Best 6.2/6.5 diesel for a swap?

[eagle mark]

Wondering what the experts think would be the best 6.2/6.5 diesel motor for a swap would be? would like a manual trans behind it... it's not going in a chevy so clearences and exhaust manifolds are not an issue, yet. Just really looking for the best motor first. Just a guess but are all 6.5 turboed?

 

[tRustyK5]

The 'best' would be a 599 block 6.5, as it's about the strongest block out there in stock form without stepping up to the new AMG block. look for a '93 model...get's you turbo'd and mechanical IP with the 599 casting.

Rene

 

[AJMBLAZER]

What Rene said.

That new engine from AMG is sexy. Addresses about all the issues the 6.2/6.5 family had...and after seeing the process MaxPF went through to build his ultimate 6.2L I believe just buying one of those would be easier and cheaper.

 

[Thunder]

Not an expert but i have sure learned a lot about 6.2 /6.5 lately for some reason
As said above re: the 599. The others. Espically the 506 blocks 97- 99 are prone to cracking.
94 and up 6.5s are all electronic drive by wire. So you need the PCM/harness and accelerator pedal. Unless you convert to mechanical IP.
There were NA 6.5s. IIRC they were mechanical.
If you have the money and dont want to build your own. The AMG 6.5 Optmizer is the way to go.

If you are just building a trail rig, Not towing or hauling loads. Where you dont need the added power of the 6.5.
IMO a NA 6.2 would be a good choice. Plenty of low end grunt, good MPG easy to work on. All mechanical IP. Rock solid dependable plus you dont have to worry about the crossover pipe (turbo engines) hitting the drive line in some 4x4 apps.

 

[K5dreamer]

Interesting, I never knew there was a mechanical IP 6.5TD out there. Not to hijack, but perhaps expand from the OP question. what about hybrid engines? or... for less cringe factor, frankenstein engines.

For instance, im planning on basically replacing the entire drivetrain in my M1009. Obviously the axles, but also a NV4500/Lo-Max NP205 (probably over the next 10 years or so )and driveshafts. Might as well build a 6.5TD and swap it all at the same time to minimize downtime of the truck... and then put the 6.2 in something like an impala

ANYWAY.. If I were to grab one of these 599 6.5TD's, id want to swap over my military spec IP due to its hardened internals and ability to swallow kerosene, diesel, and biodiesel with aplomb. But how bout the heads? the 6.2 has larger valves and ports correct? And the J code intake with no EGR port. Effectively a 599 with military heads, intake, and IP. Any drawbacks to that setup?

or with using the 6.5 heads/intake/IP on the 6.2? IIRC they are completely interchangeable.