6.5l Turbo Diesel transplant questions

[kaiwren986]

As the thread says, Im interested in this. To start with, my county doesnt have emissions testing. Also I dont want a cummins, and I know a 454 with a MegaBlow Awesomesauce supercharger will make more power. I want to do this because I like the 6.5 turbo diesel and the thought of going back and forth to work on 1 gallon of fuel appeals to me! .

Anyways. If I can find a wrecked 94-98 diesel truck, the swap would be pretty much straight forward? Switch out the cluster and wiring harness and ECU(s), also the radiator. Getting the driveshafts lengthened or shortend and a custom exhaust. Change the fuel system out. I have all the tools I need so thats not an issue.

The only issue I cant find any info on is relocating the torsion bar crossmember. I know of one person who has done this but they seem to be MIA on other boards. How hard would this be? Or is there a way around this to handle the increased weight in the front end?

I dont want to replace my tahoe as I have fallen in love with the ugly piece of junk(not for long though!)So thats not an option either.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[_Dylan_]

So you think you are going to save enough money on fuel to pay for the motor swap? I doubt it.

It will probably be easier to find a diesel Tahoe and sell the one you have now.

 

[kaiwren986]

I dont believe I mentioned fuel savings as a way to pay for the swap. Incidentally, I'd save about $400-500 a year in fuel. Would it pay for the swap in a reasonable amount of time? No. I do intend to keep this for the next 10 years as a work vehicle. Then over time it would pay for it self. Not the main reason Im doing it though.

 

[Trippers99hoe]

Lots of work ,but if you find the proper donor it should be pretty straightforward.

 

[noJeepshere]

Easier still, buy a J-code 6.2, put a Banks kit on it, and wire the gauges to work with that. No electronics, no fuss.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

i like having different stuff in/on my vehicles but i have to agree this is a little over the top for what it is IMO. if your dead set on doing it getting a complete donor would be the way to go since everything will have to be swapped out. would be interesting to see what you/they do with the suspension since your transplanting it into a 1500.

 

[kaiwren986]

The 6.2 may be a better option, thats true. And the suspension is the bit Im worried about. I take it just cranking the T-bars to bring the height back up might be a bad thing? If it were a 2 door or a suburban I'd just be able to swap in some heavier tbars.

 

[Stresst]

What do you think you are going to pay for a donor? 1500? 2k? Thats four years of fuel! Nevermind another 400-500 (bare min) for a custom exhaust another years worth of gas. And I am sure another 400-500 on misc crap along the way. Unless you plan on keeping this thing for 12+ years I dont think this is wise. JMHO

For the record I spent probably more then that fixxing my a/c but I didnt know what I was getting into. I would stay away from this swap......

 

[SunlitComet]

Unless it will be a constant towing vehicle leave it alone.

 

[TheBlueBeast]

I agree with everyone here, but if you really want to do this to be original or you just like diesel engines go for it. Just don't expect to be money ahead or have an easy job, to beat a dead horse.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Stay away from the turbo diesel for our trucks...good reason that only made a limited amount.

 

[LuSe4]

I had a '94 turbo diesel for about a year. My question to the op is what kind of mileage are you expecting to get? The 6.5 may have been slightly better than my '94 350 silverado I have, but not much better. Maybe averaged 2 or 3 mpg better with the diesel.
That being said, I really like diesels and it would be a fun project. Just be realistic on your expectations for mileage.

 

[Stresst]

I agree with everyone here, but if you really want to do this to be original or you just like diesel engines go for it. Just don't expect to be money ahead or have an easy job, to beat a dead horse.

He mentioned to save money on gas......and for this alone no friggen way.

 

[kaiwren986]

No I think the main reason is.. I like the 6.5 diesel I dont expect stellar MPG. I dont expect it to pay for itself, I dont expect it to be easy.

I just came here looking for advise on how to go about making the front suspension work correctly. Ive got a job, thats whats paying for it eventually.

Although I do appreciate everyones input!

 

[Stresst]

I hear you but we are just trying to help you bud.....Why get involved in such an intricate swap in such an old truck??? Sell the truck, take the money you would have invested in the swap and buy something with a diesel. Unless your trucks body is mint, the interior is stellar it is not a wise idea. Good luck with whatever way you go!

 

[SunlitComet]

No I think the main reason is.. I like the 6.5 diesel I dont expect stellar MPG. I dont expect it to pay for itself, I dont expect it to be easy.

I just came here looking for advise on how to go about making the front suspension work correctly. Ive got a job, thats whats paying for it eventually.

Even if I disagree with another users choice I still respect there decision. Therefore, as long as the time is available to me, provide the year, body and option details of the receiving and donor vehicles and I will help piece together the appriate parts with the data I have. Good luck.

 

[EKJ]

If You dont have any experience with this diesels dont go there, it would not last 10 years. The way to go for You, are probably to buy a suburban with 4l80e and so on with a 6,5. Buy a mechanical pump, do not use the Electronical pump, it sucks. Head gaskets do not hold more than 120000 miles.

Here in Norway we got 95% diesels in suvs before 2000 from Gm, i have worked several years in a local garage, changing head gaskets, pumps and headgaskets often. Even blocks, they ckrack in cyl 7/8
Thats why i now drive a 2004 Tahoe with a 5,3 . Better engine are hard to find. They dont cost more in a 5 year period of use than a 6,5 diesel , rather less for sure!

Good luck

 

[kaiwren986]

Thanks EKJ. this is probably the nail in the coffin so to speak for this plan. Some solid warnings. I knew they didnt stand up to added power. I just didnt know they dont stand up to themselves

 

[AtomicHoe094]

The 6.5 engine blocks used to crack a lot, not sure if id dump money into a block that has the potential of cracking... I have a 95 tahoe, and man i wish i never even got started on this stupid TBI motor..
If i would start over this is what i would of done... 6.0 motor cammed and heads, 4l80e with a 14bolt rear and thats it... ive probably got around 2grand in my tbi motor that probably wont even come close to making good hp.. Some motors arnt worth building.. the TBI and the 6.5s are one of those motors lol

but my motor looks pretty now

well thats an old picture,, but you get the gist

 

[noJeepshere]

well if you REALLY wanted to transplant a light-duty diesel into a Tahoe, you might look into the 2.5l 4-cylinder turbodiesel that Isuzu put into their flat nose chassis cabs. It won't be the fastest, but it is a SOLID motor that will put on the miles. They obviously thought it was good enough for a truck weighing up to 5 digits. And they even come with 5 speed auto transmissions.