12v 96'Suburban swap - Page 2

surfbeetle · 11-17-2008, 04:23 PM

I'm interested in this as well. I have a 97 suburban. I've heard that the 6bt is almost to the point of being too long to put into the chevy. It's been done but it's a very tight fit. There's a few on this board who have done it.

Now if the 4bt could make as much power (or more) as the stock 6.5 chevy diesel, I would be up for that when my 6.5 dies.

Shadrach · 11-17-2008, 04:38 PM

A 4BT with an inline pump in stock form would put out 130hp and about 330tq IIRC. If you buy one from a step van get the GM auto as well. Don't forget the vans have different gears ratios and tires diameter than you have. The 6BT in 96-98 have different pistons with a std ( 215hp ) than an auto ( 180hp ). The pistons from the 215 engine are the same ones used in a 230hp Freightliner. Shadrach

MA2LA · 11-17-2008, 09:21 PM

its not to hard to get over 200 hp out of a 4bt and the tq is up aroud 450 at that point.

ParsonsDRW · 11-17-2008, 11:33 PM

i have a 93 12v and a 94 12v for a swap if your PM interested

EWalshak · 11-18-2008, 01:01 AM

ParsonsDRW how much do you want for the 94 12v?

ParsonsDRW · 11-18-2008, 01:36 AM

$2000 for the 94
$1500 for the 93

body's have the cancer from the NH Winter. Motors are good

EWalshak · 11-18-2008, 01:39 AM

How many miles does the 94 have on motor?Does the trans and intercooler come with the motor?

ParsonsDRW · 11-18-2008, 11:38 AM

200k on the 94 yes you get the hole truck
trans is an auto transfer-case is shot intercooler is good

104k on the 93 Hole truck
drivetrain is good

EWalshak · 11-23-2008, 12:18 AM

The swap may be delayed for a while.While putting new sneakers on the burb,I discovered a leaking rear axle seal.So as the burb has some miles on it.The first order of bussiness is to go thru the rear axle.Seals, bearings,brakes, whatever needs to be replaced.I will try to keep you guys posted as I progress.

surfbeetle · 11-23-2008, 08:27 AM

You did not say if the burb you have gotten is a diesel or gas. I will assume for the sake of discussion that it is diesel. A few things to keep in mind, the throttle pedal is drive by wire, the cummins P pump is cable driven. You will need to address that.

Also the GM trans is all electronic. You'll have to decide if you are swapping in the trans as well or get a standalone controller for the GM Trans.

I believe that the A/C compressor on your sub is at the top of the engine. You'll will need a special bracket for that.

The intercooler most likely won't fit, you may have to put one underneath or not use one.

I am just offering things to think about and I am very interested in how others address the same concerns that I have. I would like to do the same thing to my 97 suburban once the stock 6.5 dies.

HCannon · 11-23-2008, 11:24 AM

Got a 85 Chevy, 3/4, 4X4, 4 speed that had the 6.2 and I replaced it with the 4bt. It has as much grunt or more starting out on the low end but the top speed is 70 mph. I have not altered the motor, it is doing what I wont it to do the way it is. After you get by the motor mounts, the rest is easy, plenty of room to work. Really a sweet running motor plus I am getting 23 miles per gallon doing short run.

EWalshak · 11-24-2008, 01:36 AM

surfbeetle, the burb is a diesel.Thanks for pointing out those issues as I have yet to address them.(Haven't gotten ther yet).The GM trans will not be used.I will be using a trans from a dodge truck.Havent decided which one,but it will be an auto.Do you know if auto's from say 94-98 needed a controller.Thanks for the info

surfbeetle · 11-24-2008, 06:04 AM

I am not that well versed on the autos as I have a manual. I assume (you know how that can go) you would have better luck with a trans from the 12 valve models as there are less electronics in general on those. There's always something like this-
Bowler Transmissions | Catalog

Then there's these guys who have done the conversion before.
Page 9

Parts for the conversion are available here:
Page 11

EWalshak · 11-29-2008, 09:41 PM

Went thru the rear axle yesterday.The ring and pinion looked in really good shape.Everthing else is new,bearings,races,seals,Lucas lube,wheel cylinders,brake shoes.Its good to go.The guy that helped me with the rear end is a GM nut and he relentlessly tried to sell me on leaving the 6.5 in the burb.It runs ok but it is nothing close to a CTD.The next step is to figure out what trans to use and start looking for a 12V.

EWalshak · 11-29-2008, 09:48 PM

Does anyone have an opinion on using a 4L80 or 4L85.Bowler trans advertises a 4L80 thats good up to 800ft/lbs of trq or a 4L85 thats good up to 1000ft/lbs of trq.The idea of using one of these trannys with an adapter sounds like less of a headach than swapping in a chrysler trans and dealing with the electronics part of it.Any info is appreciated.Thanks