5.9l Cummins swap into a lucky Square Body

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
You are mistaken.... The 24v the ISB Chews through injectors every 120k and injector pumps every 100K The VP44 injection pump is also very expensive. Plus the lift pumps die and kill the high pressure pump. Buy a p-pump 12v the injector pump is lubricated by oil not fuel and they practically last forever.

Injectors in the 12v last 400K miles problem being they smoke like hell by then because the holes wear out and become bigger. The ISB has a lot of unneed electrical junk.

trust me i drive a 12v ram and know people unfortunate enough to have a 24v

What year models Dog Trucks came with the 12V. Are all the 12V motors non electronics?
 

Rollin_Thunder

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Posts
106
Reaction score
5
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
First Name
Robert
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454
What year models Dog Trucks came with the 12V. Are all the 12V motors non electronics?

89 through 98 had the 12 valve. In 94 they switched to a P pump and all trucks had intercoolers by then. Non of the 12 valves had electronics, it was in 98 1/2 when they switched to the 24 valve that things became computer controlled.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
89 through 98 had the 12 valve. In 94 they switched to a P pump and all trucks had intercoolers by then. Non of the 12 valves had electronics, it was in 98 1/2 when they switched to the 24 valve that things became computer controlled.

So you're saying 89-94 is one to have then?
 

John-e Bravada

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Posts
156
Reaction score
1
Location
Oregon IL
First Name
John
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C30 3+3
Engine Size
5.9L CTD
No, go with the 94-98, you want The P pump.
 

Flatblack79

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Posts
153
Reaction score
28
Location
Stockbridge,Ga
First Name
Dekota
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
C3500
Engine Size
454 BBC
P pump makes more power... But a VE is no slouch, and can be "turned up" with just a screw driver :D

And if im not mistaken the 1st gen VE injected 12 valve engines had forged rods and pistons from the factory. But im not 100% sure on that.
 
Last edited:

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
So pretty much just avoid the 24 valve and either of the pump will work find for a 12 valve. If everyone wants the P pump, maybe I could score a VE for cheaper.
 

John-e Bravada

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Posts
156
Reaction score
1
Location
Oregon IL
First Name
John
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
C30 3+3
Engine Size
5.9L CTD
I have 2 VE's and I wish I had a P. They have more power potential. It really depends on what you want to do with it; 300hp tow rig or a 1000hp sled puller. I'll be pushing it but I think 400-500hp out of my VE will be doable.
 

Randall12v

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Posts
42
Reaction score
1
Location
Quad Cities, Illinois
First Name
Mark
Truck Year
80
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
400
So pretty much just avoid the 24 valve and either of the pump will work find for a 12 valve. If everyone wants the P pump, maybe I could score a VE for cheaper.

pre 94 VE pumped engines are good runners...but always be limited for higher hp. capabilities.

94-98 ppump engines are much better if you have higher hp/tq goals. So many more aftermarket parts readily available for these engines. Injectors, pumps, etc.

Don't rule the 24v VP44 engines out if you can get one cheap...sure VP44 pumps aren't too reliable...but throw an aftermarket lift pump and it'll help it survive a little longer. Either way, these too can be easily converted to ppump as well.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I'd just want one for reliability and mpg. So long as it has enough torque to pull a 18ft trailer and a 4x4 Burb, then good enough for me. Having enough power to get on the freeway without getting mowed over would be nice too.
 

WastedWages

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Posts
30
Reaction score
0
Location
Kansas
First Name
Benjamin
Truck Year
79
Truck Model
k10
Engine Size
350
pre 94 VE pumped engines are good runners...but always be limited for higher hp. capabilities.

94-98 ppump engines are much better if you have higher hp/tq goals. So many more aftermarket parts readily available for these engines. Injectors, pumps, etc.

Don't rule the 24v VP44 engines out if you can get one cheap...sure VP44 pumps aren't too reliable...but throw an aftermarket lift pump and it'll help it survive a little longer. Either way, these too can be easily converted to ppump as well.

as long as the VP has fuel pressure, it will hold up for quite some time. Let the lift pump go bad and the fuel diaphragm inside the VP is toast. Not bad engines though really as long as you know what you're doing. A common-rail swap would be cool too, just very labor intensive to get the electronics working I would think. I loved my old 12v, but my early common rail was just a downright beast with little to no effort. Changing common rail injectors will break the bank pretty quickly though. I may be on the lookout for a 4bt cummins or an older VE pumped 12v once I get everything else sorted on my square.
 

1987chevybad

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Posts
86
Reaction score
41
Location
New England
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.7
VE is great pump for you it would be just fine.... 93s and maybe 92 12vs had intercoolers. the 12v is all mechanical just an electric shut of solenoid like the 6.2.
 

Randall12v

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Posts
42
Reaction score
1
Location
Quad Cities, Illinois
First Name
Mark
Truck Year
80
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
400
VE is great pump for you it would be just fine.... 93s and maybe 92 12vs had intercoolers. the 12v is all mechanical just an electric shut of solenoid like the 6.2.

a 2nd gen dodge 12v intercooler will fit in a 80's chevy... I sold an old spare to my coworker who put one in his K30 for his VE pumped Cummins.

An air to water intercooler would also work if you want something smaller...but then you'll need a pump, and water/ice setup.
 

Flatblack79

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Posts
153
Reaction score
28
Location
Stockbridge,Ga
First Name
Dekota
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
C3500
Engine Size
454 BBC
VE is great pump for you it would be just fine.... 93s and maybe 92 12vs had intercoolers. the 12v is all mechanical just an electric shut of solenoid like the 6.2.

I think its 1989.5 and up had intercoolers.
 

1987chevybad

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Posts
86
Reaction score
41
Location
New England
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.7
I think its 1989.5 and up had intercoolers.

No no it was one of the last few years of the second gen i think it was just 93... most 1st gens dont have the intercooler.

Ford didnt get an intercooler until 1999 :hahano:
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,173
Posts
950,874
Members
36,289
Latest member
HT2abbottrl
Top