New Toy

[jacoby0419]

Just picked up a 83 1/2 ton Suburban with a 6.2 in it this weekend. This is going to be basically a daily driver and occasional light towing/hauling.

It runs fairly well, is a little hard to start (it is cold here though), and exhaust is mostly rotted.

After doing a fair bit of looking there doesn't seem to be much available in the area of exhaust systems for these old trucks. Is the best option to put something together from off the shelf parts, or is there something else I can do?

I got it for a song so I don't want to put a ton of money into it but right now it's un-driveable with all of the exhaust leaks.

PS. Although I'm rather experienced with turning a wrench this is my first Diesel and my first GM (I'm more of a Ford guy). So any tips on where to start and systems to check/upgrade would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[roadhog0]

As far as hard to start, I would replace the glow plugs, ya may have some dead ones.

Exhaust wise, that I know of, no one makes a bolt on kit for these old trucks. You'll have to take it to an exhaust shop and have them build you something to your specifications. Or if you can weld, you can make it up yourself. That's what I did with my exhaust.

[Landmine]

Might as well go turbo now instead of later

[Diaric]

Originally Posted by Landmine

Might as well go turbo now instead of later

What he said. If you entertain the thoughts of putting a turbo on, do the exhaust then as they are totally different between NA and Turbo'd. Dual compared to a large single exhaust. Read through the FAQ's and question us with stuff from there, you'll learn a lot. And as stated, check the glow plugs or battery's if its starting hard.

[jacoby0419]

Originally Posted by Landmine

Might as well go turbo now instead of later

I would definitely be game for a turbo, but the cost is a bit out of my budget at the moment. Really don't see spending 2k on a Banks kit anytime soon.

My main concern with the exhaust is that the downpipes are in need of replacement too. Has anyone put those together with off the shelf components, how do I connect them to the header flange?

[roadhog0]

You could get all the turbo parts off a 6.5 and have it swapped in for bout 500 bucks. I payed about that much for my turbo parts with a new HX40WII. I spent a lot more money on other parts of my motor too...

[Landmine]

Buy a used 6.5 set up for anywhere from 100-500 bucks.

You will likely have to have a crossover pipe and dowpipe made up.

If you want performance buy a h1c turbo they sell form early 90's cummins for 100 all the time

[herkdriver007]

Congrats on the new ride! I'm in the process of putting a 6.5 turbo on my 6.2 blazer. I can give you some tips....and you're somewhat local to me too.

BTW, Welcome!

[NO TREAD ON ME]

Id hit an exhaust shop thats not a chain, i work with one here where I cant even come close to what it takes me in time, bloody knuckles, and all he does is eyeball it, cuts bends welds, makes it look so easy, itll be kinda of a junky lookin store, 2 employees but only 1 showed up and the owners there with Bob on his shirt, covered in grease and Im guessin $300 bucks tops and you got new duals.Good luck on your new find. No Tread On Me

[NO TREAD ON ME]

Also since your new to diesels when its below 50 plug em in whenever you can, also Ive owned diesels for 20 years, but just got my first chevy and IMO its a different animal, for instance on my visor it says for under 36 degree weather fully depress the throttle until it starts, do that now and it starts every time, after I got my air leak found, I also went ahead and replaced my glowr plug relay and glow plugs, just so I knew they were good, and was having starting issues.