Which diesel engines would fit an 87 or 88 large-size GM wagon?

I don't have such a car as of this writing, But out of curiosity which engine(s) could I fit into a carbeureted-engine 87 or 88 Buick, Chevy, Oldsmobile or Pontiac full-size wagon? Not counting the 5.7 GM engine from another wagon from an earlier year, Though that may work.

Edit; I should note that I'd like this to be a non-fuel injection engine and one that gives good fuel economy, Close to the 5.7 litre GM engine. I'd also like the ability to tow cars with this engine, Like a normal Gas engined car.

Austin

 

I have not measured the Chevy's but I can tell you that the 80's early 90's Ford 7.3L IDI (in direct injection) Non computer Diesels are 30 inches square you just have to do some coil spring research and probably modify the Spring pockets... That is If your wanting to stay Brand true.. If not then look at the Mercedes Diesels, I hear they are pretty darn dependable and get in the 30's MPG

But that's all hear say

 

Do a Google on "Duramax in a car'. There's lots of stuff there.

 

What about a little Perkins diesel??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDG6hwpou80

 

A GM 6.2 or 6.5 should bolt right in. I don't know what kind of MPG you'll achieve though. Check out www.4btswaps.com.

 

Use the 5.3 gas from a 2007 or so Tahoe, and you will have the same sort of performance, especially when towing, plus you will have fuel injection, etc. and the cylinder deactivation. It can give incredible fuel economy in a Tahoe, so in one of these wagons you may be able to coax it well into the mid 30s. If you really want a diesel, the older G.M. ones should fit no problem. They are noisy, though, and not as powerful as you might expect.

 

Thanks for the replies, They're helpful. I've been wondering how legal it is to do this sort of thing here in Pennsylvania. I read a forum post from about six years ago that said if I was to do this, I'd need to have an engine that was made for that specific model of car that the manufacturer made for it or newer. So, If I had a 1988 Caprice it would be too new to put a Diesel engine in and I'd need to stick a 5.7 Diesel in it. But, Taking a '79 Estate wagon and putting an '85 5.7 litre engine in it would be fine. I'm not sure if this is still the case here as that was posted six years ago, But if it is I might just be better off buying a 1984 or 1985 Estate Diesel wagon.

 

Just curious and am just wondering What is the deal with wanting the diesel? To be different?
Don't take it wrong, it is just a question of curiosity not pushing a opinion or anything.

 

If wanting diesel is for fuel economy and towing capacity only, here's something to think about.

A new 5 cylinder Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel uses about 10 litres per 100 km, or 28 miles to the Imperial gallon. My brother had an 86 Mercury Colony Park with the factory 351W, Edelbrock intake and carb, and a good exhaust. It used 7 litres per 100 km, or 40 miles to the Imperial gallon. His gas engine put out almost 450 lbs/ft of torque at about 2,300 rpm, and about 250 horsepower at about 4,500. With the factory 2.73 limited slip, the car was rated to tow 6,000 pounds and the limiting factor was the strength of the "Police Package" frame that came in the factory tow package with the 351. The G.M. box wagon are rated for 5,000 pounds of trailer, and one of the considerations is the strength of the frame. Over load it with tongue weight and you will bend it at the wheel arch. If you are going for much more trailer than that, get a truck not a car. the frames just can't take it, especially when you figure on 20 and more years of fatigue and rust build up.

 

I was aiming (Or hoping) to run it on biodiesel or vegetable oil and my Dad used to have an 87 or thereabouts Caprice Wagon, So that's another reason; I rode in a GM wagon a bit as a kid. I figured having an Estate wagon would be useful too, Though I have no idea what I'd tow with it - Certainly not a large boat or another large station wagon.

And the 85 GM Large Diesel wagons get better fuel economy on the highway than the same model year of Mercedes wagons. I'm starting to think perhaps a Mercedes would be a better buy though for what I'd use it for.

 

Here's a point to ponder for you. Back in the mid-80s I had a 78 Buick Electra with the Buick 350/4bbl/Turbo 400 combo. My music teacher had a 78 Oldsmobile 98 Regency with the 350 diesel. If we went any distance at all together, we took my Buick as it used significantly less fuel than his diesel; enough so to offset the lower cost of diesel fuel at the time, and then some. With that diesel I would not tow a single pound. It was working hard to get that Oldsmobile up to highway speed at the best of times, and that was engine number 3 in the car. At the time, both cars were right in around 220,000 kms, which is only about 135,000 miles. Not much at all.

My brother is now driving an 85 Mercedes 300SD sedan. On the highway it uses about 7 l/100km, which is 40 miles to the Imperial gallon. That makes it no better on fuel than his 86 Grand Marquis Colony Park did with a 351W under the hood.

 

Hey Austin
My Boss and I had a conversation about your situation and he has been hot rodding for years and asked me if you have a Yearly Inspection where they Check your Vin number or check the Make and Model numbers on the Engine Block?

Hot rodders have been swapping Chevy motors in Fords for Many Many Years. and the old Chrysler Hemi's into fords and chevys.

When you register your vehicle they register it by the Skin on the exterior not the Chassis or Motor. I'm learning this because of researching Building a Rat rod and matter what Chassis and motor combination I use I have to register it by the Cab thats on it.

So I still do not understand Why it would matter what Motor you put in it.

Maybe someone more experienced in this matter would mind speaking up and explaining why!

 

Ok So lets have another Discussion.
Diesel vs Gas

My Uncle drove Simis (over the road trucks) Big Trucks Whatever you might call them from your neck of the woods

The reason I tell you this is My uncle told me I needed a Diesel to tow with so I bought an 88 F350 with the 7.3 IDI Diesel tow rig for one reason It cost me less to tow heavy weight with the diesel than my gas rigs.

So here is the Story My Friend has a 89 F350 with the Gas 460 and we tested the fact.
here is a pic of my trailer with about 9000 lbs on it that we used to test our theory.


I get about 12 MPG Empty or Loaded
He get 14 mpg empty and when he towed the trailer with the same vehicles he got 6 mpg.

Gas rigs get less millage when loaded and stressed to do more.

 

I had a 1990 F350 crew cab 4x4 (wish I still did) 5spd, 7.3NA Diesel. I averaged about 17mpg mixed driving. Oddly my best trip averaged around 20 mpg highway loaded with about two tons of machine tools. Yes, a bit overloaded but it didn't seem to notice.

mike

 

Thanks. And to be honest, I don't have any towing needs; I was just thinking that if I were to have a Station Wagon, Why not go all out and convert one to Diesel and be able to tow with it should need arise.

And closer to reality; Selling two of the cars we have and buying a 1994-1996 Caprice or Roadmaster Wagon and a Diesel Sedan to run on VGO or Biodiesel would probably be better for us.

And about inspections in my state; They are annual and going on recollection, I don't think the inspection station I've gone to has ever checked the engines of the cars we've had inspected there. I can't say about the VIN.