[Vwdiesel] Diesel conversions

[James Hansen]

William J Toensing wrote:
> You are increasing my interest in converting the Packard. I wouldn't
> put in the GM 5.7L as I believe this is the converted Olds gas engine
> that GM offered in their rear drive big cars from Chev to Cadillac
> back in the early '80s that gave GM & diesel a bad name. Of the GM
> 6.2, 6.5, & Duramax diesels, how much does each weigh? Is there any
> significant difference in the physical size of these engines? Any
> idea about what you would be cheaper to buy as a combo engine &
> automatic. Are there any differences in automatic transmissions you
> could use? Does one or more have a lock up torque converter? The
> shipping weight of my Packard Patrician is 4255 pounds & the stock
> V-8 is heavy. I would be more interested in durability & fuel
> efficiency as opposed to performance. Which engine would run on
> biodiesel or could more easily be converted to run on waste vegetable
> oil? When done, I would want my Packard to look totally stock until
> you open the hood. _______________________________________________ 
> Vwdiesel mailing list Vwdiesel at vwfans.com 
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> 


I can't speak to veg oil, bio diesel, etc.  In my opinion, of you choose 
to run anything other than pump diesel, you are going to have problems 
at some point, to think otherwise would be contrary to most things I 
have read that weren't trying to sell me something.  None of the motors 
are bio-d ready, unless the later duramax units, but they are all common 
rail, and VERY intolerant of fuel anomalies.
  If I believe the stuff that originates from the retailers of 
merchandise related to adding on kits to use other than diesel, You 
could run the thing on puree of moldy sock found under a dumpster in 
east L.A. without problems, it's really a matter of what you are 
prepared to deal with.  I would refrain from unheated veg oil no matter 
what I'm told.

That said, weights?  Dunno. they're all heavy. Equivalent to a 454 big 
block, dunno about the Duramax, there's more aluminum in it.

6.2 and 6.5 are pretty much identical.  Stay away from the electronic 
modules on the 6.5 pumps.  They fail to the tune of $600.00 cdn.  Mine 
is a kind of bastardized unit- it uses a fully mechanical 6.2 pump, on a 
6.5 motor with the Gale Banks turbo to get away from the really stupid 
(fail every 50000km) electronic components of the 6.5.   I would look 
for a 6.2 for your purposes.  You want a cruiser, it will cruise.  The 
stock slushbox was pretty robust in that truck, but any 3/4 ton GMC 
diesel truck tranny will fit.  The later upgrade was to build the trans 
with heavier duty parts, as offered by GM as a trade in upgrade, or as 
improved by any good trans shops.
Any good shop can add a torque converter lockup switch to a slushbox, 
but it makes for something you really have to pay attention to while 
driving so you don't lug the motor. 6.2/6.5 do not appreciate being 
lugged, they're V8's they like to sing, and will do so all day under 
heavy load, but will not lug worth a hoot.

My preference would be a NV4500 5 speed.

here's some good reading on GM slushboxes
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/th700r4.htm

The best combo in my opinion would be a 6.2 with a turbo-intercooler 
coupled to a NV400 five speed.  Gear the rear to give top gear cruise in 
5th at 1800 rpm.

Next would be a turbo 6.2 with a th700R4 hydramatic.
Next would be a 6.2 no turbo with either of the above.
then a 6.5 with a 5 speed and so on.

I would tend to steer away from a duramax, as they bring a host of other 
problems in adapting to the new vehicle... unless of course you are a 
whiz kid when it comes to reading circuit diagrams and automotive diagrams.

-james