488 8.0l GM Crate Motor -- Any experience?

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Schurkey

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1. Interesting crate engine. I haven't heard of that before. Not horribly priced for a GM crate engine, either.

2. If I were going to use a tall-deck anyway, I'd likely freshen-up the 8.1 in the barn and use it. Would be worth doing some research on 8.1L fitment. However, "496" engines are commonly built on the passenger car/light truck blocks which avoids some installation problems.

3. As said, exhaust can be a problem due to the taller, wider head spacing.

4. A REAL tall-deck intake manifold should use a regular distributor. Dicking with the hold-down flange on the distributor comes into play when you use a passenger-car/light truck (9.8" deck height) manifold, and then add spacers to make it wide enough to fit the tall-deck (10.2") block.
 

yevgenievich

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Don't see why they wouldn't. Firing order, head bolts, intake ports and metric threads are the main differences I'm aware of.
The heads on 8.1l use a coolant cross over connection in front, which made me be unsure of fitment to standard heads for accessories
 

618 Syndicate

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The heads on 8.1l use a coolant cross over connection in front, which made me be unsure of fitment to standard heads for accessories
I'll check with my guy who knows the 8.1 better than I do. He's that one stubborn friend we all got that just insists on doing things the hard way....
 

1952Chevy

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Pretty much price expected of a real GM crate engine. Almost same exact price as a crate L29, which is probably why he's interested. If you go 8.1 it's gonna be aftermarket rebuild at this point as GM has forgotten they exist, apparently. ;)

I've always felt like the trick for getting an 8.1 into a GMT400 would be to score a 2001-2002 3500HD and pull the engine, PCM, engine harness, and directly-related accessories like the air filter and such..

Richard
-Exactly why this was interesting to me. Most of the other BBC crates are geared at high HP, performance applications, or stock. I like the boost in low end torque this would/could provide.
I have thought about an 8.1 swap. I will be hitting up a couple junk yards this weekend just to see what they have. If I could find an 8.1 with all associated hardware, and ECM for a decent price, I would definitely consider it.
You would have to factor in freight shipping for that engine too btw Ed Rinke is a local dealer to me and I am in Michigan lol.
According to the site, it's free shipping. However I am originally from Michigan, and already will be towing a trailer back on my next visit, I could add a motor if needed.
The 4.250" stroke can make a huge increase in low end torque. Because the rpm range has been shifted lower the stock fuel system should be fine albeit with a custom tune. However, the biggest issue is fitment. The tall deck engine is .400" taller than a standard BBC. The intake spacers are readily available but exhaust clearance can be an issue because the engine is taller and wider. The distributor hold down ring will need to be machined off and a new one put on or the original distributor won't meet the oil pump drive and cam gear.

I would get a rotating assembly and rebuild a standard deck height block.
Good info to know. I figured there would be some work involved to get everything to fit. I wonder if there are headers that would fit, or if I would need custom built headers if I go this route. I already intend to do a custom exhaust at some point, this would just add to the complexity.
 

yevgenievich

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-Exactly why this was interesting to me. Most of the other BBC crates are geared at high HP, performance applications, or stock. I like the boost in low end torque this would/could provide.
I have thought about an 8.1 swap. I will be hitting up a couple junk yards this weekend just to see what they have. If I could find an 8.1 with all associated hardware, and ECM for a decent price, I would definitely consider it.

According to the site, it's free shipping. However I am originally from Michigan, and already will be towing a trailer back on my next visit, I could add a motor if needed.

Good info to know. I figured there would be some work involved to get everything to fit. I wonder if there are headers that would fit, or if I would need custom built headers if I go this route. I already intend to do a custom exhaust at some point, this would just add to the complexity.
If I manage to get my block build finish in any near time frame, will find out about exhaust. From roughly looking at it, shorty headers should fit. More of a major issue are the accessories. Brackets bolt to heads and block, and looked like modifications will be needed to get things bolted up.
 
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454cid

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Nice video..... I love that he's using the PSI block. I'd love to have just the stock PSI engine..... but my truck isn't really a project truck like that, and I just bought 430ci Buick still in a parts car.
 
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