1991 suburban diesel swap?

[91Subbed]

i have a random question....i have a 1991 suburban 350 2wd with a 700r4 tranny. is it possible to swap the gas engine with a diesel engine? how hard would that be? would it be worth it? could the same tranny be used?

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by 91Subbed

i have a random question....i have a 1991 suburban 350 2wd with a 700r4 tranny. is it possible to swap the gas engine with a diesel engine? how hard would that be? would it be worth it? could the same tranny be used?

Yes it can be done. Are you thinking of a 6.2L swap or Cummins? The 6.2L would be the easiest. Some of the thing off the top of my head you would need include:

-BBC motor mounts
-extra battery tray for dual batteries
-diesel flex plate
-4 core radiator
-hydroboost brakes
-You can use your existing tranny but would need to use a diesel torque converter and change the shift points in the governor.
-Some exhaust work (dual 2.5" or 3" super single)

It's up to you whether it's worth it or not. I've got a 1982 Suburban with the 6.2L in it and it'll get nearly 30 mpg driving conservatively. It has been tuned for fuel economy rather than lots of power.

[91Subbed]

30 mpg, nice! With mpg like that I would drive my burban a lot more!
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[Edahall]

Originally Posted by 91Subbed

30 mpg, nice! With mpg like that I would drive my burban a lot more!
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That's all I drive so fuel economy is important to me. But keep in mind it does take some work / planning to get where I'm at in terms of fuel economy.

[kwin]

My Neighbour has a mid 80's 6.2 and they are capabile of more than 30 mpg with the right driving and gearing.
He see's 33.5 to 34 consistanly.
Granted he is 70 and drives like he's 90. He has a very freeway freindly gear set.
Keith

[91Subbed]

Damn! I'm just gonna look for a diesel suburban and save myself the stress!!!
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[Edahall]

Buying a diesel Suburban rather than converting is another option. For best fuel economy, look for 1/2 ton, 2 wheel drive, 3.08 gears, 700R4 transmission.

But also keep in mind that these engines are very sensitive to engine RPM / speed. I get the best fuel economy at 55 mph. Once I exceed that speed by very much, fuel economy plunges quite rapidly. Are you willing to drive that slow? Yes you can help fuel economy at those faster speeds but it involves lowering the vehicle and a set of 2.73 gears.