83 Suburban 6.2 Project
- Thread starter bfdiesel
- Start date
REDROVER
Explorer
bfdiesel
Explorer
with the size of the radiator, oil cooler and the removal of the 700R4 heat pump I feel overheating is not a problem. I have actually found putting around on the back trails it starts to cool off. I ran some motor oil through mine and it worked fine I just need to filter it more before I use it next time.
bftank just for you I will try to get a picture of the missing rat nest. The only reason it went away is I had to haul a trailer to the dump and needed to fix the wiring for trailer lights. Now when it is not in use it gets stuffed up behind the fuel tank.
bftank just for you I will try to get a picture of the missing rat nest. The only reason it went away is I had to haul a trailer to the dump and needed to fix the wiring for trailer lights. Now when it is not in use it gets stuffed up behind the fuel tank.
barnstormer
Wanderer
I see you are in Colorado- what is the elevation where you are? I'm considering a project similar to yours, and it would have to run around in the higher elevations as well (I live over in Salida when I'm in the USA). Is the non-turbo a total dog? Would it manage the passes up around 10k without being too slow?
Have you ever run WMO in yours?
Thanks. Your truck looks like just the kind of project I'm looking for.
Have you ever run WMO in yours?
Thanks. Your truck looks like just the kind of project I'm looking for.
saveitforsunrise
Adventurer
Ok, I have ALOT of questions, I have a 97 tahoe, 14ff rear stock, ifs stuffed up front, already did a transmission swap to a nv3500 and 241c, going into this vehicle, would the 6.2 be enough power? Or should i shoot for 6.5? I was really thinking cummins, but the cost, and weight of that will make me sas witch means it would be years, so back on the Detroit, Iv read up alot on steel soldiers about the 6.2, they all seem to be really underpowered, but the 6.5 seems to be a disaster waiting to happen, can you get decent power running a turbo, injectors, pump, and the other sort, i know parts will be easier to come by for the Detroit due to them comming in the chassis so fuel pump and the such wont be rigged to work, sooo.....am i headed in the right direction? Im getting my Associates in metal fab/welding+blueprint so coming up with mounts and such are not a problem if needed.
bfdiesel
Explorer
Elevation is about 6800 ft at my house. Yes the NA 6.2 is a dog. When I had the 28" tall tires on it it wasn't too bad kept speed on all but the steepest hills. With the 33's I slow down below 40 mph on the steepest of those same hills and can usually push it up to 35-40 mph in third and hold there. I stay off of I-70 with it over Eisenhower. I don't expect it to go fast anywhere, but I can run down the road at 65, more if I wanted to push it harder.
bftank and I hang out in the 9000 to 10000 ft range on our monthly trips and it does fine, but we are in the back country and speed is not an issue. It does become more of a dog as we climb, but I knew it would. I have had a couple of people offer me stock 6.5 turbo set ups, but I want to keep it simple, reliable and easy to work on.
The 6.2 NA has actually surprised me I thought it would be more of a dog than it is. According the the scale at my local dump the suburban weighs in at 3.5 tons without all my gear.
5.13's and a nv4500 would be better with 33's or 35's.
I have ran WMO through the 6.2 and it didn't care it just smelled like it was burning oil. Next time I will filter the feed stock more as it did shorten the fuel filter life.
bfdiesel
Explorer
First Gale Banks made more power out of the 6.2 than the 6.5 from what I have found. That would be with his side winder turbo kit though. It was the stock upgrade in 1989 from the factory. The 6.5 turbo setup will bolt onto the 6.2 so you could go that route it would have more power than a NA 6.2, but it still won't be a 12v cummins.
The 6.2 is simpler than the 6.5 in that the only power it needs to run is the voltage to the shut off solenoid, if you have a manual and park on a hill you don't even need a starter
. They came with a mechanical lift pump off the crank to get fuel to the injection pump, but a lot of people upgrade to an electric one for quicker starting, a walbro FRB5 is popular even with the 6.5 guys. My NA 6.2 is rated for 140 hp and 240 ft.lb. at sea level. A Bank sidewinder kit would supposedly make it 200 hp and 355 ft.lb. http://www.bankspower.com/products/show/156/11
The 6.2 is the cheapest diesel out there to rebuild. Diesel Power has an article on one they did. Some good info in it. http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/chevy/0554dp_62l_buildup/viewall.html
Are you headed in the right direction? Well that is up to you and your compass.
If you have any more questions let me know I can usually dig up an answer
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bfdiesel
Explorer
You are now my witness as you have seen that the mess is gone.
bftank
Explorer
berry nice!
and here is the link for your bushings; http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Chevrolet+4WD+Suburban+1983
looks like the fusb is about $15
and here is the link for your bushings; http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Chevrolet+4WD+Suburban+1983
looks like the fusb is about $15
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