K5 Gas Or Diesel?

[Chevy_07]

I am planning on buying a k5 in the next few months I have been looking around and undecided if I want the gas 5.7 or diesel 6.2 I plan on putting a lift kit and big tires 40S and it will be driven on weekends and special events I like the to hear some inputs of guys who have either to help make me choose which is better

 

[ktmoutfront]

Welcome to Ck5.

And way to open a can of worms.

My 2c's? What are you comfortable working on? And if you are going 40's, axles should be in your plans also.

Let the 5.7/6.2 debate begin.

 

[rebelgregory]

Kinda depends on you a little. What do you know about diesels, what kinda performance do you want, etc.

Either way, with 40s, you're gonna need some drivetrain work to make it functional even just on the road. You're going to have to at least re-gear the diffs. Preferably get some bigger axles. Since both the diesel and gas versions have the same axles, this is kinda irrelevant.

The diesels are not powerful, like modern diesels. They were made for fuel economy. Again, with 40s, you CAN'T be worried about fuel economy. With that in mind, I'd say gas. The pre-87 carbed motors can be swapped or modded heavily since they're carbed. The 87-91 TBI motors are reliable but they have a primitive injection system on them and there's a limit to how much power you can get out of them.

Between gas or diesel, I'd say gas just because it's a much simpler motor with a huge aftermarket. The 6.2 is a good motor, but it's no powerhouse and may fall a little short with 40" tires.

If you really wanted to be cool, put a Cummins in it.

 

[tRustyK5]

Really depends on the intended wheeling. I loved my 6.2 in my Jimmy on 40's. Had a SM465/205 and 4.56's (60/14 combo). I am not a mud fan, I prefer rocks and technical wheeling...and for that I feel it's hard to beat the off idle tq the 6.2 has over the 350.

Into mud, go big block...

 

[blazinzuk]

I dig my 6.2 in my jimmy right now and it would be my choice with a turbo on it to help on the power front. Best engine I have ever crawled with off road much prefer it to small or big blocks with similar gearing. But it is not a powerful motor.

6.2 plus 700 and a 241 is one of the best crawling rivetrain I think chevy ever assembled

 

[Chevy_07]

Well I probably wont go in a lot of mudd may do some crawling with it and I may go with small then 40s just not sure yet thanks for the input keep the opinions coming

 

[diesel4me]

Advantage of a diesel or fuel injected gas engine is they wont flood or die during extreme hill climbs or desents...also the diesel's govenor helps prevent stalling at idle...I've found few things more scary than going up or down a steep trail in a sand pit,and having the engine flood out and die 3/4 of the way up or down it!...I'm a fan of carbed engines,but not so much off road!..a Q-jet carb does pretty well though,if you do go with a carbed engine..