Engine(Diesel) Conversion Options? (1 Viewer)

[cumminsram06]

I've seen a few people on here who have done a Cummins 6BT swap in their 80 Series and they used the VE pumped non-intercooled version, why is that? Is there really no room for an intercooler? Having had a 96 and now an 06 Ram with the Cummins in it I can say for sure the P7100 pumped motors are so much better as far as performance potential is concerned, but again if an intercooler simply won't fit than there is no need for the bigger/better fuel pump.

So on to the next option. What about a Duramax swap, they make the standalone wiring harnesses for them now so they can be put into anything, I believe all you need aside from the ECM is a gas pedal assembly out of a GM truck. It is more compact than a Cummins, and talk about power potential and fuel mileage. The only issue really would be finding room for that big Alison transmission if you wanted to run it.

Of course the Duramax/Alison combo would be a much more expensive route with a used Duramax and Alison transmission demanding some big money. I am a Cummins fan at heart, it's all I've ever owned and the fact that they can run 500k miles before needing any serious work is a great benefit. Have any of you ever taken one down and seen the internals? The rotating assembly is gigantic, it's no wonder they can take upwards of 60psi of boost.

I'm just thinking aloud here and I plan on looking more into a Duramax swap in the near future, if I can find one for a good price than I may jump on it.

 

[cody c]

The issue of concern is big torque with extra weight and stock axles.
I believe there are some optons for IC's and a cummins, though if your trying to get alot of power in there you will likely want to consider upgrading everything else.

 

[Tapage]

my recomendation for your list it's a 7.3 Ford .. heavy as hell but a 94 mechanical with aftermatket turbo sounds incredible to me ..

 

[scottryana]

I REALLY want to do a turned up 12v Cummins, to a 4L80 Full Manual, and a 271, as a tow rig, its just space, time and money right. Lol.

Ryan.

 

[cumminsram06]

The Cummins platform I can speak on all day, I was a diesel tech at one time and like I mentioned before have owned two. Neither the Duramax or Powerstroke can touch them for reliability or power, although the Duramax is close and this new Ford diesel has some promise. The low end grunt out of those Cummins motors is just awesome, while the Ford and Chevy motors behave more like gassers, revving quicker and higher to make their power.

I would think the added weight of the Cummins motor would be an issue as would be the tremendous torque so low in the rpm range for the factory driveline. The Duramax however like I mentioned before is a much quicker/higher revving motor and doesn't make the torque quite so low. Plus the Duramax has aluminum heads where as the Cummins is all iron, I would bet there is a good difference in weight between them.

Scottryana, I don't know about trying to back up a built Cummins with even a 4L80, the bigger Dodge guys run their 47RE or 48RE's with full billet steel internals. A fully built Dodge transmission to back up a 600+hp Cummins will run north of 6k! That's the big reason a lot of people can't build their trucks so wild, I had twin turbos and a host of fueling upgrades on my 96 and I still had spent more on my transmission than the entire motor! It's insane.

 

[Tapage]

I still had spent more on my transmission than the entire motor! It's insane.

a manual tranny it's the answer then .. something lie NV4500

 

[scottryana]

Cummins,

Yeah, I suppose that the 4L80 might not be the best idea. I just like the idea of a Full Manual and PATC is building them with full billet and upgraded clutches and are rated to 900ft/lbs. That would be plenty for me. If I could get a 12v turned up to 600-700ft/lbs, that was 300,000 miles reliable it would be perfect.

Ryan.

The Cummins platform I can speak on all day, I was a diesel tech at one time and like I mentioned before have owned two. Neither the Duramax or Powerstroke can touch them for reliability or power, although the Duramax is close and this new Ford diesel has some promise. The low end grunt out of those Cummins motors is just awesome, while the Ford and Chevy motors behave more like gassers, revving quicker and higher to make their power.

I would think the added weight of the Cummins motor would be an issue as would be the tremendous torque so low in the rpm range for the factory driveline. The Duramax however like I mentioned before is a much quicker/higher revving motor and doesn't make the torque quite so low. Plus the Duramax has aluminum heads where as the Cummins is all iron, I would bet there is a good difference in weight between them.

Scottryana, I don't know about trying to back up a built Cummins with even a 4L80, the bigger Dodge guys run their 47RE or 48RE's with full billet steel internals. A fully built Dodge transmission to back up a 600+hp Cummins will run north of 6k! That's the big reason a lot of people can't build their trucks so wild, I had twin turbos and a host of fueling upgrades on my 96 and I still had spent more on my transmission than the entire motor! It's insane.

 

[scottryana]

Tapage,

I think that they put the 4500 behind them but they were failing so they put the NV5600 behind them for a little while?

Ryan.

a manual tranny it's the answer then .. something lie NV4500

 

[CruisinGA]

I am in the planning stage to drop a P-pump 12v w/ NV4500 into my '93 FZJ80.

There are problems with the NV 4500 dropping the overdrive gear. There are fixes. - QUAD 4 x4 LLP Your 4x4 Experts

There is one member here with a 6bt mated to the A440F. Neat idea, but requires different torque converter and valvebody. He is having trouble with it and looking to go to a NV4500.

A friend has offered me a deal on a Chevy D60 and 14 bolt. Not sure if I want to use them in the 80 or save them for my 40. A little worried about too much weight on the front axle and long term reliability of the rear end towing with all that Cummins torque.

Also not sure what tcase to use. Haven't been able to find any info on mating the NV4500 to my current tcase, and apparently all the 4x4 Dodges that came with the P-pumped 12v were drivers side drop. Was originally hoping to buy a wrecked 4x4 5 speed Dodge and use the whole drivetrain.


Looking forward to seeing what you do. I think the 80 w/ 6BT should be a great combo for what I need- lots of highway miles, light 4x4 (hunting etc) and towing my 21ft ski boat and FJ40.

 

[boots4]

I am in the planning stage to drop a P-pump 12v w/ NV4500 into my '93 FZJ80.

A friend has offered me a deal on a Chevy D60 and 14 bolt. Not sure if I want to use them in the 80 or save them for my 40. A little worried about too much weight on the front axle and long term reliability of the rear end towing with all that Cummins torque....


Looking forward to seeing what you do. I think the 80 w/ 6BT should be a great combo for what I need- lots of highway miles, light 4x4 (hunting etc) and towing my 21ft ski boat and FJ40.

How do the FJ80 axles do for towing and stopping that kind of weight? I don't have any experience with the FJ80 axles so while the 1 tons do seem overkill for a light wheeler they seem like a good idea for towing and stopping.

 

[CruisinGA]

How do the FJ80 axles do for towing and stopping that kind of weight? I don't have any experience with the FJ80 axles so while the 1 tons do seem overkill for a light wheeler they seem like a good idea for towing and stopping.

I've towed as much weight as I'm ever going to want to tow with my 80 in stock form (drivetrain wise), in the smoky mountains.

The brakes were ok. Good trailer brakes are a must. Regardless of what I do with the axles, hydroboost is happening. The power (or lack thereof) was much more of an issue than the brakes.

Need to compare the weight between a wet 6BT and what's in the truck now. I bet it will be eye-opening.

I'm more concerned about the rear R&P than I am weight on the front axle, unless I decide to start jumping it. 14bolts are cheap and perfect for this app, so that's not that much of a concern. Lug pattern becomes an issue...

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Id do the cummins swap, but im partial to it.

the issues with the duramax and the powerjoke from my knowledge are the width of the engine from it being a big block V8 and how easily it fits into the engine compartment. It can be done but it will be tight. I think the powersmoke is the widest and would give the most issues.

Anyhow i still vote the cummins, I also eventually plan on running one in my 60 who knows when it will happen but it is what i want some day.