7.3l IDI Turbo vs 6.5l Detroit

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

the 6.5 you chose is one of the more unreliable versions.
computerized 6.5's are very finicky to heat and fuel quality.
non-computerized GM 6.2/6.5's are a better choice for fuel economy but the cooling systems must be upgraded or you will own a paperweight.

I'll second that and I'm sure my neighbor would agree.

He's working on his 3rd paperweight right now waiting for this mangy ole dog catcher to relocate the IDM to the fender.

But their turbos seems to be bullet proof.

Yes Calvin it is STILL going and not a lick of problems since!!!!

 

[Rot Box]

6.5 Vs. IDI

Owning a 95 K2500 6.5TD was one of the worst experiences of my life--seriously. I went through every known problem aside from a broken crank and I became very used to being under the hood. They can be a good engine, but there was not one model offered (in GM light duty vehicles anyway) that wasn't a time bomb. Every year produced had desirable features and very undesirable features so you could build a decent one with combined/mix matched parts. I don't mind the electronic years with a few upgrades and such they can be decent, but I would really search out a mechanical injected model (92-3) as they had stronger blocks. Power wise mine was probably around 200 RWH which I never complained about, but if I worked it at all the tempurature would easily climb to an unsafe level. I could hit 25mpg with a couple performance upgrades and 4.10 gears.

My 95 had 50K when I sold it and I was sure the bottom end would let go (because everything else but that already had ). My brothers-also a 95 K2500-threw a rod at 550K (yes, five hundered fifty) with little mechanical problems. So you could say they are hit and miss

As for the IDI's I have heard a few horror stories, but most are from very old age/high miles and neglect. A true work horse engine just my .02

 

[gonecrazyi]

My boss has a 95 chevy 3500 with the 6.5td, the motors been rebuilt and it runs pretty decent. But even with the turbo my stock 6.9 will easily walk away from it with a trailer. The only time it has the advantage is on the highway. He can pull a loaded trailer at 75 while mines more comfortable at 65.

 

[razorback]

the name is Trina. She's a handfull of a customer.

im almost afraid to ask..

 

[towcat]

im almost afraid to ask..

then don't
I own a full-service auto facility, she's a repair customer and a very fussy and demanding one to boot.

 

[ameristar1]

TC, where do you come up with these beautiful women?

 

[razorback]

then don't
I own a full-service auto facility, she's a repair customer and a very fussy and demanding one to boot.

i have customers like that, thats when you earn every penny you charge them.

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

TC, where do you come up with these beautiful women?

He's a chick magnet!!


Just don't call him on the phone.

 

[ameristar1]

Oh, my...........

 

[Diesel Max]

then don't
I own a full-service auto facility, she's a repair customer and a very fussy and demanding one to boot.

Guess when you look like that, you can be fussy and demanding .

 

[adam g]

I'ld take fussy over ignorant. A few of our better looking females shouldn't own a bycycle let alone a car.

 

[towcat]

He's a chick magnet!!


Just don't call him on the phone.

you're a funny guy
Seriously though, most of them come in to see my business partner. He's the silver-tounged devil. I get the likes of Big Jake and Drag Rag hanging out here as well as quite a few other regular lookin' bubba types.
Here's another one she sent me via text........
if the wife sees it, I'm dead.

 

[typ4]

I have spent time in the bay area, those are everywhere. I knew you called it a body shop for some reason. lol

 

[razorback]

you're a funny guy
Seriously though, most of them come in to see my business partner. He's the silver-tounged devil. I get the likes of Big Jake and Drag Rag hanging out here as well as quite a few other regular lookin' bubba types.
Here's another one she sent me via text........
if the wife sees it, I'm dead.

she needs to send me some texts...

 

[david85]

Um....ok...what was the topic here

About the 6.5. I'll include some general experience in addition to comments on the engine since the 6.5 does generally come with a GMC truck.

My Dad has a 1993 non ECU turbo diesel 3500 (SRW) 4x4 and it seems to be a decent truck. The Short commings are;

Generally Harder to work on, (access to injection system is MUCH harder and you will have to pull the turbo and intake manifold before you can replace lines, injectors, or injector pump depending on what side of the engine you are working on)

Cooling package is under designed. I nearly overheated the thing once because I was used to driving my F150 (302 needs to feel the floor before responding when loaded). Luckilly I backed off before hitting the red. New head gaskets and quad core rad and it seems to be doing well now (6 years later).

MPGs are not great at all. All time best was 18 MPG, and average seems to be 15-16 (believed to be 4.10 gears with stock 245/75/16 tires)

TURN RADIUS!!!!!!!! for the same wheelbase, the chevys of this era suck for manouvering compared to fords. Make sure you take this into account because this is one thing my dad hates about his truck.

Rust around heat shields and exhaust manifolds. Can't be helped, it will happen eventually

ABS sucks,

Front wheel bearings are non adjustable throw away units,

CV shafts instead of U joints on front axle drive (4x4 only), but in fairness, I never replaced either of them.

4wd thermal expansion actuator is expensive, delays 4x4 engagement, and failure prone (google it)

More external plumbing for the oil cooler and heater core so the engine is more prone to fluid leaks


Advantages are:

Less prone to fuel system air leaks,

smoother idle (if that matters at all)

4L80E transmission. stock for stock compared to the E4OD, I consider the chevy to be slightly more reliable. Although once you start modding the engine all bets are off. Don't know how the manual transmissions compare but I believe chevy did use a DMF like ford.

The 4L80 also doesn't have an overdrive cancel switch, but instead has a full shift quadrant with OD, D, 2, 1. Its really a matter of preference though.

The 4L80 also comes with 3/8" TRANNY COOLER LINES. HELL YEAH!!!!

Access to the thermostat is VERY easy,

Access to the CDR is also VERY easy,

Acess to the turbocharger is, yup you guessed it, its not hard to pull one compared to ford's setup,

good glow plug system with solid state controller that is not as expensive to replace as the ford equivalent,

Electric fuel pump, some consider this advantageous,

Serpentine belt can be replaced in seconds with one (1) tool, you don't even have to get it around the fan.

Hydroboost comes standard on these years (I think)

AC is very powerful and GM has been making better ACs that ford for a long time (I am sorry to admit). Recently had to replace the compressor cycling switch and it still works like new.