Questions for all you diesel owners - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Supertrucker · 03-08-2006, 01:14 PM

Well I've got a plan that involved swapping the tired 350 for a diesel. Now, I don't want to use the typical 6.2. I want the newer 6.5TD. So, I'd like to know if any of you have done this or something similar. A 6.2 is almost the same and even if you've done that, I'd like to see some pictures or explanation of what was done to make it work. I know I could rebuild the 35 or swap for an upgraded gas engine, but I want the fuel economy and towing power that only a diesel can offer. With the rising cost of gas, this I think is a very viable option to keep the simplicity and reliability of my old pickup as opposed to taking it in the shorts for the high insurance costs and vehicle payments of a newer one.

Chevrolet4x4s · 03-09-2006, 08:57 PM

I have been wondering the same thing except non turbo 6.5 it was retrofited into an 85(now its gas) and they used the 6.2 intake and exhaust manafolds.I have been thinking about dusting off the 6.5 and putting it into a 2 wheeldrive for a college vehicle(good milage, rear wheel drive, don't have to swollow pride

etc).If you do the swap please please please take pictures.
Shane

Ziptar · 03-09-2006, 09:16 PM

Both the 6.5L Turbo and 6.2 are do-able. The 6.2L is a drop in basically.
The 6.5L Turbo can and has been done. It'll take some work on the right side exhaust and also modding of the evap housing if you have A/C You'll either need to loose the A/C or graft part of an S-10 Evap housing onto the one in the truck. You'll need a Pre 1993 one and get teh fiberglass type not the plastic type.

I have also read that you can use the right exhaust manifold from 96 up Chevy Express Van with 6.5L Turbo Diesel to clear the A/C Housing, apperently they dump dead center in the middle instead of at the rear. I have yet to see that done though.

There is a great thread about putting a 6.5L Turbo in a 73-87 truck over at the gm-diesel.com forums

Supertrucker · 03-10-2006, 02:04 AM

Hey thanks for the response. Actually some of the best feedback I've gotten so far. I want the higher power of the 6.5 but if it's gonna be too tight on the passenger's side for the downpipe, I'm not sure what to do. But I will deffinately be taking pictures along the way. Whatever engine goes in there.

Russell · 03-10-2006, 03:02 AM

I just helped a buddy drop a 6.2 TD into his 83 Crewcab. It was a relatively painless swap, just a few electrical bugs / leaks to take care of.

The 6.2 basically dropped right in, and with the aftermarket turbo, the thing actually has similar acceleration to a stock 350. It has gobs of torque, and gets awesome mileage, like 20 mpg with an SM465, 4.10 diffs, and 33" tires.

Supertrucker · 03-10-2006, 11:32 AM

Well that's basically what I'm after, torque and fuel mileage. Since I'm still in college, that's beneficial. The pickup already has 4.10's but I will be swapping the th350 for an overdrive.

03-08-2006, 01:14 PM	#1
Supertrucker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	Questions for all you diesel owners Well I've got a plan that involved swapping the tired 350 for a diesel. Now, I don't want to use the typical 6.2. I want the newer 6.5TD. So, I'd like to know if any of you have done this or something similar. A 6.2 is almost the same and even if you've done that, I'd like to see some pictures or explanation of what was done to make it work. I know I could rebuild the 35 or swap for an upgraded gas engine, but I want the fuel economy and towing power that only a diesel can offer. With the rising cost of gas, this I think is a very viable option to keep the simplicity and reliability of my old pickup as opposed to taking it in the shorts for the high insurance costs and vehicle payments of a newer one. __________________ 1986 Chevy K20 350/350 Combo...makin room for a 6.5TD "The Heavy Chevy" Pictures at: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2108701017 1995 Impala SS "Fasst" 2002 Polaris XC 700

03-09-2006, 08:57 PM	#2
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: Questions for all you diesel owners I have been wondering the same thing except non turbo 6.5 it was retrofited into an 85(now its gas) and they used the 6.2 intake and exhaust manafolds.I have been thinking about dusting off the 6.5 and putting it into a 2 wheeldrive for a college vehicle(good milage, rear wheel drive, don't have to swollow pride etc).If you do the swap please please please take pictures. Shane __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327

03-09-2006, 09:16 PM	#3
Ziptar Diesel Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Beyond The Sun. Posts: 144	Re: Questions for all you diesel owners Both the 6.5L Turbo and 6.2 are do-able. The 6.2L is a drop in basically. The 6.5L Turbo can and has been done. It'll take some work on the right side exhaust and also modding of the evap housing if you have A/C You'll either need to loose the A/C or graft part of an S-10 Evap housing onto the one in the truck. You'll need a Pre 1993 one and get teh fiberglass type not the plastic type. I have also read that you can use the right exhaust manifold from 96 up Chevy Express Van with 6.5L Turbo Diesel to clear the A/C Housing, apperently they dump dead center in the middle instead of at the rear. I have yet to see that done though. There is a great thread about putting a 6.5L Turbo in a 73-87 truck over at the gm-diesel.com forums __________________ 1979 C-10 Silverado w/ Olds 5.7L Diesel Last edited by Ziptar; 03-09-2006 at 09:25 PM.

03-10-2006, 02:04 AM	#4
Supertrucker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	Re: Questions for all you diesel owners Hey thanks for the response. Actually some of the best feedback I've gotten so far. I want the higher power of the 6.5 but if it's gonna be too tight on the passenger's side for the downpipe, I'm not sure what to do. But I will deffinately be taking pictures along the way. Whatever engine goes in there. __________________ 1986 Chevy K20 350/350 Combo...makin room for a 6.5TD "The Heavy Chevy" Pictures at: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2108701017 1995 Impala SS "Fasst" 2002 Polaris XC 700

03-10-2006, 03:02 AM	#5
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Questions for all you diesel owners I just helped a buddy drop a 6.2 TD into his 83 Crewcab. It was a relatively painless swap, just a few electrical bugs / leaks to take care of. The 6.2 basically dropped right in, and with the aftermarket turbo, the thing actually has similar acceleration to a stock 350. It has gobs of torque, and gets awesome mileage, like 20 mpg with an SM465, 4.10 diffs, and 33" tires. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

03-10-2006, 11:32 AM	#6
Supertrucker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	Re: Questions for all you diesel owners Well that's basically what I'm after, torque and fuel mileage. Since I'm still in college, that's beneficial. The pickup already has 4.10's but I will be swapping the th350 for an overdrive. __________________ 1986 Chevy K20 350/350 Combo...makin room for a 6.5TD "The Heavy Chevy" Pictures at: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2108701017 1995 Impala SS "Fasst" 2002 Polaris XC 700



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