1972 one ton Chevy duramax
 

Hey everyone I'm new to the site and was just trying to get thoughts on my project I'm starting....I have a 1972 c30 one ton Chevy with a 350/400 combo in it now but I want a tire shreddin monster!!! So I was thinkin keeping it GM and puttin a 6.6 dmax in the ol girl I have a donor truck located just wanted to have some input before I start the project!! Thanks!!!!

I despise electronics in my diesels.... seems counterproductive to complicate such a simple, robust machine and undermine its reliability. I would put in a cummins 12-valve... my 2 cents.

I actually had that originally planned even bought the truck it's a 93 5spd bone stock with 275k I just thought it'd be cool to keep it gm I'm tryin to see if the cummins will fit in a 64 dodge pickup I might need the 4bt even with a donor max would it be extremely difficult with electronics you think?? And thanks for the input and any help!!

There's too much Isuzu and electronics in the Dmax for me to call it a GM :w2:

4BT's are rare in these parts and command big $$$$. I would sacrifice the intercooler and squeeze the 6BT in there - even if it meant a little firewall work. :c:

No joke about the cost of the 4bt $3000 for one around kc that's a lil nutty and yeah my firewall mods will be done with a BFH prolly haha

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Alright I'm goin to start posting pictures as I go along with the fun project from start to finish!! If I can figure out how to that is haha:s:

i woudln't be scared of the electronics in a newer diesel engine. they make them much more efficient and you can easilyi change the tune for towing, daily driving and racing. a mechanical diesel, you're stuck with whatever you have it turned up to, so when you want to tow, you have to constnatly watch yourEGT's if you have it maxed out. with an electronic diesel, just turn the knob and you're good to go.

but i grew up working on electronics in vehicles so they don't bother me a bit and i like the diagnostic advantages they offer.

I'm an electrician, and a marine engineer. I enjoy my wiring, controls, and automation. But, I prefer my diesels to remain the reliable mechanical marvels that they are. When you own, operate, maintain, and repair the machinery it is a different ballgame.

Pardon my cynicism, but IMO, electronics are good for the automotive industry marketing machine. Reliable bulletproof machinery that lasts forever... well, they haven't made a 1st-gen Dodge/Cummins for many years now. :w2:

Im stuck between a 12 valve ctd and a 6.6 duramax the duramax with allison would be awesome but the upgrades cost are so much higher then a 12 valve i dont know yet i got the cab off anf fixing some rust and what not ive got an old 12 valve on hand but also got a buddy sellin a 6.6 and allison but no harness or anything:argh: how much do the harness and everything run for a dmax???

If you consider yourself a mere mortal, and want to maintain the vehicle yourself - get a 12valve and save yourself a ton of aggravation. :tu:

Haha very true and i mean i already got the motor and it will require less fab work then a dmax im happy i got input haha idk we will see what kinda deal i can get outta the dmax do you know anything bout a 5.7 chevy diesel?? Is it just a 350 block with diesel heads???

It is basically a heavy casting Olds 350, with different heads. You can build a stout gas engine with that block.

Didn't do well as a diesel. Some people say if you ARP stud the mains and heads, they will hang together.

The BCM is indeed pretty difficult to handle. Whenever something goes wrong i try to open it and always end up messing the wiring.

.. then you may give it a try, dunno how good it is going to end with

O no its my brother in laws truck he bought a old chevy scottsdale and it has a 5.7 diesel has no balls at all and he blew the head gaskets i didnt know if it was worth my time to fix or just transform into a different project i cant find much on the 5.7:argh:

Old page, but some info...
http://a350diesel.tripod.com/perfupg.html

The GM 6.2/6.5, and Ford 6.9/7.3 IDI have similar Stanadyne fuel systems.

Turbocharging is a help on any diesel, but boost will have to be very conservative to avoid head gasket failures on the 5.7.

Update!! Update!! UPDATE!!!!! Haha i found an older cat motor on the farm....it does need rebuilt and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas ill get the size and what not tomorrow its a 8 cylinder out of a 2 1/2 ton ford dump truck. It would be free but i am not sure on a rebuild kit or if its worth that if ya'll think its worth it i will have a 12v with bout 175k on it for grabs!! Thanks for any input

Cat 3208? They are a HUGE engine for a pickup, and not especially powerful for the size. Not all are turbocharged, and I understand they have less than the normal 3 piston rings.

I had a 3208 fantasy once... an F650 cabover I could have had for a song. I passed on it. Then came 6.2L diesels, then 7.3L Powerstokes... now I'm pretty set on mechanical inlines and the 6BT cummins is exceptional. :c:

My dad and I got a old diesel jimmy from the 80s with a old 6.2 diesel we put in a turbo, custom injectors, head studs, o-ring, propane, and 4.10 gears it ripped any where the only problem was it didn't last long, but 18,000 miles on high compression pistons with high boost WOT most the time with a shitty motor Isn't to bad.

Yeah i walked away from the cat a rebuild was like $1400 not totally worth it to me so in goes the 12v gonna add a p-pump injectors turbo and some other goodies i want an automatic trans i thought about an allison but the adapter is kinda pricey right?? What would be the best in ya'lls opinion??

I love the Allison it's my favorite auto tranny but it shifts a little to slow for me if your pulling a trailer or 5th wheel the Allison would be your bet. If your just using it as a daily driver or street racer I'd use the same tranny it came with and just have it upgraded a little
That's just my 2 cents :tu:

Flikkie: I say build what you want. Everybody has their own likes and dislikes. There is an engine(Not Mine)0n Bismanonline.com ad # 1109796. It's in Strausburg, ND. Pencil you numbers and see if your wallet has the same likes as you and git r done.

47RH makes most sense to me. No electronics. Tall overdrive. No custom adapters.

That said, I'm done with autos. Manual trans is all I want nowadays - especially with a diesel.

Well i pulled the trigger on the dmax i found a donor truck at a junkyard!! It was a rear damaged 06 had 256k but it runs and sounds great and the motor and trans had no leaks it limps along in 4x4 due to the rear of the truck being gone basically so now that i got this is it going to be easier to fab up my own motor mounts or buy a set?? And i thought of air ride suspension all the way around ill probably just leave the truck 2wd be way easier and im goin to leave my fuel tank behind the seat and i wanted to put side pipes on it since the fuel tank wont be in the way ill start getting pictures posted im currently doin body work on the 72 want to get it primed and prepped with no rust or any problems before i start!!!!

How far along are ya?

Been super busy with planting season right now ive only got the er tore down to frame and powdercoating frame and doing body work right now ill try to get pics posted asap!! I wanna rig up true duel exhaust on the dmax motor going in anybody have any ideas on this??? O yeah and i think i may use the captains chairs and center counsel outta the new chevy but then again might keep the benchseat so the wife can sit next to me ;)

True dual exhaust doesn't exist with a single turbo lol! That said, you can split it up anywhere you want after the turbo.

I would put a fuel tank out back like a fullsize Blazer/Jimmy. 31 gallons or so. Years ago I put one in my '91 crewcab. Very good mod. :tu:

O no i know i have to have twins on the dmax for true duals but i was wondering how to go about it is all cuz on twins dont you have to have them like synced together so they spool at the same time and everything??

The 'twins' 99% of people run are compounds... one feeding the other. Still only a single exhaust.

We have industrial V12 and V16 engines at work. They have a turbo for each bank of cylinders. There isn't much boost for these applications (marine, genset and propulsion). You'd need a pair of pretty small turbos on your Dmax and it wouldn't be as effective as normal twins.

So twins wouldnt be near as good as compounds even if motor was built? I just wanted something you dont see very often but i guess poppin the hood of a 72 usually there isnt a dmax hiding in there haha

What about twin compounds?? Yes i know a single compound setup would put more than enough air into the motor but what about a small compound setup on each side of the motor make an intake that runs each side of cylinders and rig up an intercooler some how idk if this has been done being as i havnt researched it at all just a thought