94 burb... how hard?

[Alphacowboy]

1994 Chevy Suburban, 6. 5 Turbo diesel... she died, how hard would it be to throw a 12v Cummins in it? How much ya think it would be for the parts needed to convert it? Have a friend (trying to get him to join up) that just bought it, on his way home, motor blew up... freak deal, even after having a diesel shop look at it and give him the thumbs up... anyway, new 6. 5 block and install and crap is going to cost him damn near 8-9k... . my guess is he could do a 12v swap for much less, and also have a kick *** engine that would actually last. being the 6. 5 is a diesel, is the fuel system ok for the CTD, or does it have to be changed? Should he use the chevy transmission thats in it, or see if he could buy a transmission along with the CTD?



Thanks for your help, the pour guy just dumped money into buying this, and on his way home (from maryland to kansas) she blew up in Pennsylvania... . and I guess it really **** the bed.

 

[btanner]

Well depends on how he's going to use it. If he's not going to tow all that much then he can run the chevy transmission with a 4bt adapter. And it will last a little while. If he really wants it to last I would swap in either a nv4500 or nv5600. The 4500 will be much easier to install due to the size of the transmission versus the size of the transmission tunnel. I would absolutely reccomend the 12v. Costwise if you do everything yourself and find an engine and transmission for about 4 grand i would guess you could do it for about 6 +- 500. There are a lot of little things that will get you. I would think that the fuel lines could be used but I just bought some marine grade diesel rubber hose and just run that from my tank to my engine. I have a breakdown somewhere if you really want it. Here's a link telling you everything that you need to do. Obviously you can skip the lowering part and there will be some differences in the cowl and grill but other than that it's not too different



http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132602&highlight=84+crewcab



-ben

 

[DKarvwnaris]

1994 Chevy Suburban, 6. 5 Turbo diesel... she died, how hard would it be to throw a 12v Cummins in it? How much ya think it would be for the parts needed to convert it? being the 6. 5 is a diesel, is the fuel system ok for the CTD, or does it have to be changed? Should he use the chevy transmission thats in it, or see if he could buy a transmission along with the CTD?

QUOTE]



Where were you when he bought it? Friends don't let friends buy 6. 5 diesels .



If it has the 4l80E in it, which is most likely, I would still be hesistant of the 5. 9 in front of it. Fuel system is no big deal, so long as it has a supply line and a return line, nothing else will be used. The 5. 9's have their own fuel pumps on them, just hook up the lines to it and your done.



Start to finish, figure about $10,000 for a complete conversion with labor. Hours wise, expect over 100 hours of true work. More if you have to install a clutch pedal assembly and convert from auto to manual.

I've done several crew cab chevy's in the mid 90 years. Not a big deal other than the firewall clearance, front diff center section clearance, (if 4wd), and fitting the innercooler into the GM core support without butchering the headlight assemblies. I have had to spread the headlight mounts 1/2" on some to get the innercooler between them.

Are you sure he can't find a bad storm on the way home and roll the thing? A rope and full coverage may be his salvation. There is nothing easy about the repowers, I have done dozens of them. Don't think it is a substitute to getting out of OEM repairs cheap, the benefit comes from longevity, not cheap fix mentality.