my f350 cummins conversion.

[GPSMatt]

first off i have read just about every thread in this section and i am pretty impressed with some of the power numbers you guys are getting... I have a 85 ford crew cab 4x with a 6.9 that has a banks turbo set up gear vender's od np205 dana 60 front Ever since i bought the truck 3 years ago i have wanted to put a cummins in it after blowing up my second IDI the time has come. I wanted to find a second gen p pumped motor but what i ended up with was a 93 club cab 5 speed. I drive tow trucks and i impounded the truck on a DUI and counted the days till it cleared and the guy never picked it up i was gunna drive it for a while untill the trans got stuck in 4th gear thanks to my power shifting. I am gunna be doin a bit of heavy towing here and there and who doesnt love to pull up to a souped up honda and smoke it so i need somthin that is streetable. I always wanted to do twins on it but is it really worth it on one of these motors i would be happy with 800 ftlbs but would like 1000 pluss any input would be greatly appreciated. My next thought was the motor has 390k on it would it be worth doing a rebuild i heard u cant reselave these blocks so is it safe to go .20 over any input will be greatly appropriated thanks!!


thats a pic of the truck when i first got it
ps i love the site

[Ace]

I don't think "streetability" is much of an issue on these engines with a well-matched combo, unless you're getting into extreme high-fuel, dual-disc, 14mm pump yada, yada, sled pulling territory.

The biggest towing issues people seem to run into are over-fueling / under airing. I think a reliable towing 300 / 700 is doable with well thought out intake, exhaust, turbo, and pump tweak mods on stock injectors.

But it sounds like you want more, and that goes beyond what I know about it at this point...

[GPSMatt]

Yeah.., I have been waiting 3 years to do this swap and i want to go big i just still want it to be streetable

[Begle1]

Streetability really isn't an issue until you get to crazy power levels, as long as you don't do certain things like disabling the air-fuel control on the pump or running a 9cm exhaust housing with no intercooler...

Twins are a tough sell. The stock injection pump without the 14mm KTA Special head is good for around 400 HP on #2 only, but the stock turbocharger is only good for 350-ish... So you're only scratching the surface of the twins' potential with the stock pump. And if you get the bigger pump head you're off into what is still a pretty uncharted and elite realm.

Yet, if you do the fab work yourself, twins aren't that much more expensive than a single turbo good for 400-500 HP, and they're way more streetable, especially for towing. Since you already have the engine out, it'd be awfully easy to mock everything up against it before you put it into the truck.

Best options really depend on how much capital and time you want to invest...

[dpuckett]

I wouldnt rebuild the engine with only 390k. For an IDI, that is running on borrowed time, but for a 5.9 Cummins, it is nothing. As long as it runs well, and sounds good, I'd leave the internals alone. I sold one last spring with (supposedly) 440K on it, and it idled smoother than any other CTD I have seen or heard of.

1000ft-lbs is a lot of torque. No tranny will live up to power shifting with that kind of torque, not even an Eaton 9-18spd. You need to be sparing in your application and use of said power. Getting there is no problem.

You will probably be better off with the VE'd engine anyway, as they are known to make 400-450 dependably, and still top 1000ft-lbs. Plus, the Ves seem to have better bottom end, and use less fuel to boot (though the ligher weight of the trucks could be a contributing factor).

Good luck in the conversion. I'd like to put a 5.9 in a Ford myself, though I like the 92-97 body style better.

Daniel

[GPSMatt]

what exactly is the kta 14mm pump head I am prety much planning on doing twins doing the fab work won't be a problem turbo selection is where I am at a loss

[GPSMatt]

I have had a few trucks with idis and turbo's all high mileage I have seen several go to 500k and prety much be up but for 390 on this cummins it sounds like it runs like a clock sounds better thab aby IDI as far as the trany goes I am going to run a nv4500 with my 205 and not planing on doing somee super duper hot roding I do have a total of 5 trucks all of wich are 4wds in various stages so I will be mainly towing them around so I just don't want to have any huge catostrophic failure

[PToombs]

I wouldn't hesitate to put in new rod and main bearings. Why not, it's laying on the floor! Other than that, I'd throw it right in. If you're convinced you want twins, mock up while the engine is out is the best way.
FYI, you can sleeve these engines, but it's dry sleeve. Bore, sleeve, bore to size.

A 14mm pump head is something KTA has made special. The bores are 14mm, stock is 12mm. They push way more fuel, need BIG injectors, big LP. He just had a run of them done. They are pricey though.

[nooblet]

Nice project, keep us updated no matter which direction you decide to take.

Chris

[GPSMatt]

well its been a couple years and I am finally ready to pull the trigger lol. The motor has been sitting on the stand for over a year now truck has been sitting for 4 years or so. Going to order a nv4500 in a few weeks then get the advanced adapters kit for that and their kit for my ford 205 as well. I will keep you guys updated.