How do you make a 6.5 fast??
- Thread starter LBZ
- Start date
Put a Dmax in it.
Ok now we got that out of the way, I have a buddy with an 98 6.5 that he wants to make fast and pull hard.
What would a guy do if money wasn't an option to give it more hp?
Thanks
IIRC, first thing you have to do for a race version is reduce the compression. It's pretty high stock, 20:1? ish, and this is the what makes hotrodding them $$$.
Mahle has some marine pistons, and there is a Peninsular HO Marine version of this engine. But by HO, IIRC, they are talking 340 HP.
I think your normal exhaust, intake, and adding an intercooler is the first direction to go, but I'm not sure.
But with no joking around, an LBZ engine swap, even bone stock perhaps makes more financial sense than trying to go past 360HP with a 6.5. It's very easy to turn the LBZ up to 600HP (crankshaft), that's just a good tune-up, but would be a science-fair project on a 6.5.
WICKED DIESELS
you need more fuel
The 6.5 has a cast crank. I had a 94 that would turn 3800 RPM, I cut the restrictor plate out of the plenum, put a faker ect sensor in, put a big spring on the waste gate and sent the rods out the block. The bottom end in the early ones were pretty weak. GM put a new one in for $100.00 
I was gonna say chain it to a LMM, but seriously...
I was looking to buy one of those at a bargain price from a Gov auction. You know the ones where you can get a complete diesel truck with 30K on it for $500. I never pulled the trigger because they're all the non turbo and they don't have power or even the potential without a buncha mods (cash) as far as I know.
I was looking to buy one of those at a bargain price from a Gov auction. You know the ones where you can get a complete diesel truck with 30K on it for $500. I never pulled the trigger because they're all the non turbo and they don't have power or even the potential without a buncha mods (cash) as far as I know.
Before my Dmax, I had a '97 6.5L. It was a good truck, just not a powerhouse. I added the Heath Diesel Max-E Torq ECM (you replace your entire ECM as opposed to reprogramming it in the truck). I also added his PMD cooler. I added a water injection system that I made. It really helped control the EGT's when pulling heavy or running hard. An air to air intercooler would be a better option, but much more money. I put together a water inj system for about $100 the intercooler would be $1000. A few guys have pieced them together for less. Even with all the add ons it wouldn't be as fast as the newer stock diesels, but it will be quicker than it was stock. Hope this helps.
Chris
Chris
Make a grocery gitter out of it like I did after 210,000 miles and the money will go fast enough you will kind of forget the speed.:hug::hug:
Or even put a 350 small block in it. And they sound better
why would you replace it with a 350?
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