Hey guys,

So I have an 89 f250 with a 460bb and c6 on it 4x4, anyways, I hate the fuel mileage, but i love the truck..

I want something I can get better mileage with, and is diesel because i have access to cheap diesel and only use diesel in my car.

The C6 is on its way out, and I wanna throw a ZF5442 behind it...

My question is what would be better... I was looking into a 6.9, or 7.3 idi for simplicity, and theyre cheap. If I got one with a turbo kit, could I run high boost and real lean injection for lower EGTs and higher mileage, how would I go about adjusting the injection quantity etc?


My other alternative would be a fummins swap, theyre just expensive and would require custom fab.. It would be much more powerful than the IDIs.

What is everybodies thoughts..


Thanks

 

With the money you would spend doing the swap you could buy a lot of gas............

 

yea, I can get a 2wd 5spd 6.9 for $1500, and a whole 12 valve for the same price haha

 

I agree with eakermeld. Anyone who thinks they can save money by swapping in a diesel seems overly optimistic to me. I know some people say they've done it and had it pay for itself, but I think there needs to be more compelling reasons than money to do a swap like that.

As far as your specific questions, I'm no expert, but from what I've read here, IDI diesels aren't always as cheap as they first seem, depending on how well they've been maintained. And from what I've heard they may not stand up to high boost so well (hopefully others will know more on that).

Turning a dummins into a fummins (or simply putting a Cummins in your Ford) is certainly a more straightforward way of getting a simple, solid turbo diesel. Unless you really know what you're doing I'd sure go that route before trying to get really fancy with an IDI.

 

It's your truck, do what you want. I swapped a 7.3L/ZF5 into a Bronco just because I wanted to. Thru selling off parts from the donor truck, and stuff I took out of the Bronco, it ended up being free as far as parts are concerned. It's not always going to be that it's not worth it from $$ standpoint, just depends on how good of a wheeler-dealer you are. But nevermind that, do it because you think it would be cool - that will help with the frustration when something isn't going in the hole it's supposed to.

 

I'm going to put this on a plaque in my shop!

 

I would go with a 6.9 over a 7.3 and head studs.

The 7.3s were KNOWN to cavitate then you just have aUSELESS pile of scrap.

Or be different. Go with a DT360. It is a medium Duty engine from the international trucks from 84-93. They were 360 cubic inch/ 5.9 liters and HP was 170-185 is STOCK format but with a simple turn of a screw and you can be 200+

Add a better pump and turbo and you will see 4-500hp

They are VERY similar to a 5.9 cummins but WAY BETTER. by better i mean the STCOK bottom end hold 2000+ hp, Yes 2000. I would just like to see even a bottle steel cummins block do that without splitting in half. Wet sleeves and IIRC 6 bolt main caps

I am still gathering parts for my 86. it currently has a 6.9 and 4 speed. NON turbo. I picked up a 90 DTA360 for 1350 and a ZF6 from a 2000SD. I plan on the 500hp range with mine

 

Will that combo bolt right together?

 

HA, I wish!!!!!!!!

 

Do you have plans to make it fit?

 

Yup. And $850 adapter

 

Fantastic! Looking forward to the thread.

 

86 F250 with a DT360 and 6 speed - PowerStrokeNation : Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum

 

That is sick!

 

How much does that IH motor weigh?