6.5 turbo setup in pre 88 body style trucks

[Vin82k3500]

does anyone have photos of early model truucks or 6.2 powered trucks running the gm 6.5 diesel turbo manifold I have been looking for a banks style and not finding a used one for less than what I can buy a new one for just wanting to see how it will work seen some on youtube but not enough description on what mods were required have a few different turbos I may use just swapped my nv4500 and a few other things from my old cummins and got an hx35/40 hybrid so its called I have several 6.5 manifolds I have the whole setup I am actually using the non egr 6.5 intake with a small k and n on my p400 running non turboed more than anything wanting to see if I can make it work or if I should just sent the 300 bucks and get a new banks manifold I am not looking for a kit only trying to accomodate the smaller chassis of the eary style truck

[Robyn]

If you have AC, then you need to get the turbo further forward.

You can do the Banks thing, or you can fabricate a nice little offset adapter to allow the turbo to sit far enough forward so it does not hit the AC avaporator housing.

I have seen some very cool offset flanges done up with round bends and welded together.

The oil drain would need a bit of mods too.

I think the rest will work OK.

The Banks is a sweet setup, and there were a couple other "KITS" sold during that time period

The only caviat is where to drop the outlet from the turbo.

It almost has to go though the inner fender and outside the frame, then back in an under and on out the rear



The Banks kits ran the down pipe past the starter and off the back side by the engine.

Very tight and real Beotch to work on.

Dropping outside the frame allows some very smooth flowing bends in 3-1/2" exhaust tube or even a full 4 inches

If you can take some time, try bolting on the GM manifold and just see where it has the issue, then you can sketch out whats needed.

I have seen a couple folks use the AC Box from an S10 and tweek it to fit in there, this I am told makes the job workable with the stock GM manifold.

I have never done it, so I can't tell you all the little stuff.

The crossover should work from the GMT400 trucks.
Use the 6.5 LH ex man too.


The brick body rigs have a bit more clearance between the engine and the hood, so a slight raise in the turbo should not be an issue either.

Hope this helps

[Vin82k3500]

My AC is not in right now because my evaporator case off it looks like im using an hx35 that came off my old dodge its new and seems to fit just fine as far as the manifold goes on my old engine it fits like a glove as far as using the lh manifold from the 6.5 its not an option since it wont clear my cluch linkage I do believe I will have to run the exhuast outside my frame since with the nv4500 between the frame rails their is not enogh room for an exhaust pipe my current pipes are dropped below the frame have looked at a banks kit but just dont want to pay that much for something used when all I think I would use is the manifold as I said I am running a p400 so it allready has the oil drain for the turbo where the fuel pump was on my 6.2 and has oil feed line also its jic capped right now since I am not running a turbo maybey if I get some motivation I will pull the nose back off and lift the engine and swap the right side manifold and see what I am looking at I was seriously considering the late model s10 evaporator case as an option and its better suited for r134a than my older harrison unitas far as the expansion valve is concerned anyway I am more hoping to use the stuff I got nothing planned for it in the next few weeks maybey I will give it a shot and see how it fits.

[Vin82k3500]

like the term brick body never heard that one as my evaporator case has a crack saw some cheap on ebay for an s10

[Robyn]

The platform designation for what some of us call the "Brick" is also refered to the 3rd Generation.
Gen 1 was 60-66
Gen 2 was 67-72
Gen 3 was 73-87 and carried on to 91 in the Burbs, K5 Blazer and crew cabs. There were a few mid course mods, one being the hood/cowl change that made the cowl vent a seperate piece. The problematic hood kinking was also eliminated with a change in the hinge assembly.
There were also running mods to the grills and trim styles inside and out.
The dash assembly morphed some too during the 73-87 run.

Gen 4 is what is now called the GMT400 series
This was followed by the GMT 800 and now the GMT 900 (current trucks)

It took me a long time to warm up to the GMT 400 series, and I still dislike the design, especially when it comes to rolling the windows down and having the rain roll right in, due to the lack of a gutter (drip rail)

The GMT 400 style also has an issue with large amounts of wind noise when the windows are dropped some at road speed.

It may be asthetically pleasing and aerodynamically more efficient, but it SUCKS in the practicality arena.

Nuff on my rant :D

Missy

[More Power]

If the $300 for the 6.2L Sidewinder Banks exhaust manifold is doable on your end, I'd recommend it. You'll be glad you have it. The installation will look far better and will work far better. Everything else is just a Rube Goldberg installation that looks like it.

Jim

[Vin82k3500]

the 300 is well doable its just that I have the other stuff so I was gonna try to make it work I have no room for a turbo down pipe as yet that I can see as my truck is lowered slightly and has the nv4500 trans cant even fit stock size exhaust between the frame and the running gear but I am seroisly considering the banks manifold the way to go been trying to buy used ones from junkers but they want me to buy the whole thing for way more than its worth personally i like the looks of the 6.5 set up but where I am putting in an i/c i think the turbo location with the banks will be much better probably wait till i get it its deffinatley easier than swapping my a/c and all that crap and as tight as this thing is between my frame rails I really dont want to do it twice I was hoping to see some pictures of how its done cause there are a few on youtube running the 6.5 setup but dont show the exhaust from the turbo under the hood they look like factory no rush on doing this so I know I can ebay lots of my 6.5 td stuff and have no problem getting a new banks manifold im looking at a sub this weekend with the whole kit if they guy doesent want a hundred million dollars for it I will probably pick it up here in the rust belt nobody seems to have any apreciation for these older style trucks they even see a nice one all they see is junk and they want more to take parts off them then they get for scraping them wich is high here.

[Vin82k3500]

The platform designation for what some of us call the "Brick" is also refered to the 3rd Generation.
Gen 1 was 60-66
Gen 2 was 67-72
Gen 3 was 73-87 and carried on to 91 in the Burbs, K5 Blazer and crew cabs. There were a few mid course mods, one being the hood/cowl change that made the cowl vent a seperate piece. The problematic hood kinking was also eliminated with a change in the hinge assembly.
There were also running mods to the grills and trim styles inside and out.
The dash assembly morphed some too during the 73-87 run.

Gen 4 is what is now called the GMT400 series
This was followed by the GMT 800 and now the GMT 900 (current trucks)

It took me a long time to warm up to the GMT 400 series, and I still dislike the design, especially when it comes to rolling the windows down and having the rain roll right in, due to the lack of a gutter (drip rail)

The GMT 400 style also has an issue with large amounts of wind noise when the windows are dropped some at road speed.

It may be asthetically pleasing and aerodynamically more efficient, but it SUCKS in the practicality arena.

Nuff on my rant :D

MissyI am very familiar with gen 3 and all the changes by year as well as gen 4 I have had 3 gen 4 trucks you are right about wind noise the 95 my wife drives is almost unbearable at highway speeds maybey the bodystyle is more aerodynamic but I have not seen 20 mpg in a gen 4 unless it was a v6 with a 5 speed every gen 3 I have owned had no problem getting at least 19 mpg even with a small block and an auto sorry for adding to the rant I have been driving this a long time and cant get used to a newer truck:cool:

[More Power]

the 300 is well doable its just that I have the other stuff so I was gonna try to make it work I have no room for a turbo down pipe as yet that I can see as my truck is lowered slightly and has the nv4500 trans cant even fit stock size exhaust between the frame and the running gear but I am seroisly considering the banks manifold the way to go been trying to buy used ones from junkers but they want me to buy the whole thing for way more than its worth personally i like the looks of the 6.5 set up but where I am putting in an i/c i think the turbo location with the banks will be much better probably wait till i get it its deffinatley easier than swapping my a/c and all that crap and as tight as this thing is between my frame rails I really dont want to do it twice I was hoping to see some pictures of how its done cause there are a few on youtube running the 6.5 setup but dont show the exhaust from the turbo under the hood they look like factory no rush on doing this so I know I can ebay lots of my 6.5 td stuff and have no problem getting a new banks manifold im looking at a sub this weekend with the whole kit if they guy doesent want a hundred million dollars for it I will probably pick it up here in the rust belt nobody seems to have any apreciation for these older style trucks they even see a nice one all they see is junk and they want more to take parts off them then they get for scraping them wich is high here.

Those who have installed a factory 6.5TD system on their 6.2 in a 1980s truck had to dog-leg a custom turbo downpipe to either inside or outside the frame rail. The turbo exhaust exit on the GM-series turbo points the exhaust straight down at the center of the frame rail - some inches away. I've seen photos of the installation, and have talked to a few who have done it. The first one said he would not do it again.

Then, there's the interference problem between the 6.5 exhaust manifold and the ends of the injectors. One fellow in Australia produced a 1/4" steel spacer to move the manifold out from the head to provide clearance. In 1991, GM redesigned the injector mounting to a more upright angle to allow more clearance for the upcoming (at the time) 6.5TD turbo system.

Then there's the interference with the 80s body style HVAC system mounted to the firewall (as was discussed in this thread). Taken as a whole, fitment is a problem that can't be solved with much grace. The Banks system is the cleanest/nicest way out.

Jim

[Vin82k3500]

I have noticed the issue with the down pipe however as far as injectors keep in mind i am running a freshly installed p400 6500 so injectors is not an issue it does look like the banks is gonna be the way to go with a new manifold from banks for 300 vs the used ones for 650 to be honest the mnore I drive this thing the more I could really give 2 turds if it had a turbo I get sick and tired of everyone trashing me for not having a turbo on this thing but to be honest I think I got the power I wanted with just the fresh engine and fuel system I went from a tired 4.3 v6 gasser to a fresh heavy duty 6.5 diesel in the same truck im not dissapointed and I am glad I did this over going back to gas after an issue with the crank in the 6.2 hopefully this forged crank wont let me down I will just bide my time and when i get the banks manifold than ill pull it back apart and put it on in the mean time I think im gonna leave my engine mount bolts be and run it n/a.

[greatwhite]

Who's trashing you?

Can't recall seeing that here....

Anyways, my .02; if the truck does what you want as is and you're happy with it, why are you going through the trouble and expense of turbocharging it?

As a side bonus, that p400 should outlast a couple trucks in it's current understressed NA form.

Don't get me wrong, I like mine turbo charged but I also need it to haul an 8500 lb travel trailer.

But if you don need that kind of grunt or feel the need to chase more power, just leave it alone and enjoy it "as is".

As long as you're happy with it this way, who cares what other people think?

I'll get off my soap box now.....

[Vin82k3500]

not on here great white nobody on here is trashing me its the local guys that have diesels that are trashing me it pretty much seems to do all I want it to do like I said I wouldnt mind putting a turbo on but if I cant do it with the parts I have I am not gonna do it this year I dont really want to put anymore money in it this year I just dumped alot in it in the last 3 months thewy act like I am a disgrace to all the others around that have diesels because mine dont have a turbo and like im only running half an engine i try to explain to them its not like their lower compression engines that need a turbo to make any kind of power at all but its a waste of breath

[Vin82k3500]

I only pull a 6000 pound trailer dont seem to have an issue with it its all country roads here no heavy traffic not really any serious grades [retty easy driving last week I had a local guy literal throw a fit over the strong smell of my exhaust compared to his 6,0 psd I said look buddy my truck is more than 20 years older than yours

[RigEngineer]

Hello,

I have read all of your posts very closely as i want to pursue the same drivetrain in my 85 K30 to replace a worn out 6.2 as you have in your 82 K30. I want to thank you for sharing all of your information about the NV4500 transmission which i want to replace my SM465. However, I have not seen what happened with the P400 Oil Pan on your 4x4. Did the pan fit into our straight axle trucks without modification? Any advise you could give on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Vin82k3500]

I cant speak for all RigEngineer But for my truck the p400 was drop in

[Vin82k3500]

Hello,

I have read all of your posts very closely as i want to pursue the same drivetrain in my 85 K30 to replace a worn out 6.2 as you have in your 82 K30. I want to thank you for sharing all of your information about the NV4500 transmission which i want to replace my SM465. However, I have not seen what happened with the P400 Oil Pan on your 4x4. Did the pan fit into our straight axle trucks without modification? Any advise you could give on this would be greatly appreciated.

in my 82 there was no clearance issue at all with the oil pain there is nothing under the oil pan but the axle tube and that is nearly a town away from being in the way of the oil pan dont hold me to it my frame was replaced a few years ago but it is still a 1 ton frame but I took my chances and ordered it and it fit like it was meant to be there I just needed to get a new flywheel since my 6.2 had a 2 piece seal and the p400 has a 1 piece rear seal its serving my purpose so far I am running mine n/a currently but the temps got quite high going through west virginia back in september so I am gonna be looking into a turbo if I continue to hot shot with this truck in the next couple years and my nv4500 swap is kinda unique because I use all stock components for an sm 465 4 speed just got an advance adapters bellhousing and machined parts and made parts but even uses stock 4 speed clutch kit and fork