Thanks for the welcome! This is my first topic. I was recently on a hitchhiking trip through the midwest this summer and my group was picked up by an array of drivers. One happened to be a guy named Jonathan who successfully started a business modifying diesel engines called Swamp's Diesel. I told him about my wagon and that I wish it weren't such a gas guzzler. He suggested I put in a Cummins 4BT because it would be powerful but also give me about 35 miles per gallon. I was very interested but also know this is a very involved task to take on. He was encouraging, given that his knowledge/success was all from self-education and curiosity. I guess I want to know what sort of things do I need to think about. What transmission fits with this new engine? What other systems does this affect? Fuel intake? Exhaust? etc. If I get the cummins engine and another transmission and start rebuilding them, what other things should I consider? What is the general order of steps once they are rebuilt? I guess I don't need all the details right now. I mainly want to get a good scope of this project so I can approach it in phases. Or if you think it's a bad idea, please tell me why.
It's a pretty involved process. I was considering a diesel swap with one of my Eagles and decided not to due to the cost vs. reward. www.4btswaps.com is the best place to start your quest for knowledge on the swap.
Good luck with your project. My dad was always talking about putting a "little Perkins diesel" in something! Welcome to the madness btw! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDG6hwpou80
I have very little diesel experience beyond driving a Ford E 350 for a couple of years (loved it). It seems that if you want to swap an engine of any type into another vehicle it would be best to keep it in the family. IE, Powerstroke into a Ford, Cummins into a Chrysler, Duramax into a GM. Just my $. 02 worth. If you have the money: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/chevy/1211dp_banks_duramax_crate_engine/
I would actually recommend using the 6.2L diesel found in 80s Chevy/GMC trucks. You can bolt that to a 700R4 (also from a diesel application as they have a different converter, governor, and valve body) and you're all set. Suburbans and K Blazers are good sources for these if you can't find a pickup set up that way. Make sure to fully clean out your fuel tank and lines. You'll need some sort of vacuum pump and even that won't be much for power brakes so you might want to consider a Hydroboost setup from say, an Astro van. Other things you can do to make it more "authentic" are get a "DIESEL FUEL ONLY" gauge cluster from a diesel-powered Cutlass. I wouldn't recommend a 4BT in a car. They are very noisy, very low powered, and they vibrate. A LOT. They are also a very TALL engine. You'll need to custom fabricate an air intake, oil pan, and mounts for sure. There is a guy who managed to shoehorn one into a 98 or so Crown Vic cop car. Videos on YouTube of that one, search for "diesel crown vic", there are two videos of that particular car. As of the second video he had been running it for 3 years. Loves it, but it is pretty harsh. That said, here's the skinny on 6.2/6.5 conversions: http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=27827
