After recently driving a 2008 GMC 2500HD turbodiesel, I have decided that I would really like to update my 63 Chevy with a duramax turbo diesel and allison transmission. I am not sure where to start, should I do a whole front clip out of a newer GM truck, should I modify my current frame to accomodate the engine and tranny? What about the electronics? What do I need? Does anyone know of a company that sells any kind of conversion kit if I came up with the engine and tranny? I know this is a very broad question but I just need to get started in the right direction. Also, what are the difference (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338869#) of the generations of duramax engines? Is any particular one better than the others? Any of them have specific problems or reasons I sould stay away from them? Thank you all in advance for your help.

Any recomendations on a better category to post this thread on?

If money is no object I would go with a LBZ or LMM with a 6 speed allison. If you can get a nice lb7 with new injectors and a 6 speed allison or just a 5 speed would do but the 6 speeds work real good. Also you would definitely need a full wiring harness but if you pick up a wrecked truck thats complete and running it would save you a lot of time and money in the long run. The lb7 had injector problem about 3000-5000 for a dealer to fix.

Frankenstien is the perfect category for this.

I can tell you a lot about it but the most important part is. to do it right will cost you 50 to 80 k. If you want to do it yourself you can save a lot of coin. It can be done if you have all the req skills and equipment. Ive personally built a few different franken cars and trucks and I am building a 72 6.6 blazer without funding at the moment =)