CK5
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L18 8.1L swap resource thread

Mine always had a slight tick and it also had 297k on it. I suppose it was a lifter as it was pretty bad on first fire for about 5 seconds.
 
That by chance the 4l85e? Being behind an 8.1 I could see it.
 
It should be a 4L85-E, which started in '02 or '03 and this was one of the platforms for it. AFAIK, the 4L80-E and 4L85-E share the same case, so you'd have to find the tag. It's not a sure thing because some 8.1L trucks came with 4L80-E. The differences are basically different planetary gears and some say an additional clutch plate in 1 or 2 of the clutches. This moved the torque rating from 440 to 460ft-lb, not to be confused with the rebranded from "Hydra-matic" to "SuperMatic" 4L85-E, which was rated as high as 690 ft-lb. (If you're searching). I'm not sure what's different internally, but GM underrated the '80 and '85 to begin with.


4L80E_transmission_right.jpg


FWIW, my 4L80 has the recessed drain plug, as do both of my 4L60's (although I'm pretty sure one of those came with no plug, so I drilled the hole and added it).
 
So at least getting the valve covers off and checking things out
The 8.1 valvetrain is non-adjustable so keep that in mind. Valvetrain issues are not too common on 8.1's but with 200k miles really anything is possible.
 
20220313_184611.jpgThis is my 6.0 litre harness, turned into custom 8.1 litre, stand alone harness. What a bunch of work that was.
 
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Had to buy these little spark plug wire heat boot things, the wires were/ laying directly on the the header tube. Boots are good to 1200°, supposedly.
 
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I did a PCV mod, because I heard about the intake-oil consumption issue these 8.1's have. EGR delete, PVC addition.
 
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This problem,20220312_125630.jpg
Had to turn into this, as the throttle linkage had no room to move. Ended up, cutting, turning 45°, reattaching the oil fill tube to gain clearance for the linkage.
 
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The EGR was deleted, it's just another port in the manifold, so, I used it to let PCV fumes into the manifold, via, intake vacuum
 
The 8.1 valvetrain is non-adjustable so keep that in mind. Valvetrain issues are not too common on 8.1's but with 200k miles really anything is possible.
I pulled mine apart, chasing, what I was told was a "valve train noise", by the PO.
Turned out have a couple of cam lobes going flat, the #3 and #5 intakes, as I remember.
So, new cam, Lifters, ect.
 
I pulled mine apart, chasing, what I was told was a "valve train noise", by the PO.
Turned out have a couple of cam lobes going flat, the #3 and #5 intakes, as I remember.
So, new cam, Lifters, ect.
So far it looks like it is quiet until the engine warms up and the oil thins out.
I haven't opened it up yet but trying to check different conditions and note the changes.
There is definitely something wrong because there's a little miss, but that is most likely the cam position sensor not working properly as per the codes
 
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