It's a damn tractor motor.

 

D'oh...I meant the "turbo" that came out of a "performance" car, not a bulldozer.

 

2.3L depending on your application. I wanted a 4bt if I was going to have a wheeling rig. However, for a 2wd, its all about the 2.3. Jess Warren's 2.3L has an easy 400RWHP. I have no idea what his latest dyno numbers are.

 

It is a tractor engine

By changing the fuel pump you can unleash the beast.

I have built many cummins engines. The fuel pumps that normally go on them are limited

You put the right pump on then it awakens the little engine

 

The only thing that is swaying me away from wanting a 4bt instead of a 5.0 is that they require greater modification to get them in the truck and I'd want an electronic fuel system which means I need to find an ECU and wiring harness. Oh and they are a bit heavier. Plus I'd want to box the rear section of the frame to help handle all that torque.

The things that are making me want one more than a 5.0 are better fuel economy, a power band that kicks in instantly (great for towing boats out of the water), and the fact that building a 5.0 with my desired output (mid 200's at the crank for power, 300+ lb/ft of torque) will take a lot more time than just dropping the diesel in and giving it more boost/fuel.

I also read that the OEM alt on those things also gives 125a at idle...since the peak on our trucks stock is 95a, that's damn fine.

 

go diesel!

^
yeah i am biased lol :P

but what do u want to do with the truck?...

 

I bolded the part where you are wrong. Those 4bt's are a low-end-torque MONSTER.

From the site 4btswaps.com's general info section.
The 4bt's are Very simple. Granted, they are no dragster engine, but the 4bt would be more suitable for pulling a boat out of water than the 5.0. A 4bt with only a better fuel pump, and a larger turbo with air i/c would be more than capable of what you mentioned above. Not to mention the 4bt's can get excellent mileage.


My personal opinion:

It depends on yoru application. I want to SAS my 98 some day. If/When I do, it will eventually get a 4bt, due to the low end torque. It would be perfect for a trail rig, as long as I was easy on it as to avoid snapping axle shafts.
I USED TO want to drop my 98 and make it into a street rod. I had a DJM 4/5 kit on it, and was some day going to drop a 2.3T into it., with an easily accomplishable goal of 400RWHP.

 

I think you need to re-read my post since what you bolded is what you turned around and said.

If I go with a 5.0 I want to figure a way to get a 2:1 switchable gear reduction (sort of like a transfer case with out driving the front wheels) so even the least experienced drivers can use my truck to pull boats out of the water. With this diesel I wouldn't need that at all.

BTW, I only drive manual transmission vehicles for anything but a HD tow rig. Is there a tranny that bolts up to the 4bt that has syncro gears and would allow me to do 80-90mph with 4.10's on 33's?

 

The 4BT for sure a little modding and you can make alot of power and torque.

 

i used to own a 87 thunderbird turbo coupe yrs ago. LOVED it. Plenty of power and lot of torque. def a lot easier to work on and cheaper on parts.