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  The 1998 Chevy C3500 6.5-liter turbo diesel truck featured more torque for added towing capacity along with other improvements, such as increased fuel economy. The 6.5-liter engine was incorporated in Chevy diesel trucks from 1992 to 1999 before being replaced as part of Chevy's redesign of its C/K truck range.
  
  

Engine Performance

• The 1998 Chevy C3500 uses a 397-cubic-inch, 6.5-liter, V8 turbo diesel engine with overhead valve design. The cast iron block and head engine is built with two valves per cylinder and has a horsepower rating of 180 at 3,400 rpm. Torque for the engine measures 360 pound-feet at 1,700 rpm. Bore and stroke measure 4.06 inches by 3.82 inches. The engine is indirectly fuel injected for a compression ratio of 9.4:1.
  
  

Brakes and Transmission

• The Chevy C3500 uses two disc brakes and two ventilated discs along with a standard anti-lock braking system. A four-speed manual transmission is standard equipment for the turbo diesel truck. An automatic four-speed transmission is available as an option. Fuel economy for C3500 vehicles with a manual transmission is 19 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Fuel economy for automatic transmission trucks measures 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
  
  

Vehicle Dimensions and Suspension

• Front suspension for the 1998 Chevy C3500 is a wishbone with independent stabilizer bar and coil springs. Rear suspension is a beam with rigid stabilizer bar and leaf springs. Overall vehicle length for the regular-cab long-bed truck is 213.4 inches. Wheelbase for this model is 131.5 inches. Height and width measure 70.4 inches and 76.8 inches, respectively. Curb weight is 4,001 pounds. Standard payload for the vehicle is 5,383 pounds, according to Consumer Guide Auto.