6.0 in a 96 Chevy 3500 currently a diesel, how hard
01-14-2009, 08:46 PM
#1
6.0 in a 96 Chevy 3500 currently a diesel, how hard How bad would it be to swap the diesel out of this truck and replace it with a 6.0? I am curious what all would be involved in this swap in this vehicle. It should have the 4L80E in it so that shouldn't be an issue to mate to the 6.0
01-15-2009, 10:22 AM
#2
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I could be done but it's pretty involved. THat diesel is quite heave so the springs will have to be changed for the lighter gas motor. Also you will have to either run an external pump or change the tank for a non diesel fuel tank. The trans is used behind the gas engines but I'm not sure the bolt pattern is the same and I know the trans will be set up to shift way different. Probably better off getting a pullout eng/trans package.
The 6.0 will also not have anywhere near the pulling power the diesel has.
Re'
The 6.0 will also not have anywhere near the pulling power the diesel has.
Re'
01-15-2009, 11:58 AM
#3
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Actually fairly easy. Other than swapping over fuel systems. Use gas motor mounst and conversion plates and it will bolt to your tranny. Try and get one with all the harnesses and such. 
01-15-2009, 04:54 PM
#4
Just so everyone knows this is the older body style truck and I will be pulling the 6.5 diesel and swapping in the 6.0 Gen III motor. About the 6.0 not having the pulling power of the diesel, HAHAHA my 6.0 HD would run circles around that diesel it is aweful. I would just get the truck and assemble everything to make the swap. I figured on swapping the tank and lines along with the motor and likely the tranny as well with the new 6.0 that would be going in. I was thinking maybe about throwing a Radix or KB on it when the time came. Does anyone else have any input or any website that shows the swap into that body style truck? Thanks
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01-15-2009, 06:21 PM
#10
A 2001... injectors went under warranty before i had it, as did the lift pump. Since ive had it, ive been through 3 belt tensioners (2 while haulind 12,000lb plus trailers lost brakes and steering), a starter ($300), fuel lines rusted out, brake lines rusted out, and it blew a headgasket about 24,000 miles ago, i just keep driving it because dealer wants $4500 to replace it, $6000 if heads are warped which im sure they are. I'm not going to waste the money on another duramax. Most dont make it to 200k. The injectors going again would cost $3000 in just parts. they jsut arent worth the money IMO. The powerstrokes and the cummins are far superior engines.
01-15-2009, 07:31 PM
#11
You must have just gotten a bad vehicle. I know too many people that have beaten on them and had great luck. The truck I am looking at is the 6.5 which is garbage IMO. So taking it out in favor of the 6.0 would be very good I think. The 6.5 is 190 hp and 385 tq. I am building a 6.0 which would be very mild for my HD that should make 450-500 flywheel hp and probably that in torque or close to it. So it would be a vast improvement over the diesel. Along with the weight difference I think it would take a body style that I prefer and make it a very good vehicle. I just hope the swap isn't that bad if I can get the truck.
01-15-2009, 08:40 PM
#12
Skyhigh, it would be cheaper to TUNE your 6.5. Check out the forums on www.dieseltowingresource.com they are the guys who KNOW 6.5s.
The key to keeping a 6.5 alive is to keep it cool... Otherwise the head gaskets fail. Also some people tend to have broken cranks but I am not sure the reciepe for disaster on that, perhaps harmonic balancer.
Put in a Heath turbo master, HP4, and exhaust (+crossover pipe) and it is a whole different vehicle.
My wifes 99 Burb K2500 6.5 will destroy Flowerstrokes all day long. Unfortunately my K3500 crewcab + work shift is too heavy to be that fast but runs the same setup. I can tow heavy tow light whatever and if feels the same and religiously gets 15.5MPG.
Don't count the 6.5 out it just needs some love
I like the 6.0 LQ9 in the Lade, but I would never swap out a 6.5 for it.
... In a perfect world the Chevy trucks would come with a Cummins engine. Too bad Dodges fall apart so fast.
Anyways, keep the faith diesel trucker!
The key to keeping a 6.5 alive is to keep it cool... Otherwise the head gaskets fail. Also some people tend to have broken cranks but I am not sure the reciepe for disaster on that, perhaps harmonic balancer.
Put in a Heath turbo master, HP4, and exhaust (+crossover pipe) and it is a whole different vehicle.
My wifes 99 Burb K2500 6.5 will destroy Flowerstrokes all day long. Unfortunately my K3500 crewcab + work shift is too heavy to be that fast but runs the same setup. I can tow heavy tow light whatever and if feels the same and religiously gets 15.5MPG.
Don't count the 6.5 out it just needs some love
I like the 6.0 LQ9 in the Lade, but I would never swap out a 6.5 for it.
... In a perfect world the Chevy trucks would come with a Cummins engine. Too bad Dodges fall apart so fast.
Anyways, keep the faith diesel trucker!
01-15-2009, 08:48 PM
#14
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A 2001... injectors went under warranty before i had it, as did the lift pump. Since ive had it, ive been through 3 belt tensioners (2 while haulind 12,000lb plus trailers lost brakes and steering), a starter ($300), fuel lines rusted out, brake lines rusted out, and it blew a headgasket about 24,000 miles ago, i just keep driving it because dealer wants $4500 to replace it, $6000 if heads are warped which im sure they are. I'm not going to waste the money on another duramax. Most dont make it to 200k. The injectors going again would cost $3000 in just parts. they jsut arent worth the money IMO. The powerstrokes and the cummins are far superior engines.
01-16-2009, 03:59 PM
#18
12 valve and non common rail 24 valve Cummins are damn near indestructible. Gen 1 and 2 7.3 powerstrokes are the same story. 6.0 and 6.4 powerstrokes are an absolute joke. Quite possibly the worst light duty diesel ever made. I used to work at Don Reid Ford in Maitland and I wrote a **** ton of warranty work on those. Granted it was all the same thing (head gaskets, ICP sensors, HEUI pumps, water separator covers, cac hoses, re seals) but its still time without your truck and most people with those trucks are using them for work... You may have gotten a lemon because Ive never seen that many problems on a early duramax before.
12-19-2021, 02:34 AM
#19
Lol you amatures got a lot to learn I just did mine and it was no prob and I can steer you on a few short cuts the diesel has its own computer in the dash and this I am half the battle all you need is as stand alone wiring harness and you will leave the wires in the truck and incorporate the stand alone to it the computer in the truck will shift and run all your gadges so don't go crazy pulling wires out of the diesel truck bad mistake I master mechanic 47 years and I am retiring in March ... Jerry
12-19-2021, 04:16 AM
#20
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Bear in mind, its an federally illegal swap ,, ya takes your chances.. If you get caught in a roadside inspection,, and they notice.. it can get ugly.
The Duramax is the engine in the Isuzu NPR box van, and they get thrashed on.. Wonder what the differences are?
The Duramax is the engine in the Isuzu NPR box van, and they get thrashed on.. Wonder what the differences are?