6.5L TD Suburban

[ntaj*ep]

Well I think the D-max will have to wait, I want no payments for a while and need a reliable tow/camp/driver. Been looking at the 6.5 TD Subs. I hate the brakes on the gas powered trucks of this era, 97-99 and was thinking the hydra-boost would cure that? I want to know what to look for if I do indeed go this route. Are the motors good? Fuel systems, turbos? I don't want to get stuck with an unreliable pig.
If GM would just put the D-max in the Avalanche or Suburban they would force my hand! So what do you guys think/know about these 6.5 TDs?

 

[Pookster]

They are of great reliablity- provided that you upgrade a few things-. there's a cooler for the electronics of the pump, thats a must- Upgrading the water pump/cooling system is also a good idea. Everything else is just about the same as any other chevy truck of the generation. You get a 4L80E tranny, a 241 transfer case, and a 14bSF or FF rear.

In regards to brakes, your probably talking about the spongyness and what not- the hydroboost does fix a lot of that.

 

[tRustyK5]

...and the diesel equipped Sub would have the hydro-boost.

I've heard that wastegate solenoids are a common failure as well as PMD's and OPS's. A majority have had theur IP's replaced under warranty even though the heat soaked PMD was the major cause at the time.

Rene

 

[ntaj*ep]

I've heard that the PMD is a weak point on the trucks. But I figure if I get one I will carry a spare. I Guess I need to drive one and see what I think. I figure having a mechanical injection system it would be pretty easy to upgrade.
Do the trucks come with any type of intercooler?
How do the transmissions hold up to towing?

 

[tRustyK5]

No intercooler that I'm aware of...although there is some spendy aftermarket stuff out there.

Tranny's prolly do about the same as what you'd find in a K5. Just depends on what one you get. I'd guess the newer diesel burbs got the 4L80E which is a decent tranny.

Rene

 

[zcarczar]

Yup, all the new body style burbs got the 4L80-E. Im in the market myself and would like a sub, but I really want a 6.5 truck, wouldnt mind a tahoe, but its too small to tow a blazer with. I dont think the 10 bolt R&P would hold up to the load.

O yeah think of the 4l80-E as a TH400 with OD. the 1/2 ton diesel's also got the 4l80,

 

[ntaj*ep]

I'm worried about the rating of the motor, and how it will do real world towing that heavy a load. I think doing an intercooler would be my first step, especially if they do have the 4L80........

 

[tRustyK5]

190 hp and 450+ tq...comparable to a stock Cummins or Ford of the same year. Just not as easy to 'bomb'.

Rene

 

[zcarczar]

You can always add propane, and do injectors, and some other stuff like a computer reflash, and a manual wastegate and get close to 300hp, and a lot of torque, I just dont know how much.

 

[bigblock454]

There are plenty of 6.5 electric performance parts. Two of the best sites are www.heathdiesel.com (ECM reflashes) and www.kennedydiesel.com. I have products from both places.

The best year is the 99 and newers for the 6.5, but you they only made the burb in 99. The 99 block a "509" block and has the smaller oil spray pistons and other enhancements. 97 and newer also have the high flow water pump, dual T-Stats for additional towing performance. As stated the largest problem with the electric 6.5 is the FSD/PMD mounted to the IP. 99% of this problem can be fixed by relocating the FSD to outside the engine compartment. Heath Diesel sells the best cooler/isolator in my opinion.

With a good exhaust, properly set timing, an ECM reflash you are looking at 210 HP to the ground.