add a turbo?

[signgrafix]

My brother has a 85 6.2 non turbo with over a 100.000 miles. I just purchased a 94 turbo diesel. Well he really likes the turbo.
Here is the question, What do you guys think about him installing a turbo on his 6.2?
Would he be asking for trouble with the amount of miles?
I realize it is a "bolt on" but what about the wiring since his truck is a non-turbo?
Should he just forget about it?

[john8662]

Sure, if the engine is in good shape, there won't be too much trouble installing a turbo even with the miles.

The two components that might give trouble with the turbo installation are the head gaskets and the rear main seal. Having the replace the rear main seal is almost a given after the turbo install.

The next important question that will have to be addressed is what turbo to go with. A 6.5 turbo setup will bolt up to a 6.2 with modification, but if it's got a/c then it's a no-go. The other alternative will be a Banks turbo that can be bought new. Sometimes good deals will appear for used turbo setups on ebay, but you will have to fabricate some parts (mainly exhaust). Used ATS kits show up too.

J

[NH2112]

I'm with John, that engine's still a baby with only 100K miles. Doing the rear main isn't that much of a problem in the chassis, but if you end up having to do head gaskets (or decide to do them) I'd pull the engine. Ideally he'd get 6.5l heads, injectors, and injector lines as well because otherwise the lines won't clear the turbo exhaust manifold. You could use short van injectors and van lines, though, but the best performance will come from using parts meant for a turbo.

When I swapped my '99 6.5l TD w/mechanical pump into my '85 C1500 all I really had to do fabrication-wise was the exhaust and crossover pipe. There's not enough room for a 3" or 3.5" downpipe in mine so when I pull the truck apart this summer (hopefully) for paint I'm going to notch and reinforce the framerail to make room for the big exhaust. The crossover pipe had to be reworked because I had to use the 6.2l exhaust manifold on the driver's side due to the 6.5l manifold's flange being right where the slave cylinder needed to go. I had to extend some wiring and my fuel filter setup is kinda jerry-rigged, but before too long I'll make a nice bracket to mount both filters either on the passenger inner fender or the firewall. Then all that's left is a stud girdle and gear drive this summer!

[coxfmly]

My Sub had 114K when I installed a Banks system.

[catmandoo]

no wiring involved,but you will need to run an oil line for the turbo,which comes off just above the oil filter,and those plugs can be hell to get out,i have a somewhat complete banks set-up i might be willing to part with,it will need a turbo as i'm using it right now,but lots of em show up on ebay,it's currently on my 84 pickup(400,000miles),but i will be junking it sometime this summer..i'm thinking i should keep it for down the road but then again i'll probably never use it.also you will want to turn the pump up,it's pretty easy BUT the top of the pump must be replaced correctly or when it starts it will run wide open and you won't be able to shut it down.parts i have:pass manifold,crossover pipes to drivers manifold,braided oil line,air filter box,intake pipe from air box to air chamber,the air chamber i'm also using but if i can find a 6.5 intake i'd have that too.