Engine and Transmission Swap for 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon?

A Duramax would be awesome, but expensive. My two choices would either be a GM 6.5L or a Cummings 4bt. Do some searching over at 4btswaps.com. I considered a diesel swap, but it just doesn't add up to me. Plus, at work we have onboard generators on our trucks that run all day when we're working and I'm sick of smelling burnt diesel.

 

Might want to take a look at this video.

 

Joe, what are you getting at? That the car makes enough noise to wake the dead?

Also, I don't get what the pressure gauge is measuring the pressure of. He said it gets up to 7 psi on the highway, and he revved the engine to make it move to about that high. But so what? What is this telling us?

 

Good question Jaunty, and that thing looks like a helicopter crash under the hood.

 

You could always bolt in a little Perkins diesel? :confused:

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

 

Turbo boost.

 

Now that is cool. A little rough around the edges, but cool.

 

A buddy of mine has a 70's full size Jeep Cherokee with 35" mud tires. He installed a Cummins 4bt and 5 speed transmission. He averages high 20's mpg.

 

How's that? The car in the video is a 1988 which is not as heavy. I'm thinking of something that accelerates a bit faster than the 5.7.

 

It's a turbo 5.7 Diesel.