6.5l To 5.7l Swap

GMhunter93 · March 21, 2010

Hey guys, My brother has a Chevy K2500 1993 6.5l. I have a 1995 GMC C2500 5.7l. His engine is needs a new injection pump/injectors besides this he said that it will likely need numerous other things, since he now has a new duramax he is getting rid of his 6.5. Today he gave me the idea to Swap the 5.7l V8 in my truck and put it into the body of his truck which would give me 4x4. So now my question is: Is that a doable thing? Have any of you guys done it? Is it worth my time? Would it be expensive? Are the two compatible? He said he would sell his 6.5 to me for $700 and my truck is worth around $2000. I will say I'm not the greatest mechanical mind, so if you guys can shed some let on my decision that would be great. Thanks.

jro909 · March 21, 2010

your biggest issue is that i'm not sure if the 5.7 will bolt up with the trans for the 6.5..hopefully somebody else can hop in here as i don't have alot of experience with the older gm trucks...its a good idea the 6.5 is a junker, and last i knew the 5.7 is a nice motor for the most part

2005LT · March 22, 2010

The 6.5L was actually a pretty decent motor once you worked the issues out of it (ie: injection pump). My dad bought a 95' 6.5L 2500 Sierra which we kept in the family for 12 years. The injection pump was taken care of under warranty when the truck was about 2 years old.

The main issue with that truck was heat. It needed a bigger rad from the factory and badly needed an intercooler for the turbo system. I built that truck up slowly with a larger exhaust system to free up the flow and help it run cooler, performance chip, turbo master boost controller, gauges and air intake. At that point it ran pretty decently. My next step was an intercooler but then I sold it.

It had the 4L80e automatic transmission and that's what your truck probably has Jake, unless it's a 5 speed manual. I'm pretty sure that the 5.7 will bolt up to it but would need someone else to confirm that.

GMhunter93 · March 22, 2010

Thanks guys, I gave my brother the proposition to pay for half of the fix job and I would keep for a few years (maybe through college) and after that i could either pay him his share and keep it or i can give it back to him. The truck has been in our family awhile so it does have some sentimental value, he wants to keep it in the family.