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Thread: 93' Sububrban 4x4 Cummins 4BT

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    13

    Default 93' Sububrban 4x4 Cummins 4BT

    Hello all.

    I wish to share some of my conversion experiences with you. I had a 93's Suburban with a 4BT. Between kids in diapers, work and school, it took me a year and half to perform this conversion. After all said it done it turned out pretty good.


    Here is the suburban before the conversion.


    Rip and tear...work begins at dismantling.


    Here is the engine. A 105 horse Cummins 4BT. Final installation of the engine included a 90" 5.9 Turbo H1C with a 12cm housing.



    The original transmission was a 4L60E. I preferred a non electronic tranny so I got a internet order 700R4 built for torque. The only problem, the builder didn't include a diesel governor like I advised him to.



    First issue. The 4BT is from a GM stepvan which includes a GM adapter and flexplate. The flexplate has a turbo400 torque converter bolt pattern and 700R4's torque converters didn't have th400 bolt patterns.


    Issue resolved by having a torque converter shop build me a torque converter with the spring pads located further out to match the TH400's bolt pattern. The torque converter was built including a carbon fiber clutch.




    Engine/tranny mated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    13

    Default

    Out with the old tired 350.



    In with the Cummins. It would be in-n-out countless times until every thing fit nicely.




    An AC bracket purchased from the Cummins dealership. This will mount the Dodge style AC compressor high up.



    A couple of pics of the accessories mounted.





    Problem, the AC compressor interfered with the 4BT's stock horizontal oil filter location. A vertical mount was used from a Dodge 5.9


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    13

    Default

    The 4BT's oil pan interfered BIG time with the 4WD third member. I didn't want to lift the Burb' so I began hacking away at the oil pan untiul clearance was negotiated.




    Finally the finished product!



    A tight fit but it clears (Whew!)





    And now some video action from...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV903Ai7Uhg

    Chase

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    52

    Thumbs up

    Very nice. Thanks for posting.
    2015 VW Passat TDI SE, 6 speed manual
    Past Diesels
    1980 MB 240D, 4 speed manual
    1983 GMC Vandura 3500 Nu-Wa 23' Class C Motorhome
    6.2L Diesel, Turbo 400
    1985 MB 300D Turbodiesel, auto
    1992 Chevy C2500HD 6.5 Dieselturbo, auto
    1994 Chevy C2500HD 6.5 Dieselturbo, auto
    2010 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI, 6 speed manual, sunroof

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Jax Florida
    Posts
    415

    Default

    Did you replace the vacuum booster with the hydro system?
    Your vid looks like the hydro setup. but I could not tell.
    93 GMC Sierra 2500
    6.5L TD 5 spd Manual trans Sold

    97 Chevy Silverado CrewCab K3500 Dually
    6.5L TD Auto


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    363

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 93GMCSierra View Post
    Did you replace the vacuum booster with the hydro system?
    Your vid looks like the hydro setup. but I could not tell.
    The Cummins has a high capacity vacuum pump and works fine with the vacuum booster. In fact, all the older Dodge's with the Cummins engine used the vacuum system.
    1990 ¾ ton 4x4 Chevy Suburban
    -Cummins Diesel - 12 valve - factory rebuilt
    -6 speed bullet proof manual transmission - NV5600
    -Gear Vendors Overdrive
    -Upgraded Holset HX-35 turbo
    -NP205 iron transfer case
    -3.73 gears

    1982 ½ ton Chevy Suburban
    -6.2L diesel - high nickle crack free 1982 block
    -Stans headers
    -Ported heads
    -Timing gear
    -4 speed automatic
    -3.08 gears
    -30 mpg on freeway

  7. #7

    Default

    often, people have to ask if i have a diesel....usually at the gas station.


    the funny thing, i test drove a 2wd 1/2 ton with a 4bt in it....could have got the whole rig for a 1000 bux. (i passed on it, and after i thought about it i called to back to buy it so i could part it and it was gone).

    it was a beat to **** farm truck but a cummins swap for the ranger for max economy was the goal. didnt take long for me to figure out someone would have to give me a great running complete 4bt power train radiator to transfercase, hopped up to 200 hp for absolutely free....before i would ever put up listening to that thing for 40-100k miles a year.

    i have seen turbo 6.2(replaced broke 6.5) burbs like that supposedly getting 26 plus mpg cruise...tried to buy the one truck several times...

    cool swap none the less.

    whats it like 0-60 and on ramp wise?
    88 ranger ext cab low rider 4x4. 6.5 n/a-4l80-f208-spinnin d60's ridin on 33-44 in tires depending on mood that day....and ugly as it gets.

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