Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
So I just talked to a 6.2l/6.5l Diesel expert (Bill Heath of Heath Diesel), and he said he doesn't even think the oil pan will be a problem! Said it's not much different than the BBC oil pan. Both the BBC and the 6.2l Diesel have an oil pan capacity of 5 quarts! Man, I'm liking this!!!!
Thread Starter
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Thread Starter
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Another Question. Is the reason people change cross members and such when they drop a BBC into a 3rd gen because they're reinforcing for the sake of handling the power or because they need to make space for the larger engine? So my real question is, will the BBC FIT?? Cause I'm pretty sure if the BBC will fit, so will the 6.2l Diesel.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
The BBC fits just fine with the stock crossmember. Only rich guys swap to aftermarket crossmembers, and that's only to save weight. That's the only real benefit that isn't just marketing hype. They don't improve the suspension geometry after all.
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From: Kingston, Tn
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Thread Starter
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
We're talking about the Detroit 6.2l v8 Diesel that was put in '80's Chevy trucks. It's total engine oil capacity is only 7-8 quarts, with 5 of those quarts being in the oil pan. And they did come with a couple different oil pans. I've seen pictures of them.
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From: Kingston, Tn
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Actually, I was wrong about the capacity (I was thnking about my Powerstroke), it takes 2 gal (8 qt) to fill the motor up when I change the oil in my '85, that is 8 qt in the pan to get the dipstick to the "full mark", but all the pictures of the oil pans for the 6.2s all look the same.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
LOL, "only rich guys switch to aftermarket crossmembers"......thats a great statement. Made me laugh.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Actually, I was wrong about the capacity (I was thnking about my Powerstroke), it takes 2 gal (8 qt) to fill the motor up when I change the oil in my '85, that is 8 qt in the pan to get the dipstick to the "full mark", but all the pictures of the oil pans for the 6.2s all look the same.
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Yeah, the oil pan only actually holds 5 quarts though. the rest is in the filter and oil cooler lines.
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From: Kingston, Tn
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Yeah, Atilla, I wasn't counting the military ones on this since they are usually different than the ones going into civilian trucks.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
If, when doing an oil change, you stop when the dipstick says full, then you'll have to add more after you fire it up and let it run for 30 seconds. If you do it right, the dipstick will say overfull until you fire it up.
Most remaining 6.2 pans are military. Most of the civilian 6.2s, and the trucks they came in, are long crushed by now. They are an option, since they will bolt to the civilian blocks and vice versa.
Most remaining 6.2 pans are military. Most of the civilian 6.2s, and the trucks they came in, are long crushed by now. They are an option, since they will bolt to the civilian blocks and vice versa.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Actually, I was wrong about the capacity (I was thnking about my Powerstroke), it takes 2 gal (8 qt) to fill the motor up when I change the oil in my '85, that is 8 qt in the pan to get the dipstick to the "full mark", but all the pictures of the oil pans for the 6.2s all look the same.
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From: Alamogordo, NM
Car: '85 Camaro
Engine: 2.8L for now
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
sounds like fun, I did a swap with a 4.3L V6 from a 2000 blazer to an '85 camaro now I'm working on a 6.2L into a '78 lincoln. found this page looking for info on the water pump. so does anyone know how to pull a 6.2L water pump? do you have to pull the timing chain cover? I took out all the bolts I can see and it's not moving but appears to have bumps like there might be bolts behind the timing chain.
as for this swap my concern would be the weight. the one I have in my driveway came from a '93 chevy C30 (like a UPS truck) and belonged to the army and it's quite a bit heavier then a 305 or 350.
and the exhaust is going to be fun
as for this swap my concern would be the weight. the one I have in my driveway came from a '93 chevy C30 (like a UPS truck) and belonged to the army and it's quite a bit heavier then a 305 or 350.
and the exhaust is going to be fun
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
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Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
My boss is currently collecting parts for his 48 Chevy truck. He is going for all out mileage and already has the engine......
an INDUSTRIAL 2.3 Cummins diesel. We will turbo it and it should be making about 130-150hp and about 160tq. Its a Cummins "A" motor; probably came out of some mining equipment or something.
Until I met my boss I really didn't know that much about Cummins, but they really are a simple engine. Until the 2000ish models, the Cummins had no computers. In fact, we started the 2.3 on a crate with nothing more than some fuel hose into a fuel can and 2 batteries. As I said, they are REALLY simple.
He plans on getting 30-40mpg in his '48 with this 2.3 Cummins motor. Its not going to be super fast, but it will get there just fine.
Why not consider a swap like this? If you're going to turn a thirdgen into a gas/diesel sipper, then go as small as you can - I will guarantee a 2.3 Cummins will fit under the hood of a thirdgen.
...forget the 6.2... Its not needed it you really want MPG.

This isn't his exact motor, but its the same 2.3L setup. Look at the size of the engine in relation to the battery... tiny...
BTW: My boss has already swapped a 5.9 Cummins into his 1986 F350 Dually (did the swap back in 1987... think about it; it was the FIRST Cummins diesel powered light truck in the US).... we're also working on his 1997 2500 Suburban - 5.9 Cummins WITH Allison 6 speed auto <--- engine/trans already in, just adjusting mounts.
an INDUSTRIAL 2.3 Cummins diesel. We will turbo it and it should be making about 130-150hp and about 160tq. Its a Cummins "A" motor; probably came out of some mining equipment or something.
Until I met my boss I really didn't know that much about Cummins, but they really are a simple engine. Until the 2000ish models, the Cummins had no computers. In fact, we started the 2.3 on a crate with nothing more than some fuel hose into a fuel can and 2 batteries. As I said, they are REALLY simple.
He plans on getting 30-40mpg in his '48 with this 2.3 Cummins motor. Its not going to be super fast, but it will get there just fine.
Why not consider a swap like this? If you're going to turn a thirdgen into a gas/diesel sipper, then go as small as you can - I will guarantee a 2.3 Cummins will fit under the hood of a thirdgen.
...forget the 6.2... Its not needed it you really want MPG.

This isn't his exact motor, but its the same 2.3L setup. Look at the size of the engine in relation to the battery... tiny...
BTW: My boss has already swapped a 5.9 Cummins into his 1986 F350 Dually (did the swap back in 1987... think about it; it was the FIRST Cummins diesel powered light truck in the US).... we're also working on his 1997 2500 Suburban - 5.9 Cummins WITH Allison 6 speed auto <--- engine/trans already in, just adjusting mounts.
Last edited by Dante93GTZ; May 15, 2010 at 06:44 AM.
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
I've heard of people getting 37mpg with the 6.2l diesel, and more power than the 2.3, plus they're dime a dozen and will bolt in, so that's why I'm going 6.2l. What trans you going to mate that to?
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
700R4; I'm giving him my drivetrain including rear out of my Z28. The 305TPi will go into a 38 Chevy.
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From: Lake Station Indiana
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
better yet put a 6.5 like they have in military hummers....ive turned a lot wrenches on them in my five years in the army.........i like em
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
6.5s don't get more mpg, they are more likely to crack the main webs, and the military used to have lots of 6.2s. the greatness of them was why they were willing to try the 6.5s which were poorly evolved from the superior 6.2s. the problems came from attempting to cut costs by weakening already marginal parts of the castings, then adding the stresses of turbocharging. Heath Diesel's Bonneville salt flats pickup truck racer is a built 6.2, NOT a 6.5.
There is an aftermarket 6.5 block on the market, but it's not cost-effective.
There is an aftermarket 6.5 block on the market, but it's not cost-effective.
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
So I may have found a really sweet Camaro for the swap, but was wondering if there's any way to tell what the rear end ratio is based on the VIN number? The guy doesn't know what the rear end ratio is, and I want to get one with a really high rear end ratio.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
No, the VIN doesn't tell that directly.
But if the car is straight, rust free, well priced, and has a clean title and nice interior, then that's more important than what gears it has, it's easy to change the rear end anyway.
If you know what engine and trans the car was built with, we can tell you what the original axle ratio was supposed to be, but it could've been swapped.
But if the car is straight, rust free, well priced, and has a clean title and nice interior, then that's more important than what gears it has, it's easy to change the rear end anyway.
If you know what engine and trans the car was built with, we can tell you what the original axle ratio was supposed to be, but it could've been swapped.
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Ok, well he's already swapped out the stock engine with a 350. I'm guessing it was originally a 305 with the 700r4, but I'm not sure. It's a 1991 Camaro RS.
Oh and it looks like I'll be going with a 6.5l Turbo swap instead of the 6.2l. Mainly because I just got a BEATER old truck for $500 that recently had a new 6.5l engine installed.
Yeah, I'm just making it harder on myself to make this all fit. Yep, I know.
Cross over pipe will be interesting, and I hope the turbo will fit under the hood. Cause it's off to the pass side so it wouldn't even hit the cowl. If it doesn't fit I may end up moving the turbo to right on top of the engine, not sure yet.
Now if I can just sell my other 6.5l truck, I'll have the cash to buy this Camaro! Can't wait.
Oh and it looks like I'll be going with a 6.5l Turbo swap instead of the 6.2l. Mainly because I just got a BEATER old truck for $500 that recently had a new 6.5l engine installed.
Yeah, I'm just making it harder on myself to make this all fit. Yep, I know.
Cross over pipe will be interesting, and I hope the turbo will fit under the hood. Cause it's off to the pass side so it wouldn't even hit the cowl. If it doesn't fit I may end up moving the turbo to right on top of the engine, not sure yet. Now if I can just sell my other 6.5l truck, I'll have the cash to buy this Camaro! Can't wait.
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
91 RS LO3 / auto should be 2.73:1 non-posi, but with 28 spline axles and the 7.625" ring gear. Keep that, just get a conversion style locker that replaces the spider gears. You don't even loosen the carrier caps. Also get an aluminum cover with preload bolts.
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Sweet! Thanks for the info! Unfortunately because of the Memorial Day weekend I can't get out to see it until next Tuesday. I hope he still has it then! Also, it's a BBC 350. What's up with that? I thought the 350 was SBC. Or did he get his info wrong?
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
either it's a typo or he's a dumbnut. Hope he's not asking more for the BBC 350, because there's no such thing.
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From: Lake Station Indiana
Car: 83 Bird
Engine: 454
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Ok, well he's already swapped out the stock engine with a 350. I'm guessing it was originally a 305 with the 700r4, but I'm not sure. It's a 1991 Camaro RS.
Oh and it looks like I'll be going with a 6.5l Turbo swap instead of the 6.2l. Mainly because I just got a BEATER old truck for $500 that recently had a new 6.5l engine installed.
Yeah, I'm just making it harder on myself to make this all fit. Yep, I know.
Cross over pipe will be interesting, and I hope the turbo will fit under the hood. Cause it's off to the pass side so it wouldn't even hit the cowl. If it doesn't fit I may end up moving the turbo to right on top of the engine, not sure yet.
Now if I can just sell my other 6.5l truck, I'll have the cash to buy this Camaro! Can't wait.
Oh and it looks like I'll be going with a 6.5l Turbo swap instead of the 6.2l. Mainly because I just got a BEATER old truck for $500 that recently had a new 6.5l engine installed.
Yeah, I'm just making it harder on myself to make this all fit. Yep, I know.
Cross over pipe will be interesting, and I hope the turbo will fit under the hood. Cause it's off to the pass side so it wouldn't even hit the cowl. If it doesn't fit I may end up moving the turbo to right on top of the engine, not sure yet. Now if I can just sell my other 6.5l truck, I'll have the cash to buy this Camaro! Can't wait.
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From: Norfolk VA
Car: 85 Camaro IROC
Engine: 5.7 TPI
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Axle/Gears: open rear, 3.42 gears
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From: middle of nowhere between farms in New York
Car: 1987 pontiac firebird
Engine: 6.5 turbo diesel
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From: Norfolk VA
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
it had a non-perpendicular deck, which allowed the combustion chamber to be in the block, not the head
it was a revolutionary engine for its time, and was the first big block engine produced.
read and learn.
it amazes me at how people will argue about a simple fact that can be found online very easily
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Big-Block_engine
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From: Northern Utah
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Hey look, somebody who'll believe that I have some oceanfront property in Arizona!
If you're gonna type without doing any research first, then go type in some Jap car forums. You'll fit right in there.
We don't need any wiseacre punk teens spouting off for attention. Class clowns deserve the abuse they get. Fortunately, a few of us were smart enough to STFU and adopt a student mentality. So, are you gonna get smart?
If you're gonna type without doing any research first, then go type in some Jap car forums. You'll fit right in there.
We don't need any wiseacre punk teens spouting off for attention. Class clowns deserve the abuse they get. Fortunately, a few of us were smart enough to STFU and adopt a student mentality. So, are you gonna get smart?
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From: Casselberry, FLA
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
I want in on this thread to see how it turns out; I have done lots of 3rd gens, and lots of GM diesels (and many other diesels) but as crazy as I am I have never gotten near this one!
I hope it works!!
I hope it works!!
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Just picked this car up today! $1500 with another set of beat up old RS rims for the winter. Runs and drives great, has a few mechanical issues that need to be attended to, but hopefully nothing too serious. Recently rebuilt trans, and lots of suspension work.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiGefbbwmz...0/CIMG0773.JPG
I also already have my 6.5l donor truck... Yep I think I'm gonna go 6.5l Turbo Diesel. Unfortunately though the job is at a standstill until next summer now as I'm not going to be able to have space to do the swap at the place I'm staying this year.
If you have thoughts or ideas to offer, keep them coming! The actual swap may be postponed, but research is not!
Thanks so much for all your help guys!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kiGefbbwmz...0/CIMG0773.JPG
I also already have my 6.5l donor truck... Yep I think I'm gonna go 6.5l Turbo Diesel. Unfortunately though the job is at a standstill until next summer now as I'm not going to be able to have space to do the swap at the place I'm staying this year.
If you have thoughts or ideas to offer, keep them coming! The actual swap may be postponed, but research is not!
Thanks so much for all your help guys! Senior Member
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From: Leander,TX
Car: 84 Z28 / 88 Trans Am / 87 base
Engine: L69 H.O. / 468 BBC / 2.8 v6
Transmission: 89 700R4 / TH375B / 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 open / 3.23 posi / 3.42 open
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Thats a good looking car in that photo. I'm still watching this thread so please keep us posted, I may change one in my stable over if yours goes well.
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
Yeah that is a sweet car! You should look up updated pictures at The Diesel Place forums. Pretty sweet!
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From: Moscow, ID
Car: Chevy k2500 Diesel
Engine: 6.5l TD
Transmission: 4L80
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
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Re: Third Gen 6.2l Diesel Swap?
glad to see you making progress. How do you KNOW that the engine is fresh? Maybe that switch on the left side of the dash is for the glow plugs? If so, 10 seconds MAXIMUM! start cranking at 7 seconds. You didn't show the Camaro.
Last edited by Atilla the Fun; Jul 22, 2010 at 03:22 PM.




how 