detoit dsl swap, or upgrade orig 6.2 chevy P30 dually step van

Hi, I' new here, have a 88 P30 postal van dually 11,650 gvw, with a 6.2dslNA,dual exhaust, engine code J, engine runs perfect, compression cold starting etc, I'm not looking for anything major in terms of power increases... I love Detroits, course most diesels in general, If I keep the 6.2, I was thinking of using a 6.5 intake, exhust manifold, and turbo... for clearance would I use a setup from a pickup trk, or from a Chevy? GMC van?...hmmmm, yes another thought, lol, instead of using the turbo off a 6.5, can I use 2 smaller turbos, let's say from a mercedes 3.0L I5 and remote mount them, if there are clearance issues with my 1st idea?, I was thinking being smaller they might spool up a lil quicker?... also I know these P30 also came with a 4BT, and I think later models, 5.9's were used, not really wanting to go that way though, would it be a possible fit to use a 453T Detroit?, I doubt a 6V53T would fit, width/height would probably be an issue???   The P30 has a 3 speed auto, and not sure what the rear end gear ratio is... I'd love to go Detroit if it's not a very major eng to tranny mating prob, don't want to switch to a manual if possible, was thinking of an auxilliary trans to make up for the lower redline in a Detroit, or a 4 or 5 speed auto etc?  any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated   I've had the trk for years now mech and body is near perfect and plan on keeping it forever, the only problem is is that, suprisingly, low end take off is very good, but I have difficulty maintaining 65mph highway speed unloaded, with the slightest of grades,    , I plan on doing something engine wise very soon, since it's one of my work trucks, and the mufflers are starting to get in a lil rough shape, I'd rather not replace them, since I wanna do the mods soon, and not knowing what route I'm going to go engine wise, would it be insanely loud if I straight piped it for now, considering there isn't a turbo to help quiet things down a lil???    If I dont keep the 6.2, I'd really like to go Det. Dsl    Thanks again, you guys have been great  

IIRC, the 6.2L had a compression ratio around 22:1 (+/- 0.5), which really means the idea of installing a turbo (even two small ones) is out.  Most turbocharged diesels will be around the 17:1 or 18:1 range so the extra volume of air coming from the turbos won't lift the heads from the block.

Since the engine is a good runner and you have the "swap it out" bug, why not swap that engine into something else?  I don't think the Detroit options you've mentioned will be good choices either because you're going to have the same problem with them as you do with the 6.2L ..... that truck just wasn't meant to go fast.  You got yourself a Clydesdale not a Throughbred; its a work truck plain and simple.

I will recommend that you should try a set of glasspacks since it sounds like your mufflers are on their way out.  They give a nice rumble but aren't loud, and that 6.2L in a ton and a half flatbed rolling out some black from both sides is a sight I remember quite well from my early days running diesels.


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

hey there 2 cycle junkie, I know that fix your cravin, I've worked with detroits since 1976.I know them well. I,ve seen many Detroits dropped into vehicles. most notable are the 4-53t's they fit real well into pick-up truck chassis, most I,ve seen have been bolted up with an allison trans. the oil pan is an issue, although detroit make a shallow pan. and you'll need to modify for engine mounts. If you got that swap bug you,ll have no problem improvizing certain thing. best of all they sound awsome with a 4" pipe coming out the back end and have torque thats just as believable as it sounds. OH YEA! now thats a diesel truck thats the real deal  

Thanks for the advice MarineOne, Yes your quite right about the high compression ratio, if I was going to keep the 6.2 in, I wouldn't consider turbo(s) without dropping the compression ratio with marine pistons to lower the ratio to 18:1, also like the glass pack idea. I mean yea I'm happy with the truck, it will do 85mph on completely level highway, empty but the problem is on many of the 65mph highways in PA, unloaded with slight/moderate grades, after I start to loose momentum my speed will drop to as low as 47mph (with no cargo), and going near the max cargo capacity, well thats another story, I do have a donor vehicle that I'm thinking of possibly putting that 6.2 into,(94 Chevy Caprice civilian, that I upgraded fully to police pkg specs, other than the engine, and rear diff gearing) should work out well considering out of the six factory rear end ratios it has the lowest numerically, 2.73:1, and mating it to a 4L80E trans, not sure if it will mate to the stock 4L60E, again though dropping the compression ratio to 18:1, so yup I'm thinking of swapping it out,  Thanks again appreciate your advice...  

Hi Diesel4Me, Yeah I like the 4-53T advice, just trying to remember the horsepower/torque ratings on the smaller detroits, I'm a lil more familiar with the 6v53's, 6v71's, 6v92's, and 8v92's, obviously the last three not being an option. Is the 4-53T, also avaiable as as TA? and as far as the Allison, would perhaps maybe a AT545 Allison be a decent choice?, I'm thinking, I may be wrong about the oil pan issue that because of the low center posistion of the chev P30 front axle, there's quite alot of clearance between the 6.2's oil pan and the axle, that the might be a chance it might clear?,    course like you said, there's always the lower pro oil pan option, I thought I wasn't going to have alot of free time on my hands but business is going better, so I'll have alot of play time to spend on the swap. I know I'd be more than happy with the $-53, but just outta curiosity, a 6v53 wouldn't be able to fit? just a guess basing that on the width factor, one thing I'm definately going to add some extra sound deadening to the dog coop, firewall etc... course gotta love the screamin jimmy .... On to one more quoestion if you have the time, would it be possible to squeeze a 6v53T, aluminum, with a custom oil pan, or some other mods into the bay of a 94 Chevy Caprice?, I know a 502 chevy gasser fits nicely, course were talkin a whole different ball game, I know of a Duramax, squeezed into a mustang, vette, older impala, and a buick regal,..... just a thought, if not do you think a 4-53 can fit???.... I know I'm askin alot of your time here, but I lost a site that had the WxLxH, hp/torque specs and weights of the Detroits, you by chance know where i can get those specs/.... I trulely appreciate all your help, can't wait to get started, and let you know how things go, and get to the point where I can start getting some pics up of the mods,  Thanks again  

back at you det_dsl.2cyc4ever oh boy lets play! I'll get back at you later on some specs I just got to find some of my books, it may take alittle bit so stick with me and i'll get back to you asap. think'in of a V to stick in? for sure the over all size of the 6v-53T will not be feasible not to mention the weight would be a factor on the chassis. But have you ever thought about the 8.2 litre that detroit made? yes its a 4 cycle diesel but the size is something you could work with and the weight isn't to overwelming on your chassis, and oh yea! you can get them in a TURBO version, Best of all you can find them in bone yards it may take alittle hunting seeing how det.dsl. stop making that series of motor but parts are still available. I'll get back to you later just got to find some of my books  

Thanks diesel4me, yea I think I was doing some daydreaming there when thinking of a 6v53,(a lil lack of sleep),  LoL, Yup I did consider the 8.2L awhile back, matter of fact almost bought an International dump with one, but for now probably leaning towards your first sugestion of the 4-53T, but will keep that in mind, I'm always open to advice, and you definately seem to know what you're talking about, Thanks again  

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   and yup still luvin the 4-53T idea