diesel swap questions?

[wendling053]

I have an 88 3+3 it has a tpi 350 in it now with a 4 speed, I want to swap it out for a diesel whats the best and the easier way to do it?

[irishman999]

The best place i found about the detroit diesel is a forum called dieselplace.com, its specific to gm diesels.

[D13]

Why whould you ever do such a thing? Less HP (the 6.2 is equivalent to a 305), less throttle response, parts availability, etc. For the cost of the conversin you could buy a lot of gas for your 350. If you're looking for big power put in a 6.0 or 6.2 LS motor, or a 454. With gas at 2.59 and diesel at 2.89, unless you plan on driving it 100,000 miles you won't recover the cost of the swap, unless you find a good doner cheap (and good and cheap usually are opposites). If you just want smoke put an oil injector in your exhaust.

Having said that, in order of ease:
1. Lay down until the bad thoughts go away.
2. Buy a complete running 82-87 6.2 and swap everything. Upgrade the fuel filter.
3. Buy a complete running diesel one ton truck, blazer or burb 88-91 and swap everything. Upgrade the fuel filtration to a heated Racor type.
4. Buy a complete running 88-93 truck or van 6.5 turbo and swap everything. You'll need the earlier motor mounts and need to address the PMD and other electronics if you get one that new. And the turbo set up will need some changes (like the A/C box) to fit. But a lot more power than a 6.2.
4. Swap in a Cummins. PITA and big $$ but sweet when done. Plan on $2000 for th Dodge and $1500 in the custom parts.

[Copytech]

Buy an old step van on a Chevy chassis that has the 4BT Cummins in it. Then simply bolt it in your truck. The vans had either the SM465 manual or T400 autos mated to them.

Check out www.4btswaps.com for more info.

[irishman999]

GO DIESEL! way beter mileage, i like the crappy detriots, i wish prospect motor had beter compression.