project truck directions.. (loong poast)

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

I can't really decide which route I'd like to go.

I have a 94 Sonoma project truck with a sorta high mileage 2.2L 5 speed that runs great but needs clutch.

It needs a bit of bodywork, mostly dings and stuff. I bought a blazer hood for it and I have a 95 composite front end for it. It already had a replacement drivers side fender and rad support. Frame horns are straight, as well is the frame. I bought a tailgate for it aswell. I have a new dash bezel and a set of Prelude bukkits.

It has no rust holes, only surface where the paint came off.

I'm kinda confused as to what I should do with it. I will fix the body up and paint it, and I have a stereo to go in it.. well most of the stereo..

but after that I'm lost. My buddy says I have to pick my battles and I don't want to be in over my head.

I have a guy in Washington that drives a truck to Yellowknife, NWT. He can bring me a 1982 6.2L mechanical GM diesel. Its a J-code engine, 150hp and 240lb.ft of torque.. if I remember right. I can get a wicked deal on the engine, it was rebuilt when he got it, he installed it in his 1 1/4 ton dodge, and put 40K on it. He has now found a 12V cummins.

He has a smaller starter, and intake manifold for me. It needs an injection pump (about 300 new, its not the expensive standadyne), needs pullies, fan etc.

It has the same bolt pattern as a small block gas engine, therefore I can use a SBC gas transmission, if its an auto though it will need to be modified but I think I am going to go with an manual transmission.

There is not much wiring to this engine, as it is mechanical, there is no computer. I'm not sure if the guages, turn signals, headlights, etc will work if I remove the computer. I could leave the computer in but.. not sure how that'd work... it defitinitely won't control the engine.

For the gauges, I think I'd make an new dash insert with aftermarket gauges. I was pricing out these gauges and there not really cheap.

I can't really find an answer on what I'd have to do to swap in a v8 manual ***** into my truck..

I'd also have to run a larger radiator or have a custom one made..

I'd have to fab an exhaust

It does use the same mounts as a V8 gas. So I can use conversion mounts.

Plus, heres the killer. The engine weights 700lbs. I'm sure the S10 4cyl springs won't hold up to this extra weight, but what about the other parts of the front end? I was thinking bagging the front and rear, but there might be clearance issues with such a big engine in the truck, and trying to fit your wheels in the engine bay aswell....

I'd change the rear to a 3/4 or 1 ton (if possible, and if doing dually)

or a 8.8 if doing single wheel.

If I did do the diesel conversion, it would be unique. I'd also consider doing a dually conversion.

But if I did do the 6.2L conversion, it probably wouldn't leave any space/money to bag the truck, or for much else with it.

Diesel swap pros

* Unique-ness

* Fuel economy, (Was chatting with a guy who has a 6.2 in a 91 Caprice wagon, he gets 34mpg w/turbo)

* MOAR POWER

* Easy to hop up..

Diesel swap cons

* Expense.. I am getting a extreme deal on the engine, but I'll need all the other lil parts which will probably nickel and dime me, aswell as the ***** and stuff

* Modifications.. The engine *should* fit. It will fit in a 350s space. Suspension mods, body mods.. etc.

* Work involved.. lots of it

* Would probably be limited to a static drop..

Dad says he'd help me rebuilt the 2.2 if it does eventually pass on. Rebuild kits are cheap if I remember right, around $500. The 2.2 runs great. Needs a wee bit of work (starter)... Doesn't look too pretty. However if I keep the 2.2, I could do some work, rebuild it, run a turbo... etc.. I know it won't be no rocketship but, it would be better than it used to be.

Keeping the 2.2 pros...

* Cheaper...

* It is already in the truck.. no modifications to the body/chassis...

* Still should be rather fuel efficent

* Have more money left, I can afford to do some exterior work or buy some wheels.

* Is a smaller inline engine, which would allow for wheels to be crammed into the engine bay... so I could bag it

Keeping the 2.2 cons

* Its not the most powerful thing on earth...

* Mileage on the motor itself.

* Needs a beauty makeover..

* Needs a clutch and stuff.

* not sure what else..

I'm not sure what to do guys.. I'm having a tough time deciding.

I really do like diesels, been more fond of them since I worked with them everyday.. I liked to drive the little John Deere diesels.. they were fun.

I wanted a mix between fuel economy and power, and I think with the diesel this is easier to acieve.

Except for the motor part, I guess its the same as swapping in a v8 gas engine..

Click to read more...

 

[cf2004 10+ year member]

wow man that is a long post! lol

Is it a single cab or x-cab?

I have a 2.2 single cab s10.

I cant give you loads of advice on the swap. I have see a few sbc in older s10s. I know that the 2.2 sucks for power haha.

I know the front springs will need changed to stiffer ones and the rear end will def need to be changed. those rears sucks and anything with power will break them.

 

[cf2004 10+ year member]

check out this site

http://www.v8s10.org/forum/index.php

lots of useful stuff

 

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

wow man that is a long post! lol
Is it a single cab or x-cab?

I have a 2.2 single cab s10.

I cant give you loads of advice on the swap. I have see a few sbc in older s10s. I know that the 2.2 sucks for power haha.

I know the front springs will need changed to stiffer ones and the rear end will def need to be changed. those rears sucks and anything with power will break them.

I too, have a 2.2L single cab s10.. well thats what the tailgate says.. Its 1 part blazer, 1 part s10, 1 part sonoma, 1 part prelude...

If I did a dually rear it'd be a 3/4 or 1 ton chevy rear if I can do it.

If I were to run single rear wheels... it'd be a 94-97 (I think) ford explorer rear w/ posi.

check out this site http://www.v8s10.org/forum/index.php

lots of useful stuff

Thanks! never knew that one existed.

 

[cf2004 10+ year member]

i think the signal rear wheels would proly be the less of a PIA opition. I know alot of those guys run the 8.8 & 9" ford rears. i hear there tough as shiT!

edit: shiT a poll. i dunno what to put in...i like both choices.

 

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

i think the signal rear wheels would proly be the less of a PIA opition. I know alot of those guys run the 8.8 & 9" ford rears. i hear there tough as shiT!
edit: shiT a poll. i dunno what to put in...i like both choices.

I didn't want to make it multiple choice.

 

[truckramrod 10+ year member]

bad idea. Forced induction and fuel injection is what makes a diesel really shine and you have neither.

Get a TBI 350 motor and you'll have a reliable STOCK 210 hp/300 lb ft of torque engine that's a fairly easy swap, in that truck.

Or 250+hp with a mild cam, intake manifold, TB spacer and Exhaust with

You could do the 4l60 ***** which is a 4 speed auto with overdrive or the NV3500 5 speed manual ***** that came behind the TBI 4.3 motors in the S10s.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

I don't know much about diesels, but yes I have a v8 in my blazer. Is the 6.2 physically the same size as a standard small block? Once I finish the blazer I think I will then start gathering a couple parts to v8 my jimmy. The 4.3 isn't a power house and I'm lucky to get 15mpg out of it. And yes v8s10.org will be able to answer all your questions.

 

[JBGabriel 10+ year member]

6.2L is not a good diesel engine to be performing hop ups on. You will be lucky to see over 200 hp out of it and you will have to spend quite a bit of money to get there. It has no turbo and is pretty gutless in stock form.

If you really are stuck on the diesel thing I would look for a cummins 4BT. Its smaller than the 5.9 and it easily modded to make ots of power. It will be wayyyy better on fuel than the 6.2 and you can find them in chevy delivery trucks. That will help with the swap. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

6.2L is not a good diesel engine to be performing hop ups on. You will be lucky to see over 200 hp out of it and you will have to spend quite a bit of money to get there. It has no turbo and is pretty gutless in stock form.
If you really are stuck on the diesel thing I would look for a cummins 4BT. Its smaller than the 5.9 and it easily modded to make ots of power. It will be wayyyy better on fuel than the 6.2 and you can find them in chevy delivery trucks. That will help with the swap. Just my 2 cents...

Already tried to go that route. The 4BT IIRC, wont fit.

The 6.2 has a few flaws, but I have researched these and I have found a solution to the mains cracking and the cranks messing up. you can buy a new harmonic balancer and a mains girdle kit.

 

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

bad idea. Forced induction and fuel injection is what makes a diesel really shine and you have neither.
Get a TBI 350 motor and you'll have a reliable STOCK 210 hp/300 lb ft of torque engine that's a fairly easy swap, in that truck.

Or 250+hp with a mild cam, intake manifold, TB spacer and Exhaust with

You could do the 4l60 ***** which is a 4 speed auto with overdrive or the NV3500 5 speed manual ***** that came behind the TBI 4.3 motors in the S10s.

Just my opinion though.

Not a fan of computers. I'd hate to do the wiring and stuff for computers and all that junk.

My truck was free btw.

Actually had originally planned on buying a rebuilt 283 and running a carb on it. I know of a great engine place in spokane.

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

Diesel swap pros
* Unique-ness

* Fuel economy, (Was chatting with a guy who has a 6.2 in a 91 Caprice wagon, he gets 34mpg w/turbo)

You are NOT doing an engine swap for FUEL ECONOMY. You are not INVESTING MORE MONEY and TIME into the truck to save a little bit in fuel. Don't lie to yourself.

* MOAR POWER

* Easy to hop up..

Diesel swap cons

* Expense.. I am getting a extreme deal on the engine, but I'll need all the other lil parts which will probably nickel and dime me, aswell as the ***** and stuff

* Modifications.. The engine *should* fit. It will fit in a 350s space. Suspension mods, body mods.. etc.

* Work involved.. lots of it

* Would probably be limited to a static drop..

IMO engine swap is LOTS of money and time for what ... power that you'll use rarely on the road.

Keeping the 2.2 pros...
* Cheaper...

* It is already in the truck.. no modifications to the body/chassis...

* Still should be rather fuel efficent

* Have more money left, I can afford to do some exterior work or buy some wheels.

* Is a smaller inline engine, which would allow for wheels to be crammed into the engine bay... so I could bag it

Keeping the 2.2 cons

* Its not the most powerful thing on earth...

* Mileage on the motor itself.

rebuilds are comparatively cheap

* Needs a beauty makeover..

and an engine swap would not //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

* Needs a clutch and stuff.

so does the diesel ... and much much more

If you ENJOY engine swaps, do it. I would spend my money and time elsewhere as the work involved in an engine swap does not excite me.

 

[Ken448 10+ year member]

check out this site http://www.v8s10.org/forum/index.php

lots of useful stuff

my second home //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif s trucks are begging to be modded! No one leaves them alone

 

[Gearstix 10+ year member]

my second home //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif s trucks are begging to be modded! No one leaves them alone

I posted the same thread on there.. I dobut they'll 'like me'.. hmm

I miight do a gas engine swap.. dobutfull

I dunno if a 283 would be easier on gas than 350.. guy at the engine shop said it would be..

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Tldr

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif