cummins diesel swap?

[te_duck52]

ok. so i have been wanting to do a diesel swap in an EB for a while now and andter researching i have found a bunch of 4bt's swapped in. but why are there no 6bt's??? i know there is room because i saw a video of one on youtube. any help???

 

[ponyracer]

I've been contimplating it, negatives are, weight, firewall relocation, weight, tranny selection, weight, prob some more. Positives, having argueably the best engine ever produced in your rig, torque.

Did I mention it's a heavy sob?

4bt is near 750 lbs, near the weight of a stock long block BBF. 6bt is 1100 lbs iirc.

Not to say it can't be done, but it won't be easy. Why do you think there are none on here and only like 2 on utube?

 

[lowbush]

The 4BT is capable of producing very high numbers while maintaining it's life span upwards of 500 HP. The 6BT with the same modification can produce in the 800 HP range, I would assume (mainly because it is my reasoning as well). That most people use the 4BT in Bronco, Jeep, Scout applications because it does not require as extensive of fabbing, the weight numbers are close to the engines being taken out, you can get away with not swapping the front axle, it has better MPG numbers, and it can produce more than enough HP than one realistically needs in these trucks. Realistically unless you have a 6BT sitting around, the 4BT is a better candidate all the way around. You will pay a little bit more for a 4BT but when you consider the additional expenses of trying to get a 6BT in $500 more seems like money well spent.

On a side note, through a series of unfortunate events, I ended up with a 390 in my truck producing about 440HP and when you punch the gas on that thing it is about the scariest ride of your life. Me personally I would power a Bronco size rig to 250-300HP but I am not an extreme wheeler, I fish and hunt out in the woods and go out to the local mud hole around here. The 4BT can produce 250-300HP without much effort at all.

 

[broncnaz]

While you may have seen a video of a bronco with a 6bt that only means that someone made room for it. Most likely moved the firewall a lot. even the 4bt is a tight fit in the bronco engine compartment add 2 more cylinders and your definetly adding some major lenght. Something like 38 in total lenght with a fan a 302 is about 28in long with a fan and the 4bt is about 30 in long with fan. so in any case your adding at least 8 in of engine into the enginebay.
The 6bt is just way to heavy for a bronco about 3x what a 302 weighs even the 4bt is almost double the weight of a 302 so really by the time you make all the mods to get it into a bronco reliabily you could have easily done the 4bt and been driving already.
Broncos are already nose heavy which is not great in itself you'll make it even more nose heavy with the heavier engine.

 

[te_duck52]

thanks for the answers everyone. but one problem. where can i get one of those 4bt's? i've been looking and cant find any

 

[ep67bro]

I have seen a 6bt in a bronco at the Round Up last year. It fit and was pretty slick. The owner said it was a beast. He wheeled it with no problems. It had the exhaust run out the rear bumper. I know others on this site have seen it and may even have pics.
As for the 4bt look in used commercial truck sale papers. Or craigslist and Ebay.

 

[GrillMaster]

this one work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000...itemZ380253060389QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts

also check craigslist for those bread trucks that use em.

 

[lowbush]

Probably the cheapest you will find it is on: http://www.govliquidation.com/ look for Onan generators or the aircraft moving jeep (have to be careful with those some have 6BT) do a search for diesel and look at the pictures most do not list it as a Cummins but you can recognize them by their distinctive valve covers. Here is one here in a mule http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4429639&convertTo=USD here is one in a gen-set http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4442603&convertTo=USD Alaska is a long haul though.

 

[Dbteak]

You can go to 4btswaps.com They have tons of info on the 4BT. That is where I found most of my info on what I needed for my swap.

I would stay away from 4BT's that come out of stationary equipment like gensets due to the injector pumps are not rated for the road and if it doesn't have a turbo, the pistons are different from the turbo'ed engines.

I bought mine off of Ebay. The VE injection pumped engines go for around $2000 to $3000. The P- pumped engines go for around $3000-$4000. Also look for the Ford adapter set up.

Doug

 

[NY-Bronco]

There is one project for sale here now. The hard part has been done already and all the parts that come with it are seriously kick ass!

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184140

 

[lowbush]

I would stay away from 4BT's that come out of stationary equipment like gensets due to the injector pumps are not rated for the road and if it doesn't have a turbo, the pistons are different from the turbo'ed engines.
Doug

Yeah forgot to mention the turbo issue. As for the injector pump, I have found them used for $500-$700. But yes if you can find a vehicle installed 4BT you are better off. The other thing is if you can find on in vehicular form you can usually sell the bellhousing adapter for about the amount it will cost to buy the adapter you need. Though you will find many in front of a TH400 which is an excellent transmission, other than being a 3 speed. I have been told that most people swap the C4 for another transmission when they put a 4BT in.

 

[patterdale]

You can go to 4btswaps.com They have tons of info on the 4BT. That is where I found most of my info on what I needed for my swap.

I would stay away from 4BT's that come out of stationary equipment like gensets due to the injector pumps are not rated for the road and if it doesn't have a turbo, the pistons are different from the turbo'ed engines.

I bought mine off of Ebay. The VE injection pumped engines go for around $2000 to $3000. The P- pumped engines go for around $3000-$4000. Also look for the Ford adapter set up.

Doug

I used to work on gen sets with John Deere engines in them. They were backups for Cub Foods stores up here in Minnesota. We had the injector pumps wired so they went fom 0 to max rpm in as little time as possible literally. I would bet that a good pump shop could reconfigure one from a gen set without much trouble. Though I can't vouch for the Cummins setup.

 

[Dbteak]

I used to work on gen sets with John Deere engines in them. They were backups for Cub Foods stores up here in Minnesota. We had the injector pumps wired so they went fom 0 to max rpm in as little time as possible literally. I would bet that a good pump shop could reconfigure one from a gen set without much trouble. Though I can't vouch for the Cummins setup.

With so many Frito-Lay trucks being retired and engines for sale I think it would be a better idea buy an "on the road" engine at least until the engine supply dries up and you have no choice but to reconfigure a genset engine. I am not really sure why the genset injector pumps won't work well but I have read alot of posts that say to stay away from them unless you want to change the pump. It took me about 8 months of ebay and forums to find the motor I am using.

Doug

 

[lowbush]

The thing about the gen-sets is you can get the coveted ISB 4.5 which was never to my knowledge put into an on-road vehicle. My understanding is that it was always used in off-highway application. There are a lot of guys that take the hit on the pump just to get the turbo 4.5 over the 3.9. The 4.5 where used in forklifts as well, My understanding is that they are a stroked 3.9. I used a 3.9 in my old K5 but if I go the 4BT route for my Bronco I am going to try to find a 4.5. Unless I can find someone to trade me a 3.9 for my Ford racing 390. Personally I am leaning more towards a Mercedes OM617 if I have to buy one. I can pick a runner OM617 up for 500 bucks, they can push 300HP, and live as long as the 4BT.