i have a 1994 chevy 3500 dually with a ton of mods. truck is lifted about 15 inches and has semi rim conversion. truck has about 16k invested including new house of kolor paint, brand new alcoa rims and new tires, lift, etc. What i want to do is swap a duramax 7.8 inline 6 motor and manual transmission into it. i know everyone on here is going to say just swap a cummins or 6.6 duramax but i am interested in only the 7.8 duramax swap. i want to know how hard it would be to fit this engine and how the suspension will hold up. i will have a solid axle dana 60 swap before the engine install. just need to know how well you think the truck will take to this swap and how hard it will be to fit the manual transmission and engine under it. also i know the engine weighs about 1180 lbs but do not know exact length and width of it. also i figure i will have to run the newer style transmission but is it completely impossible to run it on a built nv4500? thanks ahead of time to anyone who can shed some light on this topic

 

Tell me you're looking into the ''high torque" version right?

Engine Power 275 HP @ 2200 RPM
Torque 860 Pound feet @ 1450 RPM

 

yes am going to run the 275hp high torque version.

 

Hi I had a 8.9 isl 400 Hp with a compression Jake Brake that I was thinking about putting in my Hd3500 I would guess this thing is close to the size of the ISL if you look at one out of the truck you will think how will it fit I really thought about it but after measuring everything i would have had to cut the firewall up and remove the heater box inside and my cab come from the factory with about a 4" body lift i have a 9 speed that i had hooked to it and my 2500 lb forklift was grunting picking it up.i guess if i had the option of the D-max or the cummins i would go with the cummins and have almost twice the power and a Jake brake.anyhow thats my opion on the larger motor.good luck with it though i went with A 5.9

 

that 8.9 is a huge size difference over the 7.8 and not to mention the 9 speed would have been HUGE. the 7.8 duramax weighs 1180 lbs which is not to much more than the 6.7 cummins and am going to run the 6 speed eaton transmission which is no where near as big as that 9 speed. I AM NOT RUNNING A CUMMINS OR A SMALLER DURAMAX. THIS POST IS FOR A 7.8 DURAMAX SWAP

 

Ok since your set on it ,this is the info i found it looks like the weight is 1400#s thats what the isl weighs If you get it in send me a picture
Type 6 CYLINDER, 6 CYCLE, WATER COOLED, OHC, COMMON RAIL, TURBOCHARGED
Bore Stoke 115 MM X 125 MM
Engine Displacement 7.8 L
Compression Ratio 17.5:1
Dry Weight (1411 LBS)
Dimensions - L x W x H
54'' long x 34"wide x 42" Tall
Coolant Capacity (Block) 14.5 L
Lube Oil Capacity 38 L

 

thanks where did you find those specs at? here are the only specs i could find on it

Duramax Diesel 7800 Specifications
Duramax 7800 200 Horsepower
Displacement 7.8 Liters / 475.9 Cubic Inches
# of Cylinders 6 In Line
Bore 4.53 Inches
Stroke 4.92 Inches
Compression Ratio 16.0 : 1
Dry Weight 1180 pounds
Fuel Grade # 2 Diesel
Engine Power 200 HP @ 2200 RPM
Torque 520 pound Feet @ 1450 RPM
Governed full load setting 2400 RPM
No Load Governing speed 2550 RPM
Low-Idle, Curb Idle 600 RPM


the stats i found says 1180 pounds but i never could find any width length like you did that helps greatly much appreciated. i know there is going to be a lot of massaging under the hood but truck is beautiful and want a rare engine combo that is not an everyday swap. also think that the 7.8 although will be expensive to mod besides diablo programmer...i think if i went with a nice headjob and had bosch make me some injectors, spin the turbo a bit more,have a computer mapped and possibly custom ground cams this could be a monster engine. thanks for your help on the specs. any more input is appreciated.

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thanks where did you find those specs at? here are the only specs i could find on it and it was just the regular duramax 7800 not the high torque

Duramax Diesel 7800 Specifications
Duramax 7800 200 Horsepower
Displacement 7.8 Liters / 475.9 Cubic Inches
# of Cylinders 6 In Line
Bore 4.53 Inches
Stroke 4.92 Inches
Compression Ratio 16.0 : 1
Dry Weight 1180 pounds
Fuel Grade # 2 Diesel
Engine Power 200 HP @ 2200 RPM
Torque 520 pound Feet @ 1450 RPM
Governed full load setting 2400 RPM
No Load Governing speed 2550 RPM
Low-Idle, Curb Idle 600 RPM


the stats i found says 1180 pounds but i never could find any width length like you did that helps greatly much appreciated. i know there is going to be a lot of massaging under the hood but truck is beautiful and want a rare engine combo that is not an everyday swap. also think that the 7.8 although will be expensive to mod besides diablo programmer...i think if i went with a nice headjob and had bosch make me some injectors, spin the turbo a bit more,have a computer mapped and possibly custom ground cams this could be a monster engine. thanks for your help on the specs. any more input is appreciated.

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sorry 4 the double post was just trying 2 edit saying that the stats i found were 4 the lower torque version and may be the difference in weight somehow

 

i am super crammed on room in my chevy (same generation) with just a 5.9l cummins. i can barely clear the radiator in front and firewall in back. im sure you can get it to fit but youll probably have alot of trimming to do.

 

Put a dana 70 in front

 

hey you need to post some pictures