duramax swap? anyone done it

mprmn08

mprmn08

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Apr 11, 2011
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Well im looking at doin a dmax swap into an older chevy, like 80's era pickup. just wondering what i might be getting myself into. i can get an engine, harness, and ecm. im prolly gonna run a 47 or 48 re behind it instead on an allison as it will prolly be a full built motor and i've heard the allisons arent that great when you push big hp numbers. any info and maybe some pics would be helpful. thanks

chris
 
you'll need the engine, harness, and ECM... might want to use a built dodge tranny as they're more reliable at higher power levels
 
Perfect. that was my plans on the tranny instead of the allison. and i've got a real good lead on an engine harness and ecm for cheap.
 
You'll need the throttle pedal & harness as well.

2wd or 4wd? If 4wd, the front GM will need to be swapped to a drivers side drop to match up to a dodge xcase unless you can somehow mount a pass drop xcase to the 47/48?

Go with a D80 or AAM axle. The 14B won't like the hp/tq of a built dmax.


Are you capable of modifying the harness or going to have to pay someone? I can put you in contact with someone when you get farther along. He's doing mine right now & has done a few other completely custom harnesses for specialized vehicles. I'm putting together the truck in my sig.
 
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If its 4x4 you can use a first gen dodge automatic np205 case.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
except a np205 won't like life bhind a built diesel... even if you spend big money on profab kit for the guts to last, then the case explodes. It's been tried and failed. I suppose if the power is never used, it'll work though.

However, it'll just be money ahead to mount a modern driver's drop xcase and swap front ends IMO.
 
never thought about the pedal thanks. what needs to be modified in the harness?
 
well, you don't really need any harnesses except the one actually on the engine (that has injectors plugs, and big bale connections) and the one that goes from it to the under hood fuse block. I'm not real sure about what all can be deleted from these but it's a fair amount. It doesn't take but a few fuses and relays (about 5 wires if I understand right). I know you'll need power, ground, starter wire, OBD II plug, wiring to throttle pedal.

There's a video on youtube of a guy doing a walk through of exactly what is needed for a dmax to run. He goes through it with a dmax on a engine stand.

If you want the factory gauge cluster, it becomes a good bit more wiring as that is ran through the body control module of the truck. IDK what all else what would/could be deleted from that if it's not used for the cluster. It's not nearly as tunable as the ECM with the likes of EFI Live. I think you could do what you needed with it with a Tech II module though if you can get access to one of those.


Good luck.
 
whats not tuneable? i got lost in that paragraph with ecm efi and all that thrown in. the ecm isnt tuneable with efi live any more after doing this? i hope thats not what your saying.. thanks for your help by the way.

chris
 
No, I meant the BCM isn't tunable with efi live to the degree you'd need to eliminate everything not needed for the cluster.

I'd just plan to not use the dmax cluster unless you have the entire donor truck to take everything from & put in the old truck.
 
Ahhh ok. That makes sense. Ya I didn't plan on using the cluster anyway. Thanks for the info.
 
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