Chev V8 Conversion

A 6.5l Chev V8 is a diesel motor. Check either Roachie or Bilbos rig profile for more info.

Kev

G'day Mick,

Like Kev says, the 6.5 V8 Chev IS a diesel. I sold my GU with the 4.2TD to replace it with the dual cab converted GU Patrol with the 6.5 Chev Diesel (which also has LPG injenction) and the fuel economy is marginally BETTER than the 4.2TD was....... AND it is about 500 kg heavier. The additional weight has nothing to do with the motor (the 6.5 and the 4.2 are pretty close to being the same weight as each other). No, the extra weight in this truck is all to do with the steel tray and steel box and dual 35" spare tyres etc.

The noise factor is one which needs to be considered. I prefer to think of it as "music" rather than "noise"....and as far as I'm concerned the 6.5 isn't all that much noisier on the road, than the 4.2 was. It's when it's idling that it sounds quite loud.

I certainly have no regrets about having bought my rig. Note, mine was converted back in late 2000; the original owner bought it new as a 4.2TD and had the motor swap done immediately as well as the cut'n'shut. Then he had the LPG added in April 2001.

Mine has done about 200,000klm so far and (touch wood) runs very sweet. However, the one downside is that it is still a bit sluggish going up steep hills once momentum is spent; that is when a turbo would be good to have.

Cheers

Roachie

I pressume you are in SEQ somewhere so it may be worth chasing up a bloke who does these conversions in Crows Nest/Esk. I remember looking into the same conversion for my GU and he was by far the cheapest but still with good reputation. I don't have his name or number anymore. Linquip do have a good reputation but tend to be a little on the dear side, but with experience and knowledge comes the price tag. On Track 4wd down at Springwood do a fair bit of big cube modifications to 4b's also so you may want to talk with them to get other options and opinions.

For my opinion, I think the 6.5 is OK but not exciting to drive but it depends on what you want and how you drive, my little 4.2 eats the 6.5's I have driven at any revs over 1600. If you turbo the 6.5 they are reknowned for running warm/hot but apart from that I have not heard of any other downsides (cost excluded of course!!!).

Good luck with it and keep us updated which ever way you go.

Regards, Trevor.

Trevor puts it far nicer than I would have, lol.
Just one thing to add, Brett down at On Track is probably not the best person to speak to about advice on the 6.5, he's had 2 customers sell their rigs after converting to one and a third bring it back to put the 4.2 turbo'd and intercooled Nissan diesel back in, they didn't think much of the 6.5 at all, and Brett is of the opinion that they make good boat anchors.
That is not to say that he won't do a bloody good job with the conversion if you decide to go ahead with it, just be prepared for him to try and talk you out of it.
My opinion, for what it's worth, after having driven 4 of them in different configerations, all non turbo'd, and one turbo version in a Suburban, stick to the 12H.

Cheers
Pezza