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8.1 and 502's

thatK30guy

thatK30guy

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What are the actual liter/engine size to the 496 and 502?

I thought the 8.1 was a 496 and the 502 is an 8.2 liter.

A local tried to tell me the engines in some HD trucks are the 502's but I'm thinking how can they be if they're labeled as an 8.2 liter?

So which is the correct term for the size?
 
i've seen 502's in grain trucks, they came from the factory w/cast aluminum valve covers w/502 stickers in the little squares. i was reading bbc history somewhere & it said 502's were in that type truck in early/mid 70's. i thought 502's were fairly new but i guess not if that is correct

edit: wouldn't 8.2L be correct for 502, like you say above
 
Cid / 61.023 equals liter

Or

Liter x 61.023 equals Cid

These are the easiest conversions

A 502 isn't the same as a 8.1 (496)
 
63chevyll said:
Cid / 61.023 equals liter

Or

Liter x 61.023 equals Cid

These are the easiest conversions

A 502 isn't the same as a 8.1 (496)
Click to expand...
So the early and mid 2000's HD trucks are 496 motors instead of 502's? If so, thats what I thought. Seems like the local here in town is wrong and owes me something.
 
Ha! I was pretty much along the assumptions of some kind of favor from his wife. But a cold one will do.
 
I've never seen a 502 in a truck, thought they were aftermarket only or something. Maybe I should start looking for one....


I love it will people say they have a 502 in their 2500HD when it's really the 496.
 
Scott, I was waiting for your response to this thread.

So what size does one call the 8.1 in the 2000's HD trucks? I call them 496's. Are these 8.1's a true 502 crate engine?
 
thatK30guy said:
Scott, I was waiting for your response to this thread.

So what size does one call the 8.1 in the 2000's HD trucks? I call them 496's. Are these 8.1's a true 502 crate engine?
Click to expand...

Those are 496 engines. The 502 was only installed in motorhomes and commercial HD vehicles other than that they are a GM Performance crate engine.
 
Got ya. Exactly what I was thinking, too, about the 496.
 
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, the 496's in late model trucks is an LS based engine where as the 502's are a classic BB design.
 
It looked like a standard BBC to me, not like an LS at all. From what I understand it is a taller deck than the old BBCs.

I did the math in 04 when I bought my 2500HD and for some reason ended up using it as my screen name for whatever site I log on to. Never considered how close it was to the 502.

I just sold that truck, guess I have to find a new user name now...
 
When I got my 8.1 back in 2001 I was told by a veteran salesman that there was some obscure federal limitation on the stock engine displacement of passenger type vehicles. I never researched it but it did make sense that GM engineered a whole new engine right under 500 cid instead of using their already present 502. I love my 8.1, passes everything on the road but gas stations. Thinking about a supercharger now.
 
Both of the 496/8.1 and 502/8.2 are typical BBC design...not anything related to an LS type engine. Those are small block only engines, not BBC as we know them.
The 496 and 502 use different combos for bore/stroke to achieve their relatively close cubic inch displacements. The 496 is considered a Vortec engine, where as the 502 is not.


366T = 3.935" x 3.76"
396 = 4.096" x 3.76"
402 = 4.125" x 3.76"
427 = 4.250" x 3.76"
427T = 4.250" x 3.76"
454 = 4.250" x 4.00"
496 = 4.250" x 4.37" (2001 Vortec 8100, 8.1 liter)
502 = 4.466" x 4.00"
572T = 4.560" x 4.375" (2003 "ZZ572" crate motors)

T = Tall Deck

ALL production big blocks used a 6.135" length rod.
 
Thanks zimmer, I can say I learned something new today :D. After I posted I did some research and seeing some pics of the 496 in long block form I realized I was incorrect in thinking LS, maybe it's the intake design that had me thinking that :dunno:. :D
 
76zimmer said:
Both of the 496/8.1 and 502/8.2 are typical BBC design...not anything related to an LS type engine. Those are small block only engines, not BBC as we know them.
The 496 and 502 use different combos for bore/stroke to achieve their relatively close cubic inch displacements. The 496 is considered a Vortec engine, where as the 502 is not.


366T = 3.935" x 3.76"
396 = 4.096" x 3.76"
402 = 4.125" x 3.76"
427 = 4.250" x 3.76"
427T = 4.250" x 3.76"
454 = 4.250" x 4.00"
496 = 4.250" x 4.37" (2001 Vortec 8100, 8.1 liter)
502 = 4.466" x 4.00"
572T = 4.560" x 4.375" (2003 "ZZ572" crate motors)

T = Tall Deck

ALL production big blocks used a 6.135" length rod.
Click to expand...
Very nice numbers posted here! Enough to give a BBC guy a rise in his pants! :waytogo: :doah: :haha:
 
that looks like the mortec list to me :waytogo:

this is a 2001 8100 vortec "496" that I had for a while. that are LS based no question. they're designated mark VI BBCs IIRC. but they DO have both LS and old school motor mount patterns cast in the block.......

IMG00823-20100306-1909.jpg


:whistle:

81001.jpg
 
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