ATT Update

[6.5L]

Well I got a 1993 6.5L. NV4500. 4:10 gears. DB2-4911. 4in exhaust. AFE Stage II intake. Pyro and Boost gauges. I purchased an ATT for it sometime ago. Install was great. I simply could not get the turbo to hold any boost though. I tried everything. Made sure there was no exhaust leaks. Everything sealed up great. Added for fuel. Nothing. Just everything people said to do didn't help. So I ordered a new motor from Teds Truck. Arrived in good shape. It was a 506 block. My old one was a 599. I think the 506 had oil cooled pistons? Can anybody confirm this? Anyways, I got everything swapped over to this new motor. I figured since it was out, i sent the injection pump away to Rapid Diesel to get a rebuild. They called and said the pump was scrapped. The advance piston wasn't functioning properly and when they tested it, said fueling was all over the charts. So they sent me a new pump with upgraded internals. I am thinking this could have been some of the issue. I tested the turbo and everything checked out. I am not down about buying a new motor for it. I got a motor now with somewhere between 10-40K miles instead of 370K, so it needed to be done anyways. Most of the motor is back together. It is in and just got to finish hooking things up. Should be done by the weekend. I will keep posted on if this all fixed my problem.

 

[Mike K3500]

Don't get the "Optimizer 506" castings confused with "GM 506" castings.. Your new engine from Ted's has the "International" Logo cast into the lifter valley and in the rocker area of the heads. Much, Much better of an engine then your previous boat anchor.

 

[buddy]

Good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel, and the resolved issues should give high confidence in the new setup.

 

[6.5L]

I am hoping so. I'm sure it was just a combination of varied fuel delivery, unchanging timing, and mass-amounts of blow-by that all added up to the A-Team not holding boost at all. We will see. I won't be able to touch the motor today but hope to have it done by Friday evening sometime. I will post back weather it worked or not.

 

[6.5L]

And it did have the International logo in the valley. So if I read correctly that makes it an optimizer block? Is there a difference in the optimizer and gm 506 cast blocks?

 

[deejaaa]

Well I got a 1993 6.5L. NV4500. 4:10 gears. DB2-4911. 4in exhaust. AFE Stage II intake. Pyro and Boost gauges. I purchased an ATT for it sometime ago. Install was great. I simply could not get the turbo to hold any boost though. I tried everything. Made sure there was no exhaust leaks. Everything sealed up great. Added for fuel. Nothing. Just everything people said to do didn't help. So I ordered a new motor from Teds Truck. Arrived in good shape. It was a 506 block. My old one was a 599. I think the 506 had oil cooled pistons? Can anybody confirm this? Anyways, I got everything swapped over to this new motor. I figured since it was out, i sent the injection pump away to Rapid Diesel to get a rebuild. They called and said the pump was scrapped. The advance piston wasn't functioning properly and when they tested it, said fueling was all over the charts. So they sent me a new pump with upgraded internals. I am thinking this could have been some of the issue. I tested the turbo and everything checked out. I am not down about buying a new motor for it. I got a motor now with somewhere between 10-40K miles instead of 370K, so it needed to be done anyways. Most of the motor is back together. It is in and just got to finish hooking things up. Should be done by the weekend. I will keep posted on if this all fixed my problem.

i only have one problem with your post. there are no pics!!

 

[Chief915]

Is there a difference in the optimizer and gm 506 cast blocks?

Oh yea, a lot of difference. The optimiser is a much better casting/engine than the GM cast engine. Others can/will chime in with what the particular differences are.

 

[great white]

And it did have the International logo in the valley. So if I read correctly that makes it an optimizer block? Is there a difference in the optimizer and gm 506 cast blocks?

A few bits floating oround on the 'net;

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/1458/the_optimizer_6500.aspx

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Con...ssue/11_01_2007/1898GM1107pdf_00000002283.pdf (same as first but a few different pictures)

http://pdf.nauticexpo.com/pdf/marine-diesel-usa/general-engine-product/22473-4381-_2.html

http://www.shotpeener.com/library/pdf/2003012.pdf

Just remember the P400 casting is another beast altogther in the short block.

 

[6.5L]

Thank you Great White for the links. They were helpful. I feel like I may have got a good block out of all this, a better one that I had, and that is kind of nice to hear. Especially when I fought with this for so long. And I would have posted pics but I didn't really think anybody would care for the same ol pics you have probably seen a thousand times. I will take a picture or a few at the end and maybe a fire up and run video if that works for anybody?

 

[NVW]

video's are good:agreed:

 

[Chief915]

I feel like I may have got a good block out of all this, a better one that I had, and that is kind of nice to hear. Especially when I fought with this for so long.

Yep, you did good. You are much better off with an optimiser block than you were with the GM cast 506 block.

 

[6.5L]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I am about to head into the shop now to see if I can't get it finished up. If it gets done today I may take a video. Even if not I may take a few pics. See what happens. I cannot wait to have it up and running again.

 

[6.5L]

Ok. I got the parts in and finished fabricating some things and finally managed to get to start up today. i cranked on it for a bit but when it finally got fuel, it started right up. Ran really strong. just at idle I can tell a noticeable difference. This motor from Teds was impressive. I had to flush the whole block from some rust inside but it cleaned up really nice. I had to fabricate some stuff. I made my own intake from aluminum that I welded to the plenum that was cut for the silicone hose in the kit. It just goes right over to the ATT and re-use's the original GM silicone piece instead of the long flimsy silicone hose. There is about a quarter inch gap between the ATT and my intake. I also changed my battery terminals. I moved them to the top posts to make room to slide my box for my AFE Stage II intake forward since it sits crooked from the ATT being more forward. I took some pics I will try to post tomorrow. It ran amazing. I drove it about 30 feet though before I noticed an immense coolant leak. It was coming from my thermostat crossover. It must have cracked during install. I took it off and the tab on the passenger side practically fell off for the bolt to go through. I am picking up a new one tomorrow. Once it gets up and drivable, I will take a video for everyone. I also figured out a decent fix for that stupid CDR with ATT. I welded another piece of pipe from another CDR metal piece to the existing one and then found a small piece of metal that barely fit inside that and welded it in, the slid a piece of 3/4 hose over the pipe and the other end over my hole in the intake and clamped them tight. I will upload a pic of it tomorrow I hope if I got time. With all the clean-up it looks great. The fabbed up intake I made really makes it look like it should have come this way from the factory instead with the ATT. I will get a picture of that as well.

 

[great white]

Interested in seeing pictures now........:scatchchin:

 

[6.5L]

Like I said, I will try to upload some this afternoon after work.

 

[deejaaa]

Ok...............I also figured out a decent fix for that stupid CDR with ATT. I welded another piece of pipe from another CDR metal piece to the existing one and then found a small piece of metal that barely fit inside that and welded it in, the slid a piece of 3/4 hose over the pipe and the other end over my hole in the intake and clamped them tight.................

i cut 2 of them with a tubing cutter and used hose/clamps. i can loosen and move the positions until i figure out the best place to put the filter. if yours looks good, i will use your idea.

 

[Paveltolz]

I ran 3/4" hose from CDR to the inside of the elbow at the intake. Holds tight with the OEM junctions/elbow and hose clamps as well as the Heath CAI in the picture. Flexible, easy to remove if playing around on that side of the motor and works with either the ATT or the GM unit.

 

[6.5L]

Both setups sound/look really good for that CDR. Mine is probably more work than it's worth haha and sorry about no pics yet. I was going to upload them last night but I ended up working late on my truck to get it running. Took it out, and it actually builds less boost than before. I'm not entirely sure the clamps I have on my intake and solid though. I suspect they may be leaking. I am gonna try some stuff today. I will let you know. But anyways I worked late then came home to find my horse really sick. Spent from 7:30 to 11:45 at the Vet. Brought him back home and he got worse again so I had to have him but down around 12:45 last night. Rough day. I can't wait to see the bill on that one. I will try to get some pics up tonight if I can guys. Sorry bout that. Can anybody think of a reason my ATT won't build boost with a brand new motor and injection pump? I see no reason why it shouldn't. I don't have a single exhaust leak. The only thing I can suspect is that it is leaking air somewhere in the intake. I am gonna try to pin it down today.

 

[great white]

Ive got signatures turned off (iphone) so I can't see what your truck is.

If you have an "S" intake, some have had problems with the EGR gasket inside and loosing boost.

Does it make no boost at all?

I don't have an ATT, but it seems I've read the boost guage numbers is lower on them. Most likely because it's moving the same mass at a lower pressure.....just because you see a lower number for pressure doesn't mean it isn't moving just as much mass.

maybe slim can offer a bit of insight here?

You know, the more I see the S&B intake, the more I like it.

And I've already got a K47 box........

 

[Slim Shady]

Both setups sound/look really good for that CDR. Mine is probably more work than it's worth haha and sorry about no pics yet. I was going to upload them last night but I ended up working late on my truck to get it running. Took it out, and it actually builds less boost than before. I'm not entirely sure the clamps I have on my intake and solid though. I suspect they may be leaking. I am gonna try some stuff today. I will let you know. But anyways I worked late then came home to find my horse really sick. Spent from 7:30 to 11:45 at the Vet. Brought him back home and he got worse again so I had to have him but down around 12:45 last night. Rough day. I can't wait to see the bill on that one. I will try to get some pics up tonight if I can guys. Sorry bout that. Can anybody think of a reason my ATT won't build boost with a brand new motor and injection pump? I see no reason why it shouldn't. I don't have a single exhaust leak. The only thing I can suspect is that it is leaking air somewhere in the intake. I am gonna try to pin it down today.

I am sorry to hear about your horse, I understand fully. I spoke with your dad today by phone. We will see what is wrong. I will end up putting this turbo on my truck to see what is up. Then I will make things right.