Add turbo to 95 6.5 NA engine?

[Ken_86gt]

I have a 95 Sierra 1500 with a 6.5 NA diesel, L49. I was thinking about adding a turbo to this truck. I am leaning towards swapping parts from a turbo motor (I don't have one yet). Besides swapping parts do I need to worry about anything else? Maybe a turbo master? Does the computer need to be reprogrammed to handle this? I see the thread on DIY chip programming and would consider trying this if someone would point me in the right direction of what needs to be changed. I don't think I can swap the chip from a turbo'd truck as I have a 4L60 tranny that I don't plan on swapping.

 

[WarWagon]

If you are putting a turbo on it I would go with something besides the POS factory turbo. Thus no turbomaster needed. At least for the non waste gate turbos. Other larger turbo's give you power over 2200 RPM where the factory turbo is choking the engine to death on drive pressure.

You should swap out intake manifolds to a vin F and get rid of the EGR.

You will go from 20 MPG NA to 15 MPG turbo.

Swap over to a 4L80E while you are at it :hihi:

 

[GM Guy]

I would say unless you are needing to power for towing, I would leave it NA. heck, I tow with mine and it is NA. total combo is over 10K lbs for sure, and it pulls it great!

for fuel economy and simplicity sake, leave it NA.

can you swing another rig? what I have done is just buy a heavy 3/4 or 1 ton to use for towing, get the big brakes and bigger transmissions for durability, longevity, and safety. then I keep the half ton stock for good run around fuel economy.

good luck!

 

[Ken_86gt]

Thank you for the replies. I am actually thinking adding the turbo just for fun. I don't tow very often, and when I do if I can pull 5K I should be fine.

 

[orrum]

I have na 6.2 and pull great, maybe slow in serious mountains but it tows and when not towing I honestly get 24 mpg with a duallie! I do drive like grandpa n baby her! LOL

 

[GM Guy]

Orrum is probably the heaviest puller with a NA engine here on the forum.

how heavy do you think truck, trailer, and load was Orrum? I am betting north of 10K, possibly north of 15K lbs. ?

 

[handcannon]

Bill, what rear end gear ratio do you have? 4.10?

Don

 

[orrum]

My weight was just over 14500, she could pull it in very bad mountains but I would be doing 15 mph in second, not a lot of throttle either, just had to let her eat the mountain on her own easy way!!!!! Did not overheat either, would go to 210-220 and hover there, if I tried to floor it it just got hotter n no more speed. Point tho was I was running as Turbine Doc calls it my veggie oil witches brew!!!! LOL Don I got the granny gear rearend whatever that is. I do 55 mph unloaded at 2600 rpms. I did Fancy Gap with that load, boys you might have higher mountains out west but you aint got no grade like that for 7 awfully long miles!!!!! Now I reduced my 14500 plus after that n left the mobile fuel cell in Va. That got rid of 2300 pounds. I pull way more than that in the flatlands here cause I hook to my 24 ft mild steel gooseneck horse trailer with living quarters n 3 horses n go weekend trail riding. Never would try that with any serious grades. She pulls good just gotta let her gradually get up to 60mph n then you can roll over hill n dale on the interstate!!! Got about 14.5 mpg on The Trip, thats was for 4200 miles loaded to the gills!!! You do not need a turbo in these trucks for harry homeowner use. But you gotta be patient n drive smart.

 

[orrum]

Oh yes n thats with over 300000 on her. The Lil 6.2 has 320000 on her now!

 

[sshewins]

I think I can, I think i can, I think i can...

 

[orrum]

You got it Scott!!!! LOL And she did and she did n she is gonna do it again!!!

 

[WarWagon]

Orrum is probably the heaviest puller with a NA engine here on the forum.

how heavy do you think truck, trailer, and load was Orrum? I am betting north of 10K, possibly north of 15K lbs. ?

Also the only one I know of that had surgery on his foot because the fan clipped it while he was holding the throttle to the radiator for so long! :hihi: