73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
how reliable, whats the power u can get out of them and it would be easier then a cummins swap. what milage do u get out of the with like a 33s and 3.73s with an sm465 or an nv4500 any info is great
CK5
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6.2 or 6.5?
- Thread starter 73hillbillyk10
- Start date
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
reliability is king. the 6.2/6.5 was made by detroit diesel, same company that built semi truck engines. Power was not the priority, fuel economy and longevity were the targets with this engine, and they do it well.
power is subjective, how much power do you want, how much do you want to spend? Ive heard of 300hp 6.5TD's, but id aim for around 200hp and 440lbsft for a reliable, long lasting engine. also the more power you make, the lower your fuel economy.
My bone stock, non turbo 6.2, in my M1009 with a TH400/NP208/3.08 gears/33in tires, gets 22mpg on the highway at 55-60mph. putting a turbo on should give me an additional 60hp 130lbft and 2-3mpg. putting in an overdrive tranny.... even more. except that im also putting on larger tires, and lower gears.
power is subjective, how much power do you want, how much do you want to spend? Ive heard of 300hp 6.5TD's, but id aim for around 200hp and 440lbsft for a reliable, long lasting engine. also the more power you make, the lower your fuel economy.
My bone stock, non turbo 6.2, in my M1009 with a TH400/NP208/3.08 gears/33in tires, gets 22mpg on the highway at 55-60mph. putting a turbo on should give me an additional 60hp 130lbft and 2-3mpg. putting in an overdrive tranny.... even more. except that im also putting on larger tires, and lower gears.
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
although... all that being said, i do plan on pulling the 6.2 out of the truck someday, replacing it with a 4-53T, and putting the 6.2 in a 65 Impala or something backed by a NV3500 or something.
a cummins would work very well, and give you much greater hp potential.
a cummins would work very well, and give you much greater hp potential.
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
reliability is key and more reasearch i do the more exsansive the cummings swap is atleast with the 6.2 or 6.5 i can use my axles dana 44 and the 14sf with ether the sm465 or nv4500. also dumb ? is the 6.5 computer controled?
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
6.2 is pure mechanical, which is why i like it. the 6.5 dosnt really have an ECM per say, but there are computer controls, someone more knowledgeable than I would have to elaborate on that. And yeah, when it comes to suspension, the 6.2 is hard to beat, a V8 diesel at around 700lbs, darn right light weight.
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
now i know a j code 6.2 is the one 2 get what about the 6.5
i believe that the pre-94 6.5's were all mechanical engines - so for simplicity, you might look for that. if i were looking for a diesel engine, i'd probably put in a 94 6.5. i believe those were turbo'ed - but i don't know much about them.
i run a 6.2/465/205/14bff w/ 4.10 gears on 38s. gets 20 mpg at 60 mph on flat highway. i'd like to have slightly more deep gearing though.
i run a 6.2/465/205/14bff w/ 4.10 gears on 38s. gets 20 mpg at 60 mph on flat highway. i'd like to have slightly more deep gearing though.
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
wow...... talk about a great example of how much waisted energy there is with a non lockup, auto tranny. weve got the same final gear in the transmission, youre running bigger heavier tires, with 4.10's, and only getting 1-2mpg less than me, with smaller lighter tires and 3.08's.
i hate my th400 more than ever now
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
who else is runin the 6.2 or 6.5 and what power are u all at.
I've got a J code 6.2L in Big Ugly and a C code 6.2L in The Blazer.
Big Ugly has a TH400 and 4.56's turning heavy 38's.
The Blazer has a 700R4 and 3.73's turning 32's.
I wish Big Ugly either had OD or more power. Well, both. However I'm probably just going to settle for a SM465 and maybe one day a Ranger OD gear splitter unit.
Happy with the power of both but wouldn't mind more. Neither is a rocket ship but they do fine for what I do. Low gearing helps. Lots of folks think 6.2's are turds but I bet most of them have either driven worn out, raggedy, ill maintained 6.2L's and/or they were in trucks with auto trannies and 3.08 gears. 3.08 gears on anything is slow.
I'm going to be putting a J-code intake on The Blazer soon and probably won't do much more with the engine until I have a reason too. I like things simple so to me a turbo probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. I don't need lots of power because I don't tow or haul large amounts. If I did I'd have gone and found a bigger, newer truck.
That said, if an engine ever gives me a reason to replace it I'm liking those AMG 6500 Optimizers. Even if I didn't turbo it the thing would be a noticeable bump in power over either of these.
Honestly, with a 6.2L you can expect power like a 350. A mild, stockish 350. Low end grunt and plenty of power for stuff you'd legitimately use a truck with a 350 for...only getting half again better mileage. A 6.5L with a turbo bumps it up to a stockish big block but again, not much better. That said, like the 6.2L you'll see MUCH better mpg.
If you want crazy power and torque you probably ought to start with something else. If you want good, reliable power and torque while getting great mpg then a 6.2L or 6.5L might work well for you.
Big Ugly has a TH400 and 4.56's turning heavy 38's.
The Blazer has a 700R4 and 3.73's turning 32's.
I wish Big Ugly either had OD or more power. Well, both. However I'm probably just going to settle for a SM465 and maybe one day a Ranger OD gear splitter unit.
Happy with the power of both but wouldn't mind more. Neither is a rocket ship but they do fine for what I do. Low gearing helps. Lots of folks think 6.2's are turds but I bet most of them have either driven worn out, raggedy, ill maintained 6.2L's and/or they were in trucks with auto trannies and 3.08 gears. 3.08 gears on anything is slow.
I'm going to be putting a J-code intake on The Blazer soon and probably won't do much more with the engine until I have a reason too. I like things simple so to me a turbo probably wouldn't be worth the hassle. I don't need lots of power because I don't tow or haul large amounts. If I did I'd have gone and found a bigger, newer truck.
That said, if an engine ever gives me a reason to replace it I'm liking those AMG 6500 Optimizers. Even if I didn't turbo it the thing would be a noticeable bump in power over either of these.
Honestly, with a 6.2L you can expect power like a 350. A mild, stockish 350. Low end grunt and plenty of power for stuff you'd legitimately use a truck with a 350 for...only getting half again better mileage. A 6.5L with a turbo bumps it up to a stockish big block but again, not much better. That said, like the 6.2L you'll see MUCH better mpg.
If you want crazy power and torque you probably ought to start with something else. If you want good, reliable power and torque while getting great mpg then a 6.2L or 6.5L might work well for you.
I have had both a non-turbo 6.2 and now the current modded 6.5td in my chevy. My parents used to have a 96 suburban with the 6.5. Its a great motor IF you understand that it does have limitations. It will NEVER be a cummins or duramax. If you're looking for a ****load of power go with one of them.
Now to add to what the others have said, they can be modded for a decent amount a power. The engine that's currently in my chevy has had a fair amount of upgrades done to it. I'll list what I can remember as the engine was built over 6 years ago already. It started as 6.2 block that's been bored to 6.5 specs then taken .040 over those. Is fitted with 18to1 ceramic coated pistons. Full balancing on the rotating assembly, and stud girdle on the mains. Has an aftermarket cam(don't remember specs) with a mild port and polish on the heads and ARP head studs. Injectors are 150 bar pressure with a matching injection pump (pump will allow the engine rev to 4000rpms). I'm currently using a stock 6.5 turbo setup with a GM8 turbo pushing 15lbs of boost. I would not recommend any higher with that turbo even with an intercooler, it just pushes way too much heat. Also have the full cooling mods done. Coolant heat is the biggest killer of these engines. You HAVE to keep it in check or you WILL destroy the engine, even stock you have to watch it.
I have plans for an intercooler and to use the stock turbo off of my cummins once I put an upgraded one on that truck.
As for how much power, well the engine builder said it should be around 300hp at the crank torque should be near 500ftlbs again at the crank. I haven't dynoed it yet to know for sure. I can tell you that it WILL keep up with my dads stock 2006 megacab cummins with an automatic.
Now to add to what the others have said, they can be modded for a decent amount a power. The engine that's currently in my chevy has had a fair amount of upgrades done to it. I'll list what I can remember as the engine was built over 6 years ago already. It started as 6.2 block that's been bored to 6.5 specs then taken .040 over those. Is fitted with 18to1 ceramic coated pistons. Full balancing on the rotating assembly, and stud girdle on the mains. Has an aftermarket cam(don't remember specs) with a mild port and polish on the heads and ARP head studs. Injectors are 150 bar pressure with a matching injection pump (pump will allow the engine rev to 4000rpms). I'm currently using a stock 6.5 turbo setup with a GM8 turbo pushing 15lbs of boost. I would not recommend any higher with that turbo even with an intercooler, it just pushes way too much heat. Also have the full cooling mods done. Coolant heat is the biggest killer of these engines. You HAVE to keep it in check or you WILL destroy the engine, even stock you have to watch it.
I have plans for an intercooler and to use the stock turbo off of my cummins once I put an upgraded one on that truck.
As for how much power, well the engine builder said it should be around 300hp at the crank torque should be near 500ftlbs again at the crank. I haven't dynoed it yet to know for sure. I can tell you that it WILL keep up with my dads stock 2006 megacab cummins with an automatic.
K5dreamer
1/2 ton status
x2 on ajm's post
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
well im not sure on what to do. looking for good power and milage. the truck would be used 4 offroading and hauling stuff as well as a semi daliy driver. but on the other side i want some good balls to the wall power what to do ?
Kinda depends what kind of power you want.
If you'd be happy with a stockish 350 then a 6.2L or 6.5L would be good for you. You can bump their numbers up some with turbos and exhausts and the different parts as mentioned earlier but you won't make them into Cummins or Powerstroke killers.
They're great for daily driving and hauling stuff.
However if you want "500ft/lbs of torque/race a Mustang and win/tow a 10,000lb trailer" etc power then yeah, start with a Cummins.
If you'd be happy with a stockish 350 then a 6.2L or 6.5L would be good for you. You can bump their numbers up some with turbos and exhausts and the different parts as mentioned earlier but you won't make them into Cummins or Powerstroke killers.
They're great for daily driving and hauling stuff.
However if you want "500ft/lbs of torque/race a Mustang and win/tow a 10,000lb trailer" etc power then yeah, start with a Cummins.
moneypit_K5
1/2 ton status
mines a low mileage 1994 mechanical controlled 6.5 with a banks kit. Ive got 4.10's, 35's, and a NV4500/205. I get about 19 on the hwy.
One of the reasons i havent pulled it out is because of the mpg. this engine is far from a powerhouse, I would get alot more power out of a stock 350. it will pull a house off the foundation, but cant pull any sort of small grade at 65.
One of the reasons i havent pulled it out is because of the mpg. this engine is far from a powerhouse, I would get alot more power out of a stock 350. it will pull a house off the foundation, but cant pull any sort of small grade at 65.
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
saw some were u can decrease the comp ratio and run more boost but it looks like the 6.2 or 6.5 is the way 4 me cuz im liking the milage
wow...... talk about a great example of how much waisted energy there is with a non lockup, auto tranny. weve got the same final gear in the transmission, youre running bigger heavier tires, with 4.10's, and only getting 1-2mpg less than me, with smaller lighter tires and 3.08's.
i hate my th400 more than ever now
a friend of tRustyk5's claims to have significantly increased his mileage after switching to a manual from the power-sucking 400.
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
any one heard of this?
Been mentioned several times. The TH400 in particular is notorious for being a power sucker.
73hillbillyk10
1/2 ton status
sorry ment droping compresion ratio to run higher boost
