1990 Suburban Silverado V2500 project

[TrustySub]

Hello diesel fans. I'm skeptical to start my own thread but after reading and investigating for 3 months...I think there is room for more/better information - I will attempt but can't promise. I started my search for a 6.5 turbo engine when I considered getting a rust free Sub to go-the-distance. We had our 84 Sub through 3 kids and 10 years of Alaska living and is now rusting as fast as the grass grows here on the coast for the last 4+ years.

The 6.5 and the Optimizer ("O" from here on) 6500 are one in the same since about the year 2000. But shopping around on the internet really poses problems for the shopper when people think their leftovers are worthy of a price tag from shops that are remanufacturing them in better than backyard environments. I really had to chew on PD's $6500 price tag for an "O" when funds are scarce and many cheaper options exist. Deciding new from reman is another tough proposition when you have to trust the builders professionalism. Reputations are tough to discern and looking at who gets what contracts can help sift the weaker businesses. As much as I would love to start with a virgin block...I have no machine shop tools to accomplish the best build possible and considering I have no junk yards in less than a 100 miles radius...something needs to be found. Also, since I have no reliable spare parts laying around to scrounge from (the junk 6.2 isn't an option) I needed to decide how the engine should look and perform.

I want my truck to haul 5K without much sweat...our drive down the Alcan toasted my '84 Sub 6.2NA. I was hauling a u-haul trailer with my 68 Bronco and every orifice packed with belongings for the move down. I didn't think it funny to be WOT on every hill and watching the temp gauge go 225F and having vehicles line up behind while I searched for the next place to pull over to let them by. By the time I hit Grants Pass, I could see the exhaust manifolds heat up bright red on the top of every hill. So, more power is a goal. Therefore, a 6.5 with a turbo and serpentine setup is what I want.

Next time: Going shopping

 

[ak diesel driver]

what part of AK were you in?

 

[TrustySub]

Geez...I said 10 years....make that 16 years!!!

I spent my first 6 in Anchorage. Active Duty and living life like there was no tomorrow....

When I got out, the state hit it's recession, and I couldn't keep a job to save my mortgage. I signed back on the dotted line for the Air Guard within the 30 day mark and retained all my time. Retrained as a powerlineman in Witchita Falls, TX, and came back home to be lucky enough to work almost a year's worth of man-days.
When the Guard took over the Alaska Tanker Task Force at Eielson AFB (in Fairbanks), my Christmas present was to be notified of being the third hired hand to start up the Supply Warehouse. I drove out of cloudy, dreary Anchorage in my 68 Bronco and arrived into North Pole with clear skies & sunshine on Jan 2, 1987 at 40 below zero!
My wife & firstborn arrived a month later and we spent the following 4 years living in a handmade log cabin with 3 rooms and a toilet, while having 2 more kids (arctic nights get long ya know). I have rebuilt engines in our living room and done head replacements in snowstorms. Lived through -72F and getting frostbite while trying to steam thaw our water and sewer lines. Then life got nasty and wife turned into an ex...

My current & last wife to have me, will, we left Alaska because of my health. Too damn cold for my back. We still have 2 houses up there, my 3 kids, and 6 grandkids. Now I will always have a reason to go back and enjoy family and all the outdoors. I need this 90 Sub to be in top form for at least a dozen trips up & back. I have hunting & fishing skills to pass on to my grandkids.

 

[ak diesel driver]

sounds like you got a taste of it

 

[TrustySub]

I spent over an hour typing out my update and this website "trashed" it? Arghhhhh

 

[great white]

Money it tight all over, but if you want another rig to last you 10 years and be able to tow with confidence you really should consider saving up for an Optimizer.

Another option is a military take out optimizer.

Those can be found on auction from anywhere from 500 bucks to a couple grand.

There's also a few resellers out there selling take out optimizers they have bought in bulk for a couple grand.

Then, remote mount PMD and rebuild the front end components. Make sure the turbo is in good shape or swap on a fresh GM8 or ATT.

Maybe upgrade the lift pump to a walbro.

Replace of verify all the lines are good on the chassis.

Sprinkle whatever other bits you want for comfort and appearance in there and enjoy it.

Cheers

 

[TrustySub]

HA..You make that sound soooooooooo easy neighbor! Besides, I really don't have the time to modify the A/C to fit the stock GM stuff. I already purchased a brand new Banks Sidewinder (turbo to tailpipe) to take care of the clearance issues and to be able to just bolt in. But back to what you were saying about the Optimizer, the "O" was reinvented around the year 2000. Every 6.5 stamped from that point on is considered to be an Optimizer primarily due to metal composition and thickness in the most critical areas. Where it starts getting shady is the definition people place on the Optimizer without consideration for NA versus turbo applications. This really got me thinking and researching as to what or where the truth really is. I will attempt to define all of this in another reply soon.

Until then...thanks for jumping in with your thoughts.