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Engine swap time! GM 6.0 or 8.1 that is the question.

C

Chip Cross

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First, I want to say hello to all. I am looking for some input on my up coming engine swap. I want to go with one of the following the GM 8.1 or the LQ9 GM 6.0. Both of these would great under the hood of my 1976 GMC Jimmy.

I am going to pick up the engine from Pacific Fab and I want the grunt of the 8.1 but I have been looking around the web and it seems the the 8.1 is / was a problem child. Excessive oil consumption, piston slap, oiling problems, fuel hog, GM just didn't drop it for no reason from there motor line up.

I have read a lot about the 6.0 and while the 8.1 is an easy swap, basically it is a tall block 454. My Jimmy had 454 in it already and it is still set up for a BBC. I want to do it right the first time.

The company I am getting the motor from will sale the 8.1 or 6.0 for the same price ready to drop in with the PCM tuned. I am just kinda of unsure on the 8.1 with all the bad you read about them. I know the 6.0 is a very good motor or it wouldn't be used as much as it is. If you could give me any input that would be great.

Thanks,
Chip
 
I am personal friends with Kevin at Pacific Fabrication, and also Jason who works for kevin. I would recommend the 6.0L over the 8.1L any day. The induction on the 6.0 is far better than the 8.1 and there are MANY readily available performance items for the 6.0L. With that being said they do MANY 6.0 swaps for people and everyone leaves a happy customer.
 
4X4HIGH said:
I am personal friends with Kevin at Pacific Fabrication, and also Jason who works for kevin. I would recommend the 6.0L over the 8.1L any day. The induction on the 6.0 is far better than the 8.1 and there are MANY readily available performance items for the 6.0L. With that being said they do MANY 6.0 swaps for people and everyone leaves a happy customer.
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I have spoke with them both, to say that they are great guys is an understatement. They say go 8.1 it a much easier swap I am just want to do it right the first time.
 
The choice is yours but do you care more about ease of install or making more power alot easier?
 
4X4HIGH said:
The choice is yours but do you care more about ease of install or making more power alot easier?
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The 8.1 does both of those things in one package, it a lot easier to swap in than a 6.0 because the truck is already set up for a BBC. The 8.1 according to Jason is basically a tall deck BBC. The motor came an Avalanche so it is rated at 320 hp and 440 tq I know it will make 350 hp easy so the 8.1 fits what I am looking for. Then I Googled problems with the 8.1 and that is what got me thinking about the 6.0 again. I am fighting Kidney cancer and I want this done right on the first shot.
 
I don't see why everyone is so hot to trot over the 6.0 and 8.1. Did a well built 350 and 454 suddenly become piles of sh!t? A punched out 350 (383) would be my choice. Bolts right in with great power numbers.
 
Corey 78K5 said:
I don't see why everyone is so hot to trot over the 6.0 and 8.1. Did a well built 350 and 454 suddenly become piles of sh!t? A punched out 350 (383) would be my choice. Bolts right in with great power numbers.
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reliability
badass not gonna cut out on you fuel injection
easy to tune for upgrades
lighter
starts every time, fast, hot or cold



just a few i can think of
 
Well first off Cory the 6.0 will 54it all over an older type 350 or 383. and it will do it for many years to come. the 6.0 is a MUCH stronger platform than the 8.1 BBC's and MUCH lighter too. its FAR more efficient than ANY SBC or BBC ever thought of being. and you could (if you wanted to) put ONE turbo on it and make 800+ HP on a stock longblock Daily driven.
So there is why everyone is SO hot over the new gen3+ SBC's :waytogo:

As a Matter of fact I built a 496" BBC w all kinds of sic parts only to sell it for a Gen 3 engine that I can run in my camaro with the same power numbers and a hell of a lot of weight off the nose.
Next I ditched the BBC N20 engine in my 72 blazer for a Duramax that makes 505 HP and 1109 RWTQ runs 12's and pulls trailers and whatever else I want to drag behind it.
 
Corey 78K5 said:
I don't see why everyone is so hot to trot over the 6.0 and 8.1. Did a well built 350 and 454 suddenly become piles of sh!t? A punched out 350 (383) would be my choice. Bolts right in with great power numbers.
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Lots of people today are looking for late model engines with fuel injection systems that makes power AND get good mileage at the same time, not going to happen with an old school carbed engine (the mileage part at least).
 
Corey 78K5 said:
Alright fockers! :haha:I still like the older SBC's for ease of instillation and cost though.
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Nothing wrong with the old school engines if you don't mind paying for the fuel to run them. Hell, I am still running a HOT TBI engine that is making some serious power but it sure doesn't pass many gas stations. I just did a 505 mile run round trip on the freeway and I only got 11.5 mpg, guess it could be worse but I know I could get better with a later model powerplant.
 
I looked on Pacific Fab's website, but didn't see any pricing for there new and takeout motors. Anybody know what they are selling a complete takeout 6.0 setup for?
 
Their prices will vary depending on the engine 's condition,mileage and soforth.
Best call for price.
 
IMO your looking at possible piston slap/ bottom end issues with any new chevy motor.

We have an 8.1 in our 05 and it runs really well and could pull a house. Only problems we have with it arent related to the actual motor itsself.
 
6.0 with out a doubt. After market support is amazing, put a Kevko oil pan on and a LS6 intake and the overall motor height gets shorter by around 6".

heads, intakes etc. are all easy to come by on the LS forums.
 
I dropped the hammer on the 8.1 it is really what all I want and need in one package.

This....

12-16-09003-3.jpg


Will soon be in here.

1278420067.jpg


Thanks Pacific Fab!
 
Chip Cross said:
I dropped the hammer on the 8.1 it is really what all I want and need in one package.
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NNOOOOO! Should of gone 6.0L i worked for gm and the 8.1 is a turd in my opinion. I put a 5.3 in mine but would have gone 6.0 if it was an option at the time.

But its your money and you know what you want Good luck cant wait to see pics.
 
texas4x4rebel said:
NNOOOOO! Should of gone 6.0L i worked for gm and the 8.1 is a turd in my opinion. I put a 5.3 in mine but would have gone 6.0 if it was an option at the time.

But its your money and you know what you want Good luck cant wait to see pics.
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Why do you say it's a turd ?
 
Not sure why you even asked us... :confused:you just did what you wanted to anyhow. notice most people said go 6.0 there is a reason for this. im sure you wont have problems in the begining... well after a good rebuild you should have a great engine until then :popcorn:you just have fun till then
 
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