has anyone tried this? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pcwillsie · 07-19-2010, 01:42 PM

I was talkinging to an old mechaninc friend of mine this weekend and i told him I was thinking of putting a cummins in my 88 3500 chevy. He mentioned that I should look into the 3208 cat v8. He said the block is lighter and that he thought more of it. Has anyone tried this swap or seen it done? I think it would be neat as anything I have ever seen but would like to know a little more.

Redcap · 07-19-2010, 02:04 PM

3208 is around 2000lbs and is a throwaway engine. Poor power to weight, no liners...boat anchor.

Go with the Cummins or a different Cat.

pcwillsie · 07-19-2010, 03:26 PM

maybe i had the number wrong redcap maybe it was a 3408 he was talking a little fast and can be hard to keep up with at times lol but he is usually really sharp

Redcap · 07-19-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcwillsie

maybe i had the number wrong redcap maybe it was a 3408 he was talking a little fast and can be hard to keep up with at times lol but he is usually really sharp

3408 is a big motor, much larger than a 3208. It will not fit into a pickup.

pcwillsie · 07-19-2010, 05:18 PM

hhmmm i guess i will have to make sure which one he was talking about when I see him again

b454rat · 07-19-2010, 07:54 PM

I remember a truck that was at Bloomsburg couple years ago that had a Cat in it. It said what it was on the cover but can't remember. There is a reason they call most of those engines "Clatterpillar"....

Blake_H · 07-19-2010, 09:38 PM

In the early '80's the Reher & Morrison pro stock team had a cc dually with a Cat in it. It was trick at the time, but they were having problems with broken springs in the front end.

As a side note, a buddy of mine has a '97 Top Kick with a Cat and Allison automatic in it. He is so unhappy with the performance, and lack of upgrades, compared to his Cummins daily driver, that he is looking for a mid eighties C70 to convert and put a Cummins/Allison in it and tow his trailer with that.

cableguy0 · 07-19-2010, 09:42 PM

B series cummins is the way to go. Parts are more readily available and while probably not much cheaper than the other diesels. The cummins reliability is proven.

RuralRoute C-30 · 07-19-2010, 10:06 PM

I recall years ago when working at an agricultural dealership, early 80's, a farmer in the area installed a 6-354 Perkins in an early 80's square body dually. Called it his 5th wheel 'haulin' truck' with chrome stacks as I recall.

He swore by it over all the other diesel options available at that time.

Mark

pcwillsie · 07-19-2010, 10:31 PM

so what are most people doing in thier square bodies about transmissions? are they using dodge transmissions or buying adapters to use chevrolet transmissions?

iroc12valve · 07-20-2010, 01:33 AM

Tranny ?? usually use nv4500 5 speed stick, 6.5 low gear and overdrive. great all around, plus they were made for dodge/cummins and chevy

pcwillsie · 07-20-2010, 09:18 AM

thanx iroc for that info. But i guess i should have been more clear i was wondering about automatics. My truck is an auto right now and was not really wanting to change over to a stick.

07-19-2010, 01:42 PM	#1
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	has anyone tried this? I was talkinging to an old mechaninc friend of mine this weekend and i told him I was thinking of putting a cummins in my 88 3500 chevy. He mentioned that I should look into the 3208 cat v8. He said the block is lighter and that he thought more of it. Has anyone tried this swap or seen it done? I think it would be neat as anything I have ever seen but would like to know a little more.

07-19-2010, 02:04 PM	#2
Redcap Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewis County, WA Posts: 1,523	Re: has anyone tried this? 3208 is around 2000lbs and is a throwaway engine. Poor power to weight, no liners...boat anchor. Go with the Cummins or a different Cat.

07-19-2010, 03:26 PM	#3
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	Re: has anyone tried this? maybe i had the number wrong redcap maybe it was a 3408 he was talking a little fast and can be hard to keep up with at times lol but he is usually really sharp

07-19-2010, 05:18 PM	#5
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	Re: has anyone tried this? hhmmm i guess i will have to make sure which one he was talking about when I see him again

07-19-2010, 07:54 PM	#6
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: has anyone tried this? I remember a truck that was at Bloomsburg couple years ago that had a Cat in it. It said what it was on the cover but can't remember. There is a reason they call most of those engines "Clatterpillar".... __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

07-19-2010, 09:38 PM	#7
Blake_H Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 217	Re: has anyone tried this? In the early '80's the Reher & Morrison pro stock team had a cc dually with a Cat in it. It was trick at the time, but they were having problems with broken springs in the front end. As a side note, a buddy of mine has a '97 Top Kick with a Cat and Allison automatic in it. He is so unhappy with the performance, and lack of upgrades, compared to his Cummins daily driver, that he is looking for a mid eighties C70 to convert and put a Cummins/Allison in it and tow his trailer with that.

07-19-2010, 09:42 PM	#8
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: has anyone tried this? B series cummins is the way to go. Parts are more readily available and while probably not much cheaper than the other diesels. The cummins reliability is proven. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-19-2010, 10:06 PM	#9
RuralRoute C-30 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 511	Re: has anyone tried this? I recall years ago when working at an agricultural dealership, early 80's, a farmer in the area installed a 6-354 Perkins in an early 80's square body dually. Called it his 5th wheel 'haulin' truck' with chrome stacks as I recall. He swore by it over all the other diesel options available at that time. Mark __________________ 1985 Chevy C-30 Hydraulic Dump Bed 2001 Saturn SC2 (go to work car) 2010 PT Cruiser (wife's car) "Reality is just a hallucination brought on by lack of alcohol."

07-19-2010, 10:31 PM	#10
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	Re: has anyone tried this? so what are most people doing in thier square bodies about transmissions? are they using dodge transmissions or buying adapters to use chevrolet transmissions?

07-20-2010, 01:33 AM	#11
iroc12valve Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: niagara, ontario Posts: 109	Re: has anyone tried this? Tranny ?? usually use nv4500 5 speed stick, 6.5 low gear and overdrive. great all around, plus they were made for dodge/cummins and chevy __________________ 1991 V3500 350TBI/4l80/205 D60/14bff - Crew long 1987 IrocZ-28 525 horse/567 Lb Tq 383 1976 K30 on 39.5s One wheel drive thanks to a np203 and some K5's lol

07-20-2010, 09:18 AM	#12
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	Re: has anyone tried this? thanx iroc for that info. But i guess i should have been more clear i was wondering about automatics. My truck is an auto right now and was not really wanting to change over to a stick.

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