Diesel C4 Corvette
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 196
Likes: 132
From: NJ
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
That's Kustom_by_Keck on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kustom_by_...VzZXhmYmRocQ==).
I love the way the car looks, not a fan on the diesel swap. Seems like one of those swaps where they were just trying to "be different."
That said, it sounds like he's got plans to make some serious power. It's a Mercedes OM606 turbo inline-6 diesel, which makes 174 HP/243 lb-ft. of torque from the factory. He's shooting for ~500 HP and 700+ lb-ft.
I love the way the car looks, not a fan on the diesel swap. Seems like one of those swaps where they were just trying to "be different."
That said, it sounds like he's got plans to make some serious power. It's a Mercedes OM606 turbo inline-6 diesel, which makes 174 HP/243 lb-ft. of torque from the factory. He's shooting for ~500 HP and 700+ lb-ft.
Last edited by skorpion317; Nov 10, 2024 at 11:45 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
Wish GM would have came out with a diesel
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 814
From: Saskatoon Sask.
Wish GM would have came out with a diesel
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
Anyone remember the Cadillac 4-6-8 engine? Another brilliant piece of GM engineering. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,931
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Wish GM would have came out with a diesel
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
option for the Corvette like they had for many other cars in the early 80s
from what i see guys are doing to jacked up diesel trucks (making those big hulks run 11’s in the 1/4), i could only imagine how much faster one ( a built diesel motor) would be in a c4.
and note the c4 - came with an HD diesel truck transmission - the ZF6 that would have no problem handling the torque
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...nt-believe-it/
The diesel in our Equinox keeps track of mileage in a rolling 50 mile increment. The best we have ever gotten is 57 mpg for 50 miles. Last January when I went to Texas from Ohio to help move my daughter home, we averaged 53 mpg.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
The car looks to be what I would call "retro cool". I think it has some great 90's designs and looks pretty neat. I'm with the others and am not a fan of the diesel engine swap. Either way it looks to have been done really well and is very unique. Hats off to the person that built it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,685
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
i personally dont know why people get so mad about ‘rolling coal’
when i was riding my bicycle, as a kid, along the sidewalks of state rt 43 , every dump truck that accelerated from a stop produced a cloud of black smoke that I breathed in.
and i lived through it
when i was riding my bicycle, as a kid, along the sidewalks of state rt 43 , every dump truck that accelerated from a stop produced a cloud of black smoke that I breathed in.
and i lived through it
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 650
From: USA
Why??? So more people could spend time with their engines torn apart than they did driving them? I had a GMC 1/2 ton with the 350 "conversion". Biggest POS engine that could possibly have been put in a vehicle. Broken head bolts, blown head gaskets, failed glow plugs, stripped oil pump drive gear, leaking vacuum pump diaphragm, burnt starter - you name it. Never had a moments peace with that truck until I ditched that engine for a 350 Olds gasser. It was like getting an infected tooth removed - instant relief. I think some of the GM engineers and designers spent too much time in college during that time period checking out the "mood changers" than they did their studies. Who would have thought that taking an engine with ~9.5 compression ratio and upping it to ~20.1 with no upgrades to the clamping design would cause problems. Imagine their surprise! Anyone remember the Cadillac 4-6-8 engine? Another brilliant piece of GM engineering.
Anyone remember the Cadillac 4-6-8 engine? Another brilliant piece of GM engineering.Last edited by '78CorvetteS.A.; Nov 12, 2024 at 05:39 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 389
From: People's Republic of Nueva York
Because the enviro-weenies hate diesels on principle and do everything they can to demonize them. The general public is wantonly ignorant and swallows the BS they hear from the media. Then along comes some pin-d!¢k in a jacked-up truck who smokes out the block so they can grunt and thump their chest and confirms everything they've been told.
On a more technical note: Black smoke is unused chemical energy being converted into soot instead of power. One of Dr. Diesel's invention's greatest attributes is its efficiency. Working counter to that not only insults one of the world's most significant engineers and his legacy, it's a disservice to humanity. If we lose this marvel to the landfill of public ignorance we lose probably the most important tool in our box to make an economy function which drags us all back to the dark ages.
That being said, I think a Diesel Corvette is,.... well.... goofy.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,931
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Not all diesels are "heavy-***". Do some research on diesels at LeMans, such as:
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...nt-believe-it/
The diesel in our Equinox keeps track of mileage in a rolling 50 mile increment. The best we have ever gotten is 57 mpg for 50 miles. Last January when I went to Texas from Ohio to help move my daughter home, we averaged 53 mpg.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...nt-believe-it/
The diesel in our Equinox keeps track of mileage in a rolling 50 mile increment. The best we have ever gotten is 57 mpg for 50 miles. Last January when I went to Texas from Ohio to help move my daughter home, we averaged 53 mpg.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 118
From: Alpharetta GA
I guess some of us have forgotten about GM's 5.7L Oldsmobile disaster.
Also, SBCs leak enough fluids. Could you imagine your Corvette leaking even more fluids? Diesels would drive some folks crazy trying to keep the engine clean.
Also, SBCs leak enough fluids. Could you imagine your Corvette leaking even more fluids? Diesels would drive some folks crazy trying to keep the engine clean.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The point was that diesels could be successful and win Le Mans, not nit picking about their architecture.
Will we ever see a diesel sports car ? I doubt it, 99% of the population is not prepared for the maintenance requirements, even though the extra maintenance costs are offset by the increased lifespan and longevity. Additionally it takes work, knowledge and expertise to make a high MPH diesel, as they truly excel at low rpm's.
We have a 2004.5 2500HD Duramax'ed engine crew cab 4x4 pickup (rust free, 20 yr old truck). It will pull our 30ft travel trailer up Fancy Gap and maintain 55 mph while the gas vehicles are struggling. Loaded our trailer is over 10,000 lbs, and yet it will hold you back in the seat and accelerate far quicker than a truck that size ought to. The 04 1/2's were the beginning of GM's really successful powerplants, with Ford and Chrysler also having successful models.
Also as I have said, how many of you can average 53 mpg in your cars driving cross country ?
That Corvette in the video would be a great cruiser, a car to jump in and drive long distances, however, even at 53 mpg it would never recover the cost of building it. HOWEVER, HOWEVER, it is a cool car, much better than the hillbilly C3's that we see around Ohio, a C3 stuck on top a 4x4 chassis.
Will we ever see a diesel sports car ? I doubt it, 99% of the population is not prepared for the maintenance requirements, even though the extra maintenance costs are offset by the increased lifespan and longevity. Additionally it takes work, knowledge and expertise to make a high MPH diesel, as they truly excel at low rpm's.
We have a 2004.5 2500HD Duramax'ed engine crew cab 4x4 pickup (rust free, 20 yr old truck). It will pull our 30ft travel trailer up Fancy Gap and maintain 55 mph while the gas vehicles are struggling. Loaded our trailer is over 10,000 lbs, and yet it will hold you back in the seat and accelerate far quicker than a truck that size ought to. The 04 1/2's were the beginning of GM's really successful powerplants, with Ford and Chrysler also having successful models.
Also as I have said, how many of you can average 53 mpg in your cars driving cross country ?
That Corvette in the video would be a great cruiser, a car to jump in and drive long distances, however, even at 53 mpg it would never recover the cost of building it. HOWEVER, HOWEVER, it is a cool car, much better than the hillbilly C3's that we see around Ohio, a C3 stuck on top a 4x4 chassis.
Last edited by drcook; Nov 12, 2024 at 01:37 PM. Reason: corrected spelling
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,931
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
The point was that diesels could be successful and win Le Mans, not nit picking about their architecture.
Will we ever see a diesel sports car ? I doubt it, 99% of the population is not prepared for the maintenance requirements, even though the extra maintenance costs are offset by the increased lifespan and longevity. Additionally it takes work, knowledge and expertise to make a high MPH diesel, as they truly excel at low rpm's.
We have a 2004.5 2500HD Duramax'ed engine crew cab 4x4 pickup (rust free, 20 yr old truck). It will pull our 30ft travel trailer up Fancy Gap and maintain 55 mph while the gas vehicles are struggling. Loaded our trailer is over 10,000 lbs, and yet it will hold you back in the seat and accelerate far quicker than a truck that size ought to. The 04 1/2's were the beginning of GM's really successful powerplants, with Ford and Chrysler also having successful models.
Also as I have said, how many of you can average 53 mpg in your cars driving cross country ?
That Corvette in the video would be a great cruiser, a car to jump in and drive long distances, however, even at 53 mpg it would never recover the cost of building it. HOWEVER, HOWEVER, it is a cool car, much better than the hillbilly C3's that we see around Ohio, a C3 stuck on top a 4x4 chassis.
Will we ever see a diesel sports car ? I doubt it, 99% of the population is not prepared for the maintenance requirements, even though the extra maintenance costs are offset by the increased lifespan and longevity. Additionally it takes work, knowledge and expertise to make a high MPH diesel, as they truly excel at low rpm's.
We have a 2004.5 2500HD Duramax'ed engine crew cab 4x4 pickup (rust free, 20 yr old truck). It will pull our 30ft travel trailer up Fancy Gap and maintain 55 mph while the gas vehicles are struggling. Loaded our trailer is over 10,000 lbs, and yet it will hold you back in the seat and accelerate far quicker than a truck that size ought to. The 04 1/2's were the beginning of GM's really successful powerplants, with Ford and Chrysler also having successful models.
Also as I have said, how many of you can average 53 mpg in your cars driving cross country ?
That Corvette in the video would be a great cruiser, a car to jump in and drive long distances, however, even at 53 mpg it would never recover the cost of building it. HOWEVER, HOWEVER, it is a cool car, much better than the hillbilly C3's that we see around Ohio, a C3 stuck on top a 4x4 chassis.
If you'd like to discuss diesels or mid-engine diesels in a different thread, I'm game.