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The making of an odd duck

Missy Good Wench

Missy Good Wench

Wild Blonde from Cloud Mt
Messages
1,683
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Location
Newberg Oregon
OK

For those who know me, its a forgone conclusion that I love a challenge.

Recently traded and got back into my stable a 1984 K5 Blazer diesel.

Engine is dead and I need to do something.

Just for shits and giggles, How about a Powerstroke conversion in the Old K5 :eek:

Seems to me that somebody out there makes a stand alone control system with a computer,wiring harness and APP unit that would allow the 7.3 stroke to be stuffed into the K5.

I have not investigated the size of the stoke as compared to the 6.2 but I have seen strokes stuffed into Bronco's so???????


Anyone have any ideas on this. Of course, with enough money anything is possible, but a basic swap ????? is it within reach without doing major rebuilding of the truck and major $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4 :confused:

Input please.

Missy
 
Robyn, you rock.

I wouldn't have even considered that - although I don't know why, because the idea of stuffing a cummins bread truck engine in the blazer sounds 'normal' to me... I wonder how many hybrid 'Frankenstein' ideas have actually made it into reality?

- We've had lots of 12v cummins in pre-2001 GM - not sure about any 24v
- We even have our own resident Duramax in a Suburban - which is TOTALLY cool.

But I've never heard of a Powerstroke conversion. History-making-time!
 
Just got off the phone with a close friend who does a lot of Stroke work. ]

The stroke is just too big to fit in the Blazer chasis without some serious "CHOPPING"

AC box and such really takes a hit.

The cost to fix the PS is far and away more than the GM.

Now the 7.3 IDI engine can be used easily

The 7.3 PS is an electronic nightmare too and the only real choice for an auto tranny is the E4OD.

Injectors are real spendy too I'm told.


Ahhh welll, this is why I trolled this idea around a bit.

Maybe a 6.5 TD.

that can be done easily and it will bolt right in.


Missy
 
Not to mention that a 10 front axle probably wouldn't be up to the task of supporting the PSD's weight. A D60 would be in order.
 
Missy, swapping the PSD isn't as bad of an idea as it first comes across as. Before I got my New Holland project motor I had been contemplating the idea of swapping in a 7.3 PSD into my truck in place of the 6.5.

It is defiantly doable. Just a matter of how creative you are with a torch and welding machine. That would be one of the biggest things. Also, I do highly recommend avoiding using the E40D. To damn expensive to repair or upgrade and a bit on the sensitive side to even a stock PSD thats being used heavily without additional cooling. There is always the option of the ZF-6 though, that was my planned route.

Now the wiring harness. As far as I know, there is no "kit" out there to turn the 7.3 into a standalone engine. If there is, I'd love to see it. Of course if someone would make one they could certainly make a killing if it was the right price. The wiring harness is probably the hardest part. Several Ford forums have a full down loadable electrical schematic for the various years of the 7.3, but its alot to chew through. Another option is buying a donor truck and removing everything. And I really do mean everything. Most importantly the IDM. Making note of every single + or - connection as you run through it.

The project itself would be a huge undertaking. And parts are not cheap for these units either (especially injectors like you said. A quality set of 8 6.5L injectors will buy you 1 PSD injector.) But of course when its all said and done you will certainly have a rig to show off and be proud of. I say if time and money allows, do it.
 
PSD injectors are cheap compaired to commonrail injectors of the dmax and cummins. Good rebuilt units that are flow matched can be had for 150 to 180 a piece.
 
Wasn't there a project like this started at TDP with a Dmax in an 80's dually? You should do one that way they know how its done and I would enjoy reading the build.
 
Just saw this. A 7.3 IDI with a Banks aint no slouch. But for the 84, just P pump a 12v or 24v and call it a day. The Cummins cannot be beat for simplicity which is what makes it such a viable transplant candidate. In fact I was reading over at the Garage that the Cummins are becoming a popular swap for the troublesome 6.0s. The messed up part is an Excursion with a 7.3 is worth it's weight in gold, probably close to 20k for a decent one. A comparable gasser can be had for 3-4000$ and just drop a Cummins in. Of course the problems arise trying to register said frankenstien in any state where emissions are requried because it is illegal to change a vehichles fuel type and a real PIA the get EPA approval to do such.
 
Yup, the good old emissions check do dah.

This is why I grabbed the old 84 Diesel Blazer back. I can transplant the 85 gasser body along with the dash from the 84 and then the Title, frame ### and dash ### all match and no issues.

Here I think you could stuff a Cat 3208 in the thing and they would not know, as long as the numbers say Diesel.

I still think a Stroke in that Blazer would be way cool.


Missy
 
The biggy deal with the Dmax is the cost of the engine.

I would really need a complete donor so I could get all the wiring, computer and other needed goodies too

Other than the $$$$$$$ it would not be all that hard to do.

My issue now it the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

This rig has got to fly on a tight budget.

OH BTW I apy about $200 for a complete set of 6.5 squirts all rebuilt and ready to go.

Now my big Kitty in the Star got 6 new squirts a year ago and that was $4000 to get that done.

Missy
 
I believe the unit you are referring too is offered by Hypermax. But its outrageously expensive. Really only good for trucks that want to get past that fuel only 500hp# range because the "plunger" style injectors just can't flow anymore fuel. If your a creative person though, Double overtime, a 7.3L PSD sled puller puts down around 2000hp out the wheels with help from an inline injection pump, taken off a 700CID International motor.

I still like the idea of the swap. Just a bit more money involved in it than the traditional Cummins swaps or even a DMAX swap at that.
 
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