Banks kit on high milage 6.2?

[darkroad]

I am wanting to put a banks turbo kit back on my 1990 V2500 6.2NA suburban. The original owner had installed one on it soon after he bought it. I don't know when it went out but by the time I had purchased it , (3rd owner) the turbo was gone and they had installed a passenger side na manifold and 2" duals out the back. (Need to get bigger pipes out the back) Big hole where turbo should have been. Still had banks filter box and the hoses comming out of the turbo and the air cleaner box for the banks 6.2 turbo kit. Sold all the extra stuff on e-bay, would rather buy new kit than try and piece together one. My question is this? I am not sure if the motor is original. Odometer is showing 211,000 , motor has goodwrench on the drivers side valve cover which leads me to believe it has been changed at some time. I did a compression check and got 400-410 psi on 7 cylinders and 385 on the number 5 cylinder. Should I change out the head gaskets before doing this? I am also adding a DB2-4911 rebuilt pump, 6.5 turbo injectors, gear drive, hiflo water pump at the same time. From what I have read it is easier to pull the motor than to try and change out the heads in the truck. Pros and cons appreciated.

Once again thanks for all the help in the past as I have been able to find out everything I needed assistance with from all of your replies.


Darkroad

[john8662]

The compression is good. Your guess that the engine had been changed out was accurate with the Goodwrench sticker on the valve cover. The good news is that it was a factory crate engine, not a reman.

The 385 in that one hole wouldn't necessarily mean a leaky head gasket.

I vote to install the turbo kit as the engine is. The Banks unit isn't really that high performance, it's a big boost for sure, but it's pretty moderate. The 4911 pump and injectors does change that for sure though.

It always cost more $$ the more you take apart...

[doncannon]

darkroad,

I agree with john8662. The compression is good and the cyl with 385 is still within 10% and my compression numbers were lower (i have 170k). So yours must be a crate replacement. No I think the head gaskets are ok. A good choice with the 4911, 6.5td inj., the cooling mods and gear set. You may want to consider an egt and boost gauge if you do not already have them and limit to 1050 degrees (egt) and 12 lbs on the boost. If memory serves me correctly according to when i did mine about 2 yrs ago.

I believe my banks kit works very well and I am happy with it. I would get a complete kit if you can, if not I can mail you a copy of my manual to make sure you get all the parts. I got my banks and the guy said it was missing a few things..some how it turns out to be several. I was missing the block plate at the fuel pump for the turbo oil drain, but I know how it is when you tear something apart and things tend to get lost.

I always looking for more power and wanting to explore my options for budget constraints. I am sure others will chime in and correct me if i am wrong or can add to this post. Good luck and it WILL be worth all the trouble.
hope this helps,
Don
PS Others recommeded replacing the rear main seal, however with the crate engine I do not think it would be necessary. You can always do it latter if you have an oil leak.