PS or Dmax conversions?

[JasonCzerak]

So, Talking with the GF's dad about "could you put a cummins in my old chevy truck?". I stated that it was rather common practice to do something like that.

Then I got to thinking, have I ever heard of a Chevy diesel or a Ford diesel being transplanted into anything? Like a PS in a chevy or a Dodge or vice versa?

It's always a Cummins in a Ford of Chevy. Never the other way around. Has anyone heard of such a backwards project like this?

I suppose the closest thing would be a DMAX in the boats and Impla (PPE stuff). And I seen a Buick GN with a Dmax... . But not a truck.

 

[MMcCallie]

There was a very recent magazine issue showing a Ford Bronco with a 2000 7. 3 PSD. Also, there is the Suburban Gorilla with a custom Banks compound turbo setup from Extreme 4x4 TV. I think almost any diesel pickup truck person will prefer the Cummins.

Bigger truck folks will argue about Detroits and Caterpillars. In the bigger engines, i'm usually told the Cummins may get the best fuel economy but doesn't pull as hard. If not the Cummins, i'd probably have tried to make a Detroit work in my Excursion. There are kits to install the Cummins in a Chevy truck. There is tons of aftermarket potential for the Cummins.

 

[DVolk]

PS or Dmax conversions ?

if you got the time and money ,you can transplant any engine into any thing



the strangest conversion i ever seen was a Mack deisel in a Kenworth , it worked fine but was very strange .



When it comes to Large truck engines there is nothing like a Cummins pulling

a 105,500 lbs up the grape vine in calif , If its a old rare KT 1150 with 1200 HP it will melt the tires if you keep your foot into it .



Next power house comes the Mack engines



before you speak drive one if you dont know and you will find out

 

[MMcCallie]

Donovan,
Sorry for speaking. I was just sharing what i've learned from the many conversations i've had with other drivers. I definitely haven't driven any of those other engines you mentioned. Guess Jason was mainly asking about the Duramax and PSDs. Perhaps since i have owned a 7. 3, i may say that the Cummins 5. 9 is a very preferable upgrade. Duramax and Powerstrokes are light duty engines while the Dodge Cummins is a medium duty engine. I can be more specific about the differences in my application, but don't want to upset anyone so i'll only do so if asked.
-Matt

 

[Bean]

Its preffered cause it fits better and is an easier swap.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Dmax in a surburban, not a big deal, they offered a diesel from the factory in that truck at one time.



The bronco is another story, but a v-8 will fit easier into smaller trucks.



I was referring to a Dodge RAM body with a Power stroke motor. something crazy like that.

 

[JFaulkner]

I think one of the main reasons is the electronics. The 12v cummins doesn't need much to get running and as far as mechanical engines go it's by far the best small engine. The mechanical 7. 3idi that for used (before the "Powerstroke") isn't worth the time or effort to swap and same goes for the 6. 5 chevy. There was someone on "The Diesel Place" that was talking about a Ford with a D-Max for use as a pulling truck. But like bigfoot it hasn't been seen. I wouldn't mind putting a D-Max in my '05 just to irritate the die hard Cummins lemmings.

 

[JasonCzerak]

...



I wouldn't mind putting a D-Max in my '05 just to irritate the die hard Cummins lemmings.

Surely you would be damned for that act would you not? :-laf

 

[GOT-Torque]

There is someone up north in Canada that swapped an ol' 6. 5L turbo diesel into a early firebird I think. Clean install, didn't cost much, got close to 40 mpg crusing at 75 mph.



Swapping a D-max into a Suburban (newer one) isn't too bad, you can actually put one together using all factory parts (ex. 3/4 ton avalanche frame, front clip off of a 3/4 ton truck, suburban body, etc, etc). I originally started going this route before I discovered the TDR and bought my first dodge truck (Thank God you guys saved me... ).



It's usually a cummins into something else because it is the easiest. Easiest to fit (straight 6 cylinder with lots of room to work with on either side), easiest to make real power, easiest to work on/modify, only downside is weight and length.



#1 you shouldn't be putting such a capable engine into a light duty vehicle (its overkill)

#2 if its too long to fit (like in a jeep) you obviously just get a 4BT to do the job

 

[JasonCzerak]

The "why put a 5. 9 in XXX" is rather obvious. I was just wonder ing what PS' or Dmax's have been put in something other then their own make. .



looks like "not much". heh.

 

[DVolk]

PS or Dmax conversions ?

No worries on the big rig commets .



Here is anouther strange pick up conversion that was popular in the 70's i seen one a Toro flow deisel v6 GMC 488 ci mated to a gargage truck allison transmission in a 71ford crewcab