new from California

[DannyA]

Hey everyone, I'm from northern California and I'm a mechanical engineering student at CSU Chico. I want to say this is a great website!

Here's what brings me here: I am planning to swap out my tbi 454 with something newer. This is a '95 extend cab long bed that sits on 35's, she has a full float rearend and 4L80e. I stuck a new cam in there a year ago and that has been a little fun, but with almost 190,000 miles on the truck, and a leaking rear main seal, I'm thinking it's time for something fresh, strong, possibly turbocharged, and fast.

I'm strongly considering doing rebuilding an 8.1, keeping the factory heads, factory intake and exhaust manifolds, then going all forged bottom end, upgrade valvetrain, new injectors, as big a cam as I can sneak past smog, and keeping it low compression. I've thought about the 6.0 but the extra displacement, huge 4.37" stroke of the 8.1's has me wanting one for this 6000lb truck.

Phase II will be upgrading the drivetrain, then phase III we'll start thinking about turbos(realistically 1.5-2yrs down the road).

So there it is. . .

Danny

[DannyA]

Also does anyone have any links to 8.1 threads, the search doesn't like numbers for some reason, even a search for "5.3" brings up nothing for me.

Thanks

[2k5Squirrel]

Also does anyone have any links to 8.1 threads, the search doesn't like numbers for some reason, even a search for "5.3" brings up nothing for me.

Thanks

no one really messes with the 8.1, there isn't much of an aftermarket for those motors. i, along with everyone else, is going to tell you to go with the 6.0. there is a lot of info on here swapping 4.8/5.3/6.0 in the OBS. i would go with a mild cammed 6.0. the 4L80E is a stought trannsmission and can handle almost anything you can throw at it.

start reading!!
http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-truck-conversions/

and we don't mind answering questions for you, but please try at least one search before you ask. most likely your question already has an answer somewhere on here. if not, we'll get you one!


Welcome Aboard!!

[lechez71]

welcome

[viper1_2001]

Welcome, Sounds like a fun project.
I have to agree with the others, theres so much aftermarket stuff for the LS motors you can do just about anything you can think of.

[rutroe]

Welcome to the site!

[GasGuzzler]

Welcome. The 8100 would be a great swap for that truck and would be a big improvement but they have little aftermarket support and are very heavy.

[Botlfed]

welcome to the site, some will say go 6.0, ill say 5.3

[PurpleMinivan]

welcome to the site, some will say go 6.0, ill say 5.3

He is looking for power... . Welcome! +2 on the 6.0... more specific a LQ4 if you plan on turbo in the future, more power and torque than your tbi 454 for sure. Good luck and ask away!

[sierraman]

welcome to the site, sounds like you have a fun project ahead of you