He Cummins-Swapped a 1977 Chevy Suburban - Here’s Why
About this episode
A 1977 Chevy Suburban was transformed with a Cummins 12-valve diesel swap, blending classic style with modern power. The original truck, notable for its rare original paint and red interior, was chosen for its iconic square body look. The build focuses on maintaining mechanical simplicity and drivability, avoiding complex electronics. Powered by a DNJ Precision Extreme 12-valve engine with a compound turbo setup, it produces around 800-850 horsepower. The transmission is a robust 47RH automatic, upgraded for smooth performance. The podcast dives into the build process, challenges, and the story behind preserving and enhancing this vintage vehicle.
diesel swap
"I'm looking forward to talking with you about a 1977 suburban with a diesel swap, which we'll get into."
A diesel swap means taking out the car's old engine and putting in a diesel engine instead. Diesel engines use a different kind of fuel and can be better for some uses.
A diesel swap is the process of replacing a vehicle's original engine, usually gasoline, with a diesel engine. This is often done to improve fuel efficiency, torque, or longevity.
Chevrolet Suburban
"So I'm Magnus. I bought this 1977 suburban from Instagram, actually. Marco is the one who sent it to me."
The Chevrolet Suburban is a big SUV that can carry lots of people and stuff. The 1977 version is an older model that people like because it is tough and good for driving on rough roads.
The Chevrolet Suburban is a large SUV known for its spacious interior and utility. The 1977 model is part of the third generation of Suburbans, popular for its rugged design and off-road capability.
Chevrolet K5 Blazer
"I was originally looking for a K5 Blazer, but the prices on them were just ridiculous."
The K5 Blazer is a smaller SUV made by Chevrolet a long time ago. People like it because it can drive well off-road and looks cool.
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a compact SUV produced from the late 1960s to 1991. It is known for its off-road capability and classic styling, making it popular among collectors and enthusiasts.
common swap
"No, I think, Marco, I think we talked about it before we I kind of always want him to do a common swap."
A common swap means putting a popular engine into a car or truck instead of the one it came with. People do this because these engines are easier to fix and get parts for.
A 'common swap' refers to replacing a vehicle's original engine with a widely used or popular engine choice, often for reasons of reliability, parts availability, or performance upgrades.
TCM
"And then Marco kind of talked to me out of it with doing ECM and TCMs and all the wiring that would be involved with it"
The TCM is a computer that helps your car change gears automatically at the right time.
TCM stands for Transmission Control Module, which is the computer that controls the automatic transmission's shifting and operation.
ECM
"And then Marco kind of talked to me out of it with doing ECM and TCMs and all the wiring that would be involved with it"
The ECM is a computer in your vehicle that controls how the engine works to keep it running smoothly.
ECM stands for Engine Control Module, which is the computer that manages engine functions such as fuel injection and ignition timing.
twin turbo diesels
"We do everything from lifted suburbans with twin turbo diesels to you know, chassis cars, Camaros, Chevelles, anything."
Twin turbo diesels are diesel engines that have two devices called turbochargers. These help the engine make more power and run better.
Twin turbo diesels refer to diesel engines equipped with two turbochargers, which help increase engine power and efficiency by forcing more air into the combustion chamber.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"We do everything from lifted suburbans with twin turbo diesels to you know, chassis cars, Camaros, Chevelles, anything."
The Chevrolet Chevelle is an older American car that was made to be fast and look good. It was popular a long time ago.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized American muscle car produced in the 1960s and 1970s, known for its strong performance and classic styling.
Chevrolet Camaro
"We do everything from lifted suburbans with twin turbo diesels to you know, chassis cars, Camaros, Chevelles, anything."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a fast and sporty car made in America. Many people like it because it looks cool and goes fast.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car known for its sporty design and powerful engine options. It has been a popular choice for performance enthusiasts.
original paint
"it's original paint and all. So that was definitely one of those factors that brought me in on the build."
Original paint means the car still has the paint it came with from the factory, not new paint. People like this because it shows the car is more original and hasn't been changed much.
Original paint refers to the factory-applied paint on a vehicle that has not been repainted or altered. It is often valued by collectors as it indicates the car's authenticity and originality.
work truck
"And a lot of these things were work trucks, you know, because you could stuff six, seven guys in it and go to the job site so they get destroyed."
A work truck is a tough vehicle used by people to carry tools and workers to places where they do jobs. It can hold many people and things but might get worn out quickly.
A work truck is a vehicle primarily used for labor-intensive tasks, often designed to carry multiple passengers and heavy loads to job sites. These trucks are typically rugged and durable but can experience heavy wear and tear.
common rail
"Magnus, you mentioned taking common rail and going twelve up."
Common rail is a way diesel engines spray fuel into the engine very precisely, which helps the engine run better and cleaner.
Common rail is a type of fuel injection system used in modern diesel engines that allows for precise control of fuel delivery, improving efficiency and emissions.
downpipe
"maybe some challenges you might have faced with another downpipe."
A downpipe is a pipe that carries exhaust gases away from the turbo part of the engine, and changing it can help the car go faster.
A downpipe is the section of exhaust piping that connects the turbocharger outlet to the rest of the exhaust system, often upgraded to improve exhaust flow and performance.
compound turbo
"And then we did the evil man of evil fabrication compound turbo set up."
A compound turbo means the engine has two turbochargers working together to make the car go faster by pushing more air into the engine.
A compound turbo setup uses two turbochargers in sequence to increase engine boost and power across a wider RPM range. It improves performance by reducing turbo lag and increasing efficiency.
ARP head studs
"Yeah, so the block has ARP head studs, a cam DNJ makes, which is a 190 over 200 cam."
ARP head studs are strong bolts that hold the top part of the engine tightly in place so it doesn't come loose when the engine is working hard.
ARP head studs are high-strength fasteners used to secure the cylinder head to the engine block, providing better clamping force and durability especially in high-performance engines.
47 RH
""Yeah, so usually for these, it's a 47 RH. And then my go to person that we've been using is Muldoon's.""
The 47 RH is a type of strong manual gearbox that helps handle powerful engines without breaking.
The 47 RH is a heavy-duty manual transmission commonly used in high-performance and modified vehicles, known for its strength and durability under high torque conditions.
full billet shafts
""So this one's got full billet shafts all the way through triple disc converter.""
Full billet shafts are strong metal rods inside the gearbox that help it handle a lot of power without breaking.
Full billet shafts are transmission shafts machined from a single piece of solid metal, offering superior strength and durability compared to cast or forged shafts, especially important in high-performance applications.
valve body
"You know, the valve body has been upgraded deep pan."
The valve body is like the brain of an automatic transmission. It helps decide when to change gears by controlling the flow of fluid inside.
The valve body is a crucial component inside an automatic transmission that directs hydraulic fluid to various valves, controlling gear shifts and transmission operation.
Firepunk Diesel
"Firepunk diesel makes an anteater box, which plugs in and it controls all that on the transmission."
Firepunk Diesel is a company that makes parts to help diesel trucks run better and smoother.
Firepunk Diesel is a company specializing in performance parts and electronic controllers for diesel engines and transmissions, enhancing drivability and power.
anteater box
"Firepunk diesel makes an anteater box, which plugs in and it controls all that on the transmission."
The anteater box is a gadget that helps control your truck's transmission so you don't have to do it yourself.
The anteater box is an electronic controller made by Firepunk Diesel that plugs into a transmission to manage functions like lock-up and overdrive automatically, improving ease of use.
dyno
"...take it to an event or something like that and or a dyno and do some runs with it, you could do both."
A dyno is a machine that tests how strong and fast a car's engine is by running it while the car stays in one place.
A dyno, or dynamometer, is a device used to measure a vehicle's engine power output and torque by simulating driving conditions while the car is stationary.
numbers matching
""There's guys that want the most numbers on the dyno and then they push it back on the trailer. But most of my customers...""
Numbers matching means the car still has its original engine and parts from when it was made, which can make it more special and valuable.
Numbers matching refers to a vehicle whose engine and other major components have serial numbers that match the original factory records, indicating originality and often higher value.
factory air conditioning
""And this truck, it'll even have factory front and rear AC like it did in 77. So just one of those little touches that makes it enjoyable any time of the year...""
Factory air conditioning means the car came with air conditioning when it was made, so it's not something added later.
Factory air conditioning means the vehicle was originally equipped with air conditioning from the manufacturer, which can be a desirable feature for comfort and originality.
Ford F350
"It's now got 2005 to 2006 F 350 axles. The reason we go with those is because the coil over mounting on the front of those works out great."
The Ford F-350 is a big truck made by Ford. The 2005-2006 models have strong parts that help with rough driving and are often used to improve other trucks.
The Ford F-350 is a heavy-duty pickup truck model from Ford. The 2005-2006 versions are known for their robust axles and suspension components, making them popular choices for custom builds and off-road modifications.
coilover
"The reason we go with those is because the coil over mounting on the front of those works out great. The suspension geometry is much better than trying to do something with older axles."
A coilover is a part of the car's suspension that helps make the ride smoother and lets you change how high or low the car sits.
A coilover is a suspension component that combines a coil spring and shock absorber into a single unit. It allows for adjustable ride height and improved handling characteristics compared to traditional suspension setups.
leaf springs
"We kept the leaf springs in the back, but did King bypass shocks. Just wanted to give it better ride and, you know, that cool factor, too,"
Leaf springs are metal strips stacked together that help smooth out bumps when you drive, especially in the back of trucks.
Leaf springs are a type of suspension component made of layered metal strips that flex to absorb shocks from the road, commonly used in the rear suspension of trucks and older vehicles.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...u know. GM puts a billion dollars into their Z06 Corvettes, and that's why they don't skip a beat when you ..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and powerful car made in America. The Z06 is a special version that is even quicker and better at driving fast and turning corners. People talk about it because it gives a lot of performance for the money.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car known for its high performance and value. The Z06 variant is a high-performance model with significant engineering investments from GM, making it a favorite among enthusiasts for its speed and handling. It's often discussed due to its blend of advanced technology and affordability in the sports car segment.
horsepower
"You know, people shoot for the horsepower and the cool factor and they forget about all the stuff that matters, you know."
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is and how fast it can go. But just having a lot of horsepower doesn't mean the car will always drive well.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power, indicating how much work an engine can perform. It's a key factor in a car's performance but not the only aspect that affects driving experience.
brakes
"You definitely have to use good components at every corner from brakes to steering components, you know, because you will find out one way or another..."
Brakes help your car stop when you press the pedal. Having good brakes means you can stop safely and quickly.
Brakes are the components that slow down or stop a vehicle by applying friction to the wheels. Good quality brakes are essential for safety and performance.
steering components
"You definitely have to use good components at every corner from brakes to steering components, you know, because you will find out one way or another..."
Steering components are the parts that help you turn the car when you move the steering wheel. Good parts make the car easier and safer to drive.
Steering components include parts like the steering rack, tie rods, and steering column that allow the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. Quality steering parts are crucial for precise handling.
project car
"How long did the project take from the time like you got at Magnus until say right now as far as time frame?"
A project car is a car that needs work or changes before it's ready to drive the way you want. People fix it up or make it special over time.
A project car is a vehicle that someone buys with the intention of repairing, restoring, or modifying it over time. It often requires significant work before it is fully functional or customized.
Porsche 911
"...filter has frozen or the fuel has gelled, diesel 911 is an emergency use product to help get your truc..."
The Porsche 911 is a famous fast car that looks unique and drives very well. The talk about 'diesel 911' is probably about a special product to help in emergencies, not the car itself. The 911 is well-known for being a great sports car.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car renowned for its distinctive design and exceptional driving dynamics. The mention of a 'diesel 911' in the context likely refers to a specialized emergency product rather than the car itself, as Porsche 911s are traditionally gasoline-powered. The 911 remains a benchmark for performance and engineering in the sports car world.
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