Going Cummins

[6.5 Detroit Diesel]

Soooo, I have decided today that the rebuild of the 1993 6.5 will not be happening. I had big plans for the new engine, totalling between 3-4 thousand dollars, but which would return a higher output 6.5

a friend of mine has offered up a running 96' cummins with all accesories for an unbeatable price. basically everything i need to get it running. all i will need is a different bell housing to adapt to the NV4500 in the '93 and it will be running.

i've kind of figured out that i can do this for less than what my rebuild would be and come out with a truck powered by a more powerful engine with better mileage.

i'm still sticking with 6.5's though. had a talk with Bill Heath today about the 1995 2500 and a Performance prom is on the way, with more goodies to follow. still have the halfer 1995 as well, which is limping it's way along through life.

i am really getting excited to get the 1993 repowered and back on the road again.

[Robyn]

The little Cummins work well in the Chevy trucks.

Friend of mines dad has a 4Bt in his Burb.

[6.5 Detroit Diesel]

yea, i have seen a few chev conversions and looks like everything went in nicely.

it will be interesting to see how the 5.9 will compare to the 6.5

[Pipeline Mechanic]

There is not much of a comparison between the two. The I-6 just makes EVERYTHING simpler. More power, better fuel economy, more reliability etc.
What you will need to find to make your life easier is a Gruman Step Van that had a 4BT and get the flywheel housing from it. It makes the Chevy conversion a bolt up job other than engine mounts. You can buy them or fab them yourself. I traded my 95 Chevy with the brand new engine and ALL issues resolved for a wrecked non drivable Dodge 3500 with a 12v and I feel like i got the better end of the trade. I have done conversioons in the past if you need any moral support or encouragement, email me.

yea, i have seen a few chev conversions and looks like everything went in nicely.

it will be interesting to see how the 5.9 will compare to the 6.5

[6.5 Detroit Diesel]

There is not much of a comparison between the two. The I-6 just makes EVERYTHING simpler. More power, better fuel economy, more reliability etc.
What you will need to find to make your life easier is a Gruman Step Van that had a 4BT and get the flywheel housing from it. It makes the Chevy conversion a bolt up job other than engine mounts. You can buy them or fab them yourself. I traded my 95 Chevy with the brand new engine and ALL issues resolved for a wrecked non drivable Dodge 3500 with a 12v and I feel like i got the better end of the trade. I have done conversioons in the past if you need any moral support or encouragement, email me.

Once I get underway I will probably do that.

I was aware that I would need to get a different bellhousing, just didn't know I could get it off a 4BT. I will have to keep my eyes open for that.

[wthif]

Start reading at 4btswaps.com, you'll be happy you did. It would be easier if you could find a 96 or newer GM NV4500 and just change the input to the Dodge one and use the Dodge bell housing. There is also a guy over there selling motormount kits for your truck that will make the swap a whole lot quicker.

[Edahall]

yea, i have seen a few chev conversions and looks like everything went in nicely.

it will be interesting to see how the 5.9 will compare to the 6.5

I think you'll be very happy with the 5.9. It's a totally different animal to the 6.5. It's a long stroke engine with a lot more power at lower rpm's. With my 6.2, I was constantly shifting and having the rpm's reved up with every hill while towing a load. With the 5.9, I just leave it overdrive with plenty of throttle to spare. The only thing that is not quite as good with the cummins is I don't quite get the fuel economy on the highway. My 6.2 would constantly deliver 30 mpg but so far, I'm getting mid 20's with the cummins.