one of my buddies is throwing around the idea of putting a 4bt cummins in a 1950 champion kinda of a different idea im just wondering what other people think of the idea and if its possible without tons of money in fab work

Anything is possible....

I'd opt for a 5.3 ls motor

i think he should go original it has the original motor and tranny but if i had to do a motor swap i agree with the 5.3

I'd keep it Studebaker & find a Stude 289ci v8 to put under the hood. Hemmings.com would be a good place to start for parts. Diesel probably wouldn't be a good engine choice considering how much diesel fuel has shot up, already $4/gal here. Plus you would have to fabricate new mounts for engine & tranny as well as possibly beef up the frame to handle the extra torque load.

This one still has the stock inline 6.

i think its more or less the guy that he is hoing to have do the work putting the diesel idea in his head and in my opinion the guy doing the work i wouldnt let him change my oil