Contimplating, contiplation!!!

[Classic Heartbeat]

I have had this idea swirling around in my head for a couple of months now. It is a direct result of how a project can take many turns when it drags on forever... I thought that I would run it past you guys to get your opinions and ideas. I am contimplating installing a Duramax 6.6 Turbo Diesel in my 67 Panel project and a 6 speed Allison transmission. Not a project for the faint of heart!! But I have been looking to get something to charge me back up on this project. What do you think? I know it would be easier to install a cummins, or some other diesel, but this isn't about making it easy. It is about the cooooool factor.. I will probably get flamed about this, but thats OK. I'll remember you when it comes time to buy parts... (just kidding) What do you think? I figure it should get 28 to 30 MPG... WES

[Chevyman680063]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

I have had this idea swirling around in my head for a couple of months now. It is a direct result of how a project can take many turns when it drags on forever... I thought that I would run it past you guys to get your opinions and ideas. I am contimplating installing a Duramax 6.6 Turbo Diesel in my 67 Panel project and a 6 speed Allison transmission. Not a project for the faint of heart!! But I have been looking to get something to charge me back up on this project. What do you think? I know it would be easier to install a cummins, or some other diesel, but this isn't about making it easy. It is about the cooooool factor.. I will probably get flamed about this, but thats OK. I'll remember you when it comes time to buy parts... (just kidding) What do you think? I figure it should get 28 to 30 MPG... WES

I say go for it. You can even buy one of those kits to make your own biodiesel fuel. Then whenever you want to fill up just go to McDonald's and ask for the used fry oil. They might look at you like you're crazy but at least it would cost you less making your own biodiesel than buying regular diesel at the pump. Plus your exhuast will smell like french fries.

[kyull67]

Do it!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

x2 do it

[Sicmaro]

there was one for sale here on cl and i thought about it before i did the 5.3 swap.... do it

[Longhorn Man]

Being I am a low buck kinda guy, I say this.
Make sure you look at the cost of the swap, the suspention and diff upgrades, then the cost of replacement parts and any upgrades you may already think you want, plus, the cost of maintenance and the more expensive fuel (which will probably cost more than gas from here on out).
While I am sure this isn't gonna be a daily driver, or driven much at all, the diesel is a very expensive upgrade, and it will take many many many miles to pay off if the MPG is the main reasons for doing this.
Plus, a project of this size is more likely to be baild on due to the work involved.



Otherwise, i say sweet!

[d10s69c10]

THere was a Post just a couple weeks ago of a bunch of C10s Drag Racing one did have a Duramax in it. So its DEf Possible to do.

Whats your plans finding a totaled truck or you find a deal for the whole engine/tranny/wiring/computer combo?

oly thing is Diesel is in second place to race gas on the fuel prices.

[Chevyman680063]

I just found this, one of them even has a calculator that will tell you around how much money you would save on gas.

http://www.homebiodieselkits.com/index.html

http://www.evolutionbiodieselkits.com/

[Classic Heartbeat]

Oh, I fully know about the cost of Diesel... I have my 08 Silverado HD, with a Duramax in it. The price has recently dropped to $4.79 a gallon... But like you say Longhorn Man, I won't be driving it every day. Nothing on the panel has been done for economics, it has been done because I think it would be cool. Everything from the lift gate/ barn door conversion, electric antenna, shave roof seem, gas filler door, front and rear A/C and etc has been about what I thought would be cool and not because it is easy or economicle. WES

[special-K]

The powertrain swap would Jump Your Panel INTO A NEW DIMENSION!!!!(ECHO ECHo ECko Ecko ecko...)

[Boog]

Wes, are you saying you actually get 28 to 30 mpg with your '08 HD Duramax?

[Classic Heartbeat]

Nope, my 08 only gets 21 miles per gallon.. I wish it got 28.. It also ways 8600 pounds compared to the 3200 that the Panel weighs.. WES

As for the rear end, I would probably narrow a dana 60. I also am looking at a set of 10"X20" tourque thrust IIs for the Panel, so I will have to modify the rear end anyway. WES

[Classic Heartbeat]

The powertrain swap would Jump Your Panel INTO A NEW DIMENSION!!!!(ECHO ECHo ECko Ecko ecko...)

This is why it is getting wall to wall Dynomat. WES

[Longhorn Man]

sounds like fun then!

[Classic Heartbeat]

Whats your plans finding a totaled truck or you find a deal for the whole engine/tranny/wiring/computer combo?

Not sure yet. It is a little less expencive to buy a totaled truck and use the parts from it, but it would have to be a low milage truck, and 2 wheel drive of coarse. WES

[big_al_71]

It is not a real hard task nor is real easy it is just very time consuming.
One of my technicians has a 93 chevy 1500 and he has been working on a similar swap from a 4.3 gas engine to a duramax with the allison transmission.
From having to fabricate mounts , reinforcements, upgrade the complete front suspension, it is a hell of alot of fabrication involved he has been at it for at least a year...of course he does not work on it everyday as he gets paid flat rate he is working all day on customers cars and he works on his truck when time permits.

I would not do it personally as I dont have that kind of time but it is definetly awesome.

[Classic Heartbeat]

There are also other considerations I have to think about. Like witch Duramax. There is a LB7, LLY, and LBZ. The LB7 was used from 2001 to 2004 and has internal injectors that are a real pain to change out. The LLY was used from 2005 to early 2007 has external injectors, and is easier to work on, and the LBZ is simeler to the LLY, but the glow plugs do not need warming up prior to starting the engine. Obviously there are more differences than that, but these are the things that I think about. Also, I believe there is more literature out there for the LB7 swap, and LBY. LBZs are new in the market, so I haven't found a lot of literature about them. Not for swapping anyway. WES

[1971 K10 shortbox]

I myself have contiplated this swap, when I considered the reinforcement of the frame and, mounts and what not, I came up with the idea of getting a wrecked duramax, pulling the body, and installing a c10 on the duramax chassis. I think buying a complete wrecked one also makes more sense because you will then have everything you need for the D-Max, ECM, sensors and what not. Just my 2 cents. But definately a thread I will be watching.

[Classic Heartbeat]

I agree there are lots of plusses to buying the whole wrecked truck. It is definetly a huge consideration. Wrecking yards usualy want big money for them though. Almost what a good used unwrecked one would sell for. Witch is another thought, buying a good used one, then I could drive it and see how good it runs first... WES

[Longhorn Man]

Not sure about your area.... but you may want to look into local smog enforcment. Technicly, it'd have tobe smogged as the model year that donates the engine.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Not sure about your area.... but you may want to look into local smog enforcment. Technicly, it'd have tobe smogged as the model year that donates the engine.

Not a problem in Olympia, WA. (Yet) No smog testing.. WES

[67_C-30]

Sounds like a great project! Are panels really that light? 3200# seems real light for anything on a 127" WB with a full frame.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Not sure about your area.... but you may want to look into local smog enforcment. Technicly, it'd have tobe smogged as the model year that donates the engine.

Also not a problem in California - the year of the vehicle is what you have to conform to, and pre-'76 is no smog at all.

[Kayotic]

If you do it, then I'll do it. I keep running an old interview with Gale Banks over and over in my head. I admit I am way out of the loop on Diesel, But what the heck.

Go for it, Im in.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Sounds like a great project! Are panels really that light? 3200# seems real light for anything on a 127" WB with a full frame

Actualy the title says 3560. (equipped with a 250 IL 6 and 3 speed manual transmission) Still, almost 1/2 the weight of my 08 Silverado witch tips the scales at 6740. I haven't made up my mind yet, but if the right deal comes along.... It would be hard to not do this..lol WES