Diesel conversion

[bamdad]

hi there guys, im new to this site & i have a 1977 camaro, i was wondering if there was a way to convert the engine from petrol to diesel. i would really appreciate it if you could tell me about a refrence or a book or any information, tnx

[wrightz28]

2 completely different animals by ignition source to say the very least. To say nothing about the fact that diesel compratios start at double to triple that of gas engines.

[bamdad]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

2 completely different animals by ignition source to say the very least. To say nothing about the fact that diesel compratios start at double to triple that of gas engines.

ummm... on second thoughts, do you know any other stock engines which i could swap?

[2.2 Straight six]

6.6-litre Duramax.

with a lot of fabrication and money.

[bamdad]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

6.6-litre Duramax.

with a lot of fabrication and money.

umm... by any chance, do you know any online shops where i can get one of those? i googled but i couldnt find anything. & as the last questions, can i use any 6.6 duramax model? & do i have to change the transmission system?

[hotrod_chevyz]

Whats the point of converting it to a diesel?

[stieh2000]

You don't buy a camaro for good fuel economy or great towing power.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Its easy to convert the car itself to run on alternative fuels, but its not going to do it with the existing engine. The easiest way to do it is find some old GM truck that was a born diesel and do a motor swap.

[Earlsfat]

Bamdad, they pose a good question... why would you want to convert a camaro to a diesel? That will be a LOT of work. (Just swapping out gasoline motors can be almost not worth the effort.) I would imagine that gas (petrol) is pretty abundant where you are from (...maybe not).

Still, there are tons of vehicles that are already diesel powered that would require significantly less work. But you would have an original setup, I'll have to admit that.

EDIT: I'm not too sure how well a stock 77 chassis would support a 6.6 duramax motor either and don't forget the transmission, driveshaft and rear probably will have to be new too. To get one new would be expensive, to swap a boneyard engine in would be risky, and either way you (as 2-6 noted) would have a LOT of fabrication to do. you might be ok bolting a camaro body on a running truck chassis....

[stepho]

Originally Posted by Jimsfat

you might be ok bolting a camaro body on a running truck chassis....

Surely a camaro body will not fit over a truck chassis... will it?

[wrightz28]

Gimmie one bourbon, one scotch and whole lot of beer with a sawzall, torch and welder, and I'll make it so.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by stepho

Surely a camaro body will not fit over a truck chassis... will it?

SURE. Like Dylan said... given the correct tools and (alcohol induced) temperment ANYTHING can be done. One saw a 55 Chevy Wagon on a truck frame... super swampers and the whole deal. The hillbilly in me was drooling over that bad boy.

Cut / stretch the body a bit... sure you can do it. One of the hot rod mags i used to get had a 69 camaro that was so stretched and widened it was ridiculous.

[bamdad]

well the point is that in iran, diesel costs like 2 cents per litre & besides that, we are no longer allowed to buy all the pterol we want. they only give us 100 litres per month. & there are no diesel cars in this country & i like muscle cars for their powers. so what do you think i should do? they're cheap here, if you know wny models that are easier to convert then let me know. i can buy em in a sec

[poormillionaire2]

Might as well buy a new vehicle. Not only would you have to get a new engine, but you'd have to re-do the whole fuel system, ie. pump, filter, etc. Or you might as well move to another country where gasoline is more accessable.

[hotrod_chevyz]

That must suck worrying about gas. I payed $2.59 for gas today, and i could have as much as i wanted of it. A project like this isnt worth it unless you have a good welder and cutting equipment. 100% chance some home brewed fabrication will be involved.

Buy a middle 80's truck with the 6.2 liter diesel engine and transmission and make them fit your car as a set. A complete truck can be had for maybe $1500.00 to $3000.00 US dollars on places like ebay. Then all you have to do is ship it. You can use the wiring or whatever else you could need off the truck to make it work. But like i said some some fabrication skills and special tools will be needed to get it done.