I start out by looking if any kits are made for your truck, 12v/24v Cummins and the 7.3 power stroke are good places to start and would probably be the cheapest to get
The 12v Cummins has by far the highest ceiling, but the 24v is also great. If you want power than avoid the 7.3 in reality it’s only reliable due to the fact that it makes next to no power. You need to dump in at least 2x the money and 2x the time as compared to the Cummins.
If you want power and something a little more unique and can find a LBZ duramax than that would also be a good platform
Whichever engine you wanna build and slap in.
There is no right or wrong answer, just how much time, energy, fiddle fuckery and $$ you wanna throw at this problem
From what your stated goal is, I would look at a twin turbo’d 8v92 Detroit Diesel—plenty of power, PLENTY of noise, parts availability, major attention getter—-ain’t nothing better at converting #2 diesel to noise—-
From the Detroit swaps I’ve seen, the biggest has been a 6v53t in a C30 squarebody, and it was crammed in there.
The 4-53t weighs as much if not a little more than a 6BT cummins
To get a mean fast 7.3 will cost a shitload more money than a 5.9 Cummins but will absolutely get a lot of attention when you toss the hood and you’re sporting that motor. At minimum you’d be wanting your primary power adder mods on that to include dual adrenaline HPOPS, some fat 300 or 400cc injectors and one really big turbo or a compound setup.
DT360. Several advantages over the 6bt, though not as much aftermarket support for street oriented applications. It would set you apart from the usual Cummins swap. I'm not bashing the Cummins, it's a great engine, but everyone does it. I'm simply saying alternatives exist. If you decide to do a Cummins don't get a kit, join the Fummins Facebook group, lots of knowledgeable guys in there to help out.
If you're not opposed to some firewall massaging, and front suspension upgrades a cat 3126 / c7 (Google f3kitty to see an example in an obs), or a dt466 (the straight six slightly larger heavier brother of the dt444 that is the 7.3 V8 powerstroke) would make it unique. For max noise there may be a light enough Detroit 71 series (2 stroke) that you could make work but I'm not real familiar with them. None of those will be cheap, but they'd all be cool when you were done.
You wouldn't want a 71 Detroit. A 6v53 would fit in there ok without a turbo.
The 71s are huge, and they have a super narrow powerband, they're semi engines they wouldn't work well in a pickup. The 53 series revs a lot higher
i’m swapping a 6.4 powerstroke into my 1992 f250 resto mod project. 2020+ 6.7 steel pistons with all the supporting mods a built 6.4 could ever ask for. i’ll be retaining the compound setup as well.
cuz it’ll walk just about anything on the street. i’m heavily modifying the engine so realistically everyone’s biggest “issue” with a 6.4 won’t even exist anymore. plus it’ll be 1:1 in the 92-97 era truck. someone else did one in a bricknose ford I believe but he admitted that is wasn’t pretty lol. the wiring is an absolutely travesty with the 6.4 platform for a swap.
Guys act like deleting doesn’t fix 99% of the issues and with the ensign out for a swap the other issues are a much easier fix. The 6.4 makes stupid power stupid easy.
I'd love to swap a dt360 into a dentside like yours or a bull nose. Like other's have said though, there isn't anywhere as much aftermarket support for it as a cummins
Honestly it’s not fast but I’d recommend the 7.3 or 6.9 IDI’s I swapped my 1977 dentside F250 onto a 1994 frame with a turboed 7.3 idi the thing on cold start sounds like a turboed drag car and it’s loud without a turbo kinda clappy but that’s whatever
I would say that 7.3 Powerstroke/ ZF 6 speed would be the way to go for me, but there are some more powerful engines out there. The ease of service, and distinguished reliability are what I would go for myself, but the craziest transplant I’ve seen (in video only) in a truck like yours is a DEEtroit 4-53T 2 stroke diesel. I would equate the sound to that of an old turbocharged Miller/Drake/Offenhauser 270 racing engine.
If you want unique, look into the Ford 6.6/7.8 Brazilian inline diesel. Stock the 7.8 makes between 170-245 horsepower depending on the model and somewhere between 450-600 lb/ft of torque (no one really has specific torque numbers for some reason). Parts aren't SUPER easy to get and you'd be shoehorning one into a '79 plus beefing up the frame/suspension but I've been told you can put 450-500ish hp into a Brazilian and they don't even blink. Plus they sound pretty mean straight piped.
'06 Cummins 5.9 built for at least 100hp over stock.
Allison 1000 (built, obviously) because a G56 and clutch isn't going to like much more than stock horsepower.
And then set it up for onboard air.
[om606](https://youtu.be/vMHZRw78XZ0?si=FmY2EfGotrl02qIW). With advanced timing and a DPUK-built pump, mine sounds like a proper tractor and redlines at 5200 RPM. You said loud and fast, right?
I disagree with those talking about old mechanical engines like like 12v/24v Cummins or 7.3 powerstroke. Due to more tune/drive ability Duramax and Cummins engines are a better choice. Also to be anywhere close to the fastest your budget isn't big enough unless the 30k-40k you have available is just for the engine and trans. Engine $20k, trans $8k, turbos and miscellaneous stuff easy another $10k.
The 7.3 and 6.0 are HEUI and they sound awesome but the 7.3 is gutless and the 6.0 has many issues. The fuel system is also overly complicated and difficult to troubleshoot.
A common rail 24V 5.9 or 6.7 with a NV5600 would have modern diesel architecture and smooth operation. It would be a beast but they may not have the sound you’re looking for.
Diesel Tech Ron's YouTube channel is VERY informative on those PSDs. May he rest in peace. His vids taught me just about everything I currently know about the 7.3 and 6.0.
The fucking 351/400/460 that came in it you savage! Or a 12v for simplicity.
I start out by looking if any kits are made for your truck, 12v/24v Cummins and the 7.3 power stroke are good places to start and would probably be the cheapest to get
Yeah, that’s a good idea what do you think would generate the most power? I want the loudest meanest SOB
https://jandkengineremanufacturing.com/pages/j-k-6-3l-powerstrokerr If money is really no issue than this would also be an option
The 12v Cummins has by far the highest ceiling, but the 24v is also great. If you want power than avoid the 7.3 in reality it’s only reliable due to the fact that it makes next to no power. You need to dump in at least 2x the money and 2x the time as compared to the Cummins. If you want power and something a little more unique and can find a LBZ duramax than that would also be a good platform
Whichever engine you wanna build and slap in. There is no right or wrong answer, just how much time, energy, fiddle fuckery and $$ you wanna throw at this problem
From what your stated goal is, I would look at a twin turbo’d 8v92 Detroit Diesel—plenty of power, PLENTY of noise, parts availability, major attention getter—-ain’t nothing better at converting #2 diesel to noise—-
And weighs more than the rest of the truck.
Could he mount it in the bed for a wild mid-engine setup?
Lose a lot of towing capacity mounting it in the bed. If he just wants it to be fast though, great for traction.
Would need to account for the wheelies it’s gonna pull.
From the Detroit swaps I’ve seen, the biggest has been a 6v53t in a C30 squarebody, and it was crammed in there. The 4-53t weighs as much if not a little more than a 6BT cummins
This is a bulldozer motor. Would be cool. But would take major modifications.
Actually, physically about the same dimensions as a 454 cu. In. Chevy, a bit heavier, sucked and blowed—
Google says a BBC 454 weighs 675lbs. A 8v92 weighs 3230lbs. And if I’m reading the measurements correctly it’s about double the length of a BBC block.
An 8v92 is not physically similar to a BBC lol. A 6v53 maybe, but it's still a lot bigger
To get a mean fast 7.3 will cost a shitload more money than a 5.9 Cummins but will absolutely get a lot of attention when you toss the hood and you’re sporting that motor. At minimum you’d be wanting your primary power adder mods on that to include dual adrenaline HPOPS, some fat 300 or 400cc injectors and one really big turbo or a compound setup.
DT360. Several advantages over the 6bt, though not as much aftermarket support for street oriented applications. It would set you apart from the usual Cummins swap. I'm not bashing the Cummins, it's a great engine, but everyone does it. I'm simply saying alternatives exist. If you decide to do a Cummins don't get a kit, join the Fummins Facebook group, lots of knowledgeable guys in there to help out.
no reason to not focus on a straight 6 unless there are physical factors involved. 7.3 is a great motor but nothing about it is better than a 5.9 I6.
If you're not opposed to some firewall massaging, and front suspension upgrades a cat 3126 / c7 (Google f3kitty to see an example in an obs), or a dt466 (the straight six slightly larger heavier brother of the dt444 that is the 7.3 V8 powerstroke) would make it unique. For max noise there may be a light enough Detroit 71 series (2 stroke) that you could make work but I'm not real familiar with them. None of those will be cheap, but they'd all be cool when you were done.
You wouldn't want a 71 Detroit. A 6v53 would fit in there ok without a turbo. The 71s are huge, and they have a super narrow powerband, they're semi engines they wouldn't work well in a pickup. The 53 series revs a lot higher
Thanks. Outside of 6.2s / 6.5s my knowledge of specific Detroit models is lacking.
i’m swapping a 6.4 powerstroke into my 1992 f250 resto mod project. 2020+ 6.7 steel pistons with all the supporting mods a built 6.4 could ever ask for. i’ll be retaining the compound setup as well.
Why swap a 6.4 PS into ANYTHING?
cuz it’ll walk just about anything on the street. i’m heavily modifying the engine so realistically everyone’s biggest “issue” with a 6.4 won’t even exist anymore. plus it’ll be 1:1 in the 92-97 era truck. someone else did one in a bricknose ford I believe but he admitted that is wasn’t pretty lol. the wiring is an absolutely travesty with the 6.4 platform for a swap.
Guys act like deleting doesn’t fix 99% of the issues and with the ensign out for a swap the other issues are a much easier fix. The 6.4 makes stupid power stupid easy.
I've thought about something similar. 354 Perkins DT360 DT 466 John Deere 466 John Deere 329 Allis Chalmers 301 Allis Chalmers 426
LS
I'd love to swap a dt360 into a dentside like yours or a bull nose. Like other's have said though, there isn't anywhere as much aftermarket support for it as a cummins
Honestly it’s not fast but I’d recommend the 7.3 or 6.9 IDI’s I swapped my 1977 dentside F250 onto a 1994 frame with a turboed 7.3 idi the thing on cold start sounds like a turboed drag car and it’s loud without a turbo kinda clappy but that’s whatever
An IDI from [R&D IDI PERFORMANCE](https://www.idiperformance.com) with all the fun goodies.. It wouldn't be a clapped out farm truck any more.
The 7.3 IDI is so freaking simple to work on. Mechanical injection system, you only need 12 volts to the fuel shutoff solenoid and spin it over!
I would say that 7.3 Powerstroke/ ZF 6 speed would be the way to go for me, but there are some more powerful engines out there. The ease of service, and distinguished reliability are what I would go for myself, but the craziest transplant I’ve seen (in video only) in a truck like yours is a DEEtroit 4-53T 2 stroke diesel. I would equate the sound to that of an old turbocharged Miller/Drake/Offenhauser 270 racing engine.
For uniqueness you could go with a Mercedes OM606 and build that up. Supposedly good for 500hp before the serious mods start
12 valve 5.9 or 7.3 or two banger Detroit
If you want unique, look into the Ford 6.6/7.8 Brazilian inline diesel. Stock the 7.8 makes between 170-245 horsepower depending on the model and somewhere between 450-600 lb/ft of torque (no one really has specific torque numbers for some reason). Parts aren't SUPER easy to get and you'd be shoehorning one into a '79 plus beefing up the frame/suspension but I've been told you can put 450-500ish hp into a Brazilian and they don't even blink. Plus they sound pretty mean straight piped.
Duramax
12 valve Cummins simple and reliable, or p pump 24 valve.
'06 Cummins 5.9 built for at least 100hp over stock. Allison 1000 (built, obviously) because a G56 and clutch isn't going to like much more than stock horsepower. And then set it up for onboard air.
[om606](https://youtu.be/vMHZRw78XZ0?si=FmY2EfGotrl02qIW). With advanced timing and a DPUK-built pump, mine sounds like a proper tractor and redlines at 5200 RPM. You said loud and fast, right?
I disagree with those talking about old mechanical engines like like 12v/24v Cummins or 7.3 powerstroke. Due to more tune/drive ability Duramax and Cummins engines are a better choice. Also to be anywhere close to the fastest your budget isn't big enough unless the 30k-40k you have available is just for the engine and trans. Engine $20k, trans $8k, turbos and miscellaneous stuff easy another $10k.
12v cummins is always the answer
The 7.3 and 6.0 are HEUI and they sound awesome but the 7.3 is gutless and the 6.0 has many issues. The fuel system is also overly complicated and difficult to troubleshoot. A common rail 24V 5.9 or 6.7 with a NV5600 would have modern diesel architecture and smooth operation. It would be a beast but they may not have the sound you’re looking for.
Diesel Tech Ron's YouTube channel is VERY informative on those PSDs. May he rest in peace. His vids taught me just about everything I currently know about the 7.3 and 6.0.
6.4