I have an off the wall question for all you "guru" about alternative motivation

**heldebrant** · 04-20-2007, 11:07 AM

I recently have been thinking about pulling the 6.1 and putting in a diesel. I know...crazy whacked out idea. The reasons are many...some of which have to do with the fuel management systems available for our cars currently and I get wood when I think of the torque numbers with the diesel let alone the hp numbers. I'm guessing even if its feasible there would be a substantial weight increase up front but there is just so much available for the diesel market that the weight should be able to be offset easily with extra motivation. I should probably just chalk this up to craziness as I figure there's alot more to consider than an "engine swap"...got to figure tranny and rear end won't jive along with alot of other stuff that I'm not aware of. Plus, will all that extra stuff needed for a pumped turbo-diesel fit under the hood? Hence is why I ask input from people more "in the know" than I am about these rigs.

**pir8magnum** · 04-20-2007, 12:15 PM

Well, they sell a diesel version of the Magnum and 300 in europe and canada:

http://www.intellichoice.com/autosho...le/516/start/1

Maybe you could just find one in canada and buy it? From the looks of that article, it uses the same 5-speed that the hemi does.

**jtw715** · 04-20-2007, 12:25 PM

I have a Diesel Excursion 7.3.
4" Exaust
Bullydog tuner
Intake
Total cost: Less than 2,500 bucks.
The results are as follows: 0 - 60 in 5.1 seconds with medium flash. The ultra flash was just too frigtening for me. Trying to negotiate 8,000 lbs at sickening speeds is unsettling.

The truck doesn't run hot due to the exaust. 127k miles and NEVER ONE PROBLEM. Diesels are cheap to modify and very very reliable. I also get 17mpg around town, no matter how I drive it, and 23 on the HWY if not towing.

Best part? It looks like a bone stock garden variety Ford Excursion diesel. It's fun off the line too.

**formerice** · 04-20-2007, 02:19 PM

Get a Cummins powered Ram. If you want to go really fast, build one to look like a SRT10, unlimited mods for the Cummins. There is one running 8 second quarter miles and power is easy to get with those motors. Plus it is illegal to repower your new car with a different motor. The 3 litre Bluetec Canadian LX's would be a nice car for you but if you want to shred tires the Cummins is the way to go. You can get a 6 speed to. The quad cabs have a lot of room and get better rear wheel traction. Then theres the Mega Cab, you can rent out the back seat.

**Charge-it!** · 04-20-2007, 02:42 PM

Sounds like a neat project for an off lease rental V6... not for your SRT.... MHO...

**pir8magnum** · 04-20-2007, 03:16 PM

It is?

I don't think thats true in Florida.

Originally Posted by formerice

Plus it is illegal to repower your new car with a different motor.

**pir8magnum** · 04-20-2007, 03:17 PM

Ah, but that won't have the 5 speed tranny.

I agree though, seems like a shame to tear up an SRT8 to convert to diesel. I'd just start with a diesel, but I don't know how hard it is to buy a canadian car and bring it into the states, either.

Originally Posted by Charge-it!

Sounds like a neat project for an off lease rental V6... not for your SRT.... MHO...

**Fireman512** · 04-20-2007, 03:18 PM

Not a crazy idea at all. Gale Banks has a GMC diesel pickup that in its detuned state is pushing over 530hp IIRC. It's capable of over 700hp and he uses it to go road racing!!

**lafrad** · 04-20-2007, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by pir8magnum

It is?

I don't think thats true in Florida.

It is.

While Florida may not inspect for changes and such, its a Federal offense to tamper with OEM Emission systems (Cats, Computers, air pumps, etc).

But, since florida doesn't check it, who will know, right? well.. don't leave the borders of the state ;-)

**pir8magnum** · 04-20-2007, 03:32 PM

Yeah, but even if that is true, is it illegal to swap out to a completely different drivetrain with emissions systems intact?

Seriously though, how often has someone gotten pulled over and had an officer check to make sure you had the 'correct' engine installed?

I guess maybe in California its a bigger deal. They dont even check emissions here anymore (thanks, Jeb!), but they ought to.

Even still though, if your car passed emissions tests with a different powertrain, why would they care?

Originally Posted by lafrad

It is.

While Florida may not inspect for changes and such, its a Federal offense to tamper with OEM Emission systems (Cats, Computers, air pumps, etc).

But, since florida doesn't check it, who will know, right? well.. don't leave the borders of the state ;-)

**heldebrant** · 04-20-2007, 04:45 PM

Well the only reason I started thinking about this is the whole aftermarket fuel management thingy. Sure, there are some really sound mods out now like the heads/cam/intake combos and whatnot but if a guy wants to go big it seems like you start running into fuel delivery problems....at least for someone like me who doesn't have the patience or capacity to be maintaining them all the time...kinda like wrenching on your hot rod on a Friday night to go screwing around on a Saturday every week. Anyways...I digress. I got a wad of change burning a hole in my pants but I am reluctant to pull the trigger on anything as I want to do it all at the same time and do it right from the get go.

Before I bought the SRT I almost signed for a mega cab Cummins but it didn't have all the right options and I wasn't about to pay $55-$60k for a stock one when it wasn't what I really wanted.

Lately I've been thinking on what it would take to do a set-up like jtw715 is talking about. Some big arse turboed tire shredding monster with modding options out the ying-yang. I wasn't sure if you completely swapped the drivetrain if it would be kosher. Well....I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of shops to see what they think. If it came to it I would get one of the special plates for things like this that only allows you to drive to events or whatever. I haven't really put a whole lot of thought into it but have just been tossing the idea around. I miss my last project car...a YJ Wrangler with a 8-71 blown big block lifted over 2 feet with 4-wheel steering on 2 1/2 ton axles and all the other good stuff that went along with it. I'm older now....maybe I should be more responsible....I think when you got the bug you can only suppress it for so long.

**Charge-it!** · 04-24-2007, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by pir8magnum

Ah, but that won't have the 5 speed tranny.

I agree though, seems like a shame to tear up an SRT8 to convert to diesel. I'd just start with a diesel, but I don't know how hard it is to buy a canadian car and bring it into the states, either.

If you get a 3.5 you still get the 5 speed... I saw Pimp My Ride this weekend (yes I watch occasionally) they put a 6.6 duramaxx bio-diesel in a 65 Impala SS.. 800hp and 1400tq!!!! Crazy!!

**pir8magnum** · 04-24-2007, 12:33 PM

I stand corrected, though I think most 'rental' magnums probably have the 2.7.

Originally Posted by Charge-it!

If you get a 3.5 you still get the 5 speed...

**convbcuda** · 04-24-2007, 02:30 PM

I have an 06 Dodge Mega Cab with the Cummins Turbo Diesel. You'll have a few problems.

1. The CTD won't fit in an LX engine bay.
2. The transmission won't fit.
3. The rear end would be a twisted, mangled hunk of metal.
4. It will cost a fortune. You could spend a LOT less money to make your 6.1 go fast.
5. Yes, you are crazy.

**sstevens805** · 04-24-2007, 04:23 PM

Man i would love to see someone do this!!!!

And JTW715, if im ever in your neck of the woods, you GOTTA give me a ride in that thing. That is my favorite ride. I want an excursion so bad, and diesel too, just have to convince the wife. She doesnt like used cars, not too trustingof previos owners. But if i could find a decent one, i'd be all over it!!!