The official 6bt conversion thread

[averagef250]

Not sure on UPS, the newer fedex trucks use the isb 4bt which is computer controlled and 16 valve.

You need to do the swap into a swb 2wd and be the first on Fordification to break 30 MPG in a bump.

[mljjones67]

I think ups uses the powerstroke!! Not sure though??

[FLATBEDFORD]

I just read all 16 pages. Things are VERY slow at work today. How about the 4bt in my F350 2WD? Would the 4bt be enough to move around my truck at its 10K MGW? Would 4.10 gears and 235/85 16 tries be OK with th ZF 5 spd?

[customcrewcab]

i am not sure but our bigger ups trucks have chevy frames.

hey averagef250
you ever use an inner cooler on a 4bt? not sure if you need it up there but here its a good idea. i forget but i think air intake temp goes up 10 degrees for evey pound of boost over 4.

[averagef250]

The 4BT breadvans are 11K gvw trucks. The 4BT moves them around fine, but they're no rocket. The stock 4BT will do pretty much the same job as the 300 six. The 6BT makes more sense in heavier trucks though.

The 4BTA is the 120/130 horse model and is aftercooled. You can put an aftercooler on any 4BT. The stock turbo taps out around 7-8 pounds of boost. If you upgrade to a smaller turbine housing or simply put a better turbo on one you can get them in the 20-25 PSI range and more than double the HP that easily.

[averagef250]

Look what I just bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 043&rd=1,1

$3600 to my door! I happen to know a guy that has a clapped out 6.5 turbo and bad 4L80E in a '97 K2500. I called him up and said $6500 for a 4BTA and good 4L80E with cummins controller installed. I had a check in my hand 30 minutes later!

I'll have to swap the 2wd 4l80E over to a 4x4 tailshaft, but $2500 in labor ain't bad for under a weeks work.

[71PA_Highboy]

I will be about 15 miles from that seller later this week if anyone wants me to stop in and say Hi or check anything out.

Let me know,

Eric

[averagef250]

He seams like a real nice guy and I've spoken with other's that have done business with him before. Probably no need to check anything out for me anyway.

If a guy bought a 4BTA, 4L80E and TCM controller seperately you'd be atleast double the $3050 selling price!

[averagef250]

I have a feeling there will be a surplus of them soon with all the breadvans that just sold on dovebid. That breadvan in Sacremento is a heck of a deal.

[averagef250]

I agree 100%. The new overpowered, overweight pickups are rediculous.

If a guy was liquid enough, he could probably capitalize on the situation. Buy up every 4BT breadvan you could find and buy up every nice old truck that'd make a good swap candidate. Start an assembly line swapping them in and I'd be willing to bet you could get enough for them to make it profitable.

I don't think I'd have a problem selling my '71 in the $12K and up range. With good marketing I'd bet the same truck could fetch $20K or better as a realistic alternative to buying a new diesel pile of junk.

There are companies popping up all over the country offering 4BT conversions. Individuals are shelling out $20K and more for 4BT swaps.

[71PA_Highboy]

OK,

So I have read this entire thread about half a dozen times, and I still have some questions (mainly for Dustin ).

I USE my truck... a ton of gravel in the bed or towing my Early Bronco behind it or pulling stumps (literally) or 2 tons of landshaping rocks to my GF's house 2 hours away.

Currently I have a 360/435/4.11 combo. With a 4bt am I going to see at least equal performance in these tasks as I do with the 360 or am I going to be wishing for more performance? What are the REAL LIFE experiences you have had and how did the 4BT measure up?

TIA,

Eric

[Mooosman]

After having gone through this whole thread a couple times, and lurking over at 4btswaps.com for a few weeks, I can say that this idea is making me wish I wasn't building my hot-rod 300-6. While the 300 I'm building is going to be a fun little motor, it is going to be pretty grumpy when putting around town (248/254@.050 cam and 11:1 Compression).

Well, putting around town is where I do most of my driving! And the Cummins would seem to be an ideal engine to put in there for that purpose.

I think I could knock down over 30mpg with my 72 2wd, SWB with power nothing and the ZF 5 speed, too! I think the rated weight for this thing is like 3500 lbs or so, so it should get pretty decent mileage.

Anyone want to trade a complete 4bt setup for a 300+ horse 300-6??

Nick,
May be making a calssifieds ad soon!

[averagef250]

I'd say an intercooled 4BT with a larger turbo would best the meanest 360.

The meanest 300 horse cranked up 4BTA I've had the opportunity to drive seams to match the pulling power of a purpose built 400+ inch long stroke big block, but does get twice or better the mileage doing the same job.

If you want big pulling power go with the 12 valve 6BT. The problem with the 6BT is it's too much power for everything else under the truck. T-case, drivelines, axles, etc all need beefed. That and it doesn't really fit.

[Mooosman]

Not looking for pulling power, just for a daily driver that will get decent mileage. Not that I'm complaining now, as the original 240/3 speed/3.70 gear combo gets 21 mpg highway right now!

30+mpg would be nice with a 4BT, though!

Nick

P.S. Do you have any pics of a 4BT mated to a 2wd ZF? Can I use the stock 72 crossmember?

[averagef250]

I'd recommend the Mazda tranny for a light truck DD. It's got better ratios than the gas 2wd ZF. You'd have to modify the crossmember. The M5R2 gives you 5 real forward gears. You get 4 and granny with the ZF unless you go with a diesel ZF or put diesel ZF guts in a gas 2wd case.

The stock 4BT's got way more power than any 240 I've ever driven, but all the 240's I've driven have been flat worn out.