bronc3buster842001
1/2 ton status
Whats everyones opinion on them. Buddy has one in a 90's model 3/4 ton truck. Been thinking about swapping it into my 96.
CK5
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6.5 td
- Thread starter bronc3buster842001
- Start date
I love my Turbocharged 6.2L! Not huge on power, but it is very good on fuel, is extremely reliable, and makes a simply beautiful sound through the 3" straight pipe 
That said, always keep in mind that it is a light duty gas mileage gettin' kind of a diesel engine. If you are expecting to tow anything with it, or do any racing, it is not the engine for you. A turbocharged 6.5L accelerates similarly to a bone stock early 90s TBI 350, but gets 18 - 20 mpg vs 14 - 16 mpg. Don't forget that diesel fuel costs more too, that might be some consideration for you as well.
That said, always keep in mind that it is a light duty gas mileage gettin' kind of a diesel engine. If you are expecting to tow anything with it, or do any racing, it is not the engine for you. A turbocharged 6.5L accelerates similarly to a bone stock early 90s TBI 350, but gets 18 - 20 mpg vs 14 - 16 mpg. Don't forget that diesel fuel costs more too, that might be some consideration for you as well.
bronc3buster842001
1/2 ton status
So maybe Ill just stick with the vortec motor in the 96 for awhile then. Truck does see towing duty on occansion.
It can tow, just don't expect Duramax type performance out of it. Plan to go slow, and don't tow too much. But if you have a good vortec, keep it, it'll do the same, and the cost of swapping a diesel into a vortec equipped truck would outweigh the benefits, even with the good fuel economy. Although for Russel in Canada, diesel is about the same or cheaper than in the US, I saw it for 3.49 at Safeway tonight when regular was 3.06.
Not worth it, keep what you got.
My brother inlaw has many 6.5`s he can have them. My duramax is so much better.
My brother inlaw has many 6.5`s he can have them. My duramax is so much better.
The biggest mistake people make about the 6.2's and 6.5's is expecting them to compete with a Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax, etc. They were meant as good mpg alternatives to the small block...in fact the carb'd early 80's small block. The Turbo Diesel 6.5L sorta muddled the water when GM tried to get more oomph out of it but they still aren't Cummins.
I've had the 6.5L TD's, and they are nothing to write home about. I replaced my last truck with a '96 5.7 Vortec pickup.
Now I have far, far more power and get the same mileage, which is 18.5 -20.1 mpg on the hwy.
My 6.5L TD got 18.8 - 20.4 mpg hwy.
The diesel worked great when empty, but was terrible on hills with any load over 800#'s. With my Vortec, I can climb most steep hills in excess of 75mph if I wanted to, towing my big travel trailer, versus 31-34 mph with the diesel.
Now I have far, far more power and get the same mileage, which is 18.5 -20.1 mpg on the hwy.
My 6.5L TD got 18.8 - 20.4 mpg hwy.
The diesel worked great when empty, but was terrible on hills with any load over 800#'s. With my Vortec, I can climb most steep hills in excess of 75mph if I wanted to, towing my big travel trailer, versus 31-34 mph with the diesel.
