Duramax Motor Swapping

[TankBulldog]

There must be someone who has swaped a Duramax into a 1967-72 C/K? I need any info I can get. How about a 73-85?

Thanks TankBulldog

[a5150nut]

Take a look at the Duramax Power Project in the Featured Articles. Follow that and you will find your answers.............

[madmatt]

I don't know about a D-max but i've got a 3116 Cat in my 1970 k10. I'm running an allison tranny, pro-fab drop box and 1 ton axles. it actually went better then I ever thought. I had to modify the floorpan and firewall for clearence. I've also got a 3208 but i think the weight would be too much of an issue and I haven't found a gear box/driveline that would hold it.

[a5150nut]

MadMatt

Got any pics of the 3116?

I saw a 70's Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 with a 3208 in it. Don't remember what he did for a trans. I know he was looking for more gears to get more top end. I think he said it tacked out at 56mph.

An Allison will hold up to it though. I drove an F7000 Ford 10 wheel greese truck with 3208 and Allison. Everyone thought the mud & snows would sink in the sand in Palm Desert. But just add fuel until you saw the tires start to slip and it would walk right out.

[madmatt]

i've got pics before the swap but no new ones since it's an ongoing project. as for the 3208, i'm more concerned about driveline trouble.1863 hp at the flywheel and w/ both turbos it would be a plumbing job from hell. the weight is only an issue because I don't yet have power brakes and just added the power steering when i did the new running gear. this truck was 2wd when i bought it 9 years ago. also it will be a street class pulling truck and I have to make weight. I haven't weighed it yet. when it's done i'll be sure to post pics. it's currently on hold till i get my new garage finished. for now the 3116 is more then enough for this rig. it's a stump pulling, black smokin' son of a gun. dynoed @ 652 rwhp w/ little work and all factory Cat parts. I've seen them make over 2k @ the flywheel.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I think you might run into a problem with the older vehicles because the frame rails are not as wide.....I think. The CAT is a good idea because, if I'm not mistaken, it's an inline 6 cylinder whereas the Duramax is a v8...much wider. Good luck though it sounds cool.
JP

[More Power]

The only thing I've heard was from a member who was attempting to install a Duramax/Allison in an 80's crew cab 1-ton. He ran into frame rail interference problems, and had to do some cutting to clear the exhaust. Without having seen pics of his project, I don't know for sure where the interference was, but I suspect it was in the area of the turbo downpipe.

I suggested he add structural support to the frame where the cuts were made. It's been a few months since I heard from him.

MP

[madmatt]

the 3116 is a 7.2L inline 6 and the 3208 is a big, wide heavy v-8.

[Craig M]

I know of over 3 C/K truck (1982-1988 style) that have had the Cat 3208's installed. An Allison transmission is a typical choice for transmission, but a manual could work as well. Front end does have to be reinforced for the extra weight.

[a5150nut]

madmatt,

What bellhousing fits the 3116?

[madmatt]

i just used the factory rear housing that was on the engine. the only difference in them is the mount locations which didn't matter because I had to make mounts. also I just found a tranny that had been mounted behind a 3116 in a GMC topkick so the tranny mounted right up. There is truck salvage yard on the Indiana-Illinois line, I think it's called Illi-Anna or Illiana truck parts or something. They were a big help in finding the tranny but also offer engines and aother misc. used truck parts.