PSI 8.8L Big Block

[Jrgunn5150]

I figure there will be some interest here, even though this is slated for my C10. C10 is currently a 3600 rpm converter, 3.73 gear, turbo LS with a .585 cam at 230 degrees duration, running on a Holley Terminator X.

I'm no expert, and learning as I go as well, but, I've purchased a PSI 8.8L "R" block from KB Cores on Ebay. Price was 1800 bucks plus 175 shipping to my local R&L Dock.

The 8.8 was a stroked 8.1, after Power Solutions International bought the tooling etc from GM. They continued to develop the platform for various medium duty and industrial applications. School busses, pumps, generators.

The R block specifically has a LS style rectangle port on the head, uses LS7 1.8 exhaust rockers, a pretty sweet intake compared to an 8.1, all metric fasteners, different style plugs, a valley girdle like an LS, giant TB opening, etc etc.

For my C10, I'm pretty married to the 4L80e, so I don't really want to go back to a carb from the turbo 6.0 in it now. Which had me looking at Vortec 7.4's and 8.1's. It's even really why I bought my current K2500, to harvest the 454 from.

8.1's have pretty restrictive intakes, modding one is a pain, the valve train is really expensive to add a real cam too, and they tend to run 7-800 bucks on Marketplace.

The 7.4 is it's only little funky monkey, switching it to something 24x and 1x cam was unappealing.

The added costs of either helped me justify spending way more on an 8.8 with "normal" rockers, springs, pushrods, lifters, and an intake that flows to 500 hp or so as is. Will still be added costs, because it showed up with a flat sump oil pan, R blocks are 56x crank and I need it to be 24x... But, whatever, last engine I intend to build in my life, so might as well party.

So anyway, pictures, here's some, paid my money to KB Cores, they had it on a pallet and out the door the next day, picked it up at the depot today. Plan to pull it down to a shortblock over the holiday.

The engine pics I stole from an offshore boat forum, until I can take my own

Sponsored

 

[ChrisNLA]

I see no stolen pictures, but sounds like a cool project!

I have only dabbled with LS motors and small block Chevy's, and the projects I help my buddy with are primarily LS or old school Chevrolet big blocks (no 8.1's or newer stuff) - so this sounds neat.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I figure there will be some interest here, even though this is slated for my C10. C10 is currently a 3600 rpm converter, 3.73 gear, turbo LS with a .585 cam at 230 degrees duration, running on a Holley Terminator X.

I'm no expert, and learning as I go as well, but, I've purchased a PSI 8.8L "R" block from KB Cores on Ebay. Price was 1800 bucks plus 175 shipping to my local R&L Dock.

The 8.8 was a stroked 8.1, after Power Solutions International bought the tooling etc from GM. They continued to develop the platform for various medium duty and industrial applications. School busses, pumps, generators.

The R block specifically has a LS style rectangle port on the head, uses LS7 1.8 exhaust rockers, a pretty sweet intake compared to an 8.1, all metric fasteners, different style plugs, a valley girdle like an LS, giant TB opening, etc etc.

For my C10, I'm pretty married to the 4L80e, so I don't really want to go back to a carb from the turbo 6.0 in it now. Which had me looking at Vortec 7.4's and 8.1's. It's even really why I bought my current K2500, to harvest the 454 from.

8.1's have pretty restrictive intakes, modding one is a pain, the valve train is really expensive to add a real cam too, and they tend to run 7-800 bucks on Marketplace.

The 7.4 is it's only little funky monkey, switching it to something 24x and 1x cam was unappealing.

The added costs of either helped me justify spending way more on an 8.8 with "normal" rockers, springs, pushrods, lifters, and an intake that flows to 500 hp or so as is. Will still be added costs, because it showed up with a flat sump oil pan, R blocks are 56x crank and I need it to be 24x... But, whatever, last engine I intend to build in my life, so might as well party.

So anyway, pictures, here's some, paid my money to KB Cores, they had it on a pallet and out the door the next day, picked it up at the depot today. Plan to pull it down to a shortblock over the holiday.

The engine pics I stole from an offshore boat forum, until I can take my own

That’s going to be so fun. I had an 8.1 496 in a boat for years. I loved that engine. Purred like an angry kitten with rabies. So smooth. And sounded amazing with above water dual 4” exhaust. I loved that motor. I can’t imagine how fun a stroked one will be.

I’m starting my dream engine build very soon as well. I’ll have the donor right after the holiday. I’m building an amc drivetrain for my ‘61 Willy’s truck project. A friend found a 6.6 401 by accident and offered it to me. We came to an agreement very quickly for a very fair price. I feel the same. It’s going to be pricey, but I’m planning on going pretty all out with aluminum heads, fuel injection, headers, etc. I want it to be reliable for decades, so I’m not going nuts with it. But it could easily hit 450-500hp with crazy torque. It’s out if a 77 Cherokee chief, so it’s stock heads are not the early desirable ones. But forged rods and a block with lots of nickel that has likely never been taken apart is exciting. A small block 401 is going to be so cool in my opinion. The plan is to hopefully keep the crank and rods depending on how they look when I break it down, but replace everything else.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I see no stolen pictures, but sounds like a cool project!

I have only dabbled with LS motors and small block Chevy's, and the projects I help my buddy with are primarily LS or old school Chevrolet big blocks (no 8.1's or newer stuff) - so this sounds neat.

I've done 17 different LS swaps, still have my 4runner to go. Kind of over that now.

I've had this truck since 1994, it has had 454's, 496, 540's, LS's, small blocks... Might as well go big for the last one.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I've done 17 different LS swaps, still have my 4runner to go. Kind of over that now.

I've had this truck since 1994, it has had 454's, 496, 540's, LS's, small blocks... Might as well go big for the last one.

Cool!

I have a '93 C1500 with an LS swap. I did it about 15 years ago. Maybe more now. I'd love to do something more unique, or just new to me - but that's not really in the cards right now.

I've always wanted to fool with a diesel. I wouldn't be opposed to getting an older Duramax for the next swap. The truck is a stripper at this point anyway. No climate controls anymore, minimal interior - etc. It's begging to just be a test bed for shenanigans.

 

[Jteakus]

I see 60 mph rolling burnouts in your future.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Picture drop, easy to see why this is desirable if you're at all familiar with engines.

BTW, the normal 8.8 is just a big 8.1, with a ton of the same hurdles to tackle, the R block is none of that.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Picture drop, easy to see why this is desirable if you're at all familiar with engines.

BTW, the normal 8.8 is just a big 8.1, with a ton of the same hurdles to tackle, the R block is none of that.

That thing is huge.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Part of this little oddball engine mission, is to gather as much data as possible for the community at large.

To that end, I got an Einstar Rockit 3D scanner to capture the intake, and entire engine for anyone who wants to design brackets, intakes, flanges, whatever.

Learning to use it last night, will definitely take some hours to get the hang of.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Some jerk is trying to charge 2k per download for a step file of an intake he doesn't manufacture or sell

I'm making it open source,

Idea is to model something with bolt on runners and a bolt on bowl with a Holley Hi Ram lid pattern so people can use any top they like, including blowers.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Some jerk is trying to charge 2k per download for a step file of an intake he doesn't manufacture or sell

I'm making it open source,

Idea is to model something with bolt on runners and a bolt on bowl with a Holley Hi Ram lid pattern so people can use any top they like, including blowers.

I never thought of printing an intake. Wow. What kind of crazy printer do you have?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Any printer in an enclosure with a hot end that can do 300+ can print the filaments needed for an intake.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Any printer in an enclosure with a hot end that can do 300+ can print the filaments needed for an intake.

I have a pretty basic printer. If I can do things like that at home, I might at some point do some research and upgrade. That’s so amazing.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I love technology lol, things we can do today in our homes were out of reach just 5 years ago.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I love technology lol, things we can do today in our homes were out of reach just 5 years ago.

No question. So many possibilities now.

Sponsored