Well with your model year, 92 Mechanical 6.5, you have 190 horsepower, but 385 lb.ft of torque. The 454 from that year had 230 hp and 385 torque, but the 6.5 makes it sooner, and holds it longer, at the same time getting much much much better fuel economy. Everyone badmouths 6.5's but they definately have their place as a fuel efficient low power alternative to newer diesels. And ps, we have had 2 that have both seen well north of 200k miles. as far as the 350 goes, its a great engine, maybe one of the best made, and its cheap as hell to fix, but for light loads under 10k pounds, and long highway trips a 6.5 is perfect.

 

I've had all three, all with 4.10 rear end. The 454 got 6 MPG, the 350 would not pull in overdrive, the 6.5 got 11-12 mpg pulling, and would pull in Overdrive, and rarely shifted gears in the hills.

My 97 6.5 ran very well. Most people would argue, but empty, it ran very much like a 350 gas, and would run off and leave a 7.3 ford. The 7.3 drives like a tractor. It will pull anything, but not very quick. Pulling, the 6.5 would not run with a 7.3 or 454 gas, but would run off and leave the 350. It did run very similar to some of the older unmodified cummins.

 

My dads truck has as 350 that was tore up from a blown oil line. Nows its a 383ci with slight mods. After the rebuild he was getting about 15mpg sometimes he even said maybe 16mpg. Its pulled over 12k without a problem. Ive never pulled anything with the 6.5 yet.

 

My 350 is running pretty good now straight piped with the edlebrock carb. I'm not talking trash on the 6.5. I've never towed with anything but the 6.5 all souped up and my dad's 7.3 with the tuner. I'll admit the 7.3 walks away from the 6.5 towing, but it has 410s or 411s. I think the 6.5 friggen awesome bombing around town and down the highway, it would get way better mileage than the 7.3 cruisin down the freeway.

 

I have nothing against the GM gassers but they have about 50% of the longetivity of a 6.5l or 6.2l. I have seen many GM diesels of the 80's and 90's last for 400,000+ km's. When is the last time you have seen a 350 or 454 do that?

Also the fuel mileage on the diesel will outperform the gassers. The heavier you pull the more economical the diesel will be in comparison to the gas engines. I have a freind that just sold a '96 6.5TD 1/2 ton shortbox extended cab, it was used as his car and he was always averaging 24+ mpg (yes converted to a US gallon - thats 29 mpg for us above the 49th).

 

I was considering a 454 beccause there so cheap now, probably cause of gas prices. I chose the 6.5 because of the better fuel economy and as goofy as it sounds I like the sound

I just didnt want a 350, I know the Vortec 5.7's have a huge aftermarket but I wanted something a little different. 454's and 6.5's arent so common around here so those were my choices.

 

Fo Fity Fo!!!!!

 

I've got 2 1993 GM trucks, the 3500 DWR 6.5 and a 1500 350. Both are extended cabs, both have about 205,000 miles. The 350 will pull but it struggles in OD on the hills, the 6.5 cruises along pretty easily pulling. I don't pull real heavy, usually about 7000-8000# with a dual-asle car trailer. Thus far the 1500 with the 350 has had a timing chain set, and aside from normal maint that's it. The 3500 with th 6.5 has been reliable too, but in the last few months the 4L80 has crapped out and i've done new injectors/glow plugs and the IP is getting a little shaky with hard hot start problems (typical 4911 head spacing i think). Not pulling a trailer the 350 is my choice hands-down, pulling i'd take the 6.5 every time. Friend has the 454 in his 3500 DWR, he's had head gasket problems and pulling it's terrible with gas milage compared to the 6.5 I have. It's a little faster than my 6.5 unloaded about the same mileage with no trailer.
Don

 

I agree with the others here. I have had my 95 for about 25K now and its been great. I have had v-6s, 350s, 454s and the 6.5 all in full size trucks. The 6-cyl got great mileage but couldnt pull itself up a hill. The 350 is great for normal unloaded driving but no torque for pulling in OD and the 454 pulls the best but awful mileage. The 6.5 is in between and does it all pretty well. I will be happier I'm sure when my Maxitork and turbo master get delivered. Cant wait to pull my enclosed car trailer and see the difference.Its not the most powerfull engine but gets the job done and you cant beat the price since everyone seem to think they are junk. I hope they dont figure it out. Someday I'll buy a newer duramax but I will keep my 95 for the winters.

 

I love my 350. Pulls like a champ! Never took any really heavy loads, pulled some cars with it, but never even felt the trailer behind me! Did slightly less in gas mileage, but not terrible, it normally gets about 12-13 mpg, I think I sat at 11-12 mpg with a trailer behind me. As far as the 454, I shudder at the thought of dumping my entire life savings into the gas tank to pull anything... My 454 pick up is definetly not set up to pull and I never drive it anymore because it only gets about 6 mpg if I'm lucky.. I dont have my diesel yet, but from what Ive read here, I cant imagine going wrong pullin with the 6.5, more low end torque, better mileage...