Vortec 8100/8.1L Oil Pan

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bucket

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I need an oil pan for an '01-up 8.1 big block, along with the oil pickup tube. I need the regular truck and van style of pan with the big notch in it, as opposed to the marine and medium duty style of pan.
 

bucket

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What are building bucket!?

I'm putting together everything I need for an 8.1 swap for my '78 Suburban.

I've got a complete '05 donor truck for the engine. It has the big oil pan, for use with no engine crossmember.
 

bucket

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does it use a stamped pan or a cast aluminum?

Cast aluminum.

If it was stamped steel, I would have just modified it. The thought had crossed my mind to modify the aluminum pan, but it's probably more frustration than it's worth.
 

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Cast aluminum.

If it was stamped steel, I would have just modified it. The thought had crossed my mind to modify the aluminum pan, but it's probably more frustration than it's worth.
cast aluminum is structural, i wouldnt modify the pan

I dont know what the block is like, im sure its strong but there could be the chance a modified pan doesnt support the bottom of the block right
 

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cast aluminum is structural, i wouldnt modify the pan

I dont know what the block is like, im sure its strong but there could be the chance a modified pan doesnt support the bottom of the block right

It's not structural to the block in any way, in this case at least. Just like the aluminum valve covers aren't structural. They are just more rigid than stamped steel, for the sake of preventing oil leaks.
 

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cast aluminum is structural, i wouldnt modify the pan

I dont know what the block is like, im sure its strong but there could be the chance a modified pan doesnt support the bottom of the block right
I went through this today on a modine egr / coolant cooler assembly today, was “told” not the weld a washer and then a nut to a broken stud (word like a hot damn) bossman, not a mechanic by title tells me that focused heat into a small area like that could lead to spider cracking of the cast aluminum- I laughed at him right till he mentioned the replacement cost for the engine part… said well two choices - fire me / scold me it’s done now - what’s your thoughts not modifying curiously
 

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As for cutting up oil pans, on LS swaps it used to be very normal, and essentially zero ill effects. The biggest issue was that welding on oily aluminum is tough, so unless you had professional level cleaning equipment, it was easiest to buy a new pan and modify it vs cutting up an old one. The strength of the pan is not a huge factor, it just works well for NVH, and with the amount of bosses in a modern pan, casting the aluminum makes much more sense than formed sheetmetal.

I just hate that they are starting to use plastic pans...
 

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It's not structural to the block in any way, in this case at least. Just like the aluminum valve covers aren't structural. They are just more rigid than stamped steel, for the sake of preventing oil leaks.
That’s good. Kinda like the 3800 then
 

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