Our shop truck is a 96 2500 4wd regular cab auto, blew the head gaskets in it 10 years ago as well as having a bad waterpump, hasn’t had a drop of coolant in it for 10 years and starts up and runs any time we need it, thinking about just fixing it because of how good its been, gets its brakes beat off
My dad had one in a 96 C2500 with an extended cab and long bed. Crank locked up unfortunately. Sounds like a gasser with some internal issues.😂😂 My dads gotten a few questions at the pump filling up.
Pretty much what I'll be doing to the 95 k2500 Burb I just bought. Going to be setting her up to be my camping/ tow rig/ backup winter rig. Letting her breathe correctly and making sure maintenance items are up to date. That'll be after I replace the head gaskets since it has a blown one since it had a stock turbo pushing slighy higher boost in a otherwise stock configuration. Has a heath tune at least for now too which might not have helped. At least I bought her for dirt cheap, only paid $560 for her and everything else appears intact. Limped her over to my buddies, and she didn't even try to overheat. Ran normal operating temps and pretty much stayed right at 200 on the guage, which isn't the most accurate thing.
@gingersnapcustoms I know I do, but it seems to have a solid base, so it should be worth it. Honestly, most of the cost had to do with how rough the interior is, with a lot of it being that a lot of the rear interior pieces are off. which may come in handy for designing things for storage and whatnot for camping. It's funny because one of my buddies has a k2500 suburban diesel, too, which happens to be a 95 as well. He's setting his up similar as well.
@gingersnapcustoms I can see why. Even with the head gasket issue and me being really careful, she still wanted to scoote right along. Now I'm just going to be setting her up better to help her last and be efficient.
@gingersnapcustoms i noticed your belt tensioner is sitting all the way at the bottom, mine is doing the same thing. This cant be right can it? I figure its meant to sit close to the marks at the top, which is where it starts with a brand new belt, then within a couple days it drops all the way to the bottom. At this point the only thing j can imagine is the oem belt is a hair too long or somehow my tensioner has failed in a way that causes it to be tighter than it should be, stretching my belt. Have you looked into this at all?
@gingersnapcustoms just had a head stud kit "installed" and now it's blowing coolant all over the passenger side of the motor with less than 100 miles on it since I got it back from the shop...
Hey bud I just bought a 1994 Chevy k1500 with a 6.5 Turbo. This is (My) first diesel I grew up around 7.3(s). It’s odd because my truck seems to have power but also just seems sluggish. What would you recommend. It has a slight oil leak and kinda drinks oil too and all the forums say it’s the CDR needs to be replaced. Anyways, what things would you recommend to upgrade to make it a better daily with power to get out its own way and to haul better with.
Shoot me a message at the Facebook page. You need a lift pump and relay harness for starters. After that you should do oil cooler lines from Leroy diesel. Wicked wheel in the turbo. KBDiesel upper intake. Leroy diesel spool stick and boost gauge then top it off with a Quadstar tuning tow tune.
I’ve got a 6.5 but the only question I’ve got is, with a bigger turbo and all that does it not put more stress on the block and pistons and all those components that it wasn’t really built for having that bigger turbo?
@@Nate_Morrison223 actually the larger more efficient turbo puts less stress on the internals and is better over all for the engine. Reduced drive pressure, EGTs, intake temps and added CFM instead of boost pressure all help keep the engine alive. These run fantastic with a larger charger and have minimal major failures with the upgrades available now.
Do you I have tune on yours or did you swap it to mechanical ip I see the interior is the later 90s so just curious and if it’s tuned are there higher fuel flow ds4 ips?
@@gingersnapcustoms That's good enough in my book, specially considering the cost of this build! 👏🏻 Basically bringing the good ol' Detroit to a slightly more modern standard, similar to an early 00's Powerstroke (275hp/525 lb-ft) or Duramax (300hp/520lb-ft as in the '06 Hummer H1 Alpha)...nothing too crazy that could jeopardize anything, just a bit more performance while improving fuel mileage and efficiency. I like these projects. 😎👍🏻
I have but I didn’t do a video sadly. It was long before the channel was around. You have to remove the intake plenum and remove a small side cover on the driver side of the pump turn the screw a 1/2 turn. I advance the pump 2mm to the driver side as well.
@@SWBjr15 if you run into a snag shoot me a message at the Facebook page. I don’t have a DB2 handy. But I can snag one from a local guy and do a quick “how to”
How much of a tune can a stock 6.5 handle? I ask because I'm trying to get my 6.5 up as quick as possible it either needs a rebuild or a new engine and I'm thinking about buying one of those US engines to drop in as I can't even find a shop that wants to do the work
US engines is not a vendor I would ever recommend. You would be better off buying from @leroydiesel for a new AMGeneral engine. A stock 6.5 can handle a decent tune from Quadstar tuning that will really wake it up.
You have to make your own cold air intakes. The S&B and aFe are actually hot air drawing from the engine bay. I relocate the batters and go this route with minimal heat issues.
That’s a bit of a loaded question. I’ve tried multiple turbos. Lift pumps. Tunes. Injectors. What I have on it now is about $2600 in parts roughly to duplicate.
@Gingersnap Customs You heard of Merlin pump? Bill heath had designed for these motors specifically...My 98 1 ton single wheel 5 speed 4.10 gears. Runs strong sincerely more always fun lol Thanks for you insight!! Got a bunch of questions for you 🤠
@@johnaustin4713 I’ve heard of those pumps. I’ve seen the flow sheets and they make no more fuel than a 5068 GM HO pump. Which isn’t much more than a 5521 lol. Tuning goes a long ways in these things and can make a world of a difference
@Gingersnap Customs which pump is standard on 6.5? I know mechanical on 92-93 but never delt with numbers. You think no advantage to this over gm ho? I'm asking cause programs & pump 1800 for merlin. I have a lot of respect for Bill phenomenal with these 6.5's Thanks again for imput very insightful as I decided which direction to go. I'm in va & own 5 6.5's & have 2 additional at work... Love them! Mainly cause most don't lol We have bought many new & used for years. I've bought a lot and resold. Always enjoyed these trucks. Most of ours 6.5 5speed with 4.10 that we bought new. Never owned but 1 heavy half ton ext cab swb 4x4 sold to friend almost after bought.. I want a ext cab swb half... in good condition hard to come across... sorry so long
@@johnaustin4713 stock HO is a 5068 and a standard is a 5521. The Merlin is just a 5068 with a custom tune to run in any 94-2000 truck. The GM HO was only offered in 94 as a 3500 and 3500HD option.
@@gingersnapcustoms so my 93 Silverado 6.5 is running great just wondering if I should swap maybe the turbo and cylinder heads over if there would even be a point to?
ET and weights say I went from a 167hp truck stock to 307 with the S300 and the other mods I’ve done. It’s definitely worlds different even from the HX I ran.
I prefer my single tow tune. The multi tuner is awesome on the 94-95 OBDI trucks since it gives owners options on power levels depending on their need that day.
@@frostytrees609 you can bolt on any turbo. A 6.2 and 6.5 are like a 305 and 350. Pretty much anything from a 6.5 goes fine on a 6.2 and they handle it very well.
@@centraltexasfoxbodies it wasn’t a big enough help with the 54mm holset for me to cut 1/4 of the inner fender out to use on the 60mm borg. The IC was too small and basically ran out of efficiency on the HX35. If I intercool the Borg it will be a complete duramax cooling stack.
So I Pulled The Engine Out 92 6.5 turbo deisel 599 Block No Web Cracks. 220000 Miles. The Rod Bearings Say. Gm A-250 1 94 C177 Is This Factory Bearings ?
I miss my 6.5 was my first vehicle. 94. Would have been sick to do this. I always loved how they sound.
you mean like a tin can full of marbles? lol
I have a 93 gmc k3500 with the 6.5 and she sounds amazing
@@cedarlaneenterprises6258it's like 8 empty paint cans being shaken at once. I love mine
Man this brought back memories of working on humvees
Almost got the duramax chop
i dont want to go nuts with the ip but that intake looks really cool
That intake works great for any truck. Stock to wild.
@@gingersnapcustoms is there even a throttle body on it how does that work
@@tylertorres7708 diesels don’t have a throttle body. It’s all via injection pump and intake air.
I'm a 7.3L guy, but i'd buy the right 6.5L without worry.
Our shop truck is a 96 2500 4wd regular cab auto, blew the head gaskets in it 10 years ago as well as having a bad waterpump, hasn’t had a drop of coolant in it for 10 years and starts up and runs any time we need it, thinking about just fixing it because of how good its been, gets its brakes beat off
@@cooperpedie437 they do the job
My dad had one in a 96 C2500 with an extended cab and long bed. Crank locked up unfortunately. Sounds like a gasser with some internal issues.😂😂 My dads gotten a few questions at the pump filling up.
They do have a real unique sound to them.
Pretty much what I'll be doing to the 95 k2500 Burb I just bought. Going to be setting her up to be my camping/ tow rig/ backup winter rig. Letting her breathe correctly and making sure maintenance items are up to date. That'll be after I replace the head gaskets since it has a blown one since it had a stock turbo pushing slighy higher boost in a otherwise stock configuration. Has a heath tune at least for now too which might not have helped. At least I bought her for dirt cheap, only paid $560 for her and everything else appears intact. Limped her over to my buddies, and she didn't even try to overheat. Ran normal operating temps and pretty much stayed right at 200 on the guage, which isn't the most accurate thing.
@@PNW_K5DIESEL for what you paid for it you’ll have a lot of road ahead of you to improve and fix her up!
@gingersnapcustoms I know I do, but it seems to have a solid base, so it should be worth it. Honestly, most of the cost had to do with how rough the interior is, with a lot of it being that a lot of the rear interior pieces are off. which may come in handy for designing things for storage and whatnot for camping. It's funny because one of my buddies has a k2500 suburban diesel, too, which happens to be a 95 as well. He's setting his up similar as well.
@@PNW_K5DIESEL long ago I built my brother a 96 k2500 6.5 burb and we loved it. It’s definitely one of my all time favorite vehicles to drive and use!
@gingersnapcustoms I can see why. Even with the head gasket issue and me being really careful, she still wanted to scoote right along. Now I'm just going to be setting her up better to help her last and be efficient.
nice looking clean setup my opinion
Thanks. It makes working on it pretty painless
Same motor small irrigation company very reliable had it for 3 years hust random pmd dies every year but ot just goes !
You forgot the Fluidampr harmonic balancer! And the duramax fan/ fan clutch and 99/2000 year model 6.5 updated water pump!
This was more for the turbo than anything.
@@gingersnapcustoms oh and I'd say the #1 upgrade is the stainless steel braided JIC fitting oil cooler lines!
@@latus-rectum45 agreed. That’s all in another video. All good stuff for these.
@gingersnapcustoms i noticed your belt tensioner is sitting all the way at the bottom, mine is doing the same thing. This cant be right can it? I figure its meant to sit close to the marks at the top, which is where it starts with a brand new belt, then within a couple days it drops all the way to the bottom. At this point the only thing j can imagine is the oem belt is a hair too long or somehow my tensioner has failed in a way that causes it to be tighter than it should be, stretching my belt. Have you looked into this at all?
I started to look into it and it appears I need to go another 3/4” shorter on the vac pump delete belt for the 99-00
Thats badass I like turbski
Damn that thing seems so simple
Old sacked out 6.5 I had would suck the boot shut on intake side of turbo.
Makebsure if your honna go big spool put heavy studs in the heads heat 3m and torque em 3x then run er hard for an hour then torque em again.
Head studs aren’t a must on a 6.5. Two passes at 120lbs about six hours apart is all you need on studs for these.
@gingersnapcustoms just had a head stud kit "installed" and now it's blowing coolant all over the passenger side of the motor with less than 100 miles on it since I got it back from the shop...
@@theycallmedonkey6664 that sounds like you had a cracked head. Or they didn’t torque something correctly.
Hey bud I just bought a 1994 Chevy k1500 with a 6.5 Turbo. This is (My) first diesel I grew up around 7.3(s). It’s odd because my truck seems to have power but also just seems sluggish. What would you recommend. It has a slight oil leak and kinda drinks oil too and all the forums say it’s the CDR needs to be replaced. Anyways, what things would you recommend to upgrade to make it a better daily with power to get out its own way and to haul better with.
Shoot me a message at the Facebook page. You need a lift pump and relay harness for starters. After that you should do oil cooler lines from Leroy diesel. Wicked wheel in the turbo. KBDiesel upper intake. Leroy diesel spool stick and boost gauge then top it off with a Quadstar tuning tow tune.
sounds 👍
I’ve got a 6.5 but the only question I’ve got is, with a bigger turbo and all that does it not put more stress on the block and pistons and all those components that it wasn’t really built for having that bigger turbo?
@@Nate_Morrison223 actually the larger more efficient turbo puts less stress on the internals and is better over all for the engine. Reduced drive pressure, EGTs, intake temps and added CFM instead of boost pressure all help keep the engine alive. These run fantastic with a larger charger and have minimal major failures with the upgrades available now.
Do you I have tune on yours or did you swap it to mechanical ip I see the interior is the later 90s so just curious and if it’s tuned are there higher fuel flow ds4 ips?
It’s tuned. You can get a bigger pump from Quadstar tuning to make 400+ horse.
Nobody mentions power numbers, how much do these build after these mods?
This takes you from around 170rwhp to 275-290. It’s not a huge gain compared to other diesels. But it still remains reliable and works well.
@@gingersnapcustoms Got an estimated torque? Something beginning with a "5"?
@@Roddy_Zeh the calculation we came up with was just over 510. So nothing crazy but it definitely tows a trailer without any major issues.
@@gingersnapcustoms That's good enough in my book, specially considering the cost of this build! 👏🏻
Basically bringing the good ol' Detroit to a slightly more modern standard, similar to an early 00's Powerstroke (275hp/525 lb-ft) or Duramax (300hp/520lb-ft as in the '06 Hummer H1 Alpha)...nothing too crazy that could jeopardize anything, just a bit more performance while improving fuel mileage and efficiency.
I like these projects. 😎👍🏻
@@Roddy_Zehthey are nearly identical to the 454 of the same year
Have you ever turned up a DB2 on a 92-93? Haven’t found any real good videos of one. Also will timing need to be adjusted with turning it up?
I have but I didn’t do a video sadly. It was long before the channel was around. You have to remove the intake plenum and remove a small side cover on the driver side of the pump turn the screw a 1/2 turn. I advance the pump 2mm to the driver side as well.
@@gingersnapcustoms thank you for the response brother!
@@SWBjr15 if you run into a snag shoot me a message at the Facebook page. I don’t have a DB2 handy. But I can snag one from a local guy and do a quick “how to”
@@gingersnapcustoms Heck yeah brother sounds good! I’ll keep you updated!
How much of a tune can a stock 6.5 handle? I ask because I'm trying to get my 6.5 up as quick as possible it either needs a rebuild or a new engine and I'm thinking about buying one of those US engines to drop in as I can't even find a shop that wants to do the work
US engines is not a vendor I would ever recommend. You would be better off buying from @leroydiesel for a new AMGeneral engine. A stock 6.5 can handle a decent tune from Quadstar tuning that will really wake it up.
You can still get a cold air intake right? Also I think I would have to move my battery because it’s right where your intake is but that’s easy
You have to make your own cold air intakes. The S&B and aFe are actually hot air drawing from the engine bay. I relocate the batters and go this route with minimal heat issues.
Hey cool!! Question I have a Hmmwv 6.5 turbo Detroit… can I make it have more power??
I don’t see why not. Check out Quadstar tuning. They’ve done some work on those in the past
What are the specs? How much hp and ft pounds of tour we is it making?
How much did you spend for these upgrades
That’s a bit of a loaded question. I’ve tried multiple turbos. Lift pumps. Tunes. Injectors. What I have on it now is about $2600 in parts roughly to duplicate.
With these mods how, did she run in 1/4 mile? You ever use a h/o pump? Love you videos well done!
Do you have any ideal of hp guesstimate...
1/4 mile is 15.97@89mph at 5950lbs. HO pumps really don’t run well on these unless you get them custom built. Horse power is 295-305
@Gingersnap Customs You heard of Merlin pump? Bill heath had designed for these motors specifically...My 98 1 ton single wheel 5 speed 4.10 gears. Runs strong sincerely more always fun lol
Thanks for you insight!!
Got a bunch of questions for you 🤠
@@johnaustin4713 I’ve heard of those pumps. I’ve seen the flow sheets and they make no more fuel than a 5068 GM HO pump. Which isn’t much more than a 5521 lol. Tuning goes a long ways in these things and can make a world of a difference
@Gingersnap Customs which pump is standard on 6.5? I know mechanical on 92-93 but never delt with numbers.
You think no advantage to this over gm ho? I'm asking cause programs & pump 1800 for merlin.
I have a lot of respect for Bill phenomenal with these 6.5's
Thanks again for imput very insightful as I decided which direction to go.
I'm in va & own 5 6.5's & have 2 additional at work... Love them! Mainly cause most don't lol
We have bought many new & used for years. I've bought a lot and resold. Always enjoyed these trucks.
Most of ours 6.5 5speed with 4.10 that we bought new. Never owned but 1 heavy half ton ext cab swb 4x4 sold to friend almost after bought.. I want a ext cab swb half... in good condition hard to come across... sorry so long
@@johnaustin4713 stock HO is a 5068 and a standard is a 5521. The Merlin is just a 5068 with a custom tune to run in any 94-2000 truck. The GM HO was only offered in 94 as a 3500 and 3500HD option.
What did you need to move the battery or is it stock for you
I have a parts list on the Facebook page for the battery box move. I want to say it was a marine 13” tray.
I was also going to ask do i need a tune for an updated turbo?
Yes all 94-00 need tuned when doing a turbo update
Hello GSC, I have a 93 6.5 just bought a 97 6.5 motor is there anything worth swapping over in your opinion?
In what manor? The 97 has a better cooling system. You just need your 93 pump
@@gingersnapcustoms so my 93 Silverado 6.5 is running great just wondering if I should swap maybe the turbo and cylinder heads over if there would even be a point to?
@@stevebuttrum no real point. They are all the same heads and turbo.
@@gingersnapcustoms would I benefit from switching from a gm3 turbo to gm8 you think?
@@stevebuttrum not particularly. You won’t see an improvement until you break out of GMx turbos.
That’s a steal heat up
What tuner do you get mines a 1997
I run a tune from Quadstar tuning. Best one I’ve found so far
Kaaahjunk 🤧
How many ponies did you get out of it?
Thanks
ET and weights say I went from a 167hp truck stock to 307 with the S300 and the other mods I’ve done. It’s definitely worlds different even from the HX I ran.
what's your opinion on quardstar muti tuner?
I prefer my single tow tune. The multi tuner is awesome on the 94-95 OBDI trucks since it gives owners options on power levels depending on their need that day.
@@gingersnapcustoms single tow tune be good for what I'm doing too
@@tomrohn8607 they can get you set up then
Is that intake a pvc pipe?
No. 4” silicone or I use 4” aluminum from summit. Some guys do use 4” PVC.
@@gingersnapcustoms Thanks!
How can you tell the difference between the 6.5 and the 6.2 i just picked one up guy said it was a 6.2 and it does have a turbo
Pull the Julian date stamp off the rear of the block. 660 is normally a 6.2 but so is an early 599. 92-00 is the 6.5. 82-91 is a 6.2
@gingersnapcustoms okay sweet ill check that out and if it turns out it is a 6.5 are they decent?
@@Sky_vulpes they are all equally terrible. So as long as it ran good. Do the basics. Stuff it in the vehicle and enjoy the drive.
@gingersnapcustoms okay thanks
how about a 6.2?
@@frostytrees609 turbo or NA?
@@gingersnapcustoms na
@@frostytrees609 you can bolt on any turbo. A 6.2 and 6.5 are like a 305 and 350. Pretty much anything from a 6.5 goes fine on a 6.2 and they handle it very well.
Intercooler?
Since no one makes a good bolt on kit I don’t always put it on the list. For tow applications it is a benefit running an IC and HX turbo swap.
Where is the intercooler?
Gone. The S300 took up more space than I could make piping work for. So it’s a someday re add project.
@@gingersnapcustoms I'd think an intercooler would be more beneficial than a bigger turbo
@@centraltexasfoxbodies it wasn’t a big enough help with the 54mm holset for me to cut 1/4 of the inner fender out to use on the 60mm borg. The IC was too small and basically ran out of efficiency on the HX35. If I intercool the Borg it will be a complete duramax cooling stack.
Is the catch can vented?
Turbo pulls boost and draws air through the van from the valve cover evacuating crank pressure. Then there’s a drain on the bottom to remove any oil
@@gingersnapcustoms im needing one on my 6.5 burb
@@WARD5KUSTOMZ Quadstar tuning was who sold this kit for a long while. Not sure if they still do.
@@gingersnapcustoms contemplating making one from 4 inch sch 40
@@WARD5KUSTOMZ anything works. The air intake is just 4” boots for a semi.
Does 92 Have The Pmd ?
No. 92-93 are fully mechanical.
So I Pulled The Engine Out 92 6.5 turbo deisel 599 Block No Web Cracks. 220000 Miles. The Rod Bearings Say. Gm A-250 1 94 C177 Is This Factory Bearings ?
@@DyllanBradshaw yes. Sounds like it’s still original.
Water methanol injection
Not really an upgrade I advise. Some guys have great luck with it.
that intake kit fits like ass. stay stock.
Fits fine if you clock the turbine housing… fits with an S300. Stock turbo. eBay HX. Must just be a fluke mine went right on.
more reliable by straining the engine with a turbo lol. thing won't last another five years
50,000 miles with no issues. Hopefully you are right.
Just do a Cummins swap if you want to make power
That’s always the best answer for any diesel project.