engine swapping

acivitarese · November 28, 2006

Hey guys,

I have used this site a few times and all of your answers helped me out greatly. Here is my latest question. I own a 2000 GMC 1500 4 x 4 with a 4.8 vortec. I know what a dog ! I do alot of towing with this truck, mainly my 6,000 lb travel trailer. Now don't get me wrong the suspension has been upgraded and slightly bigger tires are on the way and the truck does great. With the added help from the coil over shocks in the back the truck just laughs at the camper. However I cannot get out of its own way while pulling it. Around town it is ok but on the highway forget it, I am in either the slow lane struggling to keep up or in the middle lane going faster than I should be with something in tow. So my question is can I swap my drivetrain for a diesel's?? Also if there are any good effective engine/tranny upgrades that can be done to improve the power of my current engine. Thanks in advance.

ken1mod · November 28, 2006

gears

nitro882 · November 28, 2006

yep gears and forget about installing bigger tires, they will only make your problem worse.

I would think swapping to a diesel would be a very costly thing to do and also difficult. I lower gears dont fix it id get a new truck...

pwall · November 28, 2006

Swapping over to a diesel would also involve changing the front suspension and then the issues with the frame (a 1500 frame is different that a 2500). And I'm sure that the cost just wouldn't justify it.

95Sierra2500 · November 28, 2006

Swapping to a diesel would be VERY costly, and for the improvement I can't see how it'd be worth it.

I'd suggest either going with new gears (remember that you can't just replace the rears, you have to replace the fronts too, unless you NEVER intend on using your 4 wheel drive), or possibly upgrading to the 5.3 or 6.0 (it's my understanding that they are a direct bolt-in, you'd probably just need your computer tuned). The engine swap would be cheaper if you know what you're doing and can do it yourself, since I'm sure you could get a good used engine from a junkyard. Gears are usually expensive no matter where you get them.

redvett · November 28, 2006

Sounds like its time for you to regear or up grade.

az'03Silverado · November 29, 2006

Maybe you could find an old 5.7L diesel out of a Caddy or Buick. I'm sure a few of you know what a 'good' engine that was.

jamram · November 30, 2006

As has already been stated many times in this thread, this swap would not be worth the time and money. If you could pull it off you would have nothing but problems, since your truck's chassis and suspension was not meant for an engine with that much torque.

Another issue would be emissions regulations. I am not sure where you are, but in California it is not legal to swap a diesel engine into a gas vehicle. Certain engine swaps are legal here, but that is not one of them. Although diesels are not currently part of the California Smog Check program, your truck was originally built as a gasoline powered vehicle and it would be subjected to the smog check program, and you would be unable to renew your registration with a diesel engine squeezed in there. The referee would never sign that one off. This may or may not be an issue in other states??

Maybe you could find an old 5.7L diesel out of a Caddy or Buick. I'm sure a few of you know what a 'good' engine that was.

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az'03Silverado · November 30, 2006

As has already been stated many times in this thread, this swap would not be worth the time and money. If you could pull it off you would have nothing but problems, since your truck's chassis and suspension was not meant for an engine with that much torque.

Another issue would be emissions regulations. I am not sure where you are, but in California it is not legal to swap a diesel engine into a gas vehicle. Certain engine swaps are legal here, but that is not one of them. Although diesels are not currently part of the California Smog Check program, your truck was originally built as a gasoline powered vehicle and it would be subjected to the smog check program, and you would be unable to renew your registration with a diesel engine squeezed in there. The referee would never sign that one off. This may or may not be an issue in other states??

Maybe you could find an old 5.7L diesel out of a Caddy or Buick. I'm sure a few of you know what a 'good' engine that was.

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