6.5l Turbo Diesel transplant questions

[foreverfalcon40]

Stay away from the turbo diesel for our trucks...good reason that only made a limited amount.

 

[LuSe4]

I had a '94 turbo diesel for about a year. My question to the op is what kind of mileage are you expecting to get? The 6.5 may have been slightly better than my '94 350 silverado I have, but not much better. Maybe averaged 2 or 3 mpg better with the diesel.
That being said, I really like diesels and it would be a fun project. Just be realistic on your expectations for mileage.

 

[Stresst]

I agree with everyone here, but if you really want to do this to be original or you just like diesel engines go for it. Just don't expect to be money ahead or have an easy job, to beat a dead horse.

He mentioned to save money on gas......and for this alone no friggen way.

 

[kaiwren986]

No I think the main reason is.. I like the 6.5 diesel I dont expect stellar MPG. I dont expect it to pay for itself, I dont expect it to be easy.

I just came here looking for advise on how to go about making the front suspension work correctly. Ive got a job, thats whats paying for it eventually.

Although I do appreciate everyones input!

 

[Stresst]

I hear you but we are just trying to help you bud.....Why get involved in such an intricate swap in such an old truck??? Sell the truck, take the money you would have invested in the swap and buy something with a diesel. Unless your trucks body is mint, the interior is stellar it is not a wise idea. Good luck with whatever way you go!

 

[SunlitComet]

No I think the main reason is.. I like the 6.5 diesel I dont expect stellar MPG. I dont expect it to pay for itself, I dont expect it to be easy.

I just came here looking for advise on how to go about making the front suspension work correctly. Ive got a job, thats whats paying for it eventually.

Even if I disagree with another users choice I still respect there decision. Therefore, as long as the time is available to me, provide the year, body and option details of the receiving and donor vehicles and I will help piece together the appriate parts with the data I have. Good luck.

 

[EKJ]

If You dont have any experience with this diesels dont go there, it would not last 10 years. The way to go for You, are probably to buy a suburban with 4l80e and so on with a 6,5. Buy a mechanical pump, do not use the Electronical pump, it sucks. Head gaskets do not hold more than 120000 miles.

Here in Norway we got 95% diesels in suvs before 2000 from Gm, i have worked several years in a local garage, changing head gaskets, pumps and headgaskets often. Even blocks, they ckrack in cyl 7/8
Thats why i now drive a 2004 Tahoe with a 5,3 . Better engine are hard to find. They dont cost more in a 5 year period of use than a 6,5 diesel , rather less for sure!

Good luck

 

[kaiwren986]

Thanks EKJ. this is probably the nail in the coffin so to speak for this plan. Some solid warnings. I knew they didnt stand up to added power. I just didnt know they dont stand up to themselves

 

[AtomicHoe094]

The 6.5 engine blocks used to crack a lot, not sure if id dump money into a block that has the potential of cracking... I have a 95 tahoe, and man i wish i never even got started on this stupid TBI motor..
If i would start over this is what i would of done... 6.0 motor cammed and heads, 4l80e with a 14bolt rear and thats it... ive probably got around 2grand in my tbi motor that probably wont even come close to making good hp.. Some motors arnt worth building.. the TBI and the 6.5s are one of those motors lol

but my motor looks pretty now

well thats an old picture,, but you get the gist

 

[noJeepshere]

well if you REALLY wanted to transplant a light-duty diesel into a Tahoe, you might look into the 2.5l 4-cylinder turbodiesel that Isuzu put into their flat nose chassis cabs. It won't be the fastest, but it is a SOLID motor that will put on the miles. They obviously thought it was good enough for a truck weighing up to 5 digits. And they even come with 5 speed auto transmissions.