Since we seem to be such a chatty bunch, I've wondered about those who have suffered severe/catastrophic engine failures.

Although we are not a divided group, there does seem to be two basic thought patterns that drive us in the way that we look at our engines. I'm wondering out loud here, so help me to see if this is too unscientific or not.

My curiousity is: if you improve your engine to make more and more power, what does it do to the life of the engine, as opposed to making modest improvements on the engine that doesn't make it a dragster.

Feel free to post your comments too.

Those who qualify to post in the poll are:
if you, or you know someone (whom doesn't post on here) had an engine failure (which qualifies as a piston, crank, or some other major part within the engine itself) that has had a failure of some sort. This does not include injection pumps or PMD failures.

Please check if you have made power improvements or stock. Power improvements mean: improved fuel rates, tuners, chips, boost fooling, turbo masters, etc. etc. Power improvements other than these (like improved exhaust, intercoolers, and the like) that improve engine performance, without making a severe increase in power, don't count. Follow my train of thought?

Please also include the usage of the vehicle too: Do you use it a just a daily driver to work and back, or as a tow vehicle and beat the stuffing out the drive train.

320,000 on the clock, the first rebuild was due to courtesy chevrolet dropping a bolt down the #6 intake runner at 220,000 mi. PO's experience. He used it to tow a horse trailer on flat ground for a total of 240,000mi. in stock configuration.

It's now the best I think it can do with the stock fuel output. 2500-3500 rpm easily without skipping a beat. I'll drive it like I stole it 'till/if I blow the motor then I'm putting in a cummins. There's a '93 dodge diesel 3/4 ton for $1000 for the whole truck but i'm sure I can find a cheaper parts truck.

Didn't vote seeing's ive had 3 6.5's in the last 10 years of different configs.

Stock 94 ~ +/-150,000 km's Chucked a rod into the head, sheared off a couple of head bolts, complete long block from GM on warranty. No towing or hard work.

Stock 95 ~ 3" exhaust, thats it. Head gaskets @ 345,000 Km's, blown piston/rings? (not sure yet) @ 357,000 km's. Towed on rare occation but worked hard when it did tow. Daily work truck.

2000 Still figuring that one out!!!

My 94 had 280,000kms on it when I sold it. Original engine, never opened. New IP at 230 something though.

93 (205,000mi)

towed heavily while stock--usually around 20,000#

Now, many modifications and I drive it like I stole it--no towing

Still going strong!

ok here is the list
6.2 chucked a rod out through the side of the pan 200 000 km no mods oil cooler line blew off
6.5 n/a spun a main brg 300 000 km no mods dont know why
6.2 started using oil like it was free at 360 000 km dont know why never tore it down mo mods
6.5 turbo van cracked block blowing antifreeze at 600 000 km towed 10 000 lbs 3-4 times a week no mods

Can't be too accurate on the mileage but we figure well over 700,000km (420,000 miles) on my buddys 95 n/a. It was used and abused, but no heavy towing. Had some blowby and surging for the last while, then I got the call to tow him home the other day. No shame for that truck, if it was taken care of it would probably still be going strong. It's the reason I bought mine and I'm pushing 250,000 with lot's of go left in her. ( I hope!)

:driver: still going afte 187K miles, on my wish list is for it to go to 300K with no major problem!:hail:

Stats are looking interesting so far. Looks like a trend brewing. Too early to tell.

'93 6.5 turbocharged, stock for 117K, lightly mod. until 130K or so when had to overhaul due to excessive piston to bore clearance in #6&8. Heavily modified ever since, drive it hard, and tow heavy with it on occasion. now at 144K

Stats are looking interesting so far. Looks like a trend brewing. Too early to tell.
Wow, I think I am a little surprised; in a good way:cool:

New engine at around 255,000km apparently cracked head.(didn't own it but have paperwork) New Tranny at around 277,000km (didn't own have paperwork) Towed a big fiver all over B.C. and to the Baha before I bought it. I tow my forklift about 9,500lbs occasionally, Running strong at 311,000 ish..excellent fuel economy but it is a "s" motor.