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'99 Chev CC SB K2500 cummins repower

mfgguru

mfgguru

Makin' it better!
Messages
359
Reaction score
7
Location
Winkler, MB, Canada
Hi Guys,

Not sure who is all checkin' the conversion section, but I thought I would introduce my upcoming project. My 6.5 cracked a block or head or something, so that was all the coaxing I needed to look at other options. I recently bought a 1992 dodge D350 cummins with 224000kms on the clock as a doner truck. Got my TCI trans control ordered as I am keeping the 4L80E and I am dealing on a bread truck adapter kit. I will be tackling this project over Christmas break, so hopefully all goes well. If anyone has any advice or thoughts on the project, feel free to chime in. I will try to get pics of the process loaded as I have time. This is my daily driver, so when she comes apart, I am commited to finishing it by the time my holidays are over. We'll see how it goes.

Cheers,
Mike
 
Yikes Mike!!

I feel bad for ya. Let me know when you need a hand ok?

I'm gonna be jealous when it's done.:smile5:

edit: Are you parting the 6.5 then? I may "need" a few things hehehe.
 
Dieseldad97 said:
Yikes Mike!!

I feel bad for ya. Let me know when you need a hand ok?

I'm gonna be jealous when it's done.:smile5:

edit: Are you parting the 6.5 then? I may "need" a few things hehehe.
Click to expand...

Yep, I will be parting out everything related. I will post it in the 6.5 classifieds when I am ready.
I am sooo stoked about this project. I will keep you guys in the loop.
 
mfgguru said:
Hi Guys,

Not sure who is all checkin' the conversion section, but I thought I would introduce my upcoming project. My 6.5 cracked a block or head or something, so that was all the coaxing I needed to look at other options. I recently bought a 1992 dodge D350 cummins with 224000kms on the clock as a doner truck. Got my TCI trans control ordered as I am keeping the 4L80E and I am dealing on a bread truck adapter kit. I will be tackling this project over Christmas break, so hopefully all goes well. If anyone has any advice or thoughts on the project, feel free to chime in. I will try to get pics of the process loaded as I have time. This is my daily driver, so when she comes apart, I am commited to finishing it by the time my holidays are over. We'll see how it goes.

Cheers,
Mike
Click to expand...

Best of luck on the swap there Mike. A few things to consider, obviously its going to be a tight fit so measure 5 times then weld:thumbsup: Also, using the bread truck bellhousing to mate the 4l80e to the 6bt will put either the tranny or the engine at a 7 degree angle. Be prepared for this. Some people claim they can do this without a body lift, others claim its impossible to do without as the hood doesn't close. your call. You may want to consider beefing up the front suspension as well to assist supporting that 1100lb engine. Your also going to need to either go with electric fans for cooling, or move the engine and tranny back a few inches(about 5" to be safe) to allow the engine driven fan room between the radiator and ...well the fan. Tranny tunnel will need a little... persuasion after that if ya know what I mean

Have fun with it and definatly get pictures and videos to share.
GMCtrk:
 
BigBlueChevy said:
Best of luck on the swap there Mike. A few things to consider, obviously its going to be a tight fit so measure 5 times then weld:thumbsup: Also, using the bread truck bellhousing to mate the 4l80e to the 6bt will put either the tranny or the engine at a 7 degree angle. Be prepared for this. Some people claim they can do this without a body lift, others claim its impossible to do without as the hood doesn't close. your call. You may want to consider beefing up the front suspension as well to assist supporting that 1100lb engine. Your also going to need to either go with electric fans for cooling, or move the engine and tranny back a few inches(about 5" to be safe) to allow the engine driven fan room between the radiator and ...well the fan. Tranny tunnel will need a little... persuasion after that if ya know what I mean

Have fun with it and definatly get pictures and videos to share.
GMCtrk:
Click to expand...

Thank you for the input. I need all I can get. I found a vendor from a different site that sells conversion motor mounts that use the stock 6.5 mounts. Not sure if I will go this route, but he claims there is no need for a body lift and everthing is near stock location. It may pose a problem with the aformentioned fan clearance, and I dont' really want to use electrics. I may see some clearance issues resolved because of my use of the auto trans and not havning the linkages etc to worry about. Moving it back insn't a big deal, the crossmember just bolts to the frame. The only issue may be having to shorten the drive shaft.

Any idea how heavy the 6.5 is? I didn't think the cummins was more than 500lbs more. What can I do to beef up the front other than crank the t-bars?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Just a thought, I would do the head gasket on the cummins before you put it in just cause the miles. At least that is my plan once I tear into mine.
 
Golddigger said:
Just a thought, I would do the head gasket on the cummins before you put it in just cause the miles. At least that is my plan once I tear into mine.
Click to expand...

Not to worry, a cummins is good for half a million as longs as it hasn't overheated. Remember I am in a KMs not miles, that translates to 140000 miles. Barely broke in.
 
A tally of my costs so far. Remember guys, I am a canadian so the dollar amounts are canadian funds.

Doner Truck $1800
Trans Control $500
Adapter kit $450
Motor Mounts? $325 (still deciding on cost vs easy fit)
Total $3075

Do you guys think I should buy the mounts or not?

I still have the doner truck to part out and all my 6.5 stuff to sell.
6.5 stuff that will be for sale: marine injectors, lube specialist cooler kit, rebuilt IP, remote PMD and cooler, FTB fuel manager, dual therm crossover, manifolds, homemade T/M, and maybe some other stuff. I will post with prices in the 6.5 classifieds when I am ready to start the part out process.
 
mfgguru said:
Not to worry, a cummins is good for half a million as longs as it hasn't overheated. Remember I am in a KMs not miles, that translates to 140000 miles. Barely broke in.
Click to expand...

That is a good low mileage transplant. I've been looking at destroked and fordcummins for my swap to get the kits with the adapter ect, to make my swap alot easier.
 
mfgguru said:
Yep, I will be parting out everything related. I will post it in the 6.5 classifieds when I am ready.
I am sooo stoked about this project. I will keep you guys in the loop.
Click to expand...

are you planning on "bombing" it?

sorry...I'm a diesel HP junkie :eek:





):h
 
If by bombing it you mean turning up the fuel screw and watching her smoke):h, not right away, but you can bet your butt it's in my plans!:thumbsup: Can't hardly wait to have something with real decent power. Not to knock the 6.5, but this is a different league of diesels. :smile5:

Pepperidge said:
are you planning on "bombing" it?

sorry...I'm a diesel HP junkie :eek:





):h
Click to expand...
 
mfgguru said:
If by bombing it you mean turning up the fuel screw and watching her smoke):h, not right away, but you can bet your butt it's in my plans!:thumbsup: Can't hardly wait to have something with real decent power. Not to knock the 6.5, but this is a different league of diesels. :smile5:
Click to expand...


I'll second that my friend. I take it that means your sticking with the 4l80e? Its not a bad trans just make sure you get her built before you even touch that fuel screw. Its all fun and games till the tranny blows up:eek:

I'd say if your concerned about having the driveshaft shortened you may be in for a bit more trouble putting the ENGINE in there):h Just kidding, have fun with it and be sure to take lots of pictures to show off.
 
BigBlueChevy said:
I'll second that my friend. I take it that means your sticking with the 4l80e? Its not a bad trans just make sure you get her built before you even touch that fuel screw. Its all fun and games till the tranny blows up:eek:

I'd say if your concerned about having the driveshaft shortened you may be in for a bit more trouble putting the ENGINE in there):h Just kidding, have fun with it and be sure to take lots of pictures to show off.
Click to expand...

I am using the 4L80E and have been told it will do well. When I put that trans is the truck, it was supposed to have had some HD upgrades. I will be upping the cooling capacity too. No worries about the driveshaft, easy easy. Just want to have the mech fan, but that may be pushing. We'll see.

Pics will be in the future. I am having a hard time waiting for this!:mad2:
 
It will do well. I have seen the 4l80e used in quite a few times in Cummins swaps. There great, but if you plan on turning huge power, plan to "turn" in the other direction toward the 47rh. As for sticking with a mechanical fan, your going to need to bump the tranny back a few inches(5" IIRC) and "persuade" the tranny tunnel to accept it being farther back if you get where I'm coming from. If you want electrics, you can use them. It wont be as much flow as the stock fan, but there are some that flow a hell of alot of air. Plenty to keep that thing cool.

Another thing to consider that alot of people leave out is oil cooling. Engine oil does just as much cooling as the coolant itself. A large, thermostat controlled oil cooling system that will keep your engine oil at 180 degree's will make the engine very happy. It'll make everything run smoother as well. Just food for thought :thumbsup:
 
The cummins engine come with a coolant based oil cooler on the side of the block. The cummins doesn't have an issue with over heating, I have heard some people not even running a fan for short periods without an issue. Thanks for the advice. It would seriousely go against my grain to put a dodge trans in. I would probably get the 4L built before I would do that. Not a dodge fan, but who can say anything bad about cummins, right?

Cheers
Mike
 
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