[arveetek]

The cheapest and easiest swap would be a 6.2L/6.5L. The GM diesels use the stock Chevy bellhousing bolt pattern, and fit into the stock motor mount locations.

The best way to do a conversion is to buy a complete donor vehicle, and swap over all the necessary parts. Besides the actual engine, you will also need the starter, alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor (if required), radiator, hydroboost brake system, A/C condensor (if required), exhaust manifolds, etc. All these parts are different from the gassers, and will nickel and dime you to death if you don't get them all at once. A lot of times you can get a complete rust bucket 6.2L truck with a good engine and accessories for $500 to $800.

I've done the swap twice myself, and it's no big deal.

The 6.2L and 6.5L are essentially the same engine. The 6.2L was introduced in 1982, phased out in 1993. The 6.5L, basically a 6.2L with a larger bore, was introduced in 1993, and then in 1994 was given an electronic injection pump. If you get ahold of an electronic 6.5L, it's easy to swap back in the mechanical pump and install it an earlier truck. The 6.5L is still being produced today, by GEP, a division of AMG, who make the H1 Hummers. The military still needs lots and lots of 6.5L engines for their vehicles, so that's why it's still being made.

The 6.2L doesn't deserve the bad rap it got, which was mostly due to the 5.7L Olds diesel, which is a different story. Remember, the 6.2L was designed during the fuel crisis years, and was meant mostly for a fuel economy situation, not a powerhouse. However, it can be made to be a powerhouse, like I did with my engine.

I really like the 6.2L/6.5L family myself.

Casey