6.5L turbo opinions

[pELYgroso]

I'm kinda sorta looking for a new work truck/tow rig, and I'd like to stick with a power stroke (7.3) or cummins, but I'm wondering about the 6.5L turbo. Who likes it, who doesn't?? I've had good experiences with the 7.3 and the 24V cummins (I wouldn't mind the 12V either) but I have no experience and haven't heard a whole lot about the 6.5T. I jut talked with a guy selling a '94 ext cab dually with the 6.5T with 160k miles and I'm just wondering how it's going to compare with the ford or dodge as far as pulling power, longevity of the motor, and mileage. The guy said that it gets 15-16 mpgs average (obviously not towing anything) which isn't bad at all!

-can the stock 6.5L be modded much to add power?

thanks,

Ty

 

[LT.]

I personally would stay away from the 6.5T. There really is not much out there for the 6.5T. The motor was a bit of a bastard design and really was not all that. It will not keep up with the other motors you mentioned. Yes, it is a turbo Diesel but, I have yet to see one pulling serious duty. There is a fella who claims to have the fastest 6.5T. Let me see if I can find the info for you. If anyone would know how to get more out of it he would be the one.
http://www.heathdiesel.com/
http://www.ssdieselsupply.com/
http://www.65engineparts.com/
And here is an online forum.
http://www.sixfiveturbodiesel.com/

Hope that helps.

LT.

 

[Tacoma]

Not that strong, powerwise. Clattery. If you have one, keep it, but if it was me, I'd keep looking for a Cummins, or even the Powerstroke. It won't keep up with the other motors.

 

[ricsrx]

my old employer had two of these brand new in 1994.
So I drove them when they were new
Yes they were diesels and they had turbos.......
Thats about the good things about them, nothing really bad, just not outstanding.

get a cummins!

 

[Gravy]

I have a 6.5 turbo. Clattery. Not going to win speed contests, but it's reliable and I honestly get 15 mpg towing my Jeep (that's average from 2 trips to Moab and a dozen or so to 5mile/ Little Moab) and around 17 on the freeway unloaded. 16mpg mixed driving.

 

[pELYgroso]

Thanks guys, I'll keep looking....so as far as the cummins goes....12v, or 24v??

 

[Rot Box]

I had had one... And have worked on many... I like them and hate them a lot

Mine was a 95 HO in a K2500 pickup. Power wise it was impressive for what it was. It would hands down out pull both my stockish 92 Cummins and 91 7.3 IDI with the ATS turbo without question. Was it as powerful as a new D-max or Cummins? Hell NO. That said with a simple exhaust, intake, waste gate mod and a few other tweaks it put out much more power compared to what it was stock and it would deliver fuel economy much like my first gen Cummins.

It takes a lot of work and research to find the "right" 6.5TD as almost every year is different. This thread may be useful as I added a bunch of my personal 6.5 experience: http://rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=69132&highlight=diesel+turbo+6.5

Many that say they are unreliable pieces of crap have never been anywhere near a Ford with the 6.0! LOL

 

[Rot Box]

Thanks guys, I'll keep looking....so as far as the cummins goes....12v, or 24v??

When it comes to the 2nd gens I like the 24V trucks more, but prefer the 12V motor... The early 98's being the exception There was too many things to go wrong on my 01, but I am paranoid at times as many seem to really rack up the miles on them with few issues.

 

[gijohn40]

here is a website dedicated to diesel trucks... lots of info on all the models and makes...

http://www.dieselbombers.com/