Optimizer 6500 or P400 6.5L eng

Looking for help...

I have a 1999 Chevy CUCV-II 4x4 Pickup that needs a new engine.
I will either put a New Optimizer 6500 or the New P400 in it.

Question is has anyone put the P400 6.5L Diesel engine into one of your 1995-2000 chevy trucks?
If so what problems did you have( oil pan hitting the front diff ? or things not matching up )
I know I can put the Optimizer 6500 in with no problems( I think ). Just wanted the strongest 6.5 engine(P400) if I can make it fit.

I got an email from GEP(wwwilliams) with a price of $5,800 for the P400 long block and $5,400 for the Optimizer 6500 long block.

They are going to send me a price for the complete engine drop-in tomorrow.

Any help would be appreciated

Some pictures of the P400 6.5L engine(got them of the web)

There is a guy on thedieselpage that put one in a '93 C3500. He had to have an oil pan made to clear, as the P400 oil pan is too big. The P400 is definitely worth the effort though. The steel crank and integral stud girdle makes it much more durable than a reg 6.5 or even Optimizer.

Thanks 67_C-30, I just signed up over at dieselpage and will check it out.

I just got a reply from wwwilliams that the P400 will not fit because of the oil pan will hit the front diff.
I'm going to do some more research to see if it can be done.

P400 6.5L engine and oil pan.

Where do you find a CUCV ll"?

that p400 sounds like a beast

kassim503 said:

that p400 sounds like a beast

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They are by far the strongest version of the 6.2/6.5 engines. They are also rated at 250HP and 550TQ out of the box, which is much better than any previous version. I'd love to have one for my M1009 at some point.

Couldn't you just do a suspension lift to the truck with a front diff drop bracket to clear the P400? Just a thought.

I like your truck btw!

junker46 said:

Where do you find a CUCV ll"?

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you can find em off GL but there hard to comebuy

Thats a nice looking main cap! Almost looks like it would fit on a 6.2.

update?

Checking for an update: Is the P400 installed?

Thinking this engine would be a good repower for my 97 Landcruiser.

The P400 would not fit with the oil pan that it has. It would have to be custom made. Its been done on a two wheel drive not sure if it can be done on a 4X4 like mine. So I went with the GEP 6500.
See build thread below.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/62434-cucv-ii-south-florida-rebuild.html?highlight=cucv-ii

If I were to ever have my 6.2 go down I would buy a P400. Looks like one heck of a engine.

I would consider a cummins 12v swap @ those prices...they are already proven economical power

Stonepicker1 said:

The P400 would not fit with the oil pan that it has. It would have to be custom made.

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Appreciate the thought regarding oil pan issues - I had read the same concern in another thread somewhere. I had mentioned the project to a friend of mine, a custom motorcycle fabricator with pretty comprehensive machine shop. He got excited about the idea of modifications to the oil pan to make the project work.

The Cummins 12v idea is something I considered and studied - seems the work it takes to make a 6BT work is way over my head, whereas the 6.5 seems simpler - not simple by any stretch - but simpler.

Appreciate the input, guys.

southdave said:

I would consider a cummins 12v swap @ those prices...they are already proven economical power

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At those prices you are buying a new motor, How much does a new Cummins cost? Then you have the cost of the swap. If you are comparing cost atleast keep it Apples to Apples Dont compare the cost of a new P400 to a 300'000 mile Cummins out of a old truck.

New vs used

Nothing wrong with a Cummins 12v to be sure. Proven power plant. Cummins has been dropped in a land cruiser but it ain't an easy process.

If I decided to go with a used diesel engine, it would probably be the Toyota from a Canadian Landcuiser diesel. There are ways to bring a donor vehicle stateside without a ton of expense. There is apples to apples comparison.

I'm interested in the GM engine because adapters are readily available (Marks Adapters) and this repower has been done many times in Aussie rigs. The P400 seems the best option within that subset given my accessibility to a machine shop with skilled hands for the oil pan fit.

StrengthDoc...if you go with the P400 and fab a new oil pan that will fit. let me know.

Stonepicker1 said:

StrengthDoc...if you go with the P400 and fab a new oil pan that will fit. let me know.

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The guy I will use is Johnny Goodson at Insane Cycles - great guy and unbelievable machining/design capabilities - Insane Custom Cycles.

No ties to him beyond common interest in loving great bikes and fine cigars. And hopefully a custom oil pan.