6 speed is a unique marriage we haven’t seen before.

[nekkidhillbilly]

01-02 had manual throttle bodies too fyi. 03 was the first drive by wire unless they made the 8.1 different than the rest for some odd reason.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

01-02 had manual throttle bodies too fyi. 03 was the first drive by wire unless they made the 8.1 different than the rest for some odd reason.

Yes, they are different. All 8.1L’s had electronic throttle, with the exception of some special high HP Mercruiser Marine engines that ran on a cable. The Gen III small block engines got electronic throttle around 2003 across the board.

[rs74]

Some good info here. I am going to have to go back and read this again. I am picking up an 84 SRW K30 and am already thinking either 8.1 or Cummins. I thought about the 8.1 and a SM465 but it sounds like the NV4500 is a better fit and run the 205 transfercase. I probably need to see if what other threads you have on this.

I would like to do the cummins but not wanting to have to lift the truck to make it work. I am wanting to keep it stock or at most a 2.5" lift. So the 8.1 is starting to sound more of a choice between the two.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by rs74

Some good info here. I am going to have to go back and read this again. I am picking up an 84 SRW K30 and am already thinking either 8.1 or Cummins. I thought about the 8.1 and a SM465 but it sounds like the NV4500 is a better fit and run the 205 transfercase. I probably need to see if what other threads you have on this.

I would like to do the cummins but not wanting to have to lift the truck to make it work. I am wanting to keep it stock or at most a 2.5" lift. So the 8.1 is starting to sound more of a choice between the two.

Cummins are great swaps for farm boys with a welder and a few feet of fuel line. LS and 8.1L swaps for those enthusiasts that know how to read and write. Haha, just kidding ….I just wanted to razz a few buddies that have done Cummins swaps.

If you want to read up on 8.1L’s check out my 8.1L dedicated thread on CK5.

I also just wrapped up a 8.1L swap into my ’89 Suburban that is better documented than when I did the K10 back in 2008.

Cummins would be great but they are heavy and expensive but they deliver great fuel economy. 8.1L is a complete bolt in affair and no heavier than any older BBC. The HP and torque are on par if not greater than an old 12V. If I had a Cummins in hand I would find a project to do a swap in a heartbeat but I don’t….8.1L’s I had a few around.

If that is not enough reading material for you there is a 8.1L dedicated group on Facebook for swappers called the "8.1L Info Swap Classifieds" where there are guys swapping them into everything from old muscle cars to Mexican Dodge Ram Chargers. All kinds of kinds there...........

[rs74]

Thanks! I read halfway through your nv4500 swap last night. I was thinking of using the sm465 that is in it but the overdrive sounds better. I still have a lot of info to read and research on doing this.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

If that is not enough reading material for you there is a 8.1L dedicated group on Facebook for swappers called the "8.1L Info Swap Classifieds" where there are guys swapping them into everything from old muscle cars to Mexican Dodge Ram Chargers. All kinds of kinds there...........

They must have the page set to secret or something because I can't find it in the search.

[Zoomad75]

Larry's 8.1's have more room between the firewall and the drivers side head than my swapped in 5.3 has in mine that he dropped in for me. You'll have no problem dropping in a 8.1 when the time comes with stock mounts.