I have a 1987 2WD 3/4 ton Chevy 454/TH400 and am considering converting it to Diesel. I have no problem going with a 6.5L T/D as I have experience with this engine on a 97 Crew Cab. Anyone ever done this before? Could you point me to a link?
Thanks
I have a 1987 2WD 3/4 ton Chevy 454/TH400 and am considering converting it to Diesel. I have no problem going with a 6.5L T/D as I have experience with this engine on a 97 Crew Cab. Anyone ever done this before? Could you point me to a link?
Thanks
6.2/6.5 diesel engine will bolt right in. Should get a diesel stall speed converter for the Th400. Will need a return fuel line to the fuel tank. Recommend a manual button switch for the glow plugs. Battery box for the second battery, along with associated cables. If you get an older 6.2/6.5 you will not have any significant electrical issues. If your donor diesel engine is from a "newer" model (94 and up), then you will have a few more issues to address. You did not state the rear end ratio of your 87, most likely 4.10. The TH400 does not have an overdrive, so high top end speeds will have the engine revving (sp) at a relatively high speed. 700R4 transmission and gear vendors overdrive have been used by those of us that want higher speed with reasonable fuel mileage and lower rpm's.
83 C10 Suburban, Silverado, 6.2, 700R4, 3.73, 31-10.50R15
82 C30 Crew Cab dually, 6.2, Banks, Th400, 4.10, Gear Vendors, 235-85R16
83 C20 Suburban, Sierra Classic, 6.2, 700R4, 4.10, custom paint, 285-50R20
95 Yukon, 6.5, 4L80E, 3.42, 265-50R20
73 GMC Astro 95, 8V71, 10 speed Roadranger, 110" WB, 6 each 11R24.5
Thanks for the reply. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.
I believe the rear end ratio is 3.73:1 now. I had been looking into the Gear Vendors overdrive unit because of the ability to split shift (essentially 6 forward speeds), but a beefed up 700R4 would work as well. I have access to an 86 6.2 with 30K miles. I was considering building up (or having built up) a properly configured new 6.5L along the lines of some listed on these pages.
33" tires will work nicely w/3.73 and a 700r4's low 1st gear + your mpgs should increase too.Originally Posted by testpilot94539
99 GMC SUB, 2500, 4x4, 6.5 TD (F) #H32 enhanced blk, Phaser timing set, B&D IC, 3" ATS exh, K&N w/prefilter, 4WD NVG 246, 4L80E kevlar Transgo off road/tow mods/B&M supercooler, 14 FF MagTec w/locker 3.42:1, 9.25" IFS frt/diff 3.42:1 w/ARB locker, AutoMeter Boost & pre-turbo pyro meter, 12,000 lb hydro winch, Warn classic bumper w/brushguard & diesel scoop, Max E-torq Stage 3, hi pop inj, oil bypass sys, on board air comp for front ARB locker & tire inflation, DynaView driving/auto-cornering lts, DZ nerfs, A/T 285/75/16 SilentArmor 3750 lb rated on 3750 lb rated Alcoa, 3 IP drivers 2 r spares.
GM ran the 4L60E behind the 1500 "S" 6.5TD one year - 1994 - then dumped the option for the 4L80E.
Better option for you may be the '91-'93 4L80E with the factory stand-alone TCM, which came behind the '92-'93 mech injected 6.5TD - control is via the TPS sensor on the DB2 Inj Pump, harness and all sensors are GM factory items.
If you go the T400 route, the D4 torque convertor behind the big block is same D4 convertor behind the 6.2\6.5 Diesel, furnace brazing, and all.
Easy to drill the two orifices in the spacer for firm shifts, as the B&M and other shift kits include the dk gray regulator spring outta the Diesel T400.
My '89 had plastic accumulator pistons, which I replaced with the earlier aluminum versions.
Dodge had a D6 or D8 convertor built for use behind the Cummins, so, working with a local transmission shop here, I had a very low stall convertor built for instant hookup with the 4.10 gears in my rig - only problem was absolutely no engine braking.
The aggressive vane-angles required for good low-rpm hookup allowed too much reverse-flow slip - sucker would almost idle at 45mph decelerating.
I used Brown-lite 3-sp aux o\d transmission to get the hiway rpms down - final eff ratio was 2.99.
jd
'96 Dodge 3500HD cc 2wd drw............'89 GMC 3500 cc 4wd drw
5.9 12v #10TST 6sp SBC13-1.375.......6.5TD EFI maxEtorq v2.0 DSG
DODGE makes it CUMMINS shakes it.....4L80E 205 4.10 Dana60\70HD
6 in a row makes it go.......................Grandpa's big truck