6.2 Diesel to 454 gas swap... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crews · 08-13-2001, 12:00 PM

Anyone ever done a diesel to gas swap in say an mid 80's 'burb? If I end up buying this dually 'burb I don't know if I'll keep it a diesel very long...I'm not very well versed on diesels and I'm not sure how long it would last before it would need some maintenance..any thoughts????

'65 Super Sport 327 700R4 · 08-13-2001, 02:50 PM

Hey crews,

Heres another good thing that would come from swaping in a gas engine, you wouldn't have to put any emmissions controlls on your rig. The reason for this is, because a diesel rig doesn't have to go through DEQ and as long as you don't tell them that you put a gas motor in your truck you would be home free. My neighbor has a '81-'87 Chevy 3/4 ton 2wd pick-up that came with a 6.2 diesel and when the motor went out on it they replaced it with a 350 gas motor. It has never been to DEQ and will never, just as long as you keep saying it has a diesel.
Now if you wanted to be different you could rebuild the 6.2 and do a performance build. I have been told that because of its very high compression that it tends to blow head gaskets easily, so you would have to use a heavy duty gasket of some sort. You can drop the compression and install a turbo and run it with high amounts of boost. If you had the valves opened up, put in a better camshaft, Turbo charged and intercooled, added a cold air intake with a K&N filter, put on some different exhaust manifolds and a 3 1/2" exhaust single exhaust with no muffler. I bet you could get a 6.2 to produce 250-300 HP and 400-500 lb. ft. Torque. If you had that motor with a beefed up 4L80E 4 speed automatic and a 14 bolt full floater with 4.10's and positraction you would have a very powerful, strong and durable suburban that would be able to surprise that pants off a Dodge Cummins owner.

Good Luck,
Erik

------------------
'29 Chrysler model 65 all original, 2nd owner ***FOR SALE***
'63 Impala SS 283, 3-on-the tree, flowmaster 2 1/4" dual exhaust, performer intake, edelbrock 600 carb, chrome 15x8 rally's
'65 Impala SS, built 332, 700R4, 3.73, 2 1/2" mandral bent duals w/H pipe, Flowmaster 40-series deltaflows, MSD Mallory, too many modifications to list
'72 Chevy Suburban 4x4, NP205, TH350, balanced 357 (.040 350), 268 high energy cam, 9.2:1 comp, 1.94/1.50 heads (ENGINE BUILT BY THE GREAT RAYZOR or if you know him RAY, WHO POSTS ON THIS BOARD AND CHEVYTALK), 3/4 ton leaf springs, 4" lift, 35/12.5/16.5 Grabber MT's, Rancho shocks, Rancho dual steering stabalizer, American Eagle 143's 16.5x9.75 6 lug, 4.10's, 12 bolt rear limited slip, Dana 44 front limited slip. Carter 600, performer intake, headers and flowmaster exhaust system very soon.
'95 Impala SS Flowmaster cat-back, K&N, 285/40/17 Firehawks, Dark cherry metallic, 27,000 miles, extreamly fun vehicle
'95 Chevy K2500, ex-cab, long bed, 350, AT, Flowmaster cat-back, 265/75/16 Mud Kings, 16x7.5 Centerline HT cast
wheels, Leer high rise canope, bed liner w/ mat, loaded.**FOR SALE**
***I am looking for a '67-72 pickup, suburban or blazer in the Portland area. Body doesn't really matter but it needs to be in great mechanical condition. $500-$1500 range please. ***

Longhorn Man · 09-02-2001, 02:05 PM

Even though you could do that, The G.M. 6.2/6.5 engines were turds from the begining. I worked on them for 7 years installed in Hummers in the Army. These things are almost as bad as the Olds 260 and 350 diesel motors. (yuk)
I would say go with a small block or big block set up. Parts are readily available in the wrecking yards, and you wouldn't need to do much, if any, fab work. I think you could even use the same motor mounts. (not positive though)
In my opinion, I would stick to a small block. Go out and price the 454, then look at the parts, then go look at a 383 stroker motor. Same power, lighter weight, less cash. Small blocks win hands down IMO.
One thing to remember though, your tranny(TH 400, right?) is set up to shift at a rather low RPM, and if you slipped a gas motor in front of it with out addressing this issue, you'll be VERY disapointed in the performance you'll get. Either replace the tranny, or take it to someone who knows what to swap out in it.

[This message has been edited by longhornmail (edited 09-02-2001).]

red450ih · 09-04-2001, 01:47 AM

I have had good luck with 6.2L in the last 16 years that I have been working with them. We bought an '85 Suburban NEW in '85 with the C code engine that has gone over 200K with 2 injector pumps. Nothing else! The 6.2 and 6.5 did not have head gasket trouble. The was the Oldsmobile 5.7L.

Good luck with your project!
Keith

------------------
'74 C10 (350)
'79 K20 (350)
'79 K20 (454)
'83 K20 (6.2 Diesel)
'90 454SS
'63 Impala
'63 Belair
'63 Biscayne
'63 Biscayne
'55 210

[This message has been edited by red450ih (edited 09-04-2001).]

Longhorn Man · 09-04-2001, 09:14 PM

head gasket? I didn't say anything about that...
Let me rephrase that post. GM's 6.2/6.5 engines wer slow, weak, and if it was such a good design, they would still be selling them in Chevy trucks. (in case you don't know, the motor and all rights has been sold to A.M. General, for use in the Hummer.)
Now, I am sure there were plenty of them that has lasted, h*ll, I had an '84 K car that went 187,000 before it was destroyed. I had a Horizon (1.7) that had 222,000 miles. They all made a handfull of turds that lasted a long time.

red450ih · 09-05-2001, 09:58 AM

No, but "65 super sport 327 700R4" did say somthing about the head gaskets. I believe anything will last if properly cared for.

Thanks
Keith

------------------
My Page
'74 C10
'79 K20
'83 K20
'90 454SS
'91 C1500

Longhorn Man · 09-06-2001, 06:00 AM

I'm sorry, I shoulda looked up at his post.
To a certian extent, I'll agree with that statement...to an extent.

------------------
The hot rod; a'69 G.M.C. Short/Fleet. 350 W/a heluva cam and nice stance. Still a beater though. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man...a real bummer. See it at http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/

The not rod; old beat up Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. (that's the ONLY cool way to say pos Ford Ranger)only purchased it for the gas mileage. (at least it's a V-6) And now it's for sale...2500 bucks or trade for inline '67 - '72.

I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. Check out my Longhorn site at <A HREF="http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/8752/

" TARGET=_blank>http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/8752/

</A>

08-13-2001, 12:00 PM	#1
crews It just doesn't matter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca Posts: 1,660	6.2 Diesel to 454 gas swap... Anyone ever done a diesel to gas swap in say an mid 80's 'burb? If I end up buying this dually 'burb I don't know if I'll keep it a diesel very long...I'm not very well versed on diesels and I'm not sure how long it would last before it would need some maintenance..any thoughts???? __________________ 05 Chevy Silverado..... A rogue BMW guy.... If you don't like me- TAKE A NUMBER; There are people ahead of you!!

08-13-2001, 02:50 PM	#2
'65 Super Sport 327 700R4 whats that smell? Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 289	Hey crews, Heres another good thing that would come from swaping in a gas engine, you wouldn't have to put any emmissions controlls on your rig. The reason for this is, because a diesel rig doesn't have to go through DEQ and as long as you don't tell them that you put a gas motor in your truck you would be home free. My neighbor has a '81-'87 Chevy 3/4 ton 2wd pick-up that came with a 6.2 diesel and when the motor went out on it they replaced it with a 350 gas motor. It has never been to DEQ and will never, just as long as you keep saying it has a diesel. Now if you wanted to be different you could rebuild the 6.2 and do a performance build. I have been told that because of its very high compression that it tends to blow head gaskets easily, so you would have to use a heavy duty gasket of some sort. You can drop the compression and install a turbo and run it with high amounts of boost. If you had the valves opened up, put in a better camshaft, Turbo charged and intercooled, added a cold air intake with a K&N filter, put on some different exhaust manifolds and a 3 1/2" exhaust single exhaust with no muffler. I bet you could get a 6.2 to produce 250-300 HP and 400-500 lb. ft. Torque. If you had that motor with a beefed up 4L80E 4 speed automatic and a 14 bolt full floater with 4.10's and positraction you would have a very powerful, strong and durable suburban that would be able to surprise that pants off a Dodge Cummins owner. Good Luck, Erik ------------------ '29 Chrysler model 65 all original, 2nd owner *FOR SALE* '63 Impala SS 283, 3-on-the tree, flowmaster 2 1/4" dual exhaust, performer intake, edelbrock 600 carb, chrome 15x8 rally's '65 Impala SS, built 332, 700R4, 3.73, 2 1/2" mandral bent duals w/H pipe, Flowmaster 40-series deltaflows, MSD Mallory, too many modifications to list '72 Chevy Suburban 4x4, NP205, TH350, balanced 357 (.040 350), 268 high energy cam, 9.2:1 comp, 1.94/1.50 heads (ENGINE BUILT BY THE GREAT RAYZOR or if you know him RAY, WHO POSTS ON THIS BOARD AND CHEVYTALK), 3/4 ton leaf springs, 4" lift, 35/12.5/16.5 Grabber MT's, Rancho shocks, Rancho dual steering stabalizer, American Eagle 143's 16.5x9.75 6 lug, 4.10's, 12 bolt rear limited slip, Dana 44 front limited slip. Carter 600, performer intake, headers and flowmaster exhaust system very soon. '95 Impala SS Flowmaster cat-back, K&N, 285/40/17 Firehawks, Dark cherry metallic, 27,000 miles, extreamly fun vehicle '95 Chevy K2500, ex-cab, long bed, 350, AT, Flowmaster cat-back, 265/75/16 Mud Kings, 16x7.5 Centerline HT cast wheels, Leer high rise canope, bed liner w/ mat, loaded.FOR SALE *I am looking for a '67-72 pickup, suburban or blazer in the Portland area. Body doesn't really matter but it needs to be in great mechanical condition. $500-$1500 range please. * __________________ '29 Chrysler model 65 all original, 2nd owner *FOR SALE* '63 Impala SS 283, 3-on-the tree, flowmaster 2 1/4" dual exhaust, performer intake, edelbrock 600 carb, chrome 15x8 rally's '65 Impala SS, built 332, 700R4, 3.73, 2 1/2" mandral bent duals w/H pipe, Flowmaster 40-series deltaflows, MSD Mallory, too many modifications to list '72 Chevy Suburban 4x4, NP205, TH350, balanced 357 (.040 350), 268 high energy cam, 9.2:1 comp, 1.94/1.50 heads (ENGINE BUILT BY THE GREAT RAYZOR or if you know him RAY, WHO POSTS ON THIS BOARD AND CHEVYTALK), 3/4 ton leaf springs, 4" lift, 35/12.5/16.5 Grabber MT's, Rancho shocks, Rancho dual steering stabalizer, American Eagle 143's 16.5x9.75 6 lug, 4.10's, 12 bolt rear limited slip, Dana 44 front limited slip. Carter 600, performer intake, headers and flowmaster exhaust system very soon. '74 GMC 1500 Super Custom, Factory 3/4 ton springs, built 400sb w/3947040 heads, 475 hp, 750 edelbrock, ceramic headers, TH350, B&M holeshot 2000, 2 1/2" duals w/ H-Pipe, 40-series delta-flow Flowmasters, Gibson tips, Fey Outlaw 8" drop bumper. '95 Impala SS Flowmaster cat-back, K&N, 255/50/17 G-Force T/A, Dark cherry metallic, 27,000 miles, extreamly fun vehicle '95 Chevy K2500, ex-cab, long bed, 350, AT, Flowmaster cat-back, 265/75/16 Mud Kings, 16x7.5 Centerline HT cast wheels, Leer high rise canope, bed liner w/ mat, loaded.FOR SALE

09-04-2001, 01:47 AM	#4
red450ih Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 225	I have had good luck with 6.2L in the last 16 years that I have been working with them. We bought an '85 Suburban NEW in '85 with the C code engine that has gone over 200K with 2 injector pumps. Nothing else! The 6.2 and 6.5 did not have head gasket trouble. The was the Oldsmobile 5.7L. Good luck with your project! Keith ------------------ '74 C10 (350) '79 K20 (350) '79 K20 (454) '83 K20 (6.2 Diesel) '90 454SS '63 Impala '63 Belair '63 Biscayne '63 Biscayne '55 210 [This message has been edited by red450ih (edited 09-04-2001).] __________________ GMC

09-05-2001, 09:58 AM	#6
red450ih Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 225	No, but "65 super sport 327 700R4" did say somthing about the head gaskets. I believe anything will last if properly cared for. Thanks Keith ------------------ My Page '74 C10 '79 K20 '83 K20 '90 454SS '91 C1500 __________________ GMC

09-02-2001, 02:05 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Even though you could do that, The G.M. 6.2/6.5 engines were turds from the begining. I worked on them for 7 years installed in Hummers in the Army. These things are almost as bad as the Olds 260 and 350 diesel motors. (yuk) I would say go with a small block or big block set up. Parts are readily available in the wrecking yards, and you wouldn't need to do much, if any, fab work. I think you could even use the same motor mounts. (not positive though) In my opinion, I would stick to a small block. Go out and price the 454, then look at the parts, then go look at a 383 stroker motor. Same power, lighter weight, less cash. Small blocks win hands down IMO. One thing to remember though, your tranny(TH 400, right?) is set up to shift at a rather low RPM, and if you slipped a gas motor in front of it with out addressing this issue, you'll be VERY disapointed in the performance you'll get. Either replace the tranny, or take it to someone who knows what to swap out in it. [This message has been edited by longhornmail (edited 09-02-2001).]

09-04-2001, 09:14 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	head gasket? I didn't say anything about that... Let me rephrase that post. GM's 6.2/6.5 engines wer slow, weak, and if it was such a good design, they would still be selling them in Chevy trucks. (in case you don't know, the motor and all rights has been sold to A.M. General, for use in the Hummer.) Now, I am sure there were plenty of them that has lasted, h*ll, I had an '84 K car that went 187,000 before it was destroyed. I had a Horizon (1.7) that had 222,000 miles. They all made a handfull of turds that lasted a long time.

09-06-2001, 06:00 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I'm sorry, I shoulda looked up at his post. To a certian extent, I'll agree with that statement...to an extent. ------------------ The hot rod; a'69 G.M.C. Short/Fleet. 350 W/a heluva cam and nice stance. Still a beater though. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man...a real bummer. See it at http://geocities.com/andys_69_gmc/ The not rod; old beat up Mighty Morphin Power Ranger. (that's the ONLY cool way to say pos Ford Ranger)only purchased it for the gas mileage. (at least it's a V-6) And now it's for sale...2500 bucks or trade for inline '67 - '72. I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. Check out my Longhorn site at <A HREF="http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/8752/ " TARGET=_blank>http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/8752/ </A>



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