The "Tan Brick" aka my 1997 Express Cobra conversion

**Fast355** · 09-23-2015

Originally Posted by Nasty-Z

3.42 is the highest (Numerically lowest) gear available for the 14FF

How about an Allison 1000 series and keep the 4.10's ? Works fantastic in my 8.1/Allison 2001 3500 Dually

Allison 1000 Ratios

1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th*	R
3.094	1.809	1.406	1.00	0.711	0.614	4.480

* 6 speed available 2006-up but it is a retrofit to earlier models.

TOM

I just don't want the added power loss!! My 4L80E already has the dual stator 4.3 converter that stalls 2,300 rpm behind the 350. The 10.5" FF I have has 3.73s in it. I want 4.10s in the back but a good comprimise might also be a 2.96 first gear planetary set in the 80E.

**Fast355** · 09-23-2015

On a side note I have a line on an entire cam/valvetrain from a very low hour 425 HP 496 Mag Mercruiser for $300 that was given the Raylar treatment. Cam/Lifters/Pushrods/Guides/Studs/Rockers and double roller timing set. The cam and matching tune is worth 50 HP in the 375 HP Marine version of the 8.1 making it the 425 HP HO. I am sure the rest of the gain over the 340 HP truck version is exhaust/intake/tune/loss of the mechanical fan. The cam does its thing under 5,000 rpm as well and has a nice sounding idle.

**Fast355** · 09-23-2015

I did a little more research and decided what the heck and ordered the cam. Might be a shade big for many heavy haulers, but my Express is fairly light compared to a Dually or a Workhorse. Seems the cam is Mid 220s @ .050 on the intake, mid 230s @ .050 on the exhaust, .510/.510" lift and cut on a 114* LSA opposed to the stock 118* LSA big block cam. For $360.00 shipped for the whole take-out cam kit, it is hard to turn down. 425 HP 496 mag reaches 425 HP before it reaches 5,000 rpm.

**Nasty-Z** · 09-23-2015

Originally Posted by Fast355

I did a little more research and decided what the heck and ordered the cam. Might be a shade big for many heavy haulers, but my Express is fairly light compared to a Dually or a Workhorse. Seems the cam is Mid 220s @ .050 on the intake, mid 230s @ .050 on the exhaust, .510/.510" lift and cut on a 114* LSA opposed to the stock 118* LSA big block cam. For $360.00 shipped for the whole take-out cam kit, it is hard to turn down. 425 HP 496 mag reaches 425 HP before it reaches 5,000 rpm.

You will like that cam setup , I have used a few , been playing with the 8.1 for a while now and it is a very good swap and power increase for an upgrade. Ray and Larry offer great parts and reasonable (for what they are) prices , problem is its hard to justify all that $$ for a tow pig I suppose , but I did it for the '01 . The 8.1 is IMHO the most underrated gas engine recently , surprised more aftermarket support is not out there , but then again maybe I'm not surprised.....

Originally Posted by Fast355

I just don't want the added power loss!! My 4L80E already has the dual stator 4.3 converter that stalls 2,300 rpm behind the 350. The 10.5" FF I have has 3.73s in it. I want 4.10s in the back but a good comprimise might also be a 2.96 first gear planetary set in the 80E.

Understood.

Good luck Chris , I'm sure it'll be a cool ride.

TOM

**Fast355** · 09-23-2015

Originally Posted by Nasty-Z

You will like that cam setup , I have used a few , been playing with the 8.1 for a while now and it is a very good swap and power increase for an upgrade. Ray and Larry offer great parts and reasonable (for what they are) prices , problem is its hard to justify all that $$ for a tow pig I suppose , but I did it for the '01 . The 8.1 is IMHO the most underrated gas engine recently , surprised more aftermarket support is not out there , but then again maybe I'm not surprised.....

Understood.

Good luck Chris , I'm sure it'll be a cool ride.

TOM

Thanks Tom!

I may get a set of the Raylar roller rockers somewhere down the road.

I also believe it is an underated engine and I can't wait to have it running.

Here is what I found for the cam.

If it is as described and all servicable I will be very happy!

**Fast355** · 09-28-2015

I pressure washed the 8.1 today and popped it open. It was all factory down to the plugs. I about panicked when I saw how much oil it had been burning that is until I discovered the source. The intake gaskets were DONE and it was pulling oil into the intake runners at the intake gaskets. 6 of the 8 ports were soaked with oil. I am going to go ahead and pull it completely down and may do rings and bearings as well.