1.9 TDI in a Tahoe?

[tindias]

I have an interesting question.  I have a 04 Z71 Tahoe, I love it but hate the mileage.  I was wondering if a VW TDI would be able to handle the weight or if I should look for a 6 cylinder Diesel instead?

[96jetta]

I think a 6 cylinder would be a little better. thats alot of weight for the motor to pull. it could probably be done if you rearragned the gearing a little bit

[rabbitman]

Drop a cummins 6bt in there!!!!!!!!

[fdnyguy]

Drop a cummins 6bt in there!!!!!!!!

Or a 4bt? 300 less lbs than the 6...

[svenakela]

The 2.5 TDI is a real pusher. They can be found in the Transporter/Caravelle from mid 90's up to this date. The latest Transporter I had was a -02 with a 2.5 and it just doesn't matter how much I filled that van with, it just kept going with the same low mileage.

[burn_your_money]

Drop a cummins 6bt in there!!!!!!!!

Or a 4bt? 300 less lbs than the 6...

What kind of numbers does the 4BT put out?

[tindias]

Drop a cummins 6bt in there!!!!!!!!

Or a 4bt? 300 less lbs than the 6...

I think I will go with the 4bt. After fdnyguy suggested that cummings line I started looking into them.  I think the 4bt would be my best bet, they are a common swap for Chevy and Fords.  I found a post from a guy with a Suburban who says he gets about 32 mpg  The 4bt stock has about 350 ft lbs torque which is pretty close to what my V8 is putting down now.  Not looking to make this thing very fast, I already drive like a old man with my 18 mpg.  Plus my supercharged 1.6 is my fun car, the Tahoe is more for driving my son around.

[fdnyguy]

Drop a cummins 6bt in there!!!!!!!!

Or a 4bt? 300 less lbs than the 6...

What kind of numbers does the 4BT put out?

Not certain, Tyler. But the 4BT is very common in Fed-Ex type vans and bread trucks. Having 2 less cylinders takes about 300 lbs off the frame. One of the diesel magazines ( Dsl power or Dsl truck??) had a 4BT modified ($$$$$) by Scheid Diesel in Indiana and they got 800 HP out of it.

Seems the Cummins is the best bang for the buck regarding modification. Tons of HP over a Power Stroke or Duramax before heavy mods.


Do alot of reading... If I could only fix them.....lolol

Stay safe, stay well.  Jimmy.

[CdnVWJunkie]

Another plus factor for a Cummins is that, as previously mentioned, they came in Breadvans with the rest of the driveline being Chevy so getting the appropriate parts to make the swap complete could potentially be done with OEM parts.

I have the 6BT and love it.  Smooth power with gobs of torque and still turns nice mpg's. 

[745 turbogreasel]

I've seen a Dirtymax Tahoe conversion, and it was a pretty sweet cruiser.

[tindias]

Another plus factor for a Cummins is that, as previously mentioned, they came in Breadvans with the rest of the driveline being Chevy so getting the appropriate parts to make the swap complete could potentially be done with OEM parts.

I have the 6BT and love it.  Smooth power with gobs of torque and still turns nice mpg's. 

That is true, they also make a flex plate to mount to my current transmission as well.

[maxfax]

That is true, they also make a flex plate to mount to my current transmission as well.

You current trans should be able to handle the power (I'm guessing it's a 4l60E) but you will need some sort of stand alone controller as the trans is electronically shifted..   With some creative engineering you could probably get the proper inputs and tune the factory PCM to handle things, but the hassle and cost will probably make a stand alone controller more worthwhile...

 You could also go with the mechanical 4l60 (aka 700R4) but it probably ought to have some work done to have it hold up and shift at the proper times... Pending on your gearing and usage you may not even need the OD trans..  A good ole fashoned TH400 would do the deed in that case...

[tindias]

4l60-e is the current transmission that I have.  The same company that sells flex plate also sells a full programmable shifter for this transmission as well.  Now I just have to find a bread truck in WA. 

[maxfax]

The '02 and later 4l60e's has the stronger internals, particularly the sun shell.. With the external controller you should be golden..  IF there would be some means of attaching a throttle cable to the existing pedal assembly you'd even already have a TPS to work with... I've toyed with the TCI stand alone controller in a retro mod kind of deal (4l60e behind a carb'ed 350) and I must say they work wonderfully.. 

You may have to look into your converter stall speeds while you are at it.. IIRC the stock converter behind the 5.3 is about 1800 - 2000 rpm...  Not sure of the RPM range and power band on the Cummins, but typically something down around 1200 rpm is more desirable for a diesel...


And hey you have a Tahoe, run the Wonderbread man off the road and drag his truck away!!   

[OM617]

A TDI is far too small for that vehicle. It wouldn't have the guts to pull it past 75mph and it would get poor mpg doing it.