JUNKYARD 8.1L CAM TEST. STOCK VS ZZ502-REAL DYNO DATA. HOW MUCH HP IS A ZZ502 CAM WORTH IN A GEN 7?

HOW TO SWAP AN 8.1L CAM! CAN I RUN A GEN 6 454 CAM IN MY GEN 7 496? HOW MUCH POWER IS A CAM SWAP WORTH ON MY BIG BLOCK CHEVY? DOES THE GEN 7 8.1L RESPOND WELL TO A CAM UPGRADE? HOW MUCH POWER IS A ZZ502 CAM SWAP WORTH ON A GEN 7 8.1L? SHOULD I SWAP THE CAM IN MY GEN 7 8.1L? THESE QUESTIONS ARE ALL ANSWERED IN THIS VIDEO DETAILING A CAM SWP ON AN 8.1L, GEN-7 496 BIG BLOCK CHEVY. I GO STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO SWAP THE CAM AND HOW TO UPGRADE THE SPRINGS FOR THE CAM. FULL DYNO RESULTS ARE PROVIDED AS ALWAYS.

[@kaboom4679]

Good to see the 8.1 getting some love . These things just never got the attention they deserved . Can't wait to see what a decent manifold can do .

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

I hope they never do. The price will skyrocket, I don't think it'll ever start a fire like the 5.3 Ls engines did in the past. So, that's good news.

[@1HeavyHitr]

They won’t.

[@denisemorgan9963]

​@@kensmechanicalaffair9i

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

@@denisemorgan9963 wut

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Alot of the big name generator manufacturers use gm engines now ,they kinda switched over around 2000 from mostly fords. It was kinda rare to see Chevy power but there was some. Psi engines has licensing for the 8.1 ,the center bolt valve cover 5.7 and 5.0 and the 4.3 v6 and the 3.0 4cyl. They used the 8.1 up to 100kw or so, and a turbo version for up to 130kw. Now a turboed 5.7 has replaced the na8.1 in the last couple years, its rated 175hp at 1800 which is damn impressive.

[@gofastparts4u]

582 Richard, not 482. I had to go back and rewind this to make sure I wasn't seeing/hearing something funky, lol. AWESOME to see that cam not giving up a bunch of torque down low!

[@leeellison6042]

I was like whoa wait a minute am I hearing him wrong or seeing it wrong😂

[@thomaselliott4246]

Ya had me confused lol. Rewind 3 times

[@leeellison6042]

@@thomaselliott4246 😆 🤣 me too

[@jimbob9840]

Thanks for clearing that up for me cause i thought was tripping lol

[@MrSGL21]

i know. nearly 600 ft lbs with a nearly stock motor. sure its the engine dyno and no accessories but you're still looking at 500+ with that stuff on it. all of it down low where its useful. what a beast of a truck motor.

[@travisblack417]

I love seeing the early d580 LS1 coil packs on the 8.1. It was born to be a performance motor.

[@frotosgarage6715]

Been sitting on an 8.1 build for a H2 Hummer for over a year now..this video has definitely got excited to finish tearing down the block!

[@y5mgisi]

Thanks Richard! I know the Facebook 8.1 groups are super excited for this!

[@timschell5781]

I want a cam in my 8.1! I want that torque! Surprised how well that cam liked the engine, almost like it was the cam they should have had from the start

[@joshuaelizabethfoster6276]

Careful the stock torque converter on the L18 is only cleared to 450hp. The torque management software prevents poping the converter. Anything above 500 will warp the interior from over power until it begins slur shifting, then quits. Just looking out, lots of torque tends to rip up transmissions starting at the converter.

[@timschell5781]

@@joshuaelizabethfoster6276 thanks for the tip! I was going to have the trans rebuilt when I do get around to the engine (truck does have 225k on the odometer so I'm sure that won't be the only thing needing some attention), It will be a while before I get around to it, still working on a project 76 chev, but I will take the advice and upgrade the converter with the rebuild.

[@stevenpocius5976]

Crazy how he makes awesome car content then boats now planes and it’s all enjoyable to watch

[@hotroda.5821]

One hell of an engine! Gm knows the facts too hahaha...."There is no replacement for displacement" Good video Richard. Thank You for spending time with the 8.1

[@jdmmike7225]

LT's engine of choice. It's nuts his Gen 7 makes over 1000 lb-ft with factory internals. Can't wait till he builds the billet Gen 7 for his new project. Keep up the great work Rich 🤙

[@GIGABACHI]

Pushing "weak" factory internals it's OK for shits and giggles and bragging rights. But after watching what happened to Nivlac57's dad it's not worth it when you start to push it. They completely lost a nice track car and his dad got pretty banged up.

[@aaronanderson6892]

I wouldn't say weak at all. these engine are made in the same era as Gen6 stuff. They used the same materials for both gen 6 and 7. I know bc I'm building both engines currently. As we have seen already, Richard has ran a gen6 with turbos well into 4 digit category without a hickup. Needles to say, we really don't need that much on the street for driveability's sake. Anything under 1000 ain't gonna hurt those internals.

[@jdmmike7225]

@@GIGABACHI While I agree with you that was a very bad accident, I was extremely concerned while I was watching the live stream on Tom Bailey's channel, that was an odd freak accident & Calvin even said so. They've run WAY more boost on those rods than what it was seeing when it blew. Plus you can't really put the internals of a Gen 7 big block in the same category as an Atlas/Vortec 4200. One was built for very heavy loads seen in large capacity towing while the other simply isn't.

[@scottallpress3818]

I never knew there was a newer generation of these , interested to see part 2

[@loganamurray64]

If you ask GM the 8.1 is still a Gen 6 BBC, it's just due to all the differences that enthusiasts call them a Gen 6.5 or 7

[@burnz3132]

Big Block fun with Richard!! It looks like that intake weights 50lbs! I thought aluminum was lite lol. Great video as always!! Thanks Richard!!

[@hotroda.5821]

I have a 2008 winnebago voyage motor home. BTW 2008 IS THE LAST YEAR GM PRODUCED THESE 8.1L FOR RV'S, Anyway it has the 8.1L and the Allison MH2100 great combo!!

[@midwestdave33]

Finally a regular length video! 😂

[@richardholdener1727]

finally a regular length comment

[@midwestdave33]

@@richardholdener1727 i know you're being a smartass in your reply, but i DO love your content . I just don't have time for the 1 hour live sessions you do. so yea I'm legitimately excited for a shorter "results" video.

[@backdoormailman]

Agree. Can't do the hour long ones

[@jasonbailey8960]

I can't wait wait to see part 2 ,3,4 & part 5 tunnel ram with turbos !!!!

[@msh6865]

Well, I have a new ZZ502 cam. Now just need a 8.1 and they aren't as cheap a 5.3! Plus, we need more aftermarket parts!

[@scottbennett3119]

You make these videos fun to watch. You have a great sense of humor!

[@richardholdener1727]

thnx

[@azlandpilotcar4450]

Correction needed at 13:23 - you wrote and said 482.5 ft/lbs for the gen 6 cam, graph showed 582 ft/lbs.

[@boingkster]

I wish we got those things down here in Australia! They'd be the ultimate performance base.... uh... I mean utilitarian workhorse 😅

[@Prestiged_peck]

Y'all got Barra power and boss 5.4's, so quit your damn whining!!!😅

[@boingkster]

@@Prestiged_peck not to mention we got 351 Cleveland's up until 1985... yeah I'll stop complaining haha.

[@loganamurray64]

The 8.1 was also in boats, busses, 3 ton trucks (box trucks like U-Haul) and a few other things. If you get lucky you might be able to find one if you know where to look

[@gunluvS14]

thanks for the step by step instructions and thorough explanations of the entire swap

[@72blazer48]

In Part 2, intake modifications, please describe/show modification made to the interior of manifold. The areas removed along with any porting.

[@randysullivan5723]

@AMOS GARCIA did the intake mods

[@72blazer48]

Randy, thanks for reply; hope to get specifics of how Amos Garcia did his manifold modifications. New to 8.1, mine is 09 block, I think w/Allison. Less then 50K miles.

[@screwball191145]

Displacement = happiness, prove me wrong

[@jdmmike7225]

Considering happiness is a matter of perspective it'll probably be hard. Personally Ive never found a piston engine that can put a bigger smile on my face that my peripheral port 13B & ive driven everything from 7 second drag build to time attack builds with cantilever suspension but again it's a personal preference thing. Have a good one 🤙

[@hoost3056]

​@JDMmike gotta agree with you. Watching rotors destroy pistons always fun. My two favorite engines are Mazda rotary anything and the Pontiac Ram Air V/VI

[@HioSSilver1999]

​@@hoost3056rotarys tend to destroy themselves.

[@jdmmike7225]

@@HioSSilver1999 Only if you don't know what your doing. Most all of the false rumors about rotary's come from guys used to piston engines tuning them like piston engines and blowing them up. The Series 4 13B in my MX-5 was built in 2015 and it runs just as good as the day I first fired it up. Puts down 457whp and has never given me an issue because I have an overbuilt cooling system & do oil changes correctly, which most owners didn't. My new peripheral port 13B in my EXOCET is putting out 561whp and while a recent build it's running amazing. I tell guys who wanna get into rotary's to pretty much forget everything you know about piston engines.

[@jdmmike7225]

@@hoost3056I have to agree with you as well, Pontiac is definitely my favorite GM division. My uncle has a 2000 Trans-Am WS6 that we swapped a turbo LS3 into and it is such a fun car to drive. I also like messing with the C3 lovers about how Chevy robbed the design from Pontiac who built The Banshee XP-833 in '64 but when GM brass saw it was going to compete with the Vette they killed the project and lo & behold in '68 Chevy comes out with pretty much the same car with some different headlights and taillights LMAO.

[@ronkirkham3410]

Another thing that really has to be kept in mind is whether it be Ford Chevy Dodge BMW Audi whoever the manufacturer maybe it's the precision in the build. And honestly horsepower per cubic inch.. whether it be overhead cam or LS at 496 cubic inches we should be making well over 400 stock, the motors amazing and strong compared to newer stuff I think it's the heads that are so bad and the mild Cam that is keeping power down so much

[@richardholdener1727]

the 8.1l was not designed by the engineers for maximum power-if that was the case-it would be different

[@TheRoyal769sr]

Thank you for going back to these videos sir

[@leandro6512]

My dream is to have this engine in my Brazilian Silverado, here we use the 4.1 inline 6. I dream of buying an 8.1 V8 and putting it in it... one day I can do it!

[@corvetteZ3r]

Is that the atlas?

[@leandro6512]

@@corvetteZ3r Here in Brazil this engine is very strong, with a turbo and a few more performance improvements... but it doesn't compare to a big block v8 496 8.1 engine... the v8 496 8.1 has the original 340 horsepower, my 4.1 inline has 138 original horses.

[@brandonallison2617]

I would really like to see you run a few of the cams Raylar offers, as a comparison.

[@evdawg7757]

Raylar 👌

[@deansapp4635]

Put that motor with cam in a 85 K2500 Suburban with a 4L65 trans and 4.10 gear and 35 inch tires. Ultimate off road machine

[@bigbelconut]

For about 5 min. Till it pukes the transmission. That monster needs a built 4l80E. 35s need a 4.88 gear.

[@gloriamaletta8667]

​@bigbelconut a very well built 6L80e transmission would have a better 4.03 1st gear ratio than a 4L80e with a 2.48 1st gear ratio probably get the same acceleration with a 3.73 - 4.10 with a 6L80E as a 4L80E would with 4.56 - 4.88 if your wanting lower gearing 1st-3rd gears the 6L80E will do so without as much rear gearing

[@jimwoods5235]

Boost will make this upgraded motor sooo much better!

[@tylerheinbaugh6752]

What valve springs did you use, im rebuilding my 8.1 and was thinking about replicating this to help with towing

[@divadyrdnal]

Definitely a “full grown” intake manifold, reminds me of my FE Ford…a real pain. Thank god for aluminum!

[@MicahCoy]

Glad to see this one back on the dyno. Modded intake will be worth a bit more, but the top end won't change till those heads get replaced. When are you going to take Raylar up on their offer to test all the parts and pieces that make these motors RPM?

[@richardholdener1727]

THE HEADS ARE NOT WHAT IS HOLDING BACK RPM

[@MicahCoy]

@@richardholdener1727 what is? ZZ502 is about as big as you can go before you're replacing pistons. Are you planning to cam the thing to the moon on stock heads with a forged bottom end?

[@gearheadE30]

Great video, finally some real data on the 8.1! I ended up with a Raylar cam with very similar specs in mine - except 116 degree LSA instead of the 110 degree LSA of the ZZ502 and a bit less intake valve lift. I couldn't believe (and don't understand) how much more knock resistant the engine was with the updated cam - it seemed to like 2-3 degrees than where I was running into knock with the stock cam. Did you see the same with the ZZ502? Looking forward to the intake test, and based on your dyno curve my 4400 rpm WOT shiftpoint left over from the stock cam is probably leaving a lot on the table.

[@boingkster]

Performance cams will generally reduce knock as they reduce dynamic compression by having an increased valve overlap interval. Dynamic compression is what effective compression is left after the valves are done closing when the piston is on the way up to TDC on the compression stroke.

[@nofirstname6082]

Hey Richard, can you post the spring specs and/or part numbers you used?

[@Engineer_GM_Ford_Chrysler]

Is the 8.1 block the same block thats been used for decades? Will this engine swap out a bigblock 454 corvette and bolt up to the 1969 bell housing and 4 speed tranny? Im curious. Im looking to find an old C3 corvette and do a big block swap. I found a 1972 that had a big block but removed. I figured maybe this 8.1 could take its place?

[@knoxbros]

This is so rad!!! I'm dropping g a 8.1 in my 84 c10 and wanted to came it with some head work. This helps alot thanks. Does this cam have a nice lope at idle? I found a Comp cam xtream energy 46-413-9. But I want these numbers lol I'll just have to find a shop locally to fix my firing order.

[@Crysmatic]

The ZZ502 cam has 224/234 duration @ 0.050" (~278/289 @ .006"), 110 LSA, and 0.527/0.544" lift. Can you try a cam with the same (or less) duration, 0.600" lift and 105* LSA?

[@drkaymotorsports]

Been waiting for this video for months.

[@randallsavage3795]

Richard please get with Raylar and test their cams. That 502 cam seems great but I have yet to find a good break down on Raylar cams. If u did it we would know it's legit and not some guy in his garage making up numbers.

[@xozindustries7451]

Great to see more Dyno testing! I have a low mileage 8.1L I’m putting into my airstream motorhome, how big can you with a stock firing order cam with the factory computer so I don’t think I can change the firing order.

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

you have to tune it any way get a microsquirt and save your self issues and a bad motor diyauto tune what nice is one can hook any old android tablet or radio as a dash runs full tuning set up to so sweet stuff unlike the big names with 1200 screens

[@randysullivan5723]

So glad to see the dust blown off this ol tug boat engine

[@jasonfikes9514]

Great video as always Richard. I was wondering how you determine the shine pack thickness?

[@richardholdener1727]

to achieve the desired installed height and seat pressure on the springs

[@Sleeperdude]

Good information thanks for sharing

[@W_riz484]

Thought they were gonna break out the pitchforks earlier when the other video dropped first 😂

[@richardholdener1727]

they were ready to storm the castle

[@petercarrillo5095]

Wait but that cam swap 502 brought the torque down. I liked the numbers on the stock cam better, torque was 546.7!!!! Horsepower was 422, less but still great. Although the 502 cam put out 464HP, Torque went down 😢 to 482.5. BUT WAIT THAT WAS A TYPE-0. I think you ment "582.5" 😜😃😃😃😃. Beautiful set up, you scared me there for a moment.

[@richardholdener1727]

YES-582

[@jannyoakley6514]

I love this engine!!! This is my blue eyed angel 😇 😘

[@deanbryan3034]

All cams are better with boost lol Richard great work

[@richardmcmillan4982]

I am running 8.1 2003 with dart 2 intake msd ignition and atomic efi stock manifolds 3inch dual exhaust proflow bottle stile 150 sniper nose kit it likes it

[@ralphsmith2683]

V6's a lot older came from the factory with at least roller fulcrum rocker arms - can't believe the 8.1's didn't

[@ralphsmith2683]

They had every chance to finally cast the block so that the timing cover had a complete sealing surface all the way around...but of course....

[@danfalley9296]

Thank you Richard.

[@TheMockUnit1]

Hey Richard, Do you have valve spring spec?

[@62saki91]

omg the 8.1Liter... i have one, i regret it now that gas is insane.. 9 Mpg flat, 12 with a tail wind down hill.. even off throttle going down the rockies it maxed out at 25 mpg... lot's of torque and power, but will drink you out of house an home on the gasoline.

[@travislivengood2744]

I'd love to see you play with a late EFI 460. I know they are incredibly lean in stock form and between headers and more fuel, they have a fair bit of untapped potential.

[@brettdillard3233]

Thank you so much for making this video!

[@davesilva75]

Put a bigger 600lift cam with the dart carb intake on that 8.1 with a 850 carb. And watch out people

[@amospgarcia9152]

What is the lift going to do?

[@z33tanner]

My lifter just failed on my 8.1 taking out a cam lobe, looks like its time for a comp cams 206/212 and tune!!!

[@definitelydipper595]

Please tell me we’re gonna see how much boost this thing is going to take at some point!

[@DasLuftVolks]

Just picked up a Gen VI 7.4 core crate engine with broken cam. Plan on rebuilding for use in an old C60 dump truck and am wondering what is the most cost effective and reliable replacement. It had hydraulic flat tappets but does have the tapped boss for the spider so looks like roller upgrade is possible. I guess used spider and dog bones could keep costs down, is there a reliable and more importantly available replacement stock roller lifter/cam combo? If not what other cams can be used with this generation block? I dont mind adjusting valves so a solid flat tappet would also work if I can get one. Being a few miles from the quarry I doubt the old truck will get more than 50 miles a year. Thanks for all the info you put out, really helps us engine nerds with no dyno at our disposal. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@richardholdener1727]

you can get a gen 6 cam and lifter assembly from a junkyard

[@amospgarcia9152]

I put the lifter from my 8.1 into my gen VI 7.4 truck. They use the same lifters

[@CanadianOnlooker]

I envision this torque curve then coupled to a big ass single whirley bird to increase that top end...

[@richardholdener1727]

coming

[@frightenedskillet1051]

So the big block did have a different firing order so for the first run did you order a different firing order cam with stock numbers?

[@richardholdener1727]

we ran the stock cam vs the 502 cam and changed the firing order in the ECU-very easy

[@frightenedskillet1051]

@@richardholdener1727 oh I probably didn’t pay enough attention, I was at work when I watched the video lol. Thanks for responding and keep on digging up dynosaurs

[@wayneball3736]

Tell me, how can we call- from 546.7 ft.lbs to 482.5 ft.lbs- an increase? That looks like a decrease to me.

[@sampasch7676]

Would it be possible to just run lengthend plug wires from the 7 and 2 coils to the 4 and 3 plugs and vice versa to correct the firing order?

[@richardholdener1727]

what about injectors?

[@sampasch7676]

@@richardholdener1727 true I never even thought of that

[@sampasch7676]

@@richardholdener1727 maybe some pin swapping at the main injector plug. I’m just trying to think of ways to make this work on a stock truck application without having to get into the computer. I suppose you would want to tune it with a new cam anyway though

[@HighGearAutomotive]

Great information on a street big block, how much cam before you start giving something up on the low end?

[@jesusbailey2874]

Where you find a 502 boss in junk yard I wanna search for one as well

[@bombombimbim440]

Vortec 8100 is the God's of V8!!

[@sstevocamaro]

I’m confused on the torque. Did it lose a bunch of torque? Is it 582 or 482?

[@timschell5781]

582… he said 482 but he meant to say 582.

[@tomkelly3896]

@@timschell5781 582....482 was misprint

[@richardholdener1727]

if only he provided dyno curves

[@sstevocamaro]

@@richardholdener1727 That’s the same thing I said. You the man Richard!

[@randysullivan5723]

Richard can you see the map signal in the Data of this run and see what the kpa did as the rpm went up ? Wondering with stock intake and throttle body at what rpm it started becoming a restriction

[@richardholdener1727]

this had a ported intake and bigger tb

[@randysullivan5723]

@@richardholdener1727 nah that was next round lol first round with cam was before the famous Amos super dooper intake 🤣

[@boosted0079]

Early in the video when you showed the AFR of 14.1, you said that was lean and brought it to 12.1. what exactly am I missing here? If it were lamda I can understand the decimal being placed 1 spot off, but 1.41 down to 1.21 would still be lean yeah?

[@richardholdener1727]

THE MOTOR IDLED BETTER AT 12.1

[@TheHaine95]

Do you have a link to the parts used? I got a 8.1 that needs a new cam that I'm gonna swap into a square body suburban

[@richardholdener1727]

zz502 cam is available from lots of places-not sure on springs

[@DanielGarcia-ti8fy]

I need this in my 5th gen camaro asap

[@garypacholek8070]

Richard, you removed the factory oil pump drive. Do you reuse the same drive with the 502 cam ? I was wondering because I don't have any knowledge of the 8.1 bbc.

[@trentparker5223]

Yes.

[@amospgarcia9152]

Yes the only difference between the 8.1 cam and a gen 6 cam is firing order and the bolt pitch on the cam gear.

[@hondatech5000]

That’s what I call a win win :p eazzy power

[@JeffBeck-u4y]

What springs did u use for the swap.

[@Raydawg]

I love them BIG BLOCK chevy's. I will never accept these LS junks they sell today. I't would so cool if I could buy a Brand new 75 chevy c/k20 or 30 with a big block 496 and a manual trans. Oh how awesome of a truck that would be.

[@FredSanford2003]

I POOP MY PANTS

[@johngranata5515]

I got one in my suburban and after seeing stock numbers and how much work that was I’m just going to leave it alone so my wife can drive it ..

[@divco13]

Have a ZZ502, Looking for videp on Dyno test's that compare 1.7 vs 1.8 roller rockers. 502 comes with1.7.

[@divco13]

1.8 WILL GIVE YOU 10 HP +/-

[@richardholdener1727]

it might

[@syndakitpanda1777]

Dang !! I almost thought I'd be first !

[@lordcommander3224]

What do they run with E-85 fuel system, cam, ported heads, intake?

[@richardholdener1727]

E85 doesn't help the NA motor much on the dyno since we already have full timing

[@danielcourtney4557]

Where can you get the valve springs and shims?

[@DiyAllaroundguy]

WE WANT BOOST ! WE WANT BOOST !

[@Mogachaffe]

He did a video last year with boost on the 8.1

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Preach!

[@100pyatt]

Boost boost boost !!!!!! 🔥🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jeremylakenes6859]

So just a tune bumped this up 100hp from factory? Trucks came with this engine at 320hp?

[@richardholdener1727]

you are doing an incorrect comparison-this is not how the factory engine rating is tested

[@roderickowersii6104]

Was the cam a gen6 or gen5 you installed? You initially called the 8.1 a gen 7 then when you replaced the cam you said you were replacing gen 6 cam with a gen 5 cam.

[@LSswapGarage1]

Every Gen five had a flat tappet cam in it.. so that should answer your question lol

[@GDFGC8Owner]

Any part numbers for the shims, rotators, lifters and other parts? I’m interested in this engine in a G-body.

[@richardholdener1727]

the springs were just borrowed from a friend with no part numbers

[@GDFGC8Owner]

@@richardholdener1727 thank you for your quick response Mr. Holdener! As you have shown time and time again, you gotta do the research! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@ohfugit]

It is mind bending how much that aluminium intake weighs

[@beckibell3232]

wish you would test one of these for a tow pickup instead of full on race. low end torque is where it's at for that. anything over 3500rpm will cut life of motor. thanks

[@richardholdener1727]

the cam upgrade is very mild and would still be considered a two/rv cam. The above 3500 rpm hurting motor life is incorrect

[@m.c.2349]

Hypothetically, this should improve highway fuel economy

[@richardholdener1727]

doubtful

[@98dodge360v8]

8.0 dodge magnum v10 comparison?

[@chipcurrey653]

Thank you for this

[@sweak2254]

Yes!

[@GarySchreib]

Trouble with driver side knock sensor hitting my headers. Is there a salutation to move the knock sensor?

[@richardholdener1727]

move the sensor

[@GarySchreib]

@richardholdener1727 working on gen VII. Figured out the knock sensor. Got a 90 degree fitting that worked. Any recommendations on headers that will work going into a 79 saburban 4x4?

[@GarySchreib]

And thank you for the information. I learn alot on your channel

[@9thgatedim273]

Hey rich the comments arw cut ofd in the car conversion 8.1 video do u know the deck height with that intake im interested in swapping one in my 55 bel air

[@richardholdener1727]

deck height of the block or how high the intake is?

[@9thgatedim273]

Are these blocks worth it

[@reloadingfun]

I wonder where peak power would be at with AFR 265's.

[@horsefly1020]

I do think they will bolt up on a 8.1

[@trentparker5223]

The head bolt pattern is different on the 8.1, conventional BBC heads will not fit without major deck modifications.

[@mslman]

Do you have the breakdown of parts used and sourcing?

[@richardholdener1727]

the only change was the ZZ502 cam

[@matafied]

what valve springs?@@richardholdener1727

[@stephenraywhite]

Do you have the part number for the valve springs & the shims?

[@richardholdener1727]

no sir

[@rifleman7313]

Does anyone make a camshaft like the Summit Racing Big Nasty for the Gen 3 (4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L) LS engines for the 8.1 Vortec? Obviously, the 8.1 does not need any help producing torque. Just curious. It would be really nice if a camshaft could be made to allow for more rpms (such as one that tops out at 6500rpm just below the Summit Cam mentioned for the gen LS engines) A 5.3L LS with a camshaft like the Summit Big Nasty tops out at around 6500rpm to just under 7000rpm. For a big tire 4x4 build using the 8.1 at 6500rpm would be ideal.

[@austinhearnen9844]

Were you able to reuse stock pushrods with the zz502 cam?

[@richardholdener1727]

YES

[@anthonysgarage]

Too bad you couldn't keep the LS firing order. If for no other reason than for the sound. This should be a nice little series.

[@ambercoleman9628]

Whats the biggest cam you can put in the 8.1 with out hitting anything?

[@richardholdener1727]

somewhere in the 230s likely

[@szymonstopka7004]

which spring packeg did you use and also which fuel injectors thanks

[@richardholdener1727]

80 pound injectors and a custom set of springs that we had

[@ronkirkham3410]

Rich I would really love to touch base with you I am building this exact motor it already has a Raylar cam but I'm looking to do some different things. I honestly have just a bunch of simple questions from spark plugs two heads intake xcetera I have a junkyard motor that I can pick up and bring right to the machine shop. So any input would be greatly greatly appreciated

[@richardholdener1727]

ask away-join the live feeds