Shadowmtu

Alright, it's my first time postin in the threads. I have an '03 1500 Silverado and it's just your base work truck with a 4.3L. What I wanted to do was drop in a diesel. I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice on what engine to get and which tranny I should use (prefer a manual). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

bigbadram51

Im not sure if just adding a diesel engine in a 1500 is either economically feasible or easy to do. I could be wrong, but seems too me that you would have to do so much to the suspension, frame, motormounts, and espically drivetrain to get that big ol heavy diesel just to fit inside the much smaller, and less stout 1500 frame, IMHO you woule be better off just buying a 3/4 ton. I know that Truck Trend, Four Wheeler or some magazine, was turing a 1500 into a LLY D-max drag truck. If you do it, mad props to you, gonna be sweeeet!!!!!

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2004 Silverado Half-Ton Crew
7-9" Cognito Lift (set at 8" right now) Betts 7" rear springs w/factory block
3" PA Body Lift
Yukon 4.88's with Auburn LSD
Silverstar Hi/Low beams
Wade in channel window vents
Covermaster Top
Flowmaster 40 series, dual outs
Nelson 89/91 HOT TUNE
20" MB Gunner 6's, 35" Toyo Open Country MT's (37" Toyo MT's on the way when the 35's are done)
Eclipse AVN6600 w/sirius and IPOD controllers
Code Alarm w/ Remote Start

silverado122775

I think it would cost you more money than it is worth. Buying a truck with a diesal is the better chose.. Like what was stated by ram51. you would have to beef up the frame, suspension, mounts and get a taller hood. you will also have to upgrade your brakes and rotors as well. A small block v8 can weigh up to 500 lbs, a diesal can weigh up to 2000lbs. You can look at the stats on Chevy , dodge, or ford. Look at the weight differance from a 2500 with a diesal compared to one with a V8 unleaded.

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2000 Silverado Z71, 5.3L, K&N GenII Air Intake, Y-pipe Exhaust (no muffler), Bosch Platnium +4 plugs.

gremlin96

http://www.saturnsurplus.com/

you can get a cheep exmil truck. depending on ware you are thay run around 5,000. not bad for a used and abused truck. for that price you realy cant beet it for a diesel.