5.7L Vortec ->6.5L Turbo Diesel swap?

[94_C/1500]

I like gas engines a lot, diesels are garbage to me. I'm not a fan of any of the diesel engines offered in pickup trucks. Maybe the mechanical 6bt was worth a crap, but I know for a fact that the electronic ones can be garbage. They have horible fuel problems and ours blew a head gasket. We have a 5.3L truck that has more miles and far less problems. And I can't think of a diesel truck we've ever had that didn't have many problems. And after all of this, I for some reason think a 4bt swap would be pretty neat. I bet with enough of weight removal and the right gearing and a 5 speed, 30 mpg is probably possible and it could have enough torque to move a 1500 around fine. I'll never do the swap to my truck, but I'd like to see one.

 

[ndians68]

I like gas engines a lot, diesels are garbage to me. I'm not a fan of any of the diesel engines offered in pickup trucks. Maybe the mechanical 6bt was worth a crap, but I know for a fact that the electronic ones can be garbage. They have horible fuel problems and ours blew a head gasket. We have a 5.3L truck that has more miles and far less problems. And I can't think of a diesel truck we've ever had that didn't have many problems. And after all of this, I for some reason think a 4bt swap would be pretty neat. I bet with enough of weight removal and the right gearing and a 5 speed, 30 mpg is probably possible and it could have enough torque to move a 1500 around fine. I'll never do the swap to my truck, but I'd like to see one.

most of the newer diesel breaks i have seen, have been self enflicted. or they have been things known to go bad.

30mpg is very for seeable with a 4bt, i have seen where people do these swaps and are seeing 30mpg, which is one reason i would like to try one, yet one of my dads old students had his truck pulling 30 in a cclb dodge, manual and stacked chips and some other things. And i know that kids running around here is diesels are pulling 20-25 regular, the only down side with a 4bt swap would be that it would be low on power, unlike the 12valve cummins, or anyother diesel swap.

 

[Fobroader]

Id say 90% of the diesels Ive heard that had problems were caused by numpty owners putting cheap programmers into them without getting the proper fueling into them.

 

[Horns]

If you're really gonna swap a dirty into a half ton GMT400 than I would venture to say the front end suspension would almost be an after thought when it comes to the complexity of it.

I can speak honestly here because I've done it before, a Cummins swap would be a far easier swap than a Duramax. For a half ton, the most cool and easiest Cummins to swap would be a 4BT. They weigh about as much as a big block (which were offered in half tons) but can really perform for a 3.9L. The downside, is they're hard to find, and more expensive than a 6BT. 6BT's are just as easy of a swap but they have a lot more power for a half ton to handle and weigh a lot more. Even then there a few half ton 6BT swaps running around. You just can't really lay into them if you want your truck to survive.

On a side note. Since were talking about diesel trucks. My 98 has a 89 Isuzu 4BD1T swapped into it. It's a 3.9L (same displacement as a 4BT) Right now all I have is the pump turned a little and an HX35 turbo on her and she puts out 248HP and 450TQ. Plenty of enough torque to throw the half ton around any which way. I also get an average of 28MPG on the highway. And that's with 37's and a lot of weight.

 

[taco ed]

Man Im new here and currently have a 7.4 L gas engine in my truck (3/4 ton GMC crewcab) I had a 88 sub w/ a 6.2 and it was a good sub ran fine and never had any issues for the 4 years I had it. I rolled in 2 wars Desert Storm and OIF-1) and a tour in Panama in AM gen Hummers w/ 6.2s and 6.5.s and never had any issues with them and it was the worst conditions you can put a truck and an engine in.. I am looking at replacing my 7.4 w/ a Diesel and got some good advice so far on my question on another page of this forum and I am open to even more suggestions BUT man I don't see much love and a lot of hate for the 6.5 TD/6.2 blood line.. For me I was thinking of using the 6.5TD for several reasons 1) pretty straight forward swap in to my truck 2) I have used the engine in several key points in my life and it never failed me or my Plt 3) I don't tow anything and don't off road much - however I do hunt and go on dirt roads and some Texas mud roads trails while hunting. 4) a lot has been done over the last few years w/ the current wars to improve the 6.5 its still used in combat today in Afg from regular line units to SF units and its doing pretty darn good. 5) I am not a great mech and will be outsourcing the install and would want to keep it simple SO.. IF you could what would 1) you do to a 6.5 TD before you put it in a 3/4 ton GMC yr 2000 but 98 body style what would be an uber 6.5TD?? 2) if not the 6.5 what would be the other option ? two guys have already told me on the other page and I thank them for the input! -- Like I say Im not a diesel guy now but man stop hating so hard on the 6.2/5TD they did help pave the way for where we -- you are now.. Semper Fi -- Taco Ed-- 2000 GMC 3/4 ton crew cab 4x4 old body style running 33's and getting 9 MPG...

 

[taco ed]

Hey bro thanks for the advice on my question the link was a big help and I will look hard at that swap

 

[Wagonbacker9]

Suspension really shouldn't be an issue. My 1994 Blazer had a 6.5l in it with all 1500 running gear aside from the 4l80e.

Now.. that said, I blew the 10 bolt out of it at 203K miles, and I have no idea if it was the first. The 6.5 also put a sour taste in my mouth because I blew a head gasket. But assuming it was a stock motor at 203K, thats not terrible life for an engine. I won't say they're a bad engine, but if I was going to put the effort into a swap, I'd want better.