6.2L Detroit Diesel Build

BlazerFanatic

New member
Nov 13, 2014
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Rapid City, SD
I have a 1984 Blazer with the 6.2 in it. Been looking around and seeing intake upgrades and the such, but nothing about exhausts. Mine is a true dual. Would straight piping it help with power? What about x/y pipes? If you have builds, please share. I could use all the knowledge I can get. Thanks!
 

Big Block 88

Multiple choice muscle
Nov 3, 2008
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There is a few 6.2/6.5 detroit guys here. A site with alot of the knowledge for those engines is "the truck stop". They are more centered around the detroits.

Some of these guys here can help you to though
 

02greysixer

Active member
Jun 4, 2011
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North Central FL
I'm slowly acquiring parts to build my 6.2 blazer. I am not going to do anything crazy. My plan was to do a valve job, head gaskets, 6.5 p.side exhaust manifold and turbo, 6.5 intake manifolds, crank the pump up, possibly 6.5 injectors and serpentine belt drive. A lot of parts swap over from what I'm gathering. Then just hammer on it to see how she holds up. I'd be ecstatic to put 2-250 horsepower to the ground.

Depending on what you're after out of the truck you may be money ahead to find a healthy 6.5 and swap it to a mechanical pump if it doesn't already have one. I am leaning more in this direction because I think a little more power can be squeezed out of a 6.5.

Depending on how plugged with soot your stock mufflers are you may see a bump in power by changing them. Straight pipes are LOUD
 

Big Block 88

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Nov 3, 2008
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Not only are straight pipes loud, but idi engines sound like glasspacks through straight pipes. 6.2 or 6.5 its still an idi, power wont be easy and compression is ridiculous. But they are cool and sound awsome, back in the early 90's we pulled the trailers with ford 460 and chevy 454 as the diesel game had not stepped up. Then once hauling in western ks we were passed by a 3+3 6.2 with a sidewinder. It was unbelievable at the time and even our early 7.3 turbos and powerstorkes had a hard time hanging with the sidewinder 6.2's. Pretty mean little rigs for their day.

Red block 6.2 i believe is the best bet for durability and or the optimizer 6.5's from navistar <( i believe) are you best bet.
 

gassux

Member
Mar 14, 2010
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not much better sounding engine than a 6.2 being wound up through the gears. They sound like a smaller version of a 6v71
 

BlazerFanatic

New member
Nov 13, 2014
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Rapid City, SD
Im stuck with a small budget. Poor college student... I looked into swapping 6.5 exhaust manifolds, but that requires a bit of welding/machine work? How hard is it to swap to a serpentine? This is primarily a trail rig, so im pretty excited to hear what it sounds straight piped. but exhaust wise, should i keep true dual, or x/y pipe?
 
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Big Block 88

Multiple choice muscle
Nov 3, 2008
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Ummm no idea. I want to say yes but i just dont know enough.

You being on a budget maybe check out govtliquidation.com

They have auctions on new and used 6.2/6.5 engines and some are the am general optimizer engines. They go for little to nothing. I just scrapped a few 6.2 engines i had around and with your thread and another guy on here i wish i would have thought to just give them away
 

flyinelvis11

Member
May 11, 2010
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Military hummers with the 6.2 had headers on them. You might want to explore that route vs. Modifying 6.5 manifolds... unless you were wanting to turbo charge it....
Also another forum with Detroit guys on it is "diesel place" you might check it out too
 

Big Block 88

Multiple choice muscle
Nov 3, 2008
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We have surplus deuce and a half engines 3 of them new in crate. But its pretty heavy. The cummins 250 in the 5 tons is a great motor also but your back tire wont be in the ground
 

plowboy_lbz

Farmer
Aug 6, 2013
431
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Dieselplace.com has a lot 6.2/6.5 guys on it. That's why I don't get on there anymore because they hardly ever talked about duramax. Lol