With alot of machining, custom mixed and matched parts, drilling and tapping, and trial and error, would it be possible to convert a 5.3L to a Bio-Diesel running motor?

Here is what I am thinking...
Short stroke crank (hopefully from a 4.8L)
Long rods
Deep skirt high compression pistons
Combination of milling the heads / block for the correct P2V clearance and compression ratio (15-16:1)
Extremely custom cam for correct valve timing

I have been tossing around a few ideas regarding the injector / glow plug situation. From what I have read, glow plugs are really only necessary on engines that are low in the compression range. 15-16:1 might be enough to negate the need all together. If not, I can drill and take a hole in the CC for an injector and put the glow plug in the spark plug hole.

I know there are other issues but I think these are the biggest...what do you guys think? Is there potential?

 

Nope!

 

how are you gonna control fuel flow? you gonna go direct injection? i think that is gonna be more trouble than the basic building of it.

 

For one you'll never get the compression that high! You'll need closer to 20 to get anything out of it.

Save your time and money!

Just buy a 6.5L swap it in what ever your working on. They run great on B100 or even WVO. And get good mileage doing it!

 

Plus the block was never designed for such extreme loading. Theres a old trick of taking early GM diesel motors and going all out, and when your done you have a 500 inch race block thats good for over a 1000 horse. I don't remember if you use Olds or Poncho heads to finish the deal off.

 

Now I haven't heard of that to the interweb...

 

The block will give out long before you get it running. There is a reason diesels weigh 800+ pounds

 

fuel needs to be injected at 20-40 THOUSAND psi... FYI

 

Hey my diesel only weights 350#'s!!

 

haha, the 4BT cummins weighs 700 pounds dry