1988 6.2 how can i get more hp out of it

[fozzie]

I have an 88 6.2 that has very little horse power. Can someone tell me how to get more out of it with out spending too much money.
Its a good truck but i just need more power

[chrisk1500]

You can turn up the IP a little....but on an N/A the biggest performance gain will be with the addition of a turbo....you may be able to find a system off of the 6.5 TD on ebay for cheap.....all you would need is the driver's side exhaust manifold, turbo, and intake....

[Kick]

definetly a turbo, nice intake and exhaust

[GmManDan]

I would have to say turbo is about the only thing besides intake and exhaust that will do much for it. They are realtively inexpensive on ebay compared to new ones.

[fozzie]

So would i look for an 89 TD to get the parts off of or any year. This is my first diesel so i don't know that much about it. I know i'll need the exhaust manifold but do i need the intake to or will the one i have work.

[chrisk1500]

Any year 6.5 TD should work....look for the 'F' manifolds (non-EGR)...I already told you what you would need....

[chrisk1500]

Any year 6.5 TD should work....look for the 'F' manifolds (non-EGR)...I already told you what you would need (add a boost gauge too)....

[fozzie]

Thank you and sorry for all the questions but i just want to make sure i get all the right parts that i need. Thanks again

[Frankenbiker]

Being in Pueblo means that your engine is suffocating; high-altitude (anything over 500 feet or so) does that.

"Just a turbo" is going to be a waste of money. You'll also need to have the fuel injector pump recalibrated (i.e. "turned up") to run with it. Turbo w/o fuel is just going to give you problems. A turbo gives a radical increase in airflow through the motor, but you've got to have exhaust heat to drive it, and you only get that through more fuel.

Additionally, the 6.2's high compression ratio means you're not going to be able to run very high boost pressures without having to worry about blowing up the motor. Also, 6.2's (by design, or lack thereof) have problems with high Exhaust Gas Temps (EGT's) when turbo fueling. It wasn't ever really designed for use with a turbo. More than 5-6 lbs of boost is asking for problems, which is why I sort of refer to GM's pre-duramax engines as "altitude compensated," but not fully utilizing the turbo. 22.5:1 compression means it starts "easily," but there's not a lot of "headroom" in the head gaskets.

That being said, I've been given to believe that a turbo on the 6.2's is by far the biggest bang-for-buck you can get for those motors. You just have to be careful about how far you push them; they tend to push back without a WHOLE lot of provocation.

Two places to look at that really have good information on turbo-ing the 6.2 are (for factory info) www.dieselplace.com and (for aftermarket, well-known info) www.bankspower.com. Banks was making power kits and turbo kits for those engines long before anyone else was.

The Diesel Place has been around for a number of years, and there are many there with 6.2 diesels. You've got to cough up a little bit of cash to get full access to the site, but it's WELL worth the money to do so if you're serious about getting more power out of the engine. Many there have reported that if you have cash to play with, you can make an amazingly strong (i.e. robust and long-lived) and powerful engine out of the 6.2. It just takes a little rebuilding.

Not trying to be pushy or rude, but if more power is what you're looking for, perhaps investigating the idea of buying a newer truck (perhaps with the 6.5TD) might be a wise idea if you're at all able to do so. Simply suggested because power is expensive, and you may wind up going through more than you anticipated by trying to hot-rod the 6.2.

-blaine

[mr_goodwrench_0]

Boosting the 6.2 isn't a problem if you have gauges. If you can install the turbo parts on your engine, you can turn up your own IP too. It isn't hard.

The Diesel Place is FREE!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/index.php
The 6.2 is virtually identicle to the 6.5. I believe the compression ratio is 21.5:1 The precups are different in the heads. You COULD use your stock intake, but if it is an EGR intake, I'd look for something better. These engines can handle power, if you watch what you are doing. The '88 is a good block to work with, arguably stronger than the rest of the 6.5 blocks.

I think that's it. ;)

Bill

[chrisk1500]

You'll also need to have the fuel injector pump recalibrated (i.e. "turned up") to run with it.

Easily done with a few common hand tools.....

Follow what goodwrench said....you'll be just fine....