Swapping a 7.3 IDI to a 6BT 12 Valve Cummins

[KYBricksandBulls]

I've got a healthy c6 auto, and a gear vendors unit, and 4wd. I'm wanting to swap in a 5.9 cummins.

I've searched the interwebs...seems I am searching the wrong terms maybe. I just can't seem to find anyone who sells a 6BT to 7.3 International Trans bolt pattern adapter, motor mounts, and a/c brackets.

Anyone have a clue where I can get what I need? I like the 7.3 IDI, but it's way underpowered.

Thanks for any assistance.

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[IDIBRONCO]

Have you tried Advance Adapters? They are one of the biggest adapter companies that I know of. I haven't looked at anything that they sell for a long time so I don't have any current knowledge about them. One issue that I can see here is that if you want to keep the C6, that's a Ford bolt pattern on the bellhousing, not an International one. Unless there's already been something done to it, a 12v Cummins doesn't have much, if any, more power than your 7.3 IDI does. If you like the 7.3, why not try finding a turbo for it and get more power that way? If you really want a Cummins engine, then go ahead and do the swap. Some people just aren't happy without a Cummins. In the end, it comes down to what you want to spend your money on.

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

The bolt pattern on the block of a 7.3 IDI is an International bolt pattern. Are you

Have you tried Advance Adapters? They are one of the biggest adapter companies that I know of. I haven't looked at anything that they sell for a long time so I don't have any current knowledge about them. One issue that I can see here is that if you want to keep the C6, that's a Ford bolt pattern on the bellhousing, not an International one. Unless there's already been something done to it, a 12v Cummins doesn't have much, if any, more power than your 7.3 IDI does. If you like the 7.3, why not try finding a turbo for it and get more power that way? If you really want a Cummins engine, then go ahead and do the swap. Some people just aren't happy without a Cummins. In the end, it comes down to what you want to spend your money on.

The bolt pattern on a 7.3 IDI block is International. Are you telling me there is already a factory adapter that converts the International bolt pattern to a Ford Big Block pattern to mate it to a C6? I was under the impression the diesel C6s had the International Bolt pattern. I could be wrong.

As far as advance adapters, I see nothing on their website for a Ford C6. The only ates they have for the 6BT 12v is for a NV4500

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

Also, the 7.3 will never be what the 6BT can be. Show me otherwise and I'll change my mind.

 

[gnathv]

Look at destroked.com

 

[Big Bart]

The bolt pattern on the block of a 7.3 IDI is an International bolt pattern. Are you

The bolt pattern on a 7.3 IDI block is International. Are you telling me there is already a factory adapter that converts the International bolt pattern to a Ford Big Block pattern to mate it to a C6? I was under the impression the diesel C6s had the International Bolt pattern. I could be wrong.

As far as advance adapters, I see nothing on their website for a Ford C6. The only ates they have for the 6BT 12v is for a NV4500

Yes the C6 was also made with the IH bolt pattern of a 7.3 IDI. So if you bought an IDI with a C6 it should be that tranny. Some members have said you can drill a C6 tranny for a Ford 460 then it can bolt to a IH 7.3 IDI.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

As far as I know, the big, heavy chunk of cast iron that's between the engine block and the transmission on all of our trucks is an adapter plate that let's you bolt the international block to the Ford transmission. If the two upper bellhousing bolts go straight through the plate into the block, then it is not a Ford bolt pattern. If they thread into the plate itself and not the block, then it is a Ford bolt pattern. IIRC, the 7.3 PSD uses a Ford bolt pattern (or maybe the transmission uses the International pattern?). The top two bolts go through the plate, which was changed to an aluminum one, and straight into the block.
As for the IDI VS. Cummins, if you want to go all out and get every HP possible out of your truck, then go with a Cummins. If all you want to do is get some more power to pull a load better, then why go through all of the expense, work, and trouble to convert to a different style of engine? For example, do you just want to add 100 HP, or are you trying for an extra 1200? Even using an ATS 093/ Factory Turbo or a second gen Banks sidewinder can make some pretty impressive numbers compared to a N/A IDI.
Like I said, I'm not trying to talk you out of a Cummins swap, just asking why you want one. Especially seeing how you seem to be wanting to keep your current C6 transmission. All I've read is that you want a Cummins and an IDI will never be "as good" of an engine as a Cummins is. It seems like you're already set against the IDI because you feel that it's inadequate for your needs, but you didn't say what they are. If you said that you want to be able to pull 20,000 lbs down the interstate at 80 MPH then I can understand the desire for a Cummins. Of course that won't come cheaply either. Not even out of a 5.9 Cummins.

 

[gnathv]

Idi and 7.3 powerstroke use the same transmission bolt pattern, transmissions are interchangeable if you change solinoid pack, converter, and change lock up from pwm to on/off.

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

Do you know for sure that a 6bt will fit between the stock C6 location and the radiator? A 6bt is something like 10 inches longer than an IDI I believe. If you’re going to have to move the tranny and get new driveshafts, it might be easier to just go with an NV4500. You could sell your gear venders OD to offset the cost of a new tranny.

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

Look at destroked.com

I did. I didn't see one for my application.

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

Yes the C6 was also made with the IH bolt pattern of a 7.3 IDI. So if you bought an IDI with a C6 it should be that tranny. Some members have said you can drill a C6 tranny for a Ford 460 then it can bolt to a IH 7.3 IDI.

Ok. I really haven't paid much attention to the block/tyranny connection. So, maybe there is a stock adaptor, maybe not. I'll check it out later.

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

I see that diesel conversion specialists has an adapter to mount a 6bt to a zf5 with the IDI bolt pattern. Shouldn’t this same adapter work for the C6 as well if it has the IDI bolt pattern? You might have to take out that cast iron spacer that IDIBRONCO mentioned. Hopefully someone smarter than me will chime in and let us know whether this will work.

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

As far as I know, the big, heavy chunk of cast iron that's between the engine block and the transmission on all of our trucks is an adapter plate that let's you bolt the international block to the Ford transmission. If the two upper bellhousing bolts go straight through the plate into the block, then it is not a Ford bolt pattern. If they thread into the plate itself and not the block, then it is a Ford bolt pattern. IIRC, the 7.3 PSD uses a Ford bolt pattern (or maybe the transmission uses the International pattern?). The top two bolts go through the plate, which was changed to an aluminum one, and straight into the block.
As for the IDI VS. Cummins, if you want to go all out and get every HP possible out of your truck, then go with a Cummins. If all you want to do is get some more power to pull a load better, then why go through all of the expense, work, and trouble to convert to a different style of engine? For example, do you just want to add 100 HP, or are you trying for an extra 1200? Even using an ATS 093/ Factory Turbo or a second gen Banks sidewinder can make some pretty impressive numbers compared to a N/A IDI.
Like I said, I'm not trying to talk you out of a Cummins swap, just asking why you want one. Especially seeing how you seem to be wanting to keep your current C6 transmission. All I've read is that you want a Cummins and an IDI will never be "as good" of an engine as a Cummins is. It seems like you're already set against the IDI because you feel that it's inadequate for your needs, but you didn't say what they are. If you said that you want to be able to pull 20,000 lbs down the interstate at 80 MPH then I can understand the desire for a Cummins. Of course that won't come cheaply either. Not even out of a 5.9 Cummins.

Yeah, that's cool man. I'm not dead set on the 5.9. But I would like to do a straight axle swap on the front, and haul logs fully loaded on a 14k-16k gooseneck.

I did look up the banks sidewinder kits, that plus a upgraded pump and injectors would maybe suffice.

I do not want to relocate the Trans. I already shortened my 2 peice shift to fit the GV unit. Any shorter and I'll need to go with a 1 peice shift. So if the 5.9 requires relocation of the drive train, I'll prolly go the turbo route.....

But that 5.9 SOUND!!!! It's screams MURICA

 

[KYBricksandBulls]

I see that diesel conversion specialists has an adapter to mount a 6bt to a zf5 with the IDI bolt pattern. Shouldn’t this same adapter work for the C6 as well if it has the IDI bolt pattern? You might have to take out that cast iron spacer that IDIBRONCO mentioned. Hopefully someone smarter than me will chime in and let us know whether this will work.

Probably worth a call to Diesel Conversion Specialists. Like you said above about 10" length difference, if I have to relocate the drive train, that's more than I want to take on.

I want to keep a C6 because I just like cruising. I like to shiftgears too....but I gotta save my knees as much as possible. Knee problems run in the family and I'm 6'4" with 37" inseam. My long skinny legs don't make for great levers....lol.

 

[u2slow]

The 6BT is roughly 36" from the back of the head/block to the front of the crank damper.

I would switch up to a ZF5 since you already need a custom adapter. It's shorter length should help set the engine back. I've not been impressed with automatics behind diesels. Especially ones without lockup.

Edit: I have developed knee problems too. Too much kneeling/crawling and standing. Sitting and clutching actually seems good for me. Keeps things moving, and it's mid-range movements. Keeps me from seizing up.

This is one adapter I've found

ZF5 Adapters – Wild HORSE MFG