Duramax into driverless HMMWV?

[Red Whittaker]

www.redteamracing.org (http://www.redteamracing.org) has built a driverless HMMWV that is smart, but gutless. How much pain is a Duramax transplant into a 998 HMMWV? Does someone specialize in this surgery? 105 days remain until a 210 mile CA-NV driverless desert race.

[stretch]

Here's some pics of one that was done -

http://www.real4wd.com/content/pgallery.asp?album=duramaxphotos&folder=/content/&title=Duramax%20Diesel%20Conversion

Home page for Kascar - http://www.real4wd.com/

[Red Whittaker]

That Duramax-HMMWV transplant is heroic. The photo-documentary speaks loudly to the intricacies ... and to the difficulties. I won't go for that bold a transplant before the first race. If no one wins the driverless race on March 13, 2004, then the time to re-think Duramax is March 14. The race will be competed annually until some team claims the million dollars. One reply on the 6.5 forum suggested that I swap in a 6.5 or upgrade the existing 6.2. I'll pursue the question in that forum and keep this dialog short. Thanks immensely.

[stretch]

For an instant powerhouse 6.5TD see - http://www.peninsulardiesel.com/

or see - http://www.kennedydiesel.com/ for a build your own version/complete

[Red Whittaker]

Stretch, the approaches of a drop-in from Peninsular or kit from Kennedy are both appealing. I haven't gotten past the Peninsular home page tonight, and I didn't find the kit on Kennedy's site, so I could not discdern details. Thanks for the idea and the pointers. Count on me to track down the specifics.

I have questions about 6.5 performance rebuilds. From today's reading it seems that a few specialists take two measures that stock rebuilders don't: (1) reinforce the bearing web with a "girdle", and (2) build lower compression ratio to enable higher boost. Are these features important?

[stretch]

I know the compression reduction to allow more boost is a biggy ! Too high of a compression plagued the original design. As for the bearing girdles, I don't know but I must assume if a company invests time and money into creating a specific part, I'm sure its for a good reason. John Kennedy actually took it one step further and has 4 bolt splayed main bearing caps made and machined into 6.5 blocks. Since he is regarded as one of the top 6.5 guru's, I'd assume there's a problem there. As for Kennedy selling a kit, your best bet would be to give him a call. Great person to chat with !

[Kennedy]

Here's how I beef the block to stand the power:

http://www.kennedydiesel.com/images/Splayed-caps-Installed.gif


Is the engine used a side or center turbo, and is it mechanical or electronically injected?

[Red Whittaker]

John, ..... Your solution for web strength speaks for itself. The image that you posted gave me the first understanding of the issue and the solution that others only hinted at.

I believe I am looking for a center turbo and for mechanical injection based on two days of communicating and coaching. I'm replacing a 6.2NA, so the old setup is not a good predictor of the new. I'd appreciate any suggestions on specifics of turbo and pump. Some have gone so far as to discuss propane injection as a computer-selectable boost. I know what I'm doing with the robotic automation, but engines are not my forte. I am not clear how far to take these issues See photos of the project vehicle and info on the driverless race at www.redteamracing.org. (http://www.redteamracing.org.)

I am addressing every detail from block to bolt-up. I am committed to 24V electricals, since I've built the sensing and computing around several kilowatts of 24V power.

[Kennedy]

I'll be running a bit today as a major package has arrived just in time for X-mas! ;) You could try calling late AM today.

That or I suppose we should go to the 6.5 forum. I'd love to see a Dmax transplant, BUT from what I hear, it aint easy, and you'd have to drop the voltages down.

If a guy can fit a side mount turbo, that would be best in this case, but I doubt that there is room...