[85chevy10]

I do know this is a hot rod forums but i wanted to ask some questions about the 6.2 turbo diesel. i have a 1982 chevy c30 with a 454 in it and would like a diesel with better fuel mileage. ive been looking at the 6.2 with a turbo. ive seen people say that they get 20-25 averaage then ive seen people say 9-15 average. i also want to know how much it would be to convert the truck to a diesel and not the 454. has anyone on here done that and how much did it cost you and how much do you get with fuel mileage. i want either Detroit Diesel or Cummins Engines ONLY! im also going to do nothing but haul all the time with it and use it on the farm. Thanks!

[vinniekq2]

cost of complete engine,run new lines to the fuel tank,exhaust needs to be adapted,transmission, dual batteries,brackets,and mounts,maybe rad.transfer fuel pump

[85chevy10]

I imagine it would cost about $3000

[vinniekq2]

I would bet over 5,000 if you do all the work yourself

[usaweapon777]

Fuel mileage will vary depend on your gearing and transmission. those getting in the 20's tend to have blazers or half ton trucks. A manual will help get you a little bit better gas mileage. Unless you have a special affection for the 6.2/6.5, or have one laying around, I don't really see why you would do this swap. The amount of time and money your going to invest could pay for a lot of gas for that 454. Unless its on its way out i'd just keep it. If it is going out and you tow heavy loads then consider a 12 valve swap but those engines tend to go for a good bit of cash as well. I love the 6.2/6.5's and own one as well but I just don't see it as a practical swap over a fine 454.

[85chevy10]

Originally Posted by usaweapon777

Fuel mileage will vary depend on your gearing and transmission. those getting in the 20's tend to have blazers or half ton trucks. A manual will help get you a little bit better gas mileage. Unless you have a special affection for the 6.2/6.5, or have one laying around, I don't really see why you would do this swap. The amount of time and money your going to invest could pay for a lot of gas for that 454. Unless its on its way out i'd just keep it. If it is going out and you tow heavy loads then consider a 12 valve swap but those engines tend to go for a good bit of cash as well. I love the 6.2/6.5's and own one as well but I just don't see it as a practical swap over a fine 454.

I also plan on hotshotting in this truck around I my state. I talked to a guy that does the hotshot jobs and he said my truck is the best truck to use. So loads of 5000-20000 is reasonable he said. And the only 5.9 cummins I've found around here are selling for $5000-$6000 I just found a guy the other day that rebuilds 6.2s for power and I'm going to get a quote from him

[usaweapon777]

A turbo 6.2 isn't much better than a 454 and you figure the swap will probably cost a couple thousand. My k30 only gets around 16 and thats driving like a grandma unloaded. Comparing the price of gas to diesel I just don't see it getting you to where you want. Is there anything wrong with the 454? My 6.2 is gutless and thats with 4.56 gears. I know a turbo helps a lot but if your going with like a banks kit or factory 6.5 turbo swap your only talking around a 50-60 hp bump. I can't imagine trying to tow over 10,000 with my truck in any hilly area.

[runn141]

i cant see the the diesel doing better than the 454, ive drove both. and seeing that diesel is over a dollar more a gallon there cant be much benefit in fuel mileage gain. unless you work at a construction site and fill up with the off road diesel for free.

[85chevy10]

Well diesel around here is about $3.50 a gallon and ill be going to oil field sites I can get more torque out of diesel any day over that 454. And I can get after market kit to give more horsepower. I'm just wanting to see what kind of diesel to put in my truck, that will bolt up to my tranny

[vinniekq2]

the 454 will make more horse power with less money, the diesel will eventually catch up in horse power and torque.The 6.5 isnt the best place to invest your money.
engines also are rated by sfc,thats specific fuel consumption,that is: an engine burns (X) amount of fuel expressed in pounds of fuel per hour based per horse power produced
example,not real numbers:
my 454 burns .5 pounds of fuel/hr/hp
so my 454 uses 50 pounds of fuel(8 gallons) per hour while generating 100 horse power
A 6.2 wont make 100 horse power
A 6.5 might burn 4.7 pounds of fuel per hour making 100 horse power

now its your math time

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

I get lots of 6.2-6.5 heads in for work. MOST are cracked. Many sad customers..That plus the other common problems these engines have. I would never consider one for a swap.

[68NovaSS]

I have an '09 6.6 Duramax with the Allison 6-speed automatic. Empty I get 18-20, but pulling my 15,000 pound 5th wheel, up and down hills, or flat and level it's a pulling machine, but....8 - 10 mpg overall.