H1 Restoration - Page 2

Not sure if it is better but it is a whole lot cheaper. The NA 6.5 is a simple, solid workhorse of an engine. If you rebuild it the drive train in the truck can stay the same. If you convert to the Duramax you have to lift the truck 2", change the transmission, half shafts,etc. My .02 would be to rebuild the 6.5 NA motors with the mods Mike is talking about.

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ORIGINAL: 3hummers

Not sure if it is better but it is a whole lot cheaper. The NA 6.5 is a simple, solid workhorse of an engine. If you rebuild it the drive train in the truck can stay the same. If you convert to the Duramax you have to lift the truck 2", change the transmission, half shafts,etc. My .02 would be to rebuild the 6.5 NA motors with the mods Mike is talking about.

 
Thanks for the advise David. Are the Duramax LBZ engines and Allison transmissions very reliable or do they suffer frequently from electronic problems?

The Duramax and Allison combination is fantastic. I have about 20,000 miles on my Alpha and no issues. The power and torque are great. If Mike can get you 270 HP out of the NA 6.5 that will be a fun ride also. Did he say how much torque that motor will put out? Coverting to the Duramax would require lifting the truck a couple of inches, an all new drivetrain ( drive shafts, half shafts, torque converter...... ) It gets pretty expensive and depending on what you get out of the NA motor may not be worth it. Personal call on your part. I have the Allison/Duramax combo in the Alpha and the 6.5 TD in the 97. Big difference between the two accelerating and on the highway but not so much at other times.

I'd suggest keeping the 6.5L NA... Duramax has too many components and even though the block itself is solid and will last many thousands of miles the various components will not and before you ever reach those many thousands of miles you might of had enough with the failing components... And 270hp will be great! Also if you plan on wheelin these things alot of people say they are "under powered" I do not get that feeling while wheelin(except for big mud bogs where im running beside 1000hp trucks). Only time I feel my H1 is under powered is on the highway.
Also from where you live it might be ideal to keep it simple so you can get it worked on whereever. Another conversion option yet keeping it simple would of course be the cummins.

Injun don't you have to lift the Hummer 4" for the Cummins? Do you save on the driveline upgrades with the Cummins? I agree that the 6.5 NA is probably the best way to go.

Hmmm, 360 HP and 881 Nm under the hood would be nice........but it seems all of you are convinced that an upgraded 6.5 Liter NA is the best solution.

For the "Common Rail" Cummins you have to lift it 4" with the older ones only a 2" or no lift at all is required. As for driveline if you mod the cummins with more HP and torque id upgrade it but yea you can keep the same driveline if you want to go with cummins

Gentlemen.......does anyone know approximately what a full Duramax conversion will cost.
 
I know Predator Motorsports do it http://www.predatormotorsports.com/
 
Thanks.......

i have heard anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 USD.
All depends what you want done etc.

Sounds reasonable..........would you happen to know what's included in the $25k package and what's in the $50k package.

Today I received my H1s. I ended up buying three H1s, one wagon and two 2-door pickups. All three will be sent for restoration to the US. Here are some pictures I took today of the three H1s.


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Some more pictures...........


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Last picture.........


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the camper is cool. 2 doors are rare and great wheelers (pretty light).

Can 2-door H1s be converted to wagons?

they can be converted if you really wanted too... btw I like your 2doors have pictures of the interior to the back camper part?
As for what you get I believe with 25k it is just the Dmax engine... and maybe the allisson transmission that is it.
For 50k you get upgraded Hubs/HalfShafts, Allisson transmission, 2wd/4wd transfer case, Performance Exhaust, Flashed PCM(Performance), High flow injectors/pumps, Wastegate controllers. List hoes on and on. But the main upgrade in my opinion is the 12k halfshafts/hubs definitely a must for high performance drive train. Since the halfshafts are the "fuses" in our drivetrain and they will break continueously if you are heavy on the gas in your high performance diesel.

The $25-$50,000.00 is a range. A Duramax/Allison Conversion includes a 2" lift, new 12100# half shafts, drive line parts, torque converter and most people add a 2speed option to provide better fuel economy. Obviously making the new motor/tranny set up requires a host of smaller adjustments and parts. Most pricing I see is in the 25-30,000 range. With three Hummers you also have the option of doing a Duramax conversion on one or two and the 6.5 NA rebuild on the others or some combination thereof. As to converting a truck to a wagon I am sure that for enough money anything can be done but it would be cheaper I would think just to buy a wagon. Not sure what your basis is in the Hummers you bought but for most people that would guide you in the decisions on the best way to restore them. Ideally when you are done you don't have more in them than they are worth. I have restored a few cars where that was not the case.
How soon before you decide what you want to do and ship them?

Thanks Cliff.
 
Here are pictures of the camper's interior:


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Looks like a tour bus set up. What are your plans for the Hummers?

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ORIGINAL: 3hummers

The $25-$50,000.00 is a range. A Duramax/Allison Conversion includes a 2" lift, new 12100# half shafts, drive line parts, torque converter and most people add a 2speed option to provide better fuel economy. Obviously making the new motor/tranny set up requires a host of smaller adjustments and parts. Most pricing I see is in the 25-30,000 range. With three Hummers you also have the option of doing a Duramax conversion on one or two and the 6.5 NA rebuild on the others or some combination thereof. As to converting a truck to a wagon I am sure that for enough money anything can be done but it would be cheaper I would think just to buy a wagon. Not sure what your basis is in the Hummers you bought but for most people that would guide you in the decisions on the best way to restore them. Ideally when you are done you don't have more in them than they are worth. I have restored a few cars where that was not the case.
How soon before you decide what you want to do and ship them?

David.......two H1s will get the full Duramax/Allison conversion, including drivetrain ofcourse (the wagon and one 2-door). The third H1 will remain stock with the 6.5 Liter NA engine and have it rebuilt if necessary and implement the performance upgrades Mike Sabbarese suggested to bring output upto 270 HP. I might convert this third H1 which will have the 6.5 Liter NA engine to a wagon if it's feasible. Both campers will be removed. I will have two extra 6.5 Liter NA engines and automatic transmissions as well as stock driveline parts if anyone needs them.
I will be shipping them to the States within the next five weeks......there is still some paperwork to be prepared.

A new 2008 H1 here in Egypt will cost about US$315k including customs duties and sales tax. I am not restoring these H1s for the purpose of reselling them......they will be for my own personal use. Therefore, if I spend US$50k for restoring each H1 which will also have the Duramax powerplant, plus the initial purchase cost, I think I am doing fine. The three H1s when restored will almost have the 2008 H1 specs and factory condition (hopefully).

Wow. If I ever decide to sell my H1 Alpha I guess I should look in Egypt for a buyer? LOL If Mike is going to be doing the work I am sure he can send you photos of the progress. I would be happy to run by and take pictures to send to you if you like. Keep us posted.

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ORIGINAL: 3hummers

Wow. If I ever decide to sell my H1 Alpha I guess I should look in Egypt for a buyer? LOL If Mike is going to be doing the work I am sure he can send you photos of the progress. I would be happy to run by and take pictures to send to you if you like. Keep us posted.

 
Unfortunately to import a car into Egypt it can only be max. a year old.......
 
I will have Mike do the work. I am just waiting for his offers which he promised to send in the next few days.
 
Thank you very much for the very kind offer David, I really appreciate it.......definitely it would be a great help if you can have a look at the H1s during the restoration process and let me know your opinion.

Happy to do it. Let us know if we can help in any way.

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ORIGINAL: 3hummers

Happy to do it. Let us know if we can help in any way.

 
Thanks again David.

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ORIGINAL: TKF430

Thanks Cliff.

Here are pictures of the camper's interior:


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Those are some nice looking campers. I personally would love to have a setup similar to that but without all the seats instead an actual mini RV type thing would be great for expeditions or even long trips on the road. Not to mention if you come home with another Hummer and wife kicks you out you can sleep with the dogs in your RV H1 :)