6.2or 6.5? Big Difference?

[jMedia]

As many of my annoying posts have said, I'm looking to do a diesel swap to 6.2 or 6.5 GM (can't do cummins cause of CA)

Now I'm wondering, is there a large difference between MPG and Power in the 6.2 and 6.5? Assuming they are both turbo

Planning on mounting to NV4500 or likewise 5speed

Is one engine easier than the other to fit?

thanks for all the input so far!
-Josh

[CHICOWAGGY]

Why couldn't you use a cummins from a Dodge truck in CA? They where available the same years as the 6.5 and lots of them came with the NV4500. Just asking.

[budojeepr]

My understanding (I only have experience for a short period so far with the 6.5) is the major difference is in durability. All else being equal, the 6.5 is a better bet. I don't think there is a dimensional difference.

Question for the experts: Was there an OEM turbo version of the 6.2?

[jMedia]

Why couldn't you use a cummins from a Dodge truck in CA? They where available the same years as the 6.5 and lots of them came with the NV4500. Just asking.

engine swap for gw has to be from "light duty" to "light duty". As far as I know, no cummins were in "light duty" trucks.

[CHICOWAGGY]

I see:o

[jMedia]

I see:o

Don't you love it here? :thumbsup: :rolleyes:

[babywag]

Question for the experts: Was there an OEM turbo version of the 6.2?

Not an expert, but from everything I've read the 6.5 was designed specifically for being turbocharged.

[ccrobbins]

There was a turbo OEM 6.2. It came mostly in vans if not exclusively.

[El_Diablo]

not that ive ever seen.. just a factory supported gale banks dealer equipped turbo system

[aatcman]

Why not do a cummins 4BT? Much easier to fit than the 6BT AND is considered a Light Duty engine.

Go to the junkyard and look for a bread truck with a four cylinder diesel engine and a Gm drivetrain -- those will be a cummins 4BT followed by a GM V-8 (SBC if I remeber correctly) bellhousing transmission. NV4500 is available with a SBC bellhousing -- and it should bolt right up to the 4BT.

Hope this helps!! :)

[cmelo]

not that ive ever seen.. just a factory supported gale banks dealer equipped turbo system

From what I have read is that from the factory there was never a turbo 6.2 but you could add a banks turbo as a dealership option. As far as your question about performance I know you can use a turbo from a 6.5(CHEAP from ebay) and probably get very similar performance. I've been throwing the idea around about swapping a 6.2 in from a K30. That way I could buy the whole truck and use the whole drive train including the axles. Another thing is that a 6.2 is not very durable stock and wont handle much boost which is one thing that has made me shy away from them thus far.

[jMedia]

Why not do a cummins 4BT? Much easier to fit than the 6BT AND is considered a Light Duty engine...

Haha mentioned every time I talk about diesel swap in CA. Can't do it, cummins 4bt was never in a light duty vehicle. Only bread vans and such. Never in a commercial vehicle

From what I have read is that from the factory there was never a turbo 6.2 but you could add a banks turbo as a dealership option. As far as your question about performance I know you can use a turbo from a 6.5(CHEAP from ebay) and probably get very similar performance. I've been throwing the idea around about swapping a 6.2 in from a K30. That way I could buy the whole truck and use the whole drive train including the axles. Another thing is that a 6.2 is not very durable stock and wont handle much boost which is one thing that has made me shy away from them thus far.

This is what I've read as well on some other forums, but I'm wondering how much it would be to build up a 6.2 compared to the price of a 6.5

[uglyjeep]

6.2's when built up or kept stock are quite reliable. Yes they have less power, but I'm not swapping engines to go race. They have virtually the same block (and in some cases the exact same block casting just a smaller bore) as the 6.5. Most accessories and external components can be switched around with few modifications. One main difference is the compression ratio, the 6.2 has a 21:1 ratio, IIRC, and the 6.5 is lower (18:1 - I think). This is because the 6.5s were equipped with turbos. A 6.2 can easily be equipped with either a GM 6.5 turbo or a Banks turbo. 94 and later 6.5s have an electronic injection pump, making a swap more complex.

Another issue is price and availability - 6.2s are easier to find and cheaper.

[GWDriver]

As I remember from my long ago driving days, a delivery van of the type mentioned IS a commercial vehicle. Not a commercial vehicle of the 'Class 8' (big rig) variety, but none the less, engaged in the delivery of commercial goods.

That being said, I would think that the 6.2 & 6.5 would be easier bets for an engine swap than the 4BT. My $.02.

So, from those in the know, just what ARE the problems to be encountered in such a swap?

[uglyjeep]

I wouldn't know about any specific issues other than what I've read (yet). My diesel is sitting on the hoist just in front of the Cherokee :o. I'm waiting for my adapter from Novak. I do know that there's a clearance issue with the stock booster in most swaps. Not a big issue though, as I already have a hydroboost I have to install. Also, the trucks these engines came out of had dual batts. I'm going to be running one in the stock location and another where the heater was. I'll do a full write up once its installed (hopefully by the end of November the engine will be able to run using the Cherokee's wiring).

[cmelo]

As I remember from my long ago driving days, a delivery van of the type mentioned IS a commercial vehicle. Not a commercial vehicle of the 'Class 8' (big rig) variety, but none the less, engaged in the delivery of commercial goods.

That being said, I would think that the 6.2 & 6.5 would be easier bets for an engine swap than the 4BT. My $.02.

So, from those in the know, just what ARE the problems to be encountered in such a swap?

I would imagine it would be the same problems involved in swapping in a big a block since a 6.2 is based off the same IIRC. I've seen 454s swapped in here on the boards with hydroboost and moving the heaterbox over an inch or two.

[uglyjeep]

I would imagine it would be the same problems involved in swapping in a big a block since a 6.2 is based off the same IIRC. I've seen 454s swapped in here on the boards with hydroboost and moving the heaterbox over an inch or two.

The 6.2 has similar dimensions to the BBC, the same bellhousing and engine mount bolt pattern, but that is about all they have in common - design wise. Any thing that would have to be done for a 454 swap would have to be done for a 6.2/6.5 swap. But, the diesel needs different wiring than the gas engine.

[El_Diablo]

actually, the 6.2 and 6.5 fit in between a SBC and a BBC dimension wise....

Another thing is that a 6.2 is not very durable stock and wont handle much boost which is one thing that has made me shy away from them thus far.There almost as durable as a 6.5, the only difference is the 6.5 pistons were coated (forget what and how) for the added heat with a turbo. That and the 6.5's also have better head gaskets which are a direct swap to a 6.2. Change the head gaskets and the 6.2 can handle up to about 15psi which is the same as 6.5's are recommended to run.


As far as the battery, you can pick up a single battery at your local advance, has a 3 year free replacement and 7 year prorate warranty with over 1000 CCA, if i remember correctly its about 1100 CCA. Should be plenty to start anything and would be much easier to make a home for compared to a dual battery setup.

[Cecil14]

Are 3/4 Dodge trucks not considered light vehicles by CA? Everything up to a 1 ton is considered a "light truck" by the vehicle market...


aa

[jMedia]

Found this on dieselplace.com, looks like El Diablo is right

"actually its the coated pistons that a turbo 6.5 has that allows the high boost levels.
....
but the weak point on the turbo 6.2s is the head gaskets blowing after 10 psi and the 6.5 gaskets will hold way more than that."

and from wikipedia

"There are several GM 6.5 liter diesel engine production options. The Turbocharged L56, (VIN "S") was used in all 1/2 ton (1500) and light duty 3/4 ton (2500) trucks. Heavy duty 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks used the Turbocharged L65 (VIN "F") engine. The L56 is emissions controlled with EGR and catalytic converters. The L65 engine has no EGR, and has no catalytic converter. There is a soot trap on L65 engines that is often mistaken for a catalytic converter. The L49 (VIN "P") and L57 are both normally aspirated engines. L57 is listed as HO or Heavy Duty"