Repower: 6.5L vs 6.5L Turbo

[desmodromic]

Question for all you learned folks:

I plan on repowering with a whole new driveline because I want at least a 6.5L/4L80e combo. What are the pros/cons of "upgrading" to a 6.5L Turbo/4L80e? Either way, I would be installing a take-out engine/trans/transfer case. How much more needy/complex is the turbo combo vs the N/A? Additional parts for the turbo 6.5 would be the doghouse? Different cooling stack?

i believe both options would be USMC units, so the 6.5L takeouts would be Milton rebuilds? Were there ever any GEP 6.5L Turbo engines?

My initial inclination was to stick with the N/A 6.5L/4L80e combo, but currently there are more turbo engines available. Would a shade tree hack such as myself be going to far down the rabbit hole with the turbo combo install?

Thanks!

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

The only difference is cutting the body around the engine bay to open it up to clear the left and right exhaust manifold.
The rest of it "assuming you do a factory OEM conversion" is the same.....if your going to hack and whack...your on your own, I don't do this conversion unless, or others for that matter with aftermarket mods. But that's just how we do things here at RWH.

 

[desmodromic]

The only difference is cutting the body around the engine bay to open it up to clear the left and right exhaust manifold.
The rest of it "assuming you do a factory OEM conversion" is the same.....if your going to hack and whack...your on your own, I don't do this conversion unless, or others for that matter with aftermarket mods. But that's just how we do things here at RWH.

Thanks, @Retiredwarhorses. Yes, my plan is to keep everything mil-spec, either "original" or as it could have been, if Uncle Sam were to let us have the good stuff intact.

 

[ryanruck]

The only difference is cutting the body around the engine bay to open it up to clear the left and right exhaust manifold.
The rest of it "assuming you do a factory OEM conversion" is the same.....if your going to hack and whack...your on your own, I don't do this conversion unless, or others for that matter with aftermarket mods. But that's just how we do things here at RWH.

RWH,
Do you happen to have or know a source for measurements/dimensions on what areas need trimmed/modified?

Just want to file the info away for when I need it.

Thanks!

 

[Action]

Take the motor out and put on a turno doghouse. Trace the inside of the doghouse on the tunnel you will want create a new lip on the edge.
Maybe a body lift, new harnesses

 

[ryanruck]

Take the motor out and put on a turno doghouse. Trace the inside of the doghouse on the tunnel you will want create a new lip on the edge.
Maybe a body lift, new harnesses

Thanks Action! As Jeremy Clarkson would say, "How hard could it be?"

(Since it's too big to upload a link will have to suffice...)

https://www.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/clarksons-tools.gif

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Take the motor out and put on a turno doghouse. Trace the inside of the doghouse on the tunnel you will want create a new lip on the edge.
Maybe a body lift, new harnesses

you don't need the lip, early trucks didn't do it, nor did the H1's, my 98 was cut at the factory and no lip...while it looks better, not sure it's needed.