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Need advice. What engine to upgrade too?

A

AKCrew

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Joined
Oct 9, 2010
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Location
Alaska
I have been on here for a while and haven't posted because I have always found what I needed without asking. However I'm at a crossroads. My truck is an 84' GMC 3+3. it's rusted out but I love her. The problem is the 6.2 had some horrible rigging done to it.(I hate previous owners) One of starter bolt holes had broke off the block at one point and was welded back on.(Not even a good weld job) This presented it's self at a bad time and left me stranded. So where should I go from here?

Should I replace the 6.2 with another?
Swap a 454?
Or save for the summer and swap a 12v cummins?

Any advice from the brotherhood is more than welcome.
 
Another 6.2 would definitely be the cheapest and easiest option, govliqudation , always has them up for auction, and at least locally , they rarely seem to pull more then $200-250.
On the other end of the money spectrum :doah: would be the Cummins swap, trust me, no matter what you tell yourself, it is not going to to cheap :D.
Granted , there is no comparison between the performance of a nicely done 12 valve and a 6.2, but it really comes down to what you want to use the truck for.
 
I'm looking to make it a tow/expedition type rig, 37-40" tires. Maybe the occasional drag race lol. I'd really like to stay diesel. I am in the army so I'm always checking on gov liquidators lol. Unfortunately I'm in Alaska so everything is pricey. The more I look the more I'm leaning towards the cummins swap. Any tips or things you would do different. Thanks for the opinion and info.
 
Keep an eye on craigslist. There was a whole engine/tranny/t-case from a CUCV for sale not too long ago. Theres an entire CUCV for sale on craigslist right now as well. I would get a new 6.2 diesel, you'll love a fresh one if you like what you have.
 
The 6.2 was ok but it wasn't the greatest. I may go that route for now just so I have my rig back for camping. It's tough to go camping with the family in the wifes car.
 
AKCrew said:
The 6.2 was ok but it wasn't the greatest. I may go that route for now just so I have my rig back for camping. It's tough to go camping with the family in the wifes car.
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Which version do you have now, C or J code? I turned the pump up a little on my CUCV, it accelerates up hills just fine on 42's and still gets 11-13 MPG... I like it. Doesn't throw down the horse power, but the low end torque and good MPG just can't be beat.
 
AKCrew said:
I'm looking to make it a tow/expedition type rig, 37-40" tires. Maybe the occasional drag race lol. I'd really like to stay diesel. I am in the army so I'm always checking on gov liquidators lol. Unfortunately I'm in Alaska so everything is pricey. The more I look the more I'm leaning towards the cummins swap. Any tips or things you would do different. Thanks for the opinion and info.
Click to expand...

The swap itself really isn't bad, my biggest problem was I had began building with intentions of doing a stroker BB and changed my mind when I came across one of those deals you can't say no too:doah:.
I ended up fabbing my own crossmember, using TNDiesel engine mounts and boxing the frame. If I had to do it again I would have just spent the money and gone the the crossmember and mount kit from Avalanche engineering, SIXB used their set up in his K5. It offers a lot of adjustability and is a bolt in deal, it allows you to move the engine both forward and back but also some up and down which would be really nice.
Just be prepared, it's REALLY easy to carried away with making power using a 12 valver, and that's when it gets expensive, just price out a dual disc clutch and upgraded input shaft sometime.
Overall the 12 valve swap really is the best of all worlds, big power potential, insane torque, great fuel mileage, and unequaled reliability. If you can deal with the added weight of the Cummins, it's a great engine choice.
 
Its a j code. It's an old slope truck, so the rockers and floors are rusted. It ran like a top but it had some bs rigging for the starter. Do you happen to live out in the valley?

The power is what I'm liking about the 12v. But like you said it is easy to go overboard on power and then it's big money to beef everything else
 
I'm pretty sure I've seen your rig around. If it's the one I'm thinking I'm jealous.
 
I put a south bend DD3600 behind my old 24v, and a 1 3/8th input upgrade. that was $2000 when all was said and done. loved the clutch but cost a few bucks.
 
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