Conversion Possibilities

[More Power]

Thanks for your input HH... I actually have quite a bit of brand new info about the AMG 6500 that could change the game... Some of the info hasn't been officially released yet....

As many of you know, this web site and a good share of the content we've produced through the years have been directed toward improving the ownership experience for owners of the 6.5L diesel - we've been doing it for more than 10 years now. No other web site was formed around these engines and their owners. The thought of removing a 6.5 to install something else has always given me pause - just seems wrong.

I think the Cummins is a fine engine, but I've yet to see a quality GM/Cummins conversion that I thought added value ("both" to the truck's usability/durability "and" for resale) beyond what it might have been with a "quality" 6.5. Used 5-10 year old Dodge/Cummins trucks are really cheap now. The motivation for converting a GM 6.5 truck to use a Cummins escapes me. If you want a Cummins, buying a Dodge would seem a no-brainer....

Converting a 6.5 powered truck to use a Duramax is also a less than ideal solution for most people. It's complicated, but perhaps no more so than a common-rail Cummins conversion, and the Duramax fits waaayyy easier than a looonnnggg-ass 6-cyl Cummins. In fact, the Duramax "package footprint" was actually designed for the engine compartment of the GMT-400 body style trucks. The truck I converted was originally equipped with a 5.7L gas. I lost no sleep pulling it to install a GM diesel engine (though a Duramax).

Yes, a P7100 equipped Cummins is simpler (mechanically fuel injected), but for anyone who is hell-bent on converting, a Duramax conversion is far superior in my opinion - for a whole range of reasons (the biggest one being that it's still a GM engine).

A 4-cyl Cummins...... I couldahada V-8...

JMHO... Yours may vary....

Jim

[Cowracer]

Thanks for your input HH... I actually have quite a bit of brand new info about the AMG 6500 that could change the game... Some of the info hasn't been officially released yet....

As many of you know, this web site and a good share of the content we've produced through the years have been directed toward improving the ownership experience for owners of the 6.5L diesel - we've been doing it for more than 10 years now. No other web site was formed around these engines and their owners. The thought of removing a 6.5 to install something else has always given me pause - just seems wrong.

I think the Cummins is a fine engine, but I've yet to see a quality GM/Cummins conversion that I thought added value ("both" to the truck's usability/durability "and" for resale) beyond what it might have been with a "quality" 6.5. Used 5-10 year old Dodge/Cummins trucks are really cheap now. The motivation for converting a GM 6.5 truck to use a Cummins escapes me. If you want a Cummins, buying a Dodge would seem a no-brainer....

Converting a 6.5 powered truck to use a Duramax is also a less than ideal solution for most people. It's complicated, but perhaps no more so than a common-rail Cummins conversion, and the Duramax fits waaayyy easier than a looonnnggg-ass 6-cyl Cummins. In fact, the Duramax "package footprint" was actually designed for the engine compartment of the GMT-400 body style trucks. The truck I converted was originally equipped with a 5.7L gas. I lost no sleep pulling it to install a GM diesel engine (though a Duramax).

Yes, a P7100 equipped Cummins is simpler (mechanically fuel injected), but for anyone who is hell-bent on converting, a Duramax conversion is far superior in my opinion - for a whole range of reasons (the biggest one being that it's still a GM engine).

A 4-cyl Cummins...... I couldahada V-8...

JMHO... Yours may vary....

Jim

I guess when you own the place you can get away using 'ass' in your posts.

on edit: Hey I just saw that my 'ass' went through too. How cool!

Tim

[ronniejoe]

I like it that bad language doesn't get used here much...

Let's keep it that way.

[More Power]

Language? Six years in the USN will expand one's vocab. Of course the calumnies, agitprop and jeremiads used on truck web sites also allow one to expand his interpretation of the human language....

I would enjoy doing another conversion project.... A 2003 or newer 2500 Dodge converted using a Duramax/Allison and 4WD front IFS... (I would likely have to run it through the armor upfitting line at AMG before driving it... )

MP

[ronniejoe]

I understand. Football locker rooms and factory floors are good places to expand vocabulary as well. I just prefer not to use it and like it that this site doesn't have much of that.

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

I can't WAIT for more info about this Optimizer 6500.

I'm a prude - I agree with RJ. That's why I spend my time here instead of some other Place.

"Six years in the USN will expand one's vocab." So can working on cars, at least when it's me. My kids have heard things come out of my mouth that I'm ashamed of... I spent a couple years teaching myself those words, & the rest of my life trying to quit.

Blessings!

[Cowracer]

I dont smoke, do drugs, chase women, gamble (Much) or drink to excess. I get to have ONE vice, and I choose language.

I have been told I can strip paint when agitated. Grandpa taught me to curse in german and russian. Russian is a great language in which to curse. You can bruise innocent bystanders with it.

Of course, There are times it helps to keep a civil tounge in your head.

Tim

[ColstripMike]

Hello All!
I originally joined this merry little band in March '06, looking for info on the possibility of swapping a diesel (6BT as used by Dodge was the original idea) into where an L34 Vortec 350 currently lives in a '01 Chevy 3500 van. I've revised this into a 6.5TD if I could find one in decent shape, since much of the fabrication would be similar to putting a Big Block Chevy in...i.e., not much except making sure you have the right mounts. No body lift (imagine a lift for a long wb van!), no big frame mods, etc.
Well, long story short, in the current 21 Dec 06 Thrifty Nickel (Southern Montana free advertiser paper...Herr Doktor Administrator Jim probably has seen it too), there's a '93 1 ton truck being parted out which has a 6.5 in it; got to be a TD although the ad doesn't specify. In the opinion of the group is this worth looking into? I found this after I started night shift, during the Christmas holiday, and I'll be calling probably 26 Dec. Worth pursuing??

Mike

[trbankii]

there's a '93 1 ton truck being parted out which has a 6.5 in it; got to be a TD although the ad doesn't specify. In the opinion of the group is this worth looking into?

Well, that would be a mechanical 6.5 as opposed to the electrical version that came later. Make for a little easier swap than doping out computer stuff!

[ColstripMike]

Well, that would be a mechanical 6.5 as opposed to the electrical version that came later. Make for a little easier swap than doping out computer stuff!

That's the kind of thing I was looking for...I intend to keep this van of mine until it falls apart the last time; THEN I might consider trading. Not because I like the thing (though I do like it!), but because it works for me and my family better than the last try at a family car, a '94 F-250 Supercab (460 with tow package). Also, I can't bring myself to get into another vehicle payment situation again. Too painful!!
It'd be nice to have some extra money in the checking account for a while, too. Who knows, I might even get some cards paid off!
It'd also be nice to get better mileage...the best the 460 ever got on the road was about 12.7, and the 350 in the van will pull about 13.8 pretty regularly at 66-68 mph.
Anyway, thanks for the input so far.

Mike

[More Power]

I had read where the GM 10-1/2" FF ring and pinion are virtually as strong as GM's newest AAM-1150. The AAM-1150's rear pinion bearing is ahead of the gears, where the 10-1/2 rear pinion bearing is behind. The GM 10-1/2" 14-bolt axle has held up well behind a beefed Cummins - the NV4500 is another story.

Where the AAM1150 is better is in GAWR, its larger mass and larger lube capacity. This might mean it would be better at handling higher loads for longer durations in high heat environments.

Jim

[JohnC]

...The AAM-1150's rear pinion bearing is ahead of the gears, where the 10-1/2 rear pinion bearing is behind....

OK, I'm trying to picture this, but it just isn't coming into focus. How about a more detailed description?

[JeepSJ]

OK, I'm trying to picture this, but it just isn't coming into focus. How about a more detailed description?

Picture if you will, the image of a pinion gear. On most setups, the two bearings that support the pinion are both located on one side of the gear itself. On the 1150, they moved one bearing to the other side of the gear.

Look at this pic -

This is for a Ford 9". See the little stub on the pinion? That is the extra bearing support, similar to what the 1150 has.

[Robyn]

Just a couple things here.

It has always seemed odd to me that some of the 6.5's will run 250K and beyond without a hitch and others fail at less than 100K

One of the biggest issues about swaps I have seen has always been the quality of the swap and then the resale value of the finished product.

Many of us have done swaps and had very good luck with them.
I stuffed a 427 cammer in a then new ford F250 4X4 back in 76 to replace a very anemic 360 OMG what an animal that was.

The truck served me well and the cammer itself was worth the price I sold the truck for in 1989.

I did a 455 olds swap into a 1981 GMC 4X4 for a neighbor and it served him well for years.

Now I dont want to hurt any feelers here but the Dodge cummins combo is OK
The engine is fine but the trucks leave a lot to be desired as compared to our GMs
I owned a 95 Dodge with a V10 and then one with a Cummins, Both ran well and worked hard but were no match to the GM as far as creature comforts goes.

As some of you know I am in the process of trying to get a 6.5 TD together for my 91 Burb.
I have already had two fellows trying to get me to install a 4BT cummins in my Burb.

Taint Gonna happen. 6.5 or maybe a 6.2 Turbo is gonna go in the Burb.
I guess I feel the same way, Just aint right to stuff anything else in there.

[Robyn]

I have seen a 6.2 in a Jeep wrangler and a 6.5 TD in a Corvette.

IMHO if you like the idea and are bankrolling it, have fun and enjoy your creation.

Seen a Hemi once in the back seat of a corvair convertible, now that was a real abortion.
It had a Olds Toronado front drive setup in there with that elephant motor bolted up.

In my travels I have seen a lot of wild and wonderful stuff.
Saw a 1985 Peterbilt with a 3412 cat under the hood too and that I had to ask WHY??
Same with an Auto car with a 16V71 Detroit. Hmmmmm at todays fuel costs????????????????????????????????$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The one thing that made it all ok was the creators of all those beasts were just happy as clams with their creations.

[trbankii]

The one thing that made it all ok was the creators of all those beasts were just happy as clams with their creations.

I think that is the real secret to any swap. Unless you have been hired to do the swap for someone, you likely aren't going to make money on the deal if you plan to sell it later on. If you're looking to have fun doing the swap for the sake of doing it for your own personal use or just want to have something different, definitely go for it!

[a5150nut]

Saw a 1985 Peterbilt with a 3412 cat under the hood too and that I had to ask WHY??

The truck wasn't from Klamath Beach Ca area was it? Former loging truck converted to dump truck...........If it was I drove it once. No lacking for power. All the others had to shift up and down on the job site. Not that one just pick a gear and it would climb any hill there.