LHowells
Virginia
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Joined: 06/16/2005
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Anyone have an old motorhome that they have converted the 454 Chevy engine to a newer Chevy Workhorse engine? Would love to hear results including change in gas mileage, noise level, etc.
Thanks,
Len
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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Joined: 11/30/2000
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Are you thinking changing from the Chevy 454 to the Chevy Vortec 8.1?
Think the engine computer and other electronics would have to be added.
Engine compartment space and bolt holes.
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008
Class C past Class A owner
Pontiac G6
There is NO such Thing as a B+
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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I would rebuild my current 454 or buy a new 454 before moving to the Chevy Vortec. But the shop that does my engine work builds 454 engines.
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topflite51
In The Desert of Nevada
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Joined: 05/13/2004
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Where's are resident hotrodder, when someone needs him? Daveinet where are you?
 David
Just rolling along enjoying life
w/F53 Southwind towing 87 Samurai looking to golf or fish
Simply Despicable
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RV-1/2n-FUN
FL.
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Joined: 03/30/2003
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topflite51 wrote:Where's are resident hotrodder, when someone needs him? Daveinet where are you?
Is he the one who dropped a 502 in to replace the 454?
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itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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The 8.1 has ALL electronic control, right down to the gas pedal. If you are going to do it you might as well also use the Allison trans because the engine PCM is set up to communicate with that. Find a wrecked motorhome and get the complete harness.
Physically the blocks are the same externally. Actually it will be a lot bigger job than changing from a carb 454 to a TBI 454 because the 8.1 is so much more integrated into the electronics/electrical system.
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Jim83Itasca
La Quinta Calif
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Joined: 09/16/2003
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itsalleasy wrote:The 8.1 has ALL electronic control, right down to the gas pedal. If you are going to do it you might as well also use the Allison trans because the engine PCM is set up to communicate with that. Find a wrecked motorhome and get the complete harness.
Physically the blocks are the same externally. Actually it will be a lot bigger job than changing from a carb 454 to a TBI 454 because the 8.1 is so much more integrated into the electronics/electrical system.
Not really, The 8.1 doesn't have the mechanical fuel pump boss..
Jim
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itsalleasy
USA
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Jim83Itasca wrote:itsalleasy wrote:The 8.1 has ALL electronic control, right down to the gas pedal. If you are going to do it you might as well also use the Allison trans because the engine PCM is set up to communicate with that. Find a wrecked motorhome and get the complete harness.
Physically the blocks are the same externally. Actually it will be a lot bigger job than changing from a carb 454 to a TBI 454 because the 8.1 is so much more integrated into the electronics/electrical system.
Not really, The 8.1 doesn't have the mechanical fuel pump boss..
Jim
Will that make a lot of difference when you bolt it in???
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Jim83Itasca
La Quinta Calif
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Will that make a lot of difference when you bolt it in???
Nope.....Everything will bolt right in but I don't stray outta the fuel system stock configuration much....
Jim
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Stim
NE Florida
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Joined: 05/23/2007
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Assuming your engine has a carburator, you would be better off just converting to a throttle body fuel injection. It is a lot simpler than the newer vortecs. Changing to an overdrive trans would also boost fuel mileage.
An example- 5.7 Chevy PU with carb and regular 3 speed trans got 12 mpg "ballpark". The same PU with throttle body fuel injection and OD trans got 18mpg "ballpark". It would not be as much with a big block but it still would be an improvment. I'm just trying to give an apples to apples example that I have dealt with.
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