So, im working on my 84 K5, she has a 6.2 Diesel in it, which i know isnt ideal for mudding. But how bad is it really to have? She's pretty torquey, although i havent been able to take it out yet. I have to change a front hub, and the rear brakes arent hooked up. Plus the whole steering box broke off the frame -_- but still, what do you guys think, Gas or Diesel, Hp or Torque for mudding? Should i try putting the turbo from a 6.5 in it? Thanks!

 

Torque for sure

 

Nope hp.

You want the tires spinning to keep the tread cleaned out and grabbing. That's why you don't see many low revving engines doing well in mud pits. Oil burners tend to not like spinning big rpms. The newer gen diesels are better at turning rpms than older ones but still not ideal for mud. You ever walked in mud with a pair of boots pack full of it you might as well be on ice. Tires are the same way. You don't have wide enough openings in the tread and the hp to keep them slinging and opening it up you are stuck from the start.

High torqe engines do make better rock crawlers. They stay down lower in the rpm range most of the time with low range t-cases and bulldoze up ledges and such.

 

hp over tourqe....tires dont have hands to clean themselves with