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Thread: 6.2/6.5 Diesel Conversions - The High Points

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  1. #1
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    Arrow 6.2/6.5 Diesel Conversions - The High Points



    6.2/6.5 Diesel Conversions - The High Points

    By Jim Bigley

    A few key points to remember:

    1. The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines share the very same bellhousing configuration and bolt pattern with all Chevy and GMC V-8 gasoline engines (till the LS series of gas engines).
    2. The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines share the very same motor mount configuration with all Chevy and GMC V-8 gasoline engines (till the LS series of gas engines).
    3. The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines are about 200 or so lbs heavier than a gasoline 350 V-8. The bare longblock weighs just over 700 lbs.
    4. The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines have identical dimensions, and nearly every bolt-on component on either engine will interchange with the other.
    5. A conversion from gas to diesel will require a hydraulic brake booster, diesel starter, larger diesel radiator, all engine driven accessory brackets, and fan assemblies. Your A/C compressor and power steering pump might work with the correct diesel brackets.
    6. The automatic transmission torque converter should be changed to one rated for diesel operation. The stall rpm of a gas converter will be above the 1700-2000 rpm torque peak of the diesel. We suggest modifying the transmission governor setting to upshift at an rpm below the engine's governed rpm of 3300-3600 (if non-electronic transmission). An overdrive transmission is recommended. Low gearing, no overdrive and higher freeway speeds make the diesel engine hard to live with. Best fuel economy is possible when running the engine at about 1800-2000 rpm at your chosen cruise speed.

    For anyone considering a swap, I'd recommend buying a diesel donor vehicle, swap all the parts in both directions, then sell the donor. This will result in the best and least expensive conversion. Buying all the diesel-related components usually puts the cost out of reach for most people. Older diesel trucks and Suburbans with body or other cosmetic problems are usually pretty affordable. TDP

    Copyright 2007 by The Diesel Page
    Last edited by More Power; 05-11-2023 at 14:07.

  2. #2

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    would a diesel van make an ok donor for an 83 k10 gas to diesel swap, or should it really be a truck or suburban? if the van is cheap enough, I can still buy some of the diesel parts new and still make the project reasonable. thoughts? thanks.

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    anything new to add ??

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    I have a towing special suburban I am going to swap a diesel into. My question is can I use the stock radiator? I know the diesel needs a better one then gas but the towing special has a better radiator for bigger loads. Would this work for the diesel or would it still not be enough.

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    Quote Originally Posted by stuntdoublejoe View Post
    I have a towing special suburban I am going to swap a diesel into. My question is can I use the stock radiator? I know the diesel needs a better one then gas but the towing special has a better radiator for bigger loads. Would this work for the diesel or would it still not be enough.
    if it was mine i'd try it,,,but know where to get a upgrade if it didn't cut it

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    What problems would I come across using the turbo 400. I don't go on the highway much so not having an overdrive isn't much of a problem, and I've heard it runs on a vacuum and if thats true how much would a vacuum pump cost? Also how would I go about changing the governor for the diesel

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    Quote Originally Posted by More Power View Post

    [LIST=1][*]The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines share the very same bellhousing configuration and bolt pattern with all Chevy and GMC V-8 gasoline engines.[*]The GM 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines share the very same motor mount configuration with all Chevy and GMC V-8 gasoline engines.


    Correct me if I'm wrong, but 6.2s/6.5s don't share the very same bellhousing configuration as all GM/GMC v-8 gas engines. According to wiki's list of GM bellhousing bolt patterns anyhow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...using_patterns.

    EX- The GM 5.3L LS4 V8 uses the GM metric bellhousing pattern.


    I'm a newbie on here and am by no means an expert. Hope this is helpful.

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    Quote Originally Posted by AdrenalineJunkie View Post
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but 6.2s/6.5s don't share the very same bellhousing configuration as all GM/GMC v-8 gas engines. According to wiki's list of GM bellhousing bolt patterns anyhow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...using_patterns.

    EX- The GM 5.3L LS4 V8 uses the GM metric bellhousing pattern.


    I'm a newbie on here and am by no means an expert. Hope this is helpful.
    Referring to the 6.2/6.5 GM Diesel engines, they are the same as the gas V8 engines of the same light truck tooling series (GMT-xxx). Also note this does not include the BOP patterns. The (current) LS4 was not offered in a light truck, and was not in production at any time the 6.2/6.5 Diesel engines were an OEM option. It's a muscle car engine.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

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    The transmission bolt pattern statement was 100% accurate at the time it was written about 15 years ago. If Chevy/GMC changed its bolt pattern for some newer engines, that would be good to know, and I appreciate your input.

    For a little historical perspective: GM established the Chevy transmission bolt pattern we're talking about here with the introduction of the 1955 model year 265 C.I. smallblock gas V-8 used in its cars and light trucks. That bolt pattern was carried forward into GM's 1960-90s era 396/427/454 C.I. and 8.1L bigblock gas engines. That bolt pattern was carried forward into (as Greg mentioned) into all Chevy/GMC full size gas and diesel powered light trucks through the entirety of the 6.2L/6.5L production. And finally, that is the same bolt pattern currently in use by the Duramax 6600.

    Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by DmaxMaverick View Post
    Referring to the 6.2/6.5 GM Diesel engines, they are the same as the gas V8 engines of the same light truck tooling series (GMT-xxx). Also note this does not include the BOP patterns. The (current) LS4 was not offered in a light truck, and was not in production at any time the 6.2/6.5 Diesel engines were an OEM option. It's a muscle car engine.
    The 5.3L is not a factory muscle car engine, it's the half ton PU and Tahoe platform engine. However, it is swapped into muscle cars because it can handle a lot of boost on the stock bottom end (iron block version). Same goes for LQ9 6.0L engine.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gradient View Post
    The 5.3L is not a factory muscle car engine, it's the half ton PU and Tahoe platform engine. However, it is swapped into muscle cars because it can handle a lot of boost on the stock bottom end (iron block version). Same goes for LQ9 6.0L engine.
    Not all 5.3L GM gassers are equal. The LS4 was never a light truck engine, and shouldn't be confused with other historical "LS" series engines. They were OEM in late model "muscle cars" brands, such as Monte Carlo and Grand Prix (in transverse configuration), among others. The LM4 is the aluminum block light truck engine, the LM7 is cast iron. There are numerous "5.3L" engine option configurations from 1999 to present model years. There is no correlation between any of them, and late model 6.0/6.2L gasser engines. Different animals, with very different applications and control systems. The 6.0L LQ4/9 light truck engines are unique unto themselves, not to be confused with the "LS" (and other) series 6.0L's.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

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    Quote Originally Posted by AdrenalineJunkie View Post
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but 6.2s/6.5s don't share the very same bellhousing configuration as all GM/GMC v-8 gas engines. According to wiki's list of GM bellhousing bolt patterns anyhow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...using_patterns.

    EX- The GM 5.3L LS4 V8 uses the GM metric bellhousing pattern.


    I'm a newbie on here and am by no means an expert. Hope this is helpful.
    If you read the article closer you will see that the LS4 was adapted to put in a front wheel drive vehicle, Most front wheel drive GM's use the metric pattern. All the other v8's still retain the original Chevy bolt pattern.

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    The following link contain a number of member vehicles that, some at least, are focused on 6.2L/6.5L diesel conversions. Some are from the early years of The Diesel Page, while others are somewhat newer. All are interesting. Have a look.
    https://www.thedieselpage.com/readers/readers.htm

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