6.5 swap questions

[Justin S]

My Vortec 454 gets 11mpg towing, and its pretty much stock.

 

[skylark]

The factory computer wouldn't work without tps, cts, and rpm. it doesn't use the alternator for rpm like the tach does, it uses a crank position sensor. Even at that without having the feedback from everything else it may force the tranny into limp in mode and be stuck in 2nd gear.

 

[90halfton]

4bt cummins and manual tranny

 

[Supercharged111]

My Vortec 454 gets 11mpg towing, and its pretty much stock.

You must be screwing up the math, that's a good empty mpg.

 

[Justin S]

You must be screwing up the math, that's a good empty mpg.

Nah, I gud at maths.

 

[someotherguy]

well damn, im really not hunting for big diesel power or id swap in a duramax, I just want the mileage, I go to gallons per mile with a load on the ol 350. are the 6.5's really that big of a joke? for the price of it, it couldnt hurt to get it and have it on the backburner. are there any straightforward diesel swaps I can do? I can live with a gutless turd to be honest, I just want a fairly efficient workhorse, really the only time I drive the truck is when im hauling something

The much bigger issue than lack of power is utter lack of reliability. I wouldn't trust one to be a boat anchor.

Richard

 

[tanman_2006]

I'd swap a 6.5 in every truck I own if I had the money.

Trying to talk a guy down on a 99 ccsb 4x4 350 so I can swap a 6.5 in it for my wife to haul horses with.

Until then she will borrow the 93 6.5 single cab.

 

[someotherguy]

There's always that one guy!

The last one told us for years how great they were until his grenaded, after he'd spent a fortune on it. Hope you have better luck.

Richard

 

[deejaaa]

i have a 6.5 and hate every minute i work on it. you will not get to work with anything from the factory. cruise wont work, or AC.
i want to swap in a cummins but can't afford it.

 

[tanman_2006]

Mine all run great for 300K miles so far. I've done one head gasket.

My 350 is a heaping pile of junk and 6.0's are reliable but blah. Big blocks aren't bad but my wallet can complain at times. Duramax costs more to fix than a whole P400 long block with total seal rings and head studs with an upgraded turbo to boot.