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C8 Corvette To Get Big Block 8.1L V8 Engine Swap: Video

With nearly 500 ponies right out of the box, you’d be hard-pressed to argue that the C8 Corvette is in need of more motor. Nevertheless, when it comes to hot rodding, more is always better. As such, one intrepid mechanic decided to rip out their Vette’s mid-mounted V8 in favor of a new 8.1L Big Block, as seen in the following video.

Larry Hofer prepares to install a Big Block V8 in a C8 Corvette.

The mad man behind the wrench in Larry Hofer, who runs Corvette Shop of San Diego and has even authored several technical manuals on making more power. One of his latest books is on the Chevrolet 8.1 Vortec / 496, making Hofer the perfect candidate for performing the world’s first C8 Corvette Big Block swap.

Naturally, a project like this is no simple task. Dropping a Big Block into the C8 Corvette engine bay requires quite a bit of custom work and engineering, including adaptation of the new 8.1L V8 to mate with the C8’s factory eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, codeveloped between GM and Tremec, a unit that Hofer describes as “wonderful.”

However, to make it all work as expected, Hofer had to create an adapter and add a dry sump oiling system to the engine, as well as create new cast cylinder heads for the direct injection system. The team also had to create new front accessory drives and new headers to make it all fit inside the factory engine compartment. Impressively, the project aims to retain the factory Corvette electronics and engine control unit, with a little help from HP Tuners.

All in all, it’s am ambitious project, but enticing for hot rodders. Granted, the 8.1L V8 only produces about 330 to 340 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque in stock guise, well below the 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque on tap from the C8 Corvette’s factory-spec 6.2L V8 LT2. That said, all that extra displacement should leave quite a bit on the table when Hofer decides to turn up the wick.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. whats the blue car on the lift?

    Reply
    1. looks like a custom C5, with C1 rear end (likely front end too), converted into a wagon.

      Reply
    2. Maybe could be a custom C8 Nomad? Would be interesting. Tomg

      Reply
  2. The 8.1 made 340HP at 3500 rpm. With a cam swap alone it made 550 HP at 5500 rpm. It was a bear with cast iron heads with a 9:1 compression ratio. With DI aluminum heads, probably in the 11-12:1 ratio area, this engine fully built, with cam, heads and intake is looking like a 800-1000 HP unit. Also it’s not even coming close to the room needed for the LT6 DOHC. Weight about the same too

    Reply
  3. Wow, marvel of engineering!

    Reply

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