Install 5.9 Cummins in place of 6.5 turbo in 1994 GMC

[barry schaworski]

We are installing a 5.9 in place of a 6.5 turbo diesel. Looking for information on or from anyone who has done this. Running into problems with the front diff not letting the engine come down far enough. The retrofit for the transmission to the belhousing was easy. My email is bschaworski@mail.svsd35.mb.ca

[big61fourby]

Auto World, Cummins conversions (http://www.autoworldmt.com/)

[tommac95]

Also two members here, Moedog and Dogdiesel have done comparable work. (lift for clearance...)

[ogrice]

Type in devilscastle.net in your browser.
Take a look at this Icelandic guys work. You will be amazed. He is putting a cummins in to a 90's burb that was a 454 gasser.

[More Power]

Ok, Ok, I just gotta say something.... Now don't take this the wrong way, cuz I think creativity is a good thing, but I can't imagine why someone who's hell-bent on a conversion would want a Cummins when a Duramax and the world-class Allison fits these chassis.... and it's all GM stuff. Plus, I know you can buy what you need for a D/A conversion for less than what the Cummins conversion guy in MT does it for (about $10,000 :eek: ).

There's a guy here in eastern MT who had his 1994 Chevy K3500 dually converted to a Cummins using the company mentioned in this thread. He's always working on it. He was on his 3rd NV4500 the last I heard (in about 12 months), and couldn't get an NV5600 to fit because the added length wouldn't work with the torsion bar crossmember.

JMHO..... But I might be wrong.... smile.gif

Jim

[big61fourby]

Here's the link ogrice mentioned:

1990 Sub conversion (http://www.devilscastle.net/)

more pics can be seen here (http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66674)

Even though it is a cummins in a Chevy, this guy's work is absolutely incredible. I dream of being able to fab like that someday...

[LucasEnglish]

You can check my site out www.EnglishRacing.net (http://www.EnglishRacing.net) go to media and picturs and you can find the info. For the doit your self kida person a 12v cimmins is a no brainer. The D-max is a great motor but a 12v and be had for less than 2k and has proven to hold more power and last longer than any D-MAX. The allson can be put behind a cummins with ease.

If things are done rite a NV4500 should hold up good. More than 400Whp and towing hevy loads 20k+ may break 5spds.

I used a Dodge auto and have it built right it has been doing great and I beat the **** out of my truck. Have had as much as 31k combinded and it pulled it great.

You have to rember someone who is cappable of this kida swap likes to work and tinker with there cars so thay will always be working on them. I could have the newest nicest car and I would be taring it apart working on it all the time.

[16gaSxS]

Originally posted by More Power:
Ok, Ok, I just gotta say something.... Now don't take this the wrong way, cuz I think creativity is a good thing, but I can't imagine why someone who's hell-bent on a conversion would want a Cummins when a Duramax and the world-class Allison fits these chassis.... and it's all GM stuff. Plus, I know you can buy what you need for a D/A conversion for less than what the Cummins conversion guy in MT does it for (about $10,000 :eek: ).

There's a guy here in eastern MT who had his 1994 Chevy K3500 dually converted to a Cummins using the company mentioned in this thread. He's always working on it. He was on his 3rd NV4500 the last I heard (in about 12 months), and couldn't get an NV5600 to fit because the added length wouldn't work with the torsion bar crossmember.

JMHO..... But I might be wrong.... smile.gif

Jim I for one IMHO would put about half of the money into building a 18-1 6.5 like the 6.5 Project truck, what does Chris have on that truck now about 175,000 miles and no major problems. Then you have everything else stock and no compaitiblity problems. I think the 5.9 conversions are kind of cool but again IMHO not worth the bucks.

[More Power]

You & I agree Marty.... :D

The truck I used for a Duramax conversion began life with a 5.7L TBI... I don't have a problem pulling a gasser to install a diesel... smile.gif

There is a lot of potential in the 6.5, and feel this engine better suits the GVW/GCVWR limits of the chassis. The Project 6.5 must be at 190K by now. Saw it on the road yesterday...

Otherwise, this "6.5L Turbo Diesel" forum (and web site) was developed to help improve performance and ownership satisfaction for owners of 6.2/6.5 trucks & Subs. We've grown to include the Duramax, but I still believe in and promote the 6.5 (That's why we're beginning a brand new 6.5L fuel economy project).

Just so you know, I am interested in Cummins engines and conversions (i.e. We've published a few about Cummins conversions, and I've ridden in a 1993 CC K3500 with one), but feel Cummins topics are more appropriately placed in the "General Diesel" forum - not here in the 6.5 forum.

Jim

[ronniejoe]

Originally posted by LucasEnglish:
The D-max is a great motor but a 12v and be had for less than 2k and has proven to hold more power and last longer than any D-MAX.I think John Kennedy's 2002 is a prime example of how this statement simply isn't true. ;)

[LucasEnglish]

Don't get me wrong I love the D-max and I think thay are doing great.

For do it your self person who likes to play the Cummins is the only way. (12V) As far as top power the cummins is still on top. The other factor is a good used Cummins can be had for less than 2k. Finding a D-max for that cheep would not happen. When moding and working on a cummins is much simppler than a D-max and parts can be had at way less cost. Like I just bought a new head for $400.

In my book the new common rail Cummins and the D-max are about the same. I could go eather way on which one I would want. I would for sure pic the D-max if I wanted a Auto and the Cummins if I wanted a stick.

The old smokey P-pump 12v cant be beat for power streath price for project's.

My swap cost

$2200 for motor, tranny, t-case, intercooler, radator.
$ 200 drive line changes
$ 500 misc crap and metal to fab stuff up.

Mod cost

$399 370hp inj
$250 191DV's
$2800 for built tranny with Dunrite billit converter shift kit and billit input shaft.
$ 300 used HX40
$ 200 home made W/I kit
I ground my own cust plate.

These mods have given me my 419whp and 879TQ.

[ronniejoe]

Kennedy's D-max made 725 hp and 1378(?) lb-ft torque at the wheels on a chassis dyno. I've never heard of a Cummins 5.9 even close to that. I may live in a bubble, I guess.

[TJ]

I ran across this link:
http://www.frybrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2835

Nobody knows if the dyno chart is real, but the numbers are nice! :D I think the one Cummins on the WOTE was at 1,574 ft lbs. In short, they don't run too awful bad.

TJ

[LucasEnglish]

You must be stuck in a net cave. There are many Cummins over 800hp and there blocks are not craking like the D-maxe's are.

The D-max can make more power with less smoke and boost. Most of the high hp cummins are pushing 70psi.

[ronniejoe]

Originally posted by LucasEnglish:
You must be stuck in a net cave. There are many Cummins over 800hp and there blocks are not craking like the D-maxe's are.

The D-max can make more power with less smoke and boost. Most of the high hp cummins are pushing 70psi. Yeah, I live in cave... What D-maxes are cracking blocks?

I want to see the data, anyway. A guy stopped me at a Flying J the other day and told me he built a 1200 hp Power Stroke. :rolleyes:

Anybody can spout off bogus power numbers.

[16gaSxS]

Seems that at all the Pull off that More Power has held the high power Strokes and Cummins don't fair as well as the the DuraBuxs. Where are all these "big power" Strokes and Cummins when it comes to hooking up and pulling the hill?

[JoeyD]

I think at this time the Cummins still holds top HP and Tq spots. The D max does very well for the short time it's been available compared to the Cummins.

[Bill Siver]

If I was to convert, I'd probably pick the 12V for the ease of it's electronics. I fear computers!!!!

[LucasEnglish]

Did not spend much time looking. Hear is a link about a broken rod at the 700-800hp level on a Duramax.

http://www.d i eelplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53929&highlight=Broken+block
Hear is a link to one of many Dodges that pulls very hard.

http://www.bigbaddodge.com/

[ronniejoe]

No Cummins 5.9's have ever broken? Hmmm...Don't think so Tim. Besides, you said blocks were cracking, then come up with a random broken rod.

[TJ]

Here's a slow one!!! :D Maybe 150 horse or so....

https://local.edgeproducts.com/edge/media/wolverine_burnout.wmv

[LucasEnglish]

Eater way the Duramax is showing weekness over 700hp. I have yet to see or hear of a broken rod,crank, or block from power on a cummins. I am sure some one has broken one.

For 99.9% of the people thay are way strong enough I would be more than happy crusing a 500whp Duramax.

I am not trying to knock the Duramax. Thay make power easer with less boost. Thay are quiter and have been holding up quite well. My dad's Duramax has had and edge box on it set on 5 from 30k. It has 96k on it now and has not skiped a beat.

I a have made my point why the Cummins is a smater way if you are doing a swap unless money is no opject.