3.3L Cummins into a 5.9L Cummins engine swap.

[sodbust]

Hello, Like the layout and info here. Just found your site today.. Great!! I just got a low hour 4BT (3.3L Cummins) off eBay today, for a a song.. Turbo intercooled,, 86 hp at 2600 rpms. I have a 98 Dodge 24v, D2500 2x2 5 speed 3.55 gearing. I get low 20s mpg now, but I never use all the power it has. Anyone know what I might run into with the 3.3L into the 5.9L swap?? The 4BT I got has a ag rotory pump, so no computer signal needed there, just shut off.. But for the rest of the trucks computer system?? Where does the cruse and tach get its signal from?.. I would like to pull the computer out with the 5.9, and put it on my igg well. I know there are allot of gear heads saying, gee .. it will be a turtle,, Yep.. !!!!!!!!!!!!! I have an old 1951 IHC PU with the 220 silver dimond engine, Its rated at 90 hp at 2400 rpms,, I have 3.20 gearing and 4 speed. It gets in the mid 20s MPG, and runs all day at the speed limits. Buts its shot.. I drive about 40,000 miles a year with PUs doing my cattle and farming. The profits are not in the farming game anymore.. Try feeding 2 large 300 hp tractors $2.30 fuel for a 14 hour day! Anywhere I can save a dollar, I MUST!!. I feel the little Cummins would chulg along at the speed limit and get high 20s or low 30s.. in my 98 D2500 PU.. Thanks, sodbust

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[Drew]

your fuel economy might actualy be worse when you put that little 4BT in over your 5.9ISB.

even though you have more power than you need with the ISB, when you push that 4BT to the same as your 5.9ISB you will need more fuel to do the same job.

However, if you want to read up on a 4BT conversion check out what this guy did with an 85 Ram. but the one thing that is going to catch you is a wireing harnes change.

realy, I think it would be too much work and not worth it, and you would pour more money into the truck getting it to run right than what the cost of fuel is. getting low 20's isnt that bad. If I'm good with my '600' I might be able to stretch into the 20's (NV5600 and 4.10's) but the ability to romp this engine is toooo tempting and thus the downward spiral of the fuel economy begins.[8D]