6.5 enthusiast
 

Hello all,

I have a 1995 GMC Sierra k3500 with the 6.5 turbo diesel. My wife got into a car accident about 3 years ago and she picked this truck out as her replacement. (She started with a red civic, yuk!)

About a week after taking the truck home it started running like shit. Come to find out that an assholes gas attendant,put regular gas in while my wife walked into the store. She didnt notice until it was too late. The truck then spent 3 or 4 months at a shop being "fixed". They replaced the lift pump, tank, lines, and I'm not even sure what else. Since then I have struggled to keep it on the road.

I have been slowly fixing what I can, cab mounts, rust holes in,floor, new radiator, new balancer and,pulley, new battery cables, new trans cooler, new boost gauge.

I'm in the stage now where I want to dump money into it and get everything done. The oil cooler lines just went so I'll need to replace those. I'm just looking for suggestions on where to start. I'll answer any questions and post pics later.

Thanks my diesel brothers

How about taking that "dump money" and investing in a good pre-owned dodge cummins with the 5.9? The power and torque will leave that 6.5 in the dust, and you wont look back....I promise. Not doggin the 6.5, but the cummins will pull more weight, get good mileage doing it, and not even break a sweat.

Thanks for the reply but this is a 6.5 thread. I already have the truck and it will do the work I need. Even,after spending,money to get it to where I want it will be,less than a used dodge. Not to mention this truck is insanely cheap for parts. So not to be a dick but take that talk elsewhere. Lmao

I hear ya there, but since ya already have it, make whatever upgrades you can performance wise. Youre right regarding the super cheap parts for that rig, compared to to PS and CTD. Besides payments suck!

Dont get me wrong I would greatly appreciate having the 5.9. It is the only engine that actually blows my mind with its design. That said I love the 6.5 for what it is. Cheap design flaws aside the engine is just Damn reliable if you take care of those.
Anyways,

I was looking at the afe intake, are those any more efficient than smoothing a stock upper?

First thing is first though, I want to redo all gaskets and add the thicker head gaskets and lower the compression. If I add the HX 40 I can go slightly higher with boost.

I read recently that its better for mileage to have the vacuum wastegate, right now I have the spring type from the previous owner. Just wanted some thoughts on this because I wanted to chip as well. If I chip I'll have to add a boost fooler right? Is there anything else I would need?

Sounds like you have a good plan in the works. what are your plans/ goals for your rig? If youre gonna tow/ pull heavy, or even race that thing, then yes, a good free flowing after market intake will make a difference, but not really necessary. Smoothing a stock upper and a free flowing serviceable air filter will work for you.....unless you like eye candy Most of us in the diesel family do...
The vacuum wastegate is indeed preferred if your looking for fuel mileage. Im not sure whats in the market for performance chips or programmer for those rigs. Also, a good 4 inch exhaust will help you reach your goal(s), and reward you with a nice growl.....especially with no muffler.