87 FJ60 GM 6.2 Sidewinder Turbo Swap

[NMC_EXP]

I owned an 85 M1009 CUCV military K5 Blazer with the 6.2L. As a result I spent a lot of time on the Steel Soldiers website.

The conventional wisdom there was that the 6.2L is a good engine if you do not push it. It has design flaws that make adding a turbo risky. Same opinion on one of the Chevy diesel forums.

 

[antichrist]

Modified the rear of the truck too

Had the rear tail gate modified removing the license plate inset to allow more room for storage inside the gate

The 4x4 Labs number modified to hold lug wrench modified with a 3/8" socket drive

I put in a power box behind the water container holder

Built LED lights in the hatch door - these are great

 

[NMC_EXP]

That engine color brings back memories of my time as a truck stop pump jockey. Looks to be the factory color of the Detroit Diesel engines back then. Mostly 318 V8s, 238 I6s and a very few V12s. The V12s had twin superchargers and twin turbos.

 

[antichrist]

NMC- I spent time on those sites too and found them to be very useful. You're spot on. I am taking some risks. But also tried to offset with some mitigations
- used the 6.5l dual thermostat to improve cylinder wall cooling
- Used the sidewinder turbo - a low boost turbo
- applied the fluidamper to cut down on vibration induced main bearing web/crank failures

Should these not prevent damage- I guess I'll have to put in a 6.5 which should be a relatively simple fit after getting all this work done

 

[antichrist]

Yup I went to Duplicolor and picked Detroit Diesel Green

 

[Comet]

Your build is absolutely amazing and well thought out. I participated in the diesel page years ago when I owned a N/A 6.2 1/2 ton GMC C1500 longbed. Stanedyne was the stock filter, correct? I remember replacing mine with a Racor that offered the same warning lights in the dash. The Racor unit had several different micron options, had a priming pump to save my starter, and the water separator was clear so I could determine when to drain or swap out filters. I believe I used a huge Baldwin prefilter also. The fuel lines used in VW diesels were my line of choice. Keep up the updates and I look forward to your progress.

 

[antichrist]

My filter delta P sensor went out and the filters are getting more difficult to source. I likely need to go to the Racor when things get skinny. the VW lines are new to me. I did have ti find the right line sizes with a lot of trial and error

 

[Rock40]

I wondered where this thread went, VERY nice work with your swap. You should be pleased

 

[Comet]

I'm sure I have a few feet laying around. May have to invite myself to see your rig in November when my son and I travel through in November. Roanoke VA to Washington PA

 

[antichrist]

Oh Yeah! Drop by and we will give the bottle opener a workout

 

[handcannon]

I'm glad this thread came back up. How's the 6.2 working for you? What are the gears/tire size you are currently using? What kind of RPM's/fuel mileage are you seeing? I really like what you did, although I do have a Ranger to use instead of the Mark's adapter. I'm still no closer to doing anything, medical bills and other bills getting in the way.

Don

 

[antichrist]

Hey I get the priorities. Hope things get better.
I am still working on the tach. The new motor is way better than the old 2F. More torque more HPs. Do not have mileage yet but it's obviously better than the 2F. I have 4:10 in now had 32" tires and just put on 34" and received a3:70 gear set. This should help with speed/ rpm and mileage.

The turbo is definitely a good call

 

[antichrist]

OK I am back after some time behind the wheel. I did get the final drive ratio back to 3:70 and have the 34” tires on. I did a 1/2” body lift to get a better bit of clearance for those tires.

This engine rocks. It took me a bit to learn how to drive a very low end motor- less revs are the watch word. Driving around “Not-a-flat-spot” West Virginia presents some challenge to getting steady easy cruising as such I am getting 16 to 18 mpg. Less than I wanted, but I am really happy with the performance. I cruise at 70 to 75 at revs between 2100 to 2300. When I get a load on the engine, the turbo spools up and the air inrush through the snorkel is awesome along with a smooth increase in power. All around a hellalot better than the 2F.

I am going to switch the Champion aluminum radiator for a Griffin and I have an oil cooler going in too. I am going to need better cooling. The engine has run at rated temperature all winter long without a hint of overheating. However, I have noted that on heavy loads and warmer weather, the engine trends to hot (doesn’t overheat) and I want to assure that this engine is always going to run in the “nominal” range as I am planning to run the AC and to tow an off road trailer (probably not simultaneously).

Above is before the body lift

After the body lift

I have had very few serious “design” or fit issues. One item is my accelerator cable. I fab’d a bracket with a pulley to snake around the water outlet and reserve back to the fuel pump throttle connection. The problem is that the pulley is too small a diameter and the cable frays as it fatigues.

I am going to have to put in a bigger pulley an, likely modify the bracket

 

[Willard]

Nice!

I have solid luck with the Champion radiator. Had luck with it and the diesel. Not in a cruiser though.

 

[handcannon]

More good info there. Still dreaming of swapping to a 6.2/6.5, so your info hits the mark for what I need and hope to eventually do. Currently farther away from doing anything as the wife had a breast cancer scare last fall, and she is without insurance. Oh well, what is a few dollars when good health is more important.

Don

 

[Comet]

I did not travel in November as discussed, you are still on my radar.

 

[jurassic cruiser]

I agree, you won't see 25mpg. You may get 20, but not more.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING, I HAVE A 1HDT and I definitely ain't getting 20 mpg.

 

[antichrist]

I would be very happy with 20. But I am very happy with a motor that gets me down the road at about any reasonable highway speed loaded with my friends and gear even with less mpgs