6.0 To 8.1 Swap

[Etnomaiab]

Has anyone ever heard of a 6.0 to 8.1 swap? I'm not set on making this happen, but the thought crossed my mind today and made me curious. I've been trying to research this swap online and can't seem to find anything valuable. Has anyone ever attempted this? I know everyone is just going to tell me to sell my truck and buy another with the 8.1, but I love my truck and really enjoy working on it.

 

My truck is a 1500HD (same as the regular 2500), so it has the 4l80e transmission. I beleive this is the same transmission they use behind the 8.1 in the 2500 suburbans and avalanches, so it should bolt up if I get an engine from a suburban or avalanche. Please correct me if I am wrong. It also seems like the rest of the drivetrain would be up to it.

 

What else would I need to make this work? Will the PCM work if it is tuned for an 8.1? (I have a Wester's PCM). I'm guessing the exhaust will be different. What about wiring? I don't know much about engines but I have some friends who do and they would be more than willing to help me.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

-Nick

01 1500HD 4x4

[Ranger]

Not worth it, you'd probably end up spending enough to buy a good used 8.1L truck. It is possible, but you'd practically have to gut the whole truck.

 

I think most 8.1Ls use the Allison transmission.

[ctfan]

I'm pretty sure that the trannys in the suburbans with the 8.1 are 4L85E. No 100% positive on that one. In the trucks it is the Allison. If you got a tranny out of a truck then you would have to put a body lift on as well.

[Ranger]

A lot of stuff would have to be changed basically, off the top of my head I can think of PCM, Fuel pump, all exhaust pipes (I believe 6.0Ls are smaller than 8.1s), and a lot of wiring harnesses. I think 1500HDs do have the 2" body lift that 2500HD/3500s have.

 

Not trying to rain on your parade or say "No, you can't do it"...It's your truck, you can spend as little or as much as you want on it. Just saying that for what it'd cost in the long run you'd be better off either trading it in or just getting a 8.1L truck outright.

[plainvanilla]

Not worth it, you'd probably end up spending enough to buy a good used 8.1L truck. It is possible, but you'd practically have to gut the whole truck.

 

I think most 8.1Ls use the Allison transmission.

 

 

No Allison transmission in a 2500 Burb for sure and I think the same for the Avalanche

The only choice in them was the 4L80E

[Haulin' 8.1]

The engine crossmember and radiator core support is different from 6.0 to 8.1/duramax. It might mean custom engine mounts and radiator. It would be more cost effective to increase the power of the small block than rebuild the truck to a stock 8.1.

 

Vernon