Hello everyone...this place looks like a great resource. I am a farmer who is somewhat of a jack-of-all trades, but I am a pretty poor auto mechanic. I do pretty well working on the old diesel tractors though. I just paid $2500 for a '95 K2500 6.5 with 100K miles. Body and frame are fine, but I need a new exhaust from the manifold back. I am not looking for anything fancy here, just stock. I was just going to pay my mechanic to do the job (its been a good, but VERY busy farm season- and right now time is money for me), but I got an estimate that shocked me. $2000. I was thinking under $1000 for sure, but their explanation is that there are only dealer parts available for this truck and engine. Any thoughts? I would ultimately like to make this into a daily driver. Reason for purchase was for a new (to me) plow truck and we are starting to produce biodiesel for our tractors and wanted to have a road vehicle for BD too.

Welcome to TDP. Look at warpspeed exhaust or heath.com, warpspeed.com for 4" exhaust is around $250.00. Stick with 3.5" to 4" exhaust its helps the engine. It should cost any near the first estimates.

Don't go with the stock or factory down pipe either. Get an aftermarket one. With the kits they have you could do it yourself too..

Here is a link to one of many site sponsors, complete would be from turbo back and also a crossover pipe. A far cry from the dealer cost. You could get it shipped and install for way under a $1000. and have a better system. Caution if your in a State that requires a Cayalytic convertor that price just went up. Check out the "Vendors" link in the menu bar for more suppliers.

Good price on the truck!



http://www.heathdiesel.com/T/Chevy-GM/Chevy-9495/Exhaust-Systems-Components/

Thanks guys. I see lots of options for the exhaust pipes, etc, but the manifold has issues too. I think we're talking from the engine back. Any ideas on a low cost source for parts besides a junkyard?

Send j_k_auto http://dieselplace.com/forum/member.php?u=46989 a PM he is selling numerous parts.

Thanks MB...is the 6.5 suburban engine the same?

I would think, but would wait for someone more knowledgable on that subject to chime in. Then there is always Ebay.