Those generation GMC & Chev fullsize pickups, SUVs, & medium duty models were built from 1973 through 1991 except the half ton & three quarter ton plain cab pickups were finished in 1987, & the one ton plain cab pickups were finished in 1989. In 1987, the C/K series were dropped & renamed R/V series & the reason for the name change was to make a distinction between the models & the upcoming next generation C/K series pickups for the 1988 model year because both of those body designs were going to be in production at the same time which lasted up through 1991.
Hello I just did the same swap to 78 crew cab .. 2001 8.1 with nv4500 and 208.... I used a stock tbi blazer tank with ep381 pump, I plum 3/8 fuel line into metal filter 3/8 in and out then to the 8.1 3/8 suply line on rail , and a 5/16 return line off rail back to the tank ..... My problem is when I check my fuel pressure I only get 40 psi with vacuum hooked to regulator, when I unplug it I get 45 that's it..... I put a second ep381 pump in and same results.... Not sure what iam doing different.... Any help would be appreciated..
@@michaelemery7645 you either have to find a set of Van/Topkick front accessory brackets (which does love the alt to other other side, and AC compressor up high), or there’s a guy on FB named Amos Garcia who sells separate AC brackets to love it up high too
Sorry, don’t reply much on UA-cam. My engine harness is a factory harness converted to stand alone just to run the motor (all other items removed from harness). I used an 8.1 specific flywheel to bolt to the back of the motor, and then used the stock style clutch pack for my year NV4500 (that clutch pack bolts up to the 8.1 flywheel just fine). And that’s it, nothing really special there
Absolutely love it. Just my opinion, I’d give it a 9.5 out of 10 or so because the windows have no tint but really other then that love it great all around simple build.
I just watched the updated video you just posted and I must say what a gorgeous build! I have a new 8.1 I'm installing in my 73 Crew cab dually this winter and I bought all the 87 TBI tanks and senders with the 6 way switch valve. I also bought 2 EP381 pumps to put in each tank. So from the sender to the 6way valve I install filters. From the switch over valve did you connect the fuel line directly to the fuel rail on the 8.1 or put a regulator? My engine is return style and has the adjustable fuel psi regulator
Sounds like you have the similar fuel rail that I do. 01-03 8.1’s had a return style fuel rail. 04 and up had a returnless style rail. But it sounds like you are doing your fueling a little differently than me. I have my driver tank as the only tank actually hooked up to the motor. My passenger tank is only a storage tank that I use to fill up the driver tank when it gets low. Sounds like you’re trying to keep the fueling similar to factory with a switch valve to switch from one tank to another. So on my setup I don’t have a 6 way switch valve. Mine is just feed line on sender up to feed line on fuel rail (with filter between) and then return line on rail back to return line on sender, that’s it. Then passenger tank has the feed line from sender hooked up to fill tube on the driver tank (to fill driver tank when low) and return on sender capped off, that’s it. Hope that helps
@@stevekay8926 Yes mine is an 03. i couldn't get a straight answer from anyone about running the feed line directly to the fuel rail, i was confused if an aftermarket regulator had to be installed on the firewall like most people do on LS swaps. But yes, you definitely answered my question and now i know that i can run the feed line directly to the 8.1 fuel rail. the 6 way switchover valve is good for 65psi and i believe the EP381s and the regulator on the fuel rail will maintain the needed 58psi. i was going to plumb it just like you have with a transfer pump but i want it to work like factory. thank you for the reply and the great video, nice to see your rig going on 5 yrs tried, tested, and true. Cheers!
@@Petrella82 sounds good. Yeah you should be fine plumbing straight to the fuel rail, no worries there (most LS guys are running aftermarket regulator on the firewall cause they’re using returnless style fuel rails). Since you have the return on the rail, the regulator on the rail does the job for you.
Love the walk around and info. Getting ready to do one myself in an '87 V20 Suburban. Can you show some more detail on the wiring side of things? O2 sensors etc...
Handles it completely fine, same as it did stock. Since this video I added air bags in the back, but that’s just cause I put a slide in truck camper in the back of this thing too, so the air bags help a lot for sway from the weight of the camper. But towing a car hauler the shackle flip handles it just fine
Nice swap. What flywheel did you use? I am putting 8.1's 6 spd manual trans on to a Mark IV 454 in my K30. The show stopper is knowing which flywheel to use. Or the flywheel clutch face (deck height) to the block bellhousing face measurement. Would you happen to know what this is? Thanks, Grant
Your setup is a bit different than mine but I used the stock style flywheel designed for the 8.1, and then used the stock style clutch pack designed for the nv4500, everything bolted up as it should. So i would think you could use the stock flywheel for the 454 and stock clutch for the zf-6
Jesse Lester empty I get 11-12 mpg, loaded I get 8-10 mpg (depending on how heavy the load is). It works perfect for me cause this thing isnt a daily driver. Only comes outta the shop to tow something, so mpg’s dont really matter to me. But the low cost maintenance on this thing verses a diesel is an added bonus 👍
You should drop a Diesel engine in there like a Cummins for more torque and much less fuel consumption. I really love what you did to the truck though, very very nice, I love it.
Nope. Totally happy with the tq and hp outta this thing. I got a custom performance tune on the ECM too and the power is all I need. I’ve had my slide in camper in the back towing my K5 crawler (estimated 18k gvw) and it towed it great. And I could care less about mpg’s cause I don’t daily this thing. Only comes out to tow and towing mpg’s is almost the same as a 12v. I couldn’t be happier with this thing
Great build!! Like others in this column you’re almost finished project has given me inspiration to finish mine good job. Have a quick question for you, noticed you used an aftermarket tach did you have to set it for four-cylinder?
Thanks. And yes, I had to set the switch on the back of the tach to 4-cylinders. I also had to add a resister to the tech signal wire (just google about hooking up aftermarket tach to LS motor...theres lots of info out there about it). I’m thinking because these cheaper aftermarket tachs are an analog style tach, its needs a little boost in signal strength to read correcly, thats why u need the resistor. But other than that, pretty straight forward. And since this video, I’ve used this truck a bunch towing my K5 crawler all over, and camping with my camper in the back. So far I’ve loved this truck. So much fun to drive. I’ll always be tinkering with it, but I love the truck
Thanks for the reply. My plan is, to add a tachometer conversion kit and put a factory style tach in it There is a gentleman on eBay who can convert the circuitboard on the factory tach to four-cylinder so that is the plan hopefully it will work
Just stumbled across this video... great job!! Curious about how it pulls and if you have plans for A/C? I know the compressor on those from a light duty truck are low and get into the frame. Do you plan on sourcing a bracket for medium duty truck... same deck height as 502 so always wanted to know if one for a gym crate would work
Troy Prince I have a performance tune on the 8.1 ECM now and it pulls very good. I’m happy with it. I may do A/C down the road. I actually already have a full workhorse bracket setup, just havent swapped it on yet
Those generation GMC & Chev fullsize pickups, SUVs, & medium duty models were built from 1973 through 1991 except the half ton & three quarter ton plain cab pickups were finished in 1987, & the one ton plain cab pickups were finished in 1989. In 1987, the C/K series were dropped & renamed R/V series & the reason for the name change was to make a distinction between the models & the upcoming next generation C/K series pickups for the 1988 model year because both of those body designs were going to be in production at the same time which lasted up through 1991.
Sweet truck sounds really good
That is one of the best trucks I have seen.
Great work.
Thank you very much!
Hello I just did the same swap to 78 crew cab .. 2001 8.1 with nv4500 and 208.... I used a stock tbi blazer tank with ep381 pump, I plum 3/8 fuel line into metal filter 3/8 in and out then to the 8.1 3/8 suply line on rail , and a 5/16 return line off rail back to the tank ..... My problem is when I check my fuel pressure I only get 40 psi with vacuum hooked to regulator, when I unplug it I get 45 that's it..... I put a second ep381 pump in and same results.... Not sure what iam doing different.... Any help would be appreciated..
Does the ac compressor on the 8.1 have to be moved up top to fit?
@@michaelemery7645 you either have to find a set of Van/Topkick front accessory brackets (which does love the alt to other other side, and AC compressor up high), or there’s a guy on FB named Amos Garcia who sells separate AC brackets to love it up high too
Can you explain, or even make a video, on how you mated the nv4500 to the 8.1? What harness(es) did you need?
Sorry, don’t reply much on UA-cam. My engine harness is a factory harness converted to stand alone just to run the motor (all other items removed from harness). I used an 8.1 specific flywheel to bolt to the back of the motor, and then used the stock style clutch pack for my year NV4500 (that clutch pack bolts up to the 8.1 flywheel just fine). And that’s it, nothing really special there
Is this the truck you turned into the green build? If 🥳🥳🥳🥳👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
No, this truck tow’s the green one
Always wanted one even that color awesome truck
Absolutely love it. Just my opinion, I’d give it a 9.5 out of 10 or so because the windows have no tint but really other then that love it great all around simple build.
I do plan to get the windows tinted one day. So that will happen eventually
I just watched the updated video you just posted and I must say what a gorgeous build! I have a new 8.1 I'm installing in my 73 Crew cab dually this winter and I bought all the 87 TBI tanks and senders with the 6 way switch valve. I also bought 2 EP381 pumps to put in each tank. So from the sender to the 6way valve I install filters. From the switch over valve did you connect the fuel line directly to the fuel rail on the 8.1 or put a regulator? My engine is return style and has the adjustable fuel psi regulator
Sounds like you have the similar fuel rail that I do. 01-03 8.1’s had a return style fuel rail. 04 and up had a returnless style rail. But it sounds like you are doing your fueling a little differently than me. I have my driver tank as the only tank actually hooked up to the motor. My passenger tank is only a storage tank that I use to fill up the driver tank when it gets low. Sounds like you’re trying to keep the fueling similar to factory with a switch valve to switch from one tank to another. So on my setup I don’t have a 6 way switch valve. Mine is just feed line on sender up to feed line on fuel rail (with filter between) and then return line on rail back to return line on sender, that’s it. Then passenger tank has the feed line from sender hooked up to fill tube on the driver tank (to fill driver tank when low) and return on sender capped off, that’s it. Hope that helps
@@stevekay8926 Yes mine is an 03. i couldn't get a straight answer from anyone about running the feed line directly to the fuel rail, i was confused if an aftermarket regulator had to be installed on the firewall like most people do on LS swaps. But yes, you definitely answered my question and now i know that i can run the feed line directly to the 8.1 fuel rail. the 6 way switchover valve is good for 65psi and i believe the EP381s and the regulator on the fuel rail will maintain the needed 58psi. i was going to plumb it just like you have with a transfer pump but i want it to work like factory. thank you for the reply and the great video, nice to see your rig going on 5 yrs tried, tested, and true. Cheers!
@@Petrella82 sounds good. Yeah you should be fine plumbing straight to the fuel rail, no worries there (most LS guys are running aftermarket regulator on the firewall cause they’re using returnless style fuel rails). Since you have the return on the rail, the regulator on the rail does the job for you.
@@stevekay8926 Thanks for all your help. Appreciate the reply. You just answered a question I've been looking an answer for months.......👍🏻
@@stevekay8926 does the intake mod removing the baffle make a significant difference?
Love the walk around and info. Getting ready to do one myself in an '87 V20 Suburban. Can you show some more detail on the wiring side of things? O2 sensors etc...
Awesome truck!!
I think I can speak for all good work and thanks for the helpful info. Clean set up I'm gathering parts now lol. Inspirational video
Thanks Henry, much appreciated!
What size swagelok? For clutch line
Henry ramirez i used this tube adapter: www.swagelok.com/en/catalog/Product/Detail?part=SS-500-6-4&item
Wow crew cab with 8' box.
How's it handle tongue weight with the shackle flip? Does it get squirrelly when you put a load on it? I'm building a tow rig and was curious
Handles it completely fine, same as it did stock. Since this video I added air bags in the back, but that’s just cause I put a slide in truck camper in the back of this thing too, so the air bags help a lot for sway from the weight of the camper. But towing a car hauler the shackle flip handles it just fine
How's the ride quality with the shackle flip and lift kit ? Compared to stock
Rides better than stock. The key are the nicer bilstien shocks. They’re a bit more money, but totally worth it for either a street rig or offroad rig
is that a 502?
edited: Just found out It's a 540 Vortec, if I'm not mistaken.
Can anyone tell me how these differ from a supercharged 8.1 502
Nope, 8.1’s are 496 cubic inches. They essentially took a 454 and stroked it and put LS style injection on it
Nice swap. What flywheel did you use? I am putting 8.1's 6 spd manual trans on to a Mark IV 454 in my K30. The show stopper is knowing which flywheel to use. Or the flywheel clutch face (deck height) to the block bellhousing face measurement. Would you happen to know what this is? Thanks, Grant
Your setup is a bit different than mine but I used the stock style flywheel designed for the 8.1, and then used the stock style clutch pack designed for the nv4500, everything bolted up as it should. So i would think you could use the stock flywheel for the 454 and stock clutch for the zf-6
What you getting for mpg in her
iam building pretty much exact same truck but a dually motor tranny transfer all the same
Nice job good work buddy
Jesse Lester empty I get 11-12 mpg, loaded I get 8-10 mpg (depending on how heavy the load is). It works perfect for me cause this thing isnt a daily driver. Only comes outta the shop to tow something, so mpg’s dont really matter to me. But the low cost maintenance on this thing verses a diesel is an added bonus 👍
You should drop a Diesel engine in there like a Cummins for more torque and much less fuel consumption. I really love what you did to the truck though, very very nice, I love it.
Nope. Totally happy with the tq and hp outta this thing. I got a custom performance tune on the ECM too and the power is all I need. I’ve had my slide in camper in the back towing my K5 crawler (estimated 18k gvw) and it towed it great. And I could care less about mpg’s cause I don’t daily this thing. Only comes out to tow and towing mpg’s is almost the same as a 12v. I couldn’t be happier with this thing
@@stevekay8926That's cool. I do like them Big Block gas V8's also.
I’m having a problem finding a new long bed.
Did you build the harness yourself or buy a stand alone looking to do the same swap trying to figure out the best way to go
Harness is a reworked factory harness by Tiden Motorsports
Inspiration to start my 8.1 swap on my 73 Impala
Great build!! Like others in this column you’re almost finished project has given me inspiration to finish mine good job. Have a quick question for you, noticed you used an aftermarket tach did you have to set it for four-cylinder?
Thanks. And yes, I had to set the switch on the back of the tach to 4-cylinders. I also had to add a resister to the tech signal wire (just google about hooking up aftermarket tach to LS motor...theres lots of info out there about it). I’m thinking because these cheaper aftermarket tachs are an analog style tach, its needs a little boost in signal strength to read correcly, thats why u need the resistor. But other than that, pretty straight forward.
And since this video, I’ve used this truck a bunch towing my K5 crawler all over, and camping with my camper in the back. So far I’ve loved this truck. So much fun to drive. I’ll always be tinkering with it, but I love the truck
Thanks for the reply. My plan is, to add a tachometer conversion kit and put a factory style tach in it There is a gentleman on eBay who can convert the circuitboard on the factory tach to four-cylinder so that is the plan hopefully it will work
Just stumbled across this video... great job!! Curious about how it pulls and if you have plans for A/C? I know the compressor on those from a light duty truck are low and get into the frame. Do you plan on sourcing a bracket for medium duty truck... same deck height as 502 so always wanted to know if one for a gym crate would work
Troy Prince I have a performance tune on the 8.1 ECM now and it pulls very good. I’m happy with it. I may do A/C down the road. I actually already have a full workhorse bracket setup, just havent swapped it on yet
The 8.1 is really a 496 big block
it was the replacement for the big 496