[davepl]

The 8.1s aren't the hot ticket for building big horsepower but they're a torquey motor that'll run reliably forever. It might already be half way there, but if you can get a compression/leakdown test you'd know for sure what kind of condition you're in.

I'd grab the 8.1L complete with its harness and computer (and trans!) and run it all as a factory unit. It would be deluxe.