cummins in a chevy??

[chevyuser74]

I want to put a cummins in my truck, i know theres atleast one member who has done this. but what does it take to do? what do i need? how much am i looking at spending, is it easier to start with a wrecked dodge? where would one look for such a find? if u have done it pics appreciated.

 

[tacoma]

you need some motor mounts... and an earlier Dodge T-case (or a Ford front end) Other than that, it depends on the motor. I'll be using an '89 out of an armored car, no real wiring to deal with, and a 47re/np205 setup.

 

[chevyuser74]

well i was thinking about a 12v out of 94-99 or maybe a 24v but then i would also have the computer to deal with

 

[NorCalKid]

Check out this site http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php there is all sorts of good stuff over there. Or just search cummins swap...

 

[chevyuser74]

i did search cummins swap i learned a little but not alot

 

[NorCalKid]

That site has lots of detailed stuff. There is a jeep on pirate running a 4bt and a chevy turbo400 if I remember right, not sure that helps much. If I did it I would try to find an older 6bt with a nv4500/np205 combo. The research that I have done shows that it can get to be an expensive swap, but if you could probably find a wrecked dodge on craigslist for fairly cheap if you look hard enough

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I know there are several people that have done a writeup on this site, search the diesel section and the tech articles section.

 

[Slapperbar]

Search 6bt swap.

 

[blakerj1]

I have a 4bt in my K10. Not a hardcore wheeler but more of a hunting pickup that has morphed into a semi-daily driver. I love it. Great power. Goes down the road fantastic. Wheels awesome and idles over everything. Pretty dang easy to put in. Had to come up with some motor mounts and change the front crossmember. I am using a Dodge version NV4500 and a NP241D. 33" tires with 3.73 gears. 4" lift, crossover steering. 8 lug D44 and 14bolt semi float rear. I really dont think I will change anything about the drive train- it seems that good. I do have a different turbo to put on it but other than that, I am done. Gets 25mpg all day long. I hit 28 on my maiden voyage with it. Cruises down the road at 75 mph up and down mountain grades without shifting at all.

 

[Madmudder1234]

Another thing that I would suggest is strengthening the frame. I had a buddy that had 44s and a cummins in his 84 chevy and it wrecked the frame (just a lot of cracks)

 

[MaxPF]

Especially a 1/2 ton frame. Remember that a 6B series Cummins dressed out is a heavy pig - it weighs nearly twice what a SBC weighs, and about 500lbs more than a BBC.

 

[RockinChevy]

So what reinforcements are necessary for a one ton frame? Just gaining some insight...

 

[MaxPF]

So what reinforcements are necessary for a one ton frame? Just gaining some insight...

Probably just a better crossmember and extra gusseting/reinforcement around the areas where the motor mounts attach to the frame.

Get the engine and we will make it happen

 

[wazzabie]

Is the weight of the 4bt comparable to the SBC 350?

 

[DEMON44]

a 4bt weighs about 750 lbs.

 

[ciffer]

6bt weighs about 1100lbs

if you want a diesel, a 6.2/6.5 is much lighter. i believe the detroit diesels weigh in around 700lbs, making them a little heavier than a big block.

12valve 6bt engines made 215hp at their highest output (96-98), turbo detroit diesels are similar in horsepower with 6.2 turbos being a little less, and 6.5 turbos also made 215hp at peak. 6.5 turbos and 6bts had the same peak torque of 440lbs.

i am of the opinion that it would be much easier to install a detroit diesel considering that they share mounts with SBCs and, of course, shipped in these trucks (6.2s did).

 

[DEMON44]

don't even think you can put a 6.2/6.5 GM diesel in the same class as a P7100 pumped 6BTA cummins. its just not there, thats a fact.


the weight of the cummins is a non-starter issue. it doesn't make a lick of difference to the front suspension. I didn't even have to crank up the torsion bars when I set the cummins in my '97. rides exactly the same level as with the gasspot. drop any sort of aftermarket bumper on the front with a winch........bingo now you're carrying the equivalent weight to a cummins.


Now its not the weight of the cummins that destroys weak frames, stock trannies, and the like. don't kid yourselves. its torque and traction crossing paths at inopportune times. with a couple hours of time, $200 and a grinder I can make a stock 877 or 913 P7100 215hp 12v produce 800 ftlbs of torque.

my 24v '98.5 was around the 1000ftlb mark (606rwhp) bring any 6.2/6.5 to the plate we'll take them head to head. with a 10,000 lb trailer through the rocky mountains. and my engine still pulled down 20mpg unloaded.


Start with a wreched donor. its much easier that way. and for a few hundred crewcab59 can sell you motor mounts to put a cummins into any chevy pickup. to me its a no brainer.

 

[sixb]

don't even think you can put a 6.2/6.5 GM diesel in the same class as a P7100 pumped 6BTA cummins. its just not there, thats a fact.

.

That goes for the ve or the vp44 to!

the weight of the cummins is a non-starter issue. it doesn't make a lick of difference to the front suspension. I didn't even have to crank up the torsion bars when I set the cummins in my '97. rides exactly the same level as with the gasspot. drop any sort of aftermarket bumper on the front with a winch........bingo now you're carrying the equivalent weight to a cummins.

.

I agree completly, the 6.2 that was in my k5 weighed around 750. A winch and a custom bumper and the cummins, then you got some weight out front....lol

Now its not the weight of the cummins that destroys weak frames, stock trannies, and the like. don't kid yourselves. its torque and traction crossing paths at inopportune times. with a couple hours of time, $200 and a grinder I can make a stock 877 or 913 P7100 215hp 12v produce 800 ftlbs of torque.

my 24v '98.5 was around the 1000ftlb mark (606rwhp) bring any 6.2/6.5 to the plate we'll take them head to head. with a 10,000 lb trailer through the rocky mountains. and my engine still pulled down 20mpg unloaded.

.

My 02 dodge 4x4 dually 6 spd would get 18+ easy empty on the hwy

Start with a wreched donor. its much easier that way. and for a few hundred crewcab59 can sell you motor mounts to put a cummins into any chevy pickup. to me its a no brainer.

No lift required!