Mangled03gmc

iTrader: (95)

Ok buddy just got back to me, I am wrong as far as it being a EFI. It is infact a 92 engine, is a mechanical. So this makes life that much easier. It will have to get better MPGs then this BBC. I believe the truck has either 456's or 410's in it.. Here is a pic. Truck has almost no rust, dad is the 3rd owner of it. Only mods were gona do it lower it with a flip kit, put the reg style mirrors, remove the running boards. Paint will keep the orig 30 y/o patina,LOL. Truck has 2 dings in the body and that little bit of damage you see on the rear fender. Will make sure to clean the under hood up nice when and if we def do the swap. Truck is full power, everything still works, it drives like a cadi..

tman_2006

Sweet rig, I love those old single cab duallies.

The only issue you may run into is the AC and turbo clearance. If you can find a banks sidwinder manifold then you would have it made. If you dont need AC then problem solved there too.

SCREAMINXL

iTrader: (14)

I built an 18:1 6.5TD in 2007 with parts from Peninsular Diesel. It performed better than stock but I was very disappointed when it was easily out performed by a bone stock 01 duramax. It hated starting when it was below 40F, was very lazy when out of boost. The power is limited by the very small injection pump which still delivers enough fuel to cause overheating problems. They are known for cracking heads and snapping crankshafts.

This being said my brother talked me into rebuilding a 6.5TD for him. I lowered the compression by installing .010 thicker head gaskets (20:1). Installed a main girdle, head studs, marine injectors, fresh heads, fresh injection pump, Heath Diesel tune. The engine ran better than a stock 6.5 and the 18:1 engine I built. Still wouldn't run with a stock 01 DMAX. It lasted 78,000 miles and then the crankshaft snapped while my brother pulled into a field after pulling a loaded goose neck for 60 miles.

I would install a 4BT or 6BT hands down and never look back. EVER!

Mangled03gmc

iTrader: (95)

Yes I have heard some stories of the 6.5 but then again you can hear stories about every thing. All in all the 6.5 seems to be a pretty decent, reliable engine. I would love to do the cummins swap, however, it will cost alot more money that we are not really looking to put out.. Again going to prob get this on an even swap for the engine in this truck..

SCREAMINXL

iTrader: (14)

I had a 95 ECLB K2500 that I daily drove for 4 years. It treated me really good. I installed an intercooler, Down pipe, 3.5" straight pipe, Heath diesel chip and gauges. Sold it 4 years ago with 160K and it is still going with 200K on it now. Seems like the ones that are used to pull heavier loads never last long unless the owner babies them and watches the pyro.

Mine pulled a 20ft car trailer loaded with a RCLB 2wd f150 300 miles one way with the cruise set a 65 and delivered just over 12 MPG.

tman_2006

Sorry to say but my 94 ran circles around or 01 8.1L towing. The 94 is a work horse and lives loaded, ALL STOCK until 350K when I started restoring it. Original engine stick kicking like a mule. Grossed over 30K most of its life.

My 95 was babied but has 287K on it. Didnt even have a ball in the bumper until I bought it.

The 93 K3500 took my 94's place and just went down for a tranny and clutch, ATT turbo, gauges, injectors and glows. The truck itself weighs 9,200 and my buddies 02 dmax cant get around me at speed and towing I am right there with him. Not saying I stomp his tail but he cant loose me and I get better mpg's in the process.

My dmax has all sorts of power but it runs hot grossing 30K Tranny temps peg out my gauge, coolant temps are ~240, EGT's get out of hand. Not the ideal tow rig. Takes forever to get places after I limp the tranny. Never had that problem in a 6.5L, I always get where I'm going.

You just have to know what to do to make a 6.5L happy. The turbo is a big reason people cant make power, injection pumps can push enough fuel to get 300RWHP which is good for a tow rig, the cranks are a weak spot but other temps play a big roll in how long things last, and heads can crack but the most common failure is head gaskets. Once the heads are pulled and the shop sees there are cracks between the valves you can bet they will stick you for a bill for heads. I am running atleast 2 sets of cracked heads that dont leak.

I can tow with most cummins trucks of the same vintage, and I can walk on a powerstroke. Yeah I'm proud of my 6.5's

AKlowriderZ71

iTrader: (22)

The 6.2/6.5 heads always crack between the valves. I don't think I've ever seen one off that wasn't cracked on every cylinder. Always have them pressure tested. 99% of them test okay, even though they have the cracks.

tman_2006

Agreed, They used to make a coolant passage sleeve kit for cracked heads.

TDFDiesel

I didn't read all the posts, but I would not swap in a 6.5 personally. I would stick with gas, swap in a cummins or if you want to get crazy swap in a Duramax.

Mangled03gmc

iTrader: (95)

BBC is killing it on gas. Engine in question is a fresh 6.5 with the lower comp pistons, re spec'd turbo. Not looking to dump money into it, esp the cost of a cummings, then trans ect. Going to trade a friend even up BBC, trans for the 6.5 trans/pcm.. They run well enough. It's not for racing or pulling just better fuel mileage..