Should i buy this Suburba
- Thread starter BurbanAZ
- Start date
Rot Box
Explorer
Cool! I think you'll be very happy with the mileage increase over the 454 and don't worry the 6.5 diesel they have a lot of charm and they're simple as a rock once you figure them out :bike_rider:
This might sound crazy but I actually prefer the DS4 (electronic) injector pumps over the earlier DB2 (mechanical) pumps. Imo the electronic pump and GM4 turbo matches the 6.5's power curve VERY well and its the best factory combo for power/fuel mileage imo. I would definitely invest in a FSD/PMD relocate/isolator kit like the one Heathdiesel offers. I learned the hard way that the "other" aftermarket heat sinks which bolt the FSD onto the upper intake manifold actually build more heat than they do in the stock location so don't buy that style! Get the wiring harness and move it out of the engine bay completely and your injector pump will live a long healthy life
Look into a 3" free flowing down pipe to replace the pinched off stock piece--it really makes a difference. I would also buy an extra OPS (oil pressure switch) and socket that fits and keep it in the glove box. These are know to fail (often) and when they do the lift pump will not turn on causing hard starts and hesitation while accelerating. These are located on the back of the intake manifold on the drives side. They are easy to change if you have the right socket...
The 96 and earlier models did not have the high gpm water pump and dual t-stat housing like the later years and these motors will build heat VERY fast if worked hard. No biggie other than they will crack heads if ran hot :Wow1: If you have trouble keeping the coolant temp under control you might want to consider the 97 and later t-stat housing/water pump. If thats not enough the latest composite cooling fan is another upgrade. http://heathdiesel.com/ has just about everything you could ever want for a 6.5.
Keep us posted on what you do with it :lurk:
This might sound crazy but I actually prefer the DS4 (electronic) injector pumps over the earlier DB2 (mechanical) pumps. Imo the electronic pump and GM4 turbo matches the 6.5's power curve VERY well and its the best factory combo for power/fuel mileage imo. I would definitely invest in a FSD/PMD relocate/isolator kit like the one Heathdiesel offers. I learned the hard way that the "other" aftermarket heat sinks which bolt the FSD onto the upper intake manifold actually build more heat than they do in the stock location so don't buy that style! Get the wiring harness and move it out of the engine bay completely and your injector pump will live a long healthy life
Look into a 3" free flowing down pipe to replace the pinched off stock piece--it really makes a difference. I would also buy an extra OPS (oil pressure switch) and socket that fits and keep it in the glove box. These are know to fail (often) and when they do the lift pump will not turn on causing hard starts and hesitation while accelerating. These are located on the back of the intake manifold on the drives side. They are easy to change if you have the right socket...
The 96 and earlier models did not have the high gpm water pump and dual t-stat housing like the later years and these motors will build heat VERY fast if worked hard. No biggie other than they will crack heads if ran hot :Wow1: If you have trouble keeping the coolant temp under control you might want to consider the 97 and later t-stat housing/water pump. If thats not enough the latest composite cooling fan is another upgrade. http://heathdiesel.com/ has just about everything you could ever want for a 6.5.
Keep us posted on what you do with it :lurk:
BurbanAZ
Explorer
Cool! I think you'll be very happy with the mileage increase over the 454 and don't worry the 6.5 diesel they have a lot of charm and they're simple as a rock once you figure them out :bike_rider:
This might sound crazy but I actually prefer the DS4 (electronic) injector pumps over the earlier DB2 (mechanical) pumps. Imo the electronic pump and GM4 turbo matches the 6.5's power curve VERY well and its the best factory combo for power/fuel mileage imo. I would definitely invest in a FSD/PMD relocate/isolator kit like the one Heathdiesel offers. I learned the hard way that the "other" aftermarket heat sinks which bolt the FSD onto the upper intake manifold actually build more heat than they do in the stock location so don't buy that style! Get the wiring harness and move it out of the engine bay completely and your injector pump will live a long healthy life
Look into a 3" free flowing down pipe to replace the pinched off stock piece--it really makes a difference. I would also buy an extra OPS (oil pressure switch) and socket that fits and keep it in the glove box. These are know to fail (often) and when they do the lift pump will not turn on causing hard starts and hesitation while accelerating. These are located on the back of the intake manifold on the drives side. They are easy to change if you have the right socket...
The 96 and earlier models did not have the high gpm water pump and dual t-stat housing like the later years and these motors will build heat VERY fast if worked hard. No biggie other than they will crack heads if ran hot :Wow1: If you have trouble keeping the coolant temp under control you might want to consider the 97 and later t-stat housing/water pump. If thats not enough the latest composite cooling fan is another upgrade. http://heathdiesel.com/ has just about everything you could ever want for a 6.5.
Keep us posted on what you do with it :lurk:
Im pretty sure the 94 has the electronic injector pump so ill have to look into the relocator for it. Im worried about it overheating just because its so hot where we live and if were going slow out on a trail i could see it building up some serious heat. Im going to look into upgrading to the 97+ thermostat housing and water pump, Do they directly bolt on in place of the ones on there now? Ill keep everyone posted on progress. The main thing now is i have to transfer all the upgrades i built for my 92 suburban onto this one.
Im also getting a Service engine soon light that comes on and off seems to go off when im accelerating from a stop then comes back on. Any ideas? Its hard for me to diagnose much on this engines since i dont know them very well. Also i dont see a "wait to start" light, but there is a glow plug light that comes on.
BBslider001
Diesel Head
The glow plug light is the wait-to-start light. I am not sure about the CEL. You may have to get that one diagnosed. Good on you for going for it. Follow everyone's advice about the minor upgrades. You will be glad you did. keep us posted!
BurbanAZ
Explorer
ok I wasnt sure if it had a light that actually said "wait to start" since i know alot of trucks do. Im definitely going to do the minor upgrades, hopefully they will save me some headaches in the future.
BurbanAZ
Explorer
Thanks. Yea i just want decent mileage and reliability, im not going for a powerhouse. I drove it around all today and it drives great, im amazing with how smooth the tranny is. I had a 4l80e in my last suburban but it wasnt in as good shape as this one. Im happy to find out it has 4.10 gears also.
Terrainist
Explorer
Congrats. Drive it and don't worry about it. And enjoy twice the fuel mileage over your 454, huge difference.... as I'm sure you've figured out. Makes the truck much easier to use when you aren't putting 100 dollar bills in the tank to go half the distance. Ouch.
The bright side to not knowing much about diesels when you first get into one is... they usually just keep running anyway whether it's a mystery to you how it is doing it or not.
The bright side to not knowing much about diesels when you first get into one is... they usually just keep running anyway whether it's a mystery to you how it is doing it or not.
LIVEanimals
Observer
This thread should have all kinds of pictures in it by now, COME ON!!!!!
BurbanAZ
Explorer
lol i thought i had posted a pic but i guess not. Heres a few, the guy was older and just used it to tow stuff so he kept is completely stock and clean, exactly how i like to buy vehicles. Needs some work, brakes need to be done, a few random sensor codes and some little stuff but after a little time i think it will be great.
and a picture of the whole fleet lol
and a picture of the whole fleet lol