4BT is the way to go since you dont really use your truck to tow extreme stuff and gets good fuel mileage. and the extra rattle is a extra bonus just like you i want a truck but because of my lack of money and cost of fuel i will stick to my passat TDI that gets 40 MPG. a okay 4BT is about 1500 dollars on ebay.

there is two types of injection pumps on 4BTs. Rotary and P1700 inline pump. Rotary pump engines dont make as much but can add power for as little as the cost of a screwdriver to turn the pump up. P1700 inline pump will make a lot more power but is probably more expensive. both are great but if you plan on getting any type of serious mods go for the p-pump.

hope it works out for you i wish i was doing the same but i dont have the funds. here are some links of 4BTs

eBay Motors: 4bt Cummins Diesel Engine low mileage NO RESERVE!!!!! (item 280258024649 end time Aug-26-08 09:04:17 PDT)

eBay Motors: CUMMINS 4BT 4B 4BTAA ENGINE AND TURBO 400 66,585 MILES (item 110281887906 end time Aug-27-08 17:07:04 PDT)

eBay Motors: 4BT Cummins Engine (item 250285345275 end time Aug-28-08 05:44:19 PDT)

 

Woody,
Thanks!! I need to sit down and do some math. Before I do, could you make a SWAG (scientific wild *** guess) as to the possible mpg of a 4BT in a 1/2 ton truck?

We just gassed up the Jetta TDI and the ol'girl did 50 mpg! Damn - that's hard to beat. I have to smirk every time we drive by one of those hybrid wonders cars pulling mid 30's.

 

my SWAG is 25 MPG ?????? dont put too much weight on that guess since there is so many varibles. i mean you havent even picked what type of 4BT you are getting or tranny. The thing i can tell you though is it is going to get a lot better MPG than the 15 MPG you get on the highway with that 350 you got.

 

Woody,
OK - I just wanted to have some level of expectation to check my math. I'll gonna try to draw up a list of materials and performace figures to see if this is a worthwhile effort.

... oh and also go to work and work on the home (boat) while I'm at it.
I'll pass some word when I get some numbers.

Thanks Woody!

 

hope it works out for you

 

a former co-worker of mine drove his dad's 93 chevy 1/2 ton out here from CO and got 35mpg. it's a stock turbo 4bt with the chevy 5 speed and highway gears.

even with a stock 4bt you'll be fine on power. but you'll want to turn it up a little bit, as a mildly modified engine combined with conservative driving will get you the best mileage.

assuming your truck is an auto, it's a 4L60E, being a chevy hotrod gearhead, I've rebuilt a few and am fairly familiar with these transmissions; I wouldn't be comfortable with one behind a 4BT, by the time you build up the internals it'd be cheaper to go with a 4L80E (overdriven, electronic controlled Turbo 400, basically). I'll have to dig it up and get back to you but one of the major chevy trans aftermarket companies makes an inexpensive wiring harness to use a 4L80e in a 4L60E truck and reflashes your computer, a few of the wiring connectors here and there are different. or you may just want to get a standalone TCU (trans control unit) so you have full programmable control over shift points/shift firmness. there are aftermarket TCU's or the 91-93 chevy diesels have standalone TCU's for the 4L80e behind the non-computer controlled diesel.

 

dude, Ive got a 5.9 cummins in my work truck. It gets decent mileage, it's mainly used for towing. The swap is reasonably straight forward, I used an older motor,(91-93) easier cuz no electronics. I put a 5 speed out of 95 dodge behind it. gets about 14, doesnt exactly have highway gears tho, tops out around 80

 

Hi I saw your posting regarding the conversion information. I am changing out my truck (1998 K3500 4x4) to DB2 (mechanical IP. I have a 1993 ECU coming and I need the plugs and wires and was hoping I could just splice them in for tranny (4L80E) control only for my truck.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

I found a guy that will reflash my ECM cheap! I think that hurdle is solved.

 

Hi, Ive read your posts guys, and I have some questions too...

I have a 97 f350 with a PowerStroker with AT... It sucks I want more power, and I dont want to make a lot of wiring, I think the 6bt would be great for me, but I want another tranny either... Maybe a manual one, to make a good use of the cummins, do you know which one should I install with the 6bt?? I dont know if matters but my truck is 4x4, is there a lot of trouble if i decide to change my old trans?? I really really need some advice, and also some where I can get them....

Thanks!!!!