Duramax Thirdgen Camaro Swap

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lunati397

New member
Sep 21, 2011
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This is not a theoretical or what it this is happening

So the car started off as my highschool car bought it for 4000 back in 97 (looks weird writing the 90s) It had a 305 and auto and I thought it was the fastest thing in the world then I graduate and go into the Airforce my first base it Italy so it stays here in the states and sits and waits

3 years later I get stationed in FL and head off to Iraq a few times and then I figured out what quick is

it got new paint interior wheels and a 383 lt4 with a 6 speed
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well then I sold that motor and trans and the car sat again waiting then I get stationed in NM where I am now and it still had no engine then I came across a few deals first one was a 2006 LQ4 that looks brand new complete with everything then a rolled 2003 2500 HD that I had intentions of parting out and making money for my 6.0 well then I go off to Afganistan for 7 months and while there I got a hair up my A** and well decided to go with the Duramax


WHY

Cost I can get 600 hp and 1300 ft tq for a few thousand
No one has done this yet there are alot of 6.0 swaps no 6.6 diesels
I have a goal of getting my car in a magazine some day
I have a goal to run 9s in the 1/4 mile

This will achieve everything I want


I have done all the research it weighs 140 more than a big block and is roughly the same size Height is the issue and I can make modifications for that if need to like remote mount the turbo


This will be fun it will be alot of work and it will be the first and it started today this will not be overnight I do get busy and I have projects to I do for others all the time and powdercoating but I will be doing as much as I can whenever I can

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L

lunati397

New member
Sep 21, 2011
33
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0
I plan to smooth the engine bay and fab up my own up pipes and manifolds for the duramax and it will see alot of powdercoating because I can get a great price and its close by located in the back left corner of my garage and ill give myself a deal lol
 
bravo98

bravo98

New member
Nov 7, 2011
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northern illinois
i had a 89 myself was a great car when i was 16. i also thought it was fast till i got my ass handed to me by a z24 cavalier... good luck and i cant wait to see the outcome. its going to be unique, also thanks for serving our country...
 
L

lunati397

New member
Sep 21, 2011
33
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0
I got the motor out of the truck separated from huge allison it must have been taken out before because 3 of the bolts were very loose

then onto the camaro

I just wanted to set it in there to see where and what to start with and it actually fit better than I thought it would

1-- need to relocate the huge oil filter housing setup

2-- build K member with clearance for the oil pan the stock one does clear but the steering bar hits the front pan but I will be making a rack and pinion setup with the K member I found a rack that will work that has the same throw as stock after some modification

3-- will need to trim the firewall lip to clear the turbo I think I will run it smooth and get rid of the whole lip and I have an idea with using a blazer/S10 wiper box and relocating it to behind the firewall and get rid of the huge steering box

4-- the turbo exhaust will not work good in its current routing so im thinking of going straight left (from looking at the enginebay) then down and through the outside the frame rail .. dont know exactly yet but will figure out

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Fingers

Fingers

Village Idiot
Vendor/Sponsor
Apr 1, 2008
1,715
86
48
White Oak, PA
And I thought the big blocks were a tight fit!

Last big block I saw shoe horned into that type compartment had the towers windowed for the headers. The owner said the K member, towers and steering was a "kit". If you want, I'll try and look the guy up again and ask his source.

Dressed Dmax is about 300# more than the big block IIRC.

Good Luck!!
 
THEFERMANATOR

THEFERMANATOR

LEGALLY INSANE
Feb 16, 2009
3,890
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ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
Fingers said:
And I thought the big blocks were a tight fit!

Last big block I saw shoe horned into that type compartment had the towers windowed for the headers. The owner said the K member, towers and steering was a "kit". If you want, I'll try and look the guy up again and ask his source.

Dressed Dmax is about 300# more than the big block IIRC.

Good Luck!!
Click to expand...

I bit less than that. I know the 454 vortec is about 80 pounds heavier in a late 90's truck than a 6.5 turbo diesel. And the DURAMAX/ALLISON combo is about 250 pounds heavier than the 6.5/4L80E combo was, and almost 150 pounds of that is the ALLISON. So in all actuality the DURAMAX is only about 50 pounds heavier than an iron block and head 454 big block.
 
L

lunati397

New member
Sep 21, 2011
33
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the weight isnt a concern to me I know its more but not by much and not more than the car can handle

the TQ is a concern its more than a third gen has ever seen so thats where my focus is on strengthening the hell out of the chassis
 
Fingers

Fingers

Village Idiot
Vendor/Sponsor
Apr 1, 2008
1,715
86
48
White Oak, PA
THEFERMANATOR said:
I bit less than that. I know the 454 vortec is about 80 pounds heavier in a late 90's truck than a 6.5 turbo diesel. And the DURAMAX/ALLISON combo is about 250 pounds heavier than the 6.5/4L80E combo was, and almost 150 pounds of that is the ALLISON. So in all actuality the DURAMAX is only about 50 pounds heavier than an iron block and head 454 big block.
Click to expand...

Big blocks (cast iron block) weigh in about 600-700 depending on how they are dressed and options. Dmax engines are 900-1100 depending on what you call "dressed". All without the Allison

The 6.5 was essentially a modified small block. Same ballpark weight as a small block.

The allison weighs 330 dry. 4L80E about 150 dry.
 
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