[sbc383rulz]

i dont agree with the 6bt statement, those axles were never desgined for that weight or torque. the 1st gen dodge cummins had a hd dana 70 and were known for breaking them.

im not debating gas vs diesel im debating that a low horse diesel engine is not comparable in any way with a low horse gas engine.

i do agree that the engine is a little scary being as it looks like a ag/gen set engine. i think it would be worth a look, the body work would scare me too which is why there are many tricks to check that if you ask the right people or ask a reputable body shop to look at it.

diesel are only expensive to work on if you do a complete rebuild, yes a full rebuild if done yourself can be about $3000. that 4bt if driven normally (meaning not overrevved or lugged way down) will last on average 3 times as long as a small block.

you cant say that there are plenty of un molested suburbans around to build because while that may be the case where you are it isnt everywhere, good suburbans around here are hard to find and you pay alot for them because 4wds typically get wheeled and the 2wds have already been scrapped with bad transmissions.

the whole point i was debating from the beginning is that i dont think a mildy tuned 4bt in this truck would be that bad of a driver, unless you plan on towing something over #1000 lbs i think it would be ok. th400 behind that isnt ideal, it will handle the power fine but that diesel needs a lockup converter and OD (which adds to the build price greatly).

i drove for many years a isuzu pup with the c223 diesel, it wasnt fast but it went the same speed with #2000lbs in it. the c223 is rated for 58hp and 85 or so tq in about a 3000 lb vehicle, yet again not fast but diesel power ratings dont truly equal the same as gas.

i wouldnt buy the suburban unless i had a good body guy give the go ahead and somebody that works on the 4bt look at it and say yes, i would go to 4btswaps.com and ask as many questions as i can because most of the people that DO swap these engines into fullsize vehicles are there.

if we still cant agree thats fine im done debating. im still fairly young but ive driven alot of stuff and know a little bit, cant convince people what they dont want to believe. make a educated decision not taking the word of someone who hasnt driven one.