Engine swap

[zeke57]

I bought a 2000 Itasca 33ft suncruiser on a workhorse chassis with a blown up 7.4 and a 4L80E will this year chassis accept an 8.1 and a Allison 1000

[Mr_D]

Of course, just throw $$ at it and you can do almost anything!
Most engine swaps to a different engine/trans involve more work and $$ than most people realize. If you can get the new engine and trans foe almost nothing then you might be OK.
Plus there's the problem of getting it through smog testing, some states (CA?) doesn't like it. If it isn't as it came from the factory it's pretty much a no no.

[JohnRR]

Good luck with your search.

[Davel]

Swapping to a 8.1 would be pretty complex for several reasons. The ignition and fuel injection are different. There may be an issue with the transmission hook-up as well. The 8.1 is a great motor but so is the 454. I would be tempted to replace the 454 with one of many crate motors that usually come with a nice warranty. That way all the electronics would work without making a lot of changes. Being an old time hot rodder I would put a better cam in it that would give more power with no loss of mileage. A performance tune such as Ultrapower and/or headers would put you very near, or maybe even better, than a stock 8.1. The one big advantage of the 454 is the forged steel crankshaft vs the nodular iron shaft in the 8.1.

Good luck,
Dave