6.5T, 6.2, or Detroit Dsl swap in 94 Chevy Caprice. help please :)

Hi, I'm new to here, and maybe you'll think I'm a lil crazy for wanting a diesel caprice, but, it's the only 1 of two gas vehicles I ever owned (just don't care for non oil burners) Will a 6.5T or 6.2 work?, last resort would be, and yes I know they are underpowered, but of the "so-called bad diesels by Oldsmobile" the 4.3L V-6 was actually a decent engine, I'm not looking for fast acceleration or high speed,(obviously, lol) or the expense of a Duramax, or are there other diesel that might wort out, possibly a Detroit 4-53T, or 6v53T?,(if a 6V53 can fit prob an aluminum block/head, dont think the suspension could handle the weight of the iron one, even with the police pkg variable rate moog cargo coils I installed all 4 corners)  car has a 4L60E (basically a 700R4 w/ more computer control) 4sp auto, with only 2.73 rear end gearing so I'm guessing that will help some with the lower redline of the diesel. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I realy want to have something different, oh alot of my concerns are adaptability to the transmission, etc... Would really love the detroit, but, don't want to have to go through a nightmare to make it work, but, eh, I do like to push the envelope a lil...Thanks again    

Hey there! Maybe you're a little crazy, but so are most of us on here!   Welcome! Personally, I'd steer clear of the old 5.7 or 4.3 Olds diesels. A 6.5 or 6.2 should work fine. I'd probably upgrade to a 4L80E if you go with one of those engines. If you can find a Duramax out of one of the vans, it's hooked up to a 4L80E from the factory. They're de-tuned from the trucks, but they still produce 250 horsepower and 460 lb./ft. which would be plenty for a Caprice/Impala.

Tall gearing is definitely the way to go in a diesel, especially in a car like the Caprice. Let us know what you decide!  

Thanks so much for getting back to me I really appreciate it, at the moment I'm leaning a little more towards the 6.5T, pretty much only cause I'm not sure how much of a project the 6.6 Duramax would be as far as engine mounts & fabrication, I have the ability to fabricate custom mounts etc., just sometimes not as much time on my hands as I'd like, either diesel would definately be an improvement though, the car now other than the engine is all police package components front to rear, stock it wasn't for me, now besides the engine, it came equiped with the "baby LT1 , 4.3v8 L99, 200hp/245 lb/ft torque, and yup, whether the 6.5 or 6.6, the 4L80E, is what I will go with...so 250 hp and 460 lb/ft of torque would definately make me very,very happy  I definately have to thank you again for getting back to me and your advice, and I will let you know soon which engine I'm goin to go with    

Just out of curiousty, if you were to make an educated guess, with a 6.6, 4L80, and 2.73 gearing, and a light foot on the highway what you think I might possibly be able to get ballpark? considering the lighter weight of a caprice compared to a truck/van? Thanks again...  

Seems to me that combination would get you well into the mid-high 20s on the freeway, possibly enough to break 30!

And regarding the Dmax swap, I think the toughest thing would probably be to get the electronics to work. With more modern engines, that seems to be the biggest challenge, rather than the hardware and fabrication of the swap.  

Thanks, that's about where I was hoping for mpg wise, and with that much torque, I think I will be alot happier with some of the steep grades in some of the hilly rural areas that I drive. Yes though your quite right the electronics on the newer engines, certainly a big difference from a 83 300SD, or a 6.2, or some of the older military&civilian detroits, so yes I have to admit the electronics part of the Duramax swap, versus fabrication, etc, I think may be a lil more intimidating, Then again the uniqueness factor, and teh fun factor of such a swap, minus the "not fun" parts, should make it all worthwhile in the end...  Thanks again.  

A friend's uncle had an '83 Impala that he put a 6.2L diesel into.  He used the stock 700-R4 tranny but it didn't last too long.  When he had it rebuilt, they beefed it up and it's been doing OK so far.  He had the driveshaft shortened a couple inches and was able to keep the stock crossmember, just had to move it around a little and drill new holes for it.  I don't remember exactly what he did for the mounts.  I want to say that he used the mounts for the 6.2L and welded the lower halves into place.  He also had a spring shop install heavier front coils.

That car sure was fun to ride in...  

Even with the aluminum heads I read that the Duramax is around 850 pounds-- a LOT heavier than stock, and 200 pounds more than a 6.5L.
Also, with the Duramax, the turbo is on top of the engine at the back.  Is there space for that in a Caprice?  Electronics would be a nightmare and the Duramax complete with trans and electronics would be EXPENSIVE.  

Thanks for all the info and help, sorry I haven't been on here for quite some time, I've been expanding my business and well, things were hectic, finally I can have more free time now, and look forward to talking more about my projects, and definately apreciate all the advice, I'll definately be be stopping back soon   Thanks again  

David and I were at the junkyard a few weekends back. We noticed the Caprices had a large engine bay and the frames looked just as strong as the truck frames. We were wondering if a 5.9L Cummins  would fit?

A 6.5L would be cool too. Make sure to update us on the progress.  

Yeah, the Caprices have TONS of room in the engine bay. Only factor with the Dmax might be the height, but gives you a good excuse to get a cowl-induction hood, right?    

How about Isuzu? They collaborate with GM and should be a natural fit. Check out www.isuzudieselswapper.com.  

I'd look hard at the 6.2L .... no computer, mechanical everything, and my Dad's '85 Custom Deluxe pickup was getting almost 20 MPG with 3.11 rears.

You might experience some downshifting with the 2.73 rears on some decent hills but I don't see any problem with it.




Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner