6.6 duramax

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snappchevy

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Anyone ever swapped a 6.6 duramax in your square? I have a 77 K20 and I found a local listing with a 6.6 lb7 duramax with trans and transfer case hooked to it. Thanks
 

Grit dog

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I haven't, but I think YOU should! That would be baller!

Edit: Quick googler search shows ALOT of Dmax squarebody swaps.

Haven't done any research, but quick look at one of the fabricators and they offer everything from full mounting kits to standalone ECM/TCM/harnesses to full core supports with the cooling stacks in them. Get a very firm grip on your wallet and Mastercard before visiting those sites though!
 

Gerald Holt

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Have a buddy that swapped a Duramax into a 1980 3+3 crewcab. I was there when they put the hood back on (very little clearance, but it fit). He said that there weren't many that he had heard of being done before his (4 or 5 years ago). It's a beast, and he absolutely loves it.
My vote is, go for it!
 

Dutch Rutter

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Make sure to make a full build thread with lots of details, pictures and videos!

:popcorn:
 

Vbb199

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While i personally have some cool customized stuff that stands out a little from standard bolt on stuff.......

Im all for this.
DO IT NOW
 

snappchevy

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I’m still thinking about it, a part of me wants to build a 383, but another part of me wants to put a duramax or a two stroke Detroit in it. One step at a time though.
 

TheFishBox

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Man what are the chances that I had the same idea and wanted to post some questions on this forum about doing this swap!!!!

well I already went off the deep end and bought an lbz/Allison combo this week so it should be here next week hopefully.

what are peoples thoughts on the square max motor mount setup? Also I heard the dodge Cummins radiator/intercooler fit very well in our squares, will this provide enough cooling or should a guy graft in some duramax stuff? Hope you don’t mind the hijack of your thread.
 

snappchevy

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Man what are the chances that I had the same idea and wanted to post some questions on this forum about doing this swap!!!!

well I already went off the deep end and bought an lbz/Allison combo this week so it should be here next week hopefully.

what are peoples thoughts on the square max motor mount setup? Also I heard the dodge Cummins radiator/intercooler fit very well in our squares, will this provide enough cooling or should a guy graft in some duramax stuff? Hope you don’t mind the hijack of your thread.
Post pics of your progress, I am interested in seeing it
 

TheFishBox

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Does anyone know what the best options for radiator/ intercooler is for our trucks?

the stock duramax radiator looks to be to tall. According to what I have found they are almost 25 inches tall where a stock radiator for a square looks to be 19 inches tall.
 

TheFishBox

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Well the beast is here. I ordered the mounting kit from precision fabrication. Still trying to figure out what is needed for the radiator and intercooler for maximum cooling ability but also being able to fit in the square.

the intake from the duramax sits way to damn high it looks like so I will have to figure that out seeing as I don’t want a cowl induction hood if I can help it but I also don’t want a body lift either.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
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TheFishBox

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Quick update for anyone thinking about doing this, you have to sport a minimum of a four inch lift according to Robert with precision fabrication. Soooo I guess my new front springs are no longer going to be used along with my itty bitty 31 inch tires. This is going to get expensive quick. Can you say four inch lift with 35’s, it’s a good thing my wife doesn’t go on this site.
 

eskimomann209

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You can use the drop crossmembers and keep those springs no?
 

TheFishBox

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Idk if you can, to be honest I didn’t look into much because I figured I was going to need new springs to make up for the additional weight of the duramax. These ones are inverted almost with the tiny 6.0 ls sitting on them.
 

TheFishBox

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Word to the wise make sure you get a complete harness, TCM, ECM, from the donor cause it is going to save you a chunk of change. Also tunes for the whole standalone gig aren’t cheap. At this point I see why guys say the three wire 12 valve is the way to go, I could have bought a remanufactured one and ate the core charge for less than I am into this thing at this point and I still have purchases that need to be made. But hey a Chevy in a Chevy and not listening to an old 12 valve will be worth it right?????????
 

TheFishBox

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Removed the top engine harness so it can be sent to dmaxswaps for them to clean it up and remove unnecessary items, along with fixing the ones that lkq stripped the sheathing from. I am sure that this is going to end up costing me a hundred bucks just to fix all the wires they messed up.
 
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