Am I crazy??????

[98chev]

Ok. so i wanna do a cummins swap. I found a 12v cummins motor with 115000 miles on CL for $1400. I can get a turbo 400 for around $400-500. Do these trannys need built to hold the cummins power? I also will need 3/4 ton torsion bars which i figure will be at most $300. My main question is can i do this swap right for under $3000? I have always wanted to do this since i bought the truck 3 years ago but never thought too much about it til now. Just wondered if anyone has done it and how much it cost. Any help appreciated

 

[supertrucker1978]

$3000 budget?.....Nope. Turbo 400 tranny?.......I wouldnt run one. These engines only turn about 3500 rpm and without an over drive you wont see much over 70mph if you are lucky

 

[Butch]

There's a build thread or 2 on the same swap. I say do it, completely worth it in the end.

Turbo 400 should hold up but if you put more power to the 12v don't neglect the tranny either.

3/4 bars will help with the added weight, your looking at an extra 350 lbs over the stock 5.7L on the front.

 

[ndians68]

i really wanna do this swap also since my truck needs a new motor soon any ways

 

[98chev]

Well i wanna be able to run 85 or 90 on the highway. so can it be done on a $3000 budget? if not the turbo 400 then what tranny?

 

[98chev]

so can it be done with a $3000 budget? also i would probly leave the motor stock for the next couple years. Id have the pump turned up but i got a lot of driving due to college so would like a cummins for power and mileage. i would also like to have a top speed of near 85-90 for highway driving. possible?

 

[supertrucker1978]

Most guys doing the swap are using the Dodge tranny that comes behind the 6bt. Or the NV4500 with the Dodge Input shaft

 

[Butch]

Here's the other build thread...

http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?1765-cummins-powered-crew-cab-chevy.

 

[98chev]

if i had a huge wad of cash it would have a built alllison behind it. but just a poor college kid whos selling his fourwheeler to do this.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

I've seen a few Cummins swaps in person, and the general consensus from the guys I've spoken to is that you'll probably want to toss a little more metal on the frame of the 1/2 tons to compensate for the added weight of the diesel, as well as the torsion bars you've already mentioned. Good luck, it could be pretty neat.

Tom