what's next?? New engine???

[americanmusc1e]

I've been considering replacing the motor in my truck with something more fuel efficient and not quite so fast

my goal is at least 20mpg and I know only one way to do that


DIESEL

I've considered:

Duramax... it's expensive and involves lots of wiring, but it's light for a diesel and can make lots of power $7-10K for a swap

Cummins 12V.... I'ts heavy (1200#) but simple and can make loads of power and much more affordable than the duramax $5-6K for a good swap with a 5speed manual

7.3 Powerstroke....probably a little cheaper and lighter than the Cummins but just as much wiring as the duramax

6.5 Chevrolet (detroit diesel).... needs a fair amount of wiring and an electronic 4L80E, $4-5K for a swap

6.2 Chevrolet (detroit diesel).... the easiest to swap (it will bolt right in) and fairly cheap........but not very reliable (as far as diesels go) and need a good 4L80, $3000 for a swap

Cummins 4BT (4cyl version of the cummins)...... lighter, reliable like the cummins, more expensive than a cummins 6BT (good used engines are about $3000-4000)

7.3 Ford IDI (International)..... mechanical injection so not much wiring, cheap (working engines and 5spd's go for less than $2000), and not too heavy


Am I crazy....

did I miss any good engines....

which would you choose......

I posted this here instead of the chevy trucks board because I figured I'd get less biased responses......

[Bulldog Stang]

7.3 Turbo FTW!!!! LOL. But I am a Ford guy .. LOL

I would say go for the easiest, cheapest swap, with a good reliable motor .... They are all pretty good engines. You cant go wrong with a diesel.

Dont forget that you would have to beef up the front end to hold a heavy diesel motor.

[americanmusc1e]

This truck was originally available with an iron-headed big block so I'm not too worried about the weight.....I'm actually leaning towards the 7.3 IDI (non-powerstroke) even thought it won't make a killer amount of horsepower...


and before anyone asks.......... I'm doing this because I love driving a cool old truck....yes there are alot of cool cars out there that can manage 20mpg

and the 383 is going in something smaller and lighter......I'm still considering a 3rd gen camaro......or that Ram 50 mini-truck that is sitting at my house..

[1C62NV]

Originally Posted by americanmusc1e

This truck was originally available with an iron-headed big block so I'm not too worried about the weight.....I'm actually leaning towards the 7.3 IDI (non-powerstroke) even thought it won't make a killer amount of horsepower...


and before anyone asks.......... I'm doing this because I love driving a cool old truck....yes there are alot of cool cars out there that can manage 20mpg

and the 383 is going in something smaller and lighter......I'm still considering a 3rd gen camaro......or that Ram 50 mini-truck that is sitting at my house..

I have a 7.3 IDI & a 6.9 IDI both in very good running condition. They were coupled to auto trans which doomed the trucks when they failed. I have done several swaps in the past and the good news is they are not fords engines, therefore you can honestly say they are an INTERNATIONAL POWERPLANT

[americanmusc1e]

it seems like international is the way to go.....

my truck will REALLY look like a Farm truck with INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER badges on it...... lol


I like the fact that with a manual transmission and a 7.3 or 6.9 I don't have to rely on anything electrical for the engine to run..... If my battery dies I could even pull-start the truck and make it run....



for those who have owned these engines...which is better 6.9 or 7.3???

unless I find a screaming deal on a turbo motor I'm looking for a NA one.... I'll run it without a turbo until I save up the money

the IDI's like no more than 15lbs of boost, so when I get a turbo it will be two non-compound turbos. One on each side.

[1C62NV]

NO Sir, IDI will not tolerate more than about 10 to 12 psi. The piston crowns will fail. If you find a 93.5 IDI it will handle about 20 or so depending on your fuel trim and EGTs. More often it will not keep a head gasket, will blow on the 7 and 8 cyl. into the water passage. I also have a 91 TBI 350 with a new 700r4 in a suburban that runs great if interested???? It has every thing you need, exept the A/C is no good. FWIW no one could tell you the dif between 6.9 and 7.3 if they didnt know. Ive fooled a many of "expert"