Project Penny - All good things must come to an end

[Russell]

Have you seen the 1995 6.5 Suburban that was converted to Duramax on The Truck Stop forum?
http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?10142-95-SUBURBAN-to-a-01-DURAMAX-ALLISON

I have actually been sending emails back and forth with Gord, he is the one who convinced me this swap was not only doable, but relatively easy to pull off.

My 07 is equipped with an Allison 6 speed, unfortunately. I don't think I am going to get around to swapping transmissions in my 07 for a while yet though. I'd like to go through the ZF6 and rebuild it so I am putting a fresh transmission in my daily driver, not one that has more miles than the truck has. I also need to save up for the solid flywheel / clutch assembly (around 2k, ouch!) and of course need to get a re-programmed PCM ready to go. I'd want the transmission swap to be a weekend sort of a deal.

To be honest, I may pull the donor truck apart pretty quick and try to move it along, but I probably will not wind up doing anything with the Tahoe until April when things warm up and I head back to school for a few months. Gives me lots of time to prepare for the swap and be able to move on it pretty quick.

Also, this LB7 has had the injectors replaced within the last 30k and has an LBZ fuel filter assembly installed on it. Before it goes in the Tahoe, I'll be replacing the accessories (water pump, alt, PS pump etc) to make sure that the engine is reliable. I will need to find a 5 speed Allison and related wiring / modules for the swap. The transmission in my 07 isn't compatible.

 

[y5mgisi]

I have actually been sending emails back and forth with Gord, he is the one who convinced me this swap was not only doable, but relatively easy to pull off.

The funny thing about that, is this that he said in his build thread,

I don't think there is enough money in the world to pay me to do another swap like this one. This thing has kicked my but more times than I want to even think about. In hinesight I would have done several things differently though to have made it an easier swap, but it's too late now.

 

[oldtoyboyd]

I have debated this swap in my 1995 2500 6.5L 4x4 Suburban. It is a little tired at 255K miles, but is still gets the job done. There was a 6 speed Allison 4wd trans with stand alone computer and harness on 4btswaps for 2000 I believe.

 

[GMC1977]

I'd like to go through the ZF6 and rebuild it so I am putting a fresh transmission in my daily driver, not one that has more miles than the truck has.

they dont make parts for that trans anymore. if you need some help though i might be able to hook you up.

 

[DEMON44]

they dont make parts for that trans anymore. if you need some help though i might be able to hook you up.

Really? It is the same zf6 that Ford was still useing in the Superdutys until fairly recently? If it is, I find it hard to believe there's no parts available.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

 

[Russell]

The funny thing about that, is this that he said in his build thread,

Gord is like 60+... I think he was referring to it being a lot of physical labour. He is also a bit of a forerunner in these swaps, I don't think there was anyone else who had done one into a 95+ truck before him, nor had they mated the Duramax to the factory 95 underhood fuse block vs installing the stock Duramax underhood fuse block.

If I were to go that route with the stock fuse block, I could have the wiring installed and tied in within an easy afternoon. That aid, I plan to do the same as Gord and tie the Duramax wiring into the stock 95 under hood fuse block just to complicate things for myself

 

[max 02]

Couple of quick questions.

Why ditch the 6 speed ally in the dd?

What is the diff between the lb7 and lbz fillter?
The filtering system was never that good on the duramax, why not get a air dog.

Sounds like you got a good deal on the flat bed truck. Newish injectors and all.

 

[Russell]

I just like rowing gears...

That said, the more I think about it, the more I kinda want to put the ZF6 into the Tahoe. It would sure simplify things in the long run, and finding manuals parts for the 95+ trucks is cheap and easy.

My LBZ has been really good to me, and as much as I'd like rowing through the gears in it, I may leave it be and just keep to playing with the Tahoe.

 

[imiceman44]

What is the diff between the lb7 and lbz fillter?

the difference is _

 

[dhcomp]

My LBZ has been really good to me, and as much as I'd like rowing through the gears in it, I may leave it be and just keep to playing with the Tahoe.

Stoked for your swap. That being said, doing one swap, instead of essentially doing 2, is a good call. Leave the Dmax you have, and swap the manual into the Tahoe.

 

[max 02]

I just like rowing gears...

That said, the more I think about it, the more I kinda want to put the ZF6 into the Tahoe. It would sure simplify things in the long run, and finding manuals parts for the 95+ trucks is cheap and easy.

My LBZ has been really good to me, and as much as I'd like rowing through the gears in it, I may leave it be and just keep to playing with the Tahoe.

Thats a better idea!

the difference is _

LOL....I`ll look it up.

 

[yellowK20]

Really? It is the same zf6 that Ford was still useing in the Superdutys until fairly recently? If it is, I find it hard to believe there's no parts available.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Maybe he is confusing it with the NV5600 I;ve heard New Venture is no longer supporting that trans .

 

[jekquistk5]

Wait, are you serious? THIS harness costs $1200? Whats so special about it that im missing?

its got PPE's name on it so its going to cost an arm and a leg. Hell just one sticker from them costs like 35 bucks. And their tuners are hella expensive as well.

 

[Russell]

The difference in filters is that the orignal 01/02 trucks had a single element filter, and the new ones are dual element.

 

[GMC1977]

Really? It is the same zf6 that Ford was still useing in the Superdutys until fairly recently? If it is, I find it hard to believe there's no parts available.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

the chevy zf 6 is a different animal than the ford. different input, different bearings and case, different mainshaft. syncros are the same. they make bearing kits and syncros but not even ZF makes the input anymore. and they always seem to be bad. the pilot bearing in the duramax is a roller bearing and it eats into the input badly over time.

 

[GMC1977]

Maybe he is confusing it with the NV5600 I;ve heard New Venture is no longer supporting that trans .

they havent supported that trans for a long time... MOPAR is the only place you can get the syncros. We have to get everything for those transmissions aftermarket from alltrans.

 

[Russell]

So, had a bit of a slow day at work today... So I decided to sit down with some wiring diagrams and figure out all the Duramax wiring. I am pleased to say that my boss figured I was looking at work related wiring diagrams, and that the LB7 / ZF6 wiring is actually considerably simpler than a Gen III engine

LB7 / Allison is also super simple, just two four wires from the ECM to the TCM + the wires that run from the TCM to the transmission.

Now the next step is to nail down which devices need to be fused to which fuses in the Tahoe's factory under hood fuse block and I am done, electrically speaking

So far, the only part of this swap that has me fairly concerned is the intercooler install. I don't think that is gonna just bolt in like the engine and transmission will

 

[DEMON44]

...... Cut....... To.......... Fit.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

 

[y5mgisi]

LB7 / ZF6 wiring is actually considerably simpler than a Gen III engine

Seriously? You will have to document this really well. Could be the next hot swap if the electrical fear gets removed from it!

 

[76zimmer]

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hmmm no worky:

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