Dang seeing their prices for an 05+ 60 makes me happy, makes the two I’ve got $600 into total worth more
CK5
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2008 Suburban HD - 8.1L swap (frankenburban 2.0)
- Thread starter fidelity101
- Start date
Dang seeing their prices for an 05+ 60 makes me happy, makes the two I’ve got $600 into total worth more
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
ta'da! got the 8.1 intake piping in and drove it around for a bit, works really... well. It looks totally stock too which is great. Kind of on the fence about going to a cone filter style intake but this just works and it isn't 300 dollars, it was 30.
CEL is solid on probably due to the VVT solenoid not connected.
next up is fix exhaust leak then tune then I get to tow with it on the 11th so some real world performance will be judged but my overall grandpa truck driving style gives it the initial approval..
Gotta love factory perfect swaps!
Not gonna lie...this was pretty freaking cool! 
Great work dude, it looks totally factory in there! Looking forward to seeing how that 8.1 does with the 6l90e trans too.
I just registered on this forum because of this thread. This is a swap I've been waiting for a very long time for someone to accomplish.
Couple of years ago, I swapped a 8.1 in place of a 6.0 LQ4 in my 2006 Express van that I used for heavy long-distance towing. The engine won't start on 6.0 tune until I had BlackBear reflash the computer with the 8.1 numbers.
But in your thread, you say you still have to tune it, I wonder how you managed to start the engine then? Still on 6.0 tune?
Also, regarding the VVT code, can VVT functionality be disabled in the tune, or you'd have to zip-tie the actual solenoid under the hood to keep the code off?
Couple of years ago, I swapped a 8.1 in place of a 6.0 LQ4 in my 2006 Express van that I used for heavy long-distance towing. The engine won't start on 6.0 tune until I had BlackBear reflash the computer with the 8.1 numbers.
But in your thread, you say you still have to tune it, I wonder how you managed to start the engine then? Still on 6.0 tune?
Also, regarding the VVT code, can VVT functionality be disabled in the tune, or you'd have to zip-tie the actual solenoid under the hood to keep the code off?
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
Different ECMs between the GMT800 and GMT900. I drove around maybe 10-20 miles without touching the computer its still on the 6.0 tune but it has a solid CEL on but it doesn't seem to affect the performance the engine runs smooth. How I managed to start it was easy, I just hooked up everything then put the key in the ignition to from on to start
I haven't gone WOT yet because of shift points - I will be getting the re-cal this week.
The VVT can be deleted with the ECM (electronically speaking) because technically you have mechanically deleted it with the 8.1. People do DOD/VVT deletes all the time on the 5.3/6.0.
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
Okay so initial impressions..
- You can feel the added weight over the front end
- There is a lot more torque mid/low end
- Engine requires about 20-30% more fuel in most instances across the VE table
- Transmission tune requires some shift point adjustment (still need to get that done)
- This thing really drinks the gas if you let it.
- Kind of want to open the exhaust up a bit to get that big block gluglugluglug sound its too quiet but I think I will instantly regret that decision
Do the exhaust, you gotta give people that know a teaser that something different is going on under that hood. Maybe a sneaky small custom badge somewhere also.
screw it.. get something a little throaty just not major.. then yeah I agree... 2 things.. 1. when you hit the throttle and you hear it, will make you smile.. 2. others will know something is different and smile..
smiles for everyone!!!!!!!
so 8.1L - you mention drinks more and also uses more fuel.. so other than the drinking problem your truck has...
was it a good decision? I know you really haven't got on it.. I'm still debating a 8.1L in my 78 but unsure as I just figured out a few major problems I had with my motor...
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
Naw the exhaust is good, you just need to use the gas pedal to hear it
you did read my mind though on the badge....picked these bad boys off of ebay for like 30 bucks from thailand or somewhere... lol
I could not find an OEM one without the allison logo - didn't want to be a poser and I doubt it could clean cut the chromed plastic neatly...
So far, yeah. I would do it to a CK in a heartbeat
VisionxOrb
1/2 ton status
Hows that transmission tuning coming, only couple days till the 11th!
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
Yup got the engine and transmission dialed in now which is perfect timing because Saturday/Sunday is our regions local day/night rallycross, we run Saturday evening's heat during the night time so this will be its first tow under the new powerplant, excited to see the differences. I have a check engine light for both upstream 02s currently but that may clear out with driving or need to replace them we shall see.
last night I "raced" a challenger and won... had I not lifted but I think my power to weight may be similar haha, its gonna be boat on boat action or I'll be going boat hunting on woodward during the warmer months.
Overall it feels great, super torquey and cubes for days! This thing climbs to 80 mph pretty quickly for on ramp merging. Fuel economy is pretty bad but I need to fill up and drive normal and see because we have been doing all sorts of erratic driving that isn't fuel friendly for the sake of the tune and yes from a dead stop it will spin the tires and they weight about 100lbs each with the wheels. Glad this isn't my daily and fuel is still cheap.
VisionxOrb
1/2 ton status
my 04 8.1 ccsb would get 10mpg, but it got 10mpg now matter what, driving like dad or driving like I stole it. soooooo I just drove it like I stole it all the time!
Thx.. noted lol
fidelity101
1/2 ton status
Truck towed great this weekend, the factory tow haul mode settings are terrible so it always wants to downshift twice, even when you give it only 10-15% throttle... I managed to get about 8-9mpg overall on a roughly 250 mile trip. I could easily by 9-10 with out it dropping to 5th all the time, it didn't need to be when it had plenty of power/accel for 6th gear... I need to research and see if the 5-6 clutches are strong enough because that may be why the trans always wants to keep it in 5th on the highway unless I'm towing at 77mph+. Cruise control it would always kick down from 6th on the slightest sight of a hill and take forever to shift back up, totally useless. I think this could get 10mpg towing without it shifting all over the place for no reason, around town was great - I may wanna lower the shift points a touch but it is so understressed around town it pulls 5k lbs like it wasn't there and I could drive normally to keep up with traffic and etc. For reference I got 9mpg with the 6L towing at a similar pace.
Anyways there may be some bigger problems... I had done a heavy load/hard accel onto the highway (towing) and along came a HUGE (impressive) cloud of blue smoke came from behind me. I know I'm leaking oil from the pan but maybe the leak isn't as bad compared to whats being burned... I didn't set a CEL or anything that time but on the way home I had done a similar mash the gas to merge and I had a service stabilatrack/service traction control light flash along with a blinking CEL (like a misfire), the engine was running rough at idle felt like a misfire but then cleared up I couldn't tell if there was a smoke cloud behind me due to the low light and rain. Seemed like it fouled a plug or two temporarily creating the misfire.
I'm wondering if I got a valve seal issue or its just residual gunk in the engine that needs to be cleaned out from sitting for many months. It only occurred when you rev it past 3700-4000+ rpm. I may give it the seafoam treatment and see. When I dropped the pan and took the valve covers off I had to clean a pretty good layer of gunk out from the bottom the cylinder head has this same amount.
time for a leakdown test and comp test...
You mean you didn't do a compression test before you installed the engine? 
Did you install new plugs? If you didn't it's very likely that one might have been hit between the transit and install.
Did you install new plugs? If you didn't it's very likely that one might have been hit between the transit and install.
