I agree a 4 cylinder is out of the question.
The 6bd1t from isuzu is an option but longer then the cummins counterpart the 6bt.
But i am not sure the hp that can be had from the isuzu. Nice thing is it is an on road setup.

I have no knowledge of cats

Ken

 

Good to know that a 4 cyl is outta the question, figured I was dreaming on that frontier, does any know anything about the 4.9 inline 6 iszuzu? Is that the engine mentioned above? I don't remember the engine code that was on ours in the box truck at the dealership but it did good and if durable, being mechanically injected would a way swap and easy to crank up. More boost and add some fuel 😎

 

Research the engine and the injection pump. Bosch models tend to be able to be turned up a bunch. Others, not so much.

 

Cat industrial engines may pose a problem with weight distribution, the motor mounts are at the far front of the engine.

 

Cat 3054 is a 4.4L 4-banger. Might be feasible in a pickup.

IMO, rethink the 700R4 idea. Even the 4BT guys seem to stay away from them.

 

good to know. Must be the tq they just can't handle it. Pry just have to run a shallow gear with a built th400. The mounting issue could be taking care of with a little fab work. How much power are any of the 6.5 good for? Are they worth anything​ as far as power and reliability at the same time? If I get a military k5 it's be easy to do the swap.

 

Yes, you do sound new to diesels. Its only since electronic diesel technology ramped up (last 15 years?) that 300-400hp is commonplace. The 12-valve cummins is one of the few older mechanical engines that will go there affordably. That's why diesel guys like them.
I fear you've already been spoiled by your wife's Duramax.

TH700 can't take much diesel abuse. Start googling. Should be okay with moderate hp goals. The OD, lockup, and deeper 1st gear are especially helpful with a diesel.

TH400 with a 6.2NA blows. Been there with suburban... tried 4.10 and 3.21 ratios. It simply robs too much of the factory 130hp. Putting in the SM465 manual trans made it reasonable. Went from 11-12mpg to 17, and more power. This experience, and my gladly-departed 7.3PSD/E4OD van are why I only run manual trans with diesels nowadays.

I have two co-workers with turbo'ed 6.2 trucks. One is a 80's K20 w/TH700, the other is a '91 C30 w/4L80E. Both have mechanical injection pumps. They are happy as far as fuel economy, low maintenance, and the work they can do with them. These are both sub-200hp trucks.

The stock 6.5TD got to 195hp by the late 90's. I've driven these from time-to-time. My biggest problem with them is the erratic shifting of the 4L80E (maybe it can be programmed better?), and the 'disposable' nature of the electronic injection pump and the PMD.

Getting back to the mil 6.2 K5.... I would suggest a SM465 swap, a turbo setup, and call it good.

 

The only reason i stated a 4 cylinder woildnt work above is the HP he mentioned. If you lower your expectations to say 200-225 that should be no problem for a 4cylinder 4bd1t or cat like above. And should be plenty to move around a full size.

 

None of the overdrive automatics hold up well under a high output diesel, which is the reason most semi's use manual transmissions, the TH400 is pretty much a bulletproof transmission, but gear range doesn't work all that well with a diesel for fuel economy.

 

Thanks for the comments. Sorry I haven't been here to comment back, the dmax is hurt and I'm trying to get it sorted out, that kinda puts my mind on hold till I get that worked out. I am spoiled by the Duramax, that thing is awesome , 18+mpg and it'll out ran a lot of stuff on the road. I'm scared that being used to her truck will ruin any fun I could have with a 200ish HP diesel. I've seen what they can do first hand now and I want more I didn't realize it was harder to get power out of a mechanical injected unit. Maybe I could consider other options depending on cost as far as a electronic engine set up. And I totally didn't think about a transmission​ like a 4l80e, since they are affordable and stand alone controllers aren't outrageous in price. Hoping to be k5 shopping in the next few months. This winter or spring would be great. Then I can get really serious about all this!