So, My truck which is a '97 Chevy K3500 Dually With the 6.5 TBD recently blew her head gasket and instead of fixing it I think I'm just going to do the Cummins 12v swap I eventually wanted to do. Only Problem is this is all new to me, I've been researching and reading and I know it has been done. My question is, custom engine mounts? Making them? If I swap her transmission should I make it a 47RE rebuilt better then the stock ones of go with an Allison or even a different suggestion. And am I going to have issues with the transfer case? Or her running gear. A lot of people suggest a axle swap but I would like to keep her IFS. and doing this swap I would like to rebuild the engine itself for performance and I've read to keep the cummins gaskets at least but what could and should I update to give her a lot more power?

Thank you!!

 

Being that I run both for power, fix the head gasket. That is a sweet truck just the way it is.

Don't get me wrong, I am a 100% advocate for cummins swaps into super duties, and other good trucks with bad engines. However, mixing an engine that weighs almost double what the 6.5 does, with the chevy ifs. That has the makings of a nightmare. You'd be better off with a duramax swap.

And, a properly set up 6.5 will outlast the truck anyway. They simply aren't a hot rod, or as buildable as a cummins or duramax. I put a lot of miles on both 6.5s and 6bts, and they are both great, in their intended applications.

On the other hand, if you go for it, good luck with the finished product, it will have a cool factor.

 

I know people who have the 6bt cummjns in halfton obs chevy with no suspension modification and they didnt squat anymore than the factory 5.7 vortec did you will be just fine with the 3500 ifs im doing the same swap in my 99 tahoe 4 door but i am going to go ahead and do a dodge d44 sas with mine sinc ei already have the axle