Detroit Diesel powered trucks?

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:05 am

I know there are a few floating around, does anyone have pictures of the engine bay? Any idea on fuel economy? did they use the aluminum block, or the iron one?

I've got a soft spot in my heart for Screamin Jiummy's, even though I hate GM... I'd LOVE to get a 4-53T in there, but I'm betting it's too long. I know there are some 3-53 powered trucks out there though.

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:06 pm

There are some that have done it, personally I don't care for them for several reasons. Fuel economy isn't great, they have to be tached to the max to get any decent power out of them, weight is a factor as they are heavier than a Cummins, etc., NOISE is terrible +. Just how familiar are you with Detroit Diesels? You know what they say about Oil & a Detroit, if it ain't leaking, you better pour some in!!

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:24 pm

I know, they are heavy, and leak oil, but, they are incredibly simple, reliable, need no electricity to run, and, the sound is an "aquired taste" and I like it. I know alot of people that don't, and I can understand why.

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:32 pm

Detroit Diesels...Turn fuel into noise for 40 years.

xm708 · Post by **xm708** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:44 pm

How about the gamma goat detroit. It is all aluminum from what I remember except the crankand such can't be that heavy ??

ed

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:37 pm

the 3-53 out of the goat will fit into the M37. I've seen pics of it done before...but it's very loud and really doesn't give that much power compaired to the Cummins or even the Isuzu 4 cylinder diesel.

CREEPING DEATH · Post by **CREEPING DEATH** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:13 pm

Josh wrote:I'd LOVE to get a 4-53T in there, but I'm betting it's too long.

It isn't the length so much as the weight, the 3-53N is about 1,000 pounds - about 400 heavier than the 230 - and I think the 4-53N is about 1,300.
I still want a 3-53N powered truck though...

CD

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:19 am

Creeping, you're kind of right... its BOTH. The 4-53 is heavy, AND long... its 40" long... same as a 6 cylinder cummins!

For that much weight, I'd just go get an aluminum block 6V53TT.

After looking some more at the cummins, I've decided it's the best diesel to use, as getting a ton of power is relatively easy, and, its got a 20% better BSFC curve, as well as lower emissions.

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:14 pm

Have you looked at the Isuzu 4DB1T? I'm leaing towards it. It has a little more power output than the 4BT Cummins and a higher redline. It is also a bit less expensive to get a good used one vrs the Cummins. Just wondering if you have given any thought to it?

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:18 pm

nope, I just looked at it though, and for the added agrivation of trying to find a tranny and bellhousing, etc for it, I dont think its worth it. I poked around on dieselenginetrader.com for a while and didnt find much that looked promising other then the cummins. If you get a 4BTAA, you get 130HP, which, is more than the isuzu. One engine I ran across that I'd LOVE to find more info about is the M-B OM904LA. It's a 4.3L inline 4, and belts out 145hp and 500 ft-lb of torque:

CREEPING DEATH · Post by **CREEPING DEATH** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:26 pm

Josh wrote:One engine I ran across that I'd LOVE to find more info about is the M-B OM904LA. It's a 4.3L inline 4, and belts out 145hp and 500 ft-lb of torque:

That nice deep front sump would heavily interfere with your front axle.

CD

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:19 pm

Hmmm that's funny because everything I read said they came mated to GM transmission and the NV4500 and the 700r4 (stick and auto respectivly) are both great matches to the motor.

"General Motors, a large share holder of Isuzu, also sell and service the NPR trucks as a W4500 chevy and GMC. " ...from one web page. I believe they have an SAE#3 bell housing also.

I'm still aways away from the motor swap, so I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open to both possibilites and which ever motor "falls" in my lap for the right price will be the one that ends up in my truck either the 4BT or th 4BD1T

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:03 pm

CREEPING DEATH wrote:
Josh wrote:One engine I ran across that I'd LOVE to find more info about is the M-B OM904LA. It's a 4.3L inline 4, and belts out 145hp and 500 ft-lb of torque:

That nice deep front sump would heavily interfere with your front axle.

CD

You're right, but, I bet it wouldn't be too terribly hard to rotate the pan around, and lengthen the pickup for the pump.

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:14 am

Did a quick websearch on that motor Josh....boy the best price I found for it was 11,000.00 plus shipping.... and it's new. It's a shame that it would have to be modified to fit our trucks because it is an interesting motor...only thing I don't like is it needs an electronic brain to run.

Detroit Diesel powered trucks?

Detroit Diesel powered trucks?

detroits

Re: Detroit Diesel powered trucks?