Hey guys I am considering converting my 93 K1500 Cheyenne with NV4500 5 speed manual with 3.73 differential gear ratio and 4.3L? V6 to a 6.354 Perkins engine,I have a Perkins out of a MF 750 combine with turbo that I got for a very good price.Anyway what do you guys think hard swap or not?

 

I think it would be a pretty sweet swap if you can find the parts. My concern would be putting 1300 lbs of motor into a 1/2 ton ifs truck. I saw a perkins in a F350 several years ago at a truck pull, the guy said top speed was about 50mph. He was running a 4 speed though. NV4500 should do better.

 

Well I looked at specs from a 12V Cummins and it wieghs in roughly at 1000lbs so the Perkins is only another 300 lbs and the 6.5L Turbo diesel weighed in right at 750lbs. So it will be interesting and I think I can get it done as me and a mechanic friend know how to get things to work and properly it will be sweet if I don't run out of funds.

 

guy n youtube did one in a f350 with a nv4500 but not a smart choice in a half ton and neither is a 6bt in a half ton a 6.5 or 4bt is pretty much the limit weight wise...I suppose it cld be done but y? weak frame junk weak suspension leaf springs tht cant hold the weight of a spare tire hardly...my opinion find a bigger truck or smaller engine

 

when compared to a cummins the horsepower to weight ratio with the perkins is crap id rather have a dt360 or 453t.

 

Well that same Perkins engine has the capacity to go up to 240hp if you know what you are doing and I can get it there I'm sure.Second I am going to fully box the frame up and put new leaf springs in from a 3/4ton and I'll use the heavier brake pads so that I can stop easier.Its not going to be cheap but it will be cheap on fuel and have more torque thatn my 4.3L V6.