Diesel Truck Owners? Knowledge? Click...

[Chatham540i 10+ year member]

I'm looking into getting a diesel, but I'm not sure where to start looking, I don't want this thread to turn into a fanboy shit fest. But I'm looking more into a Duramax (LB7) or a band new one if I can find a good deal.

When I do get it, what are the best modifications to start with?

I know about power tuners, but not sure what brand gives the most power for the money, Also are BANKS packages worth it? Any other Diesel tuner sell packages just as good or better?

The first thing I'm going to get is wheels and tires, I don't want it lifted TOO high, but I would like to have these on it. That is about the height I would like it to be.

24x10 Chrome Mazzi Hulk Wheels w/Kumho MT 38x14x24 Tires:

I know a decent amount about diesels but trying to learn as much as I can.

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[RetroAudioinc 5,000+ posts]

I will sell you my 2005 Chevy DuraMax 2500HD right now for what I owe, Black with Camper with AC to keep amps cool in the back, chrome 20" rimes. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I love them but they sucks for gas at least the 2005 does, 20 highway, 13 city, 9 to 10 pulling my 24' trailer.

 

[RetroAudioinc 5,000+ posts]

I have BANKS everything, intercooler, coldair, 5" pipe headers back. Fing fast as shit I can tell you that..

 

[DonH 5,000+ posts]

Ok here is the deal. getting a power chip for what? are you going to tow something??? if so BANKS all the way. but bully dog chips are teh shit! Also RBP. sexy and great reliability.

 

[DonH 5,000+ posts]

I have BANKS everything, intercooler, coldair, 5" pipe headers back. Fing fast as shit I can tell you that..

HOW MUCH!!!!! oh man i want a bigger truck. haha to bad im in cali

 

[RetroAudioinc 5,000+ posts]

Shit I will drive it out and fly back. Already drove it out there 3 times this year.. 68,000 miles and payoff $27,000 - $28,000 I think..

 

[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

If you get a Duramax....efiLive all the way http://www.efilive.com/

Intake/Exhaust and ur done

Or.....http://dieselpower.automotive.com/13270/0801dp-2007-chevy-silverado-duramax/photos7-0.html

2007 GMC bone stock 13.6 with just a programmer

 

[Chatham540i 10+ year member]

I have to get my 5-Series sold first, but thanks for that offer. I appreciate the input so far guys, I asked about BANKS because one guy with an F-250 said it messed up his turbo. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

 

[Chatham540i 10+ year member]

Any more input?

 

[SICCMAD3 10+ year member]

stick with duramax, its a much better motor then a cummins/powerstroke, in my opinion. also if possible get a 900 series (07 n up, i believe) or a newer 800 series 2500. the only problem you might have with the duramax is injectors, and those are under special warrenty coverage to 200,000 miles, and thats mainly in the 00-06 model years. and get the allison transmission option if available, its truly a bullet-proof ******, and a version of it is whats used in the m1 tanks, which is bad-***. othere then injectors, fuel filters and *****-cooler lines the duramax's are a solid truck

 

[SICCMAD3 10+ year member]

banks, bullydog, rbp it doesn't really matter they all kick ***

if your not running propane injection or something crazy like that, i wouldn't worry about it. i see alot duramaxs with power-pack and stuff, but i've yet to see a power-pack toast a duramax

 

[Vermithrax 10+ year member]

stick with duramax, its a much better motor then a cummins/powerstroke, in my opinion. also if possible get a 900 series (07 n up, i believe) or a newer 800 series 2500. the only problem you might have with the duramax is injectors, and those are under special warrenty coverage to 200,000 miles, and thats mainly in the 00-06 model years. and get the allison transmission option if available, its truly a bullet-proof ******, and a version of it is whats used in the m1 tanks, which is bad-***. othere then injectors, fuel filters and *****-cooler lines the duramax's are a solid truck

IMO, the Duramax isn't a bit better than the Cummins. Cummins has proven itself as a reliable powerplant in more applications than you can imagine. Duramax is just an Isuzu. Good motor, nothing more.

Allison should make a good transmission. They've been building trannys for heavy truck applications forever. Certainly better than anything GM would produce. In the end it all comes down to the driver.

I've been driving a stock '04 Dodge 3500 with the Cummins/auto setup since it was new pulling 20K lbs. almost daily. Going on 250K with reg. service and no problems to date. That's not bad considering the ****** is said to be the weak link as far as Dodge's go.

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

Oh man seems to be all over the place. I wish I could direct you to a reputable dedicated duramax site but I don't know one. Good place to start though and good site is http://www.competitiondiesel.com

Forget Banks and bully dog will be a waste of money. Banks hard parts are good but the tuning for the most part is simply middle of the road. As said about EFI Live is the top dog for the duramax trucks, next step below for a handheld tuner would be a PPE Xcelerator Hot+2.

As much as everyone toutes the Alison ***** you will have trouble with it once you start adding power. Just the added power from a tuner will put you into ***** trouble. The Ford ***** seems to hold the most power on stock parts and the dodge 47re seems to hold the most power when built up.

Any cold air intake from AFE or S&B should work good. MBRP makes good exhaust kits and for a good price, 4" should be all you need but 5" will be a deeper sound but not much performance gain.

Any truck you'll want gauges of some sort, at the very least a Pyrometer so you don't melt down the motor and depending on things various other gauges, boost gauge (if not factory) ***** temp, are usually the primary 3.

You'll probably have plenty of power with EFI live tuning and supporting mods. Somewhere in the 400-450 rwhp range at least I would expect.

Then again I am a Ford guy though so you will have to do a bit more research but I would stay away from the big name tuners who pay for a lot of advertising and go after the more of the dedicated brand specific and proven tuners. Such as for a Ford 6.0L a custom SCT is the way to go, for a CR cummins a Smarty is the way to go, for a 7.3L Ford Swamps diesel seems to have good tuning so does DP Tuner.

On the wheels and tires take a look at the gallery over at http://www.trucktoyzperformance.com Tons of different trucks with different wheel/tire combo's and a great way to get an idea for the amount of lift to clear the tires and what not. Plus good prices on stuff and very helpful. I would think a 35" tire on a 20" rim would be a bit better and only need about a 4"-6" lift which isn't too tall but much taller than that and it starts to get tough to get in an out and use it as a truck, IMO of course.

 

[HighTQCummins 10+ year member]

Oh man seems to be all over the place. I wish I could direct you to a reputable dedicated duramax site but I don't know one. Good place to start though and good site is http://www.competitiondiesel.com
Forget Banks and bully dog will be a waste of money. Banks hard parts are good but the tuning for the most part is simply middle of the road. As said about EFI Live is the top dog for the duramax trucks, next step below for a handheld tuner would be a PPE Xcelerator Hot+2.

As much as everyone toutes the Alison ***** you will have trouble with it once you start adding power. Just the added power from a tuner will put you into ***** trouble. The Ford ***** seems to hold the most power on stock parts and the dodge 47re seems to hold the most power when built up.

Any cold air intake from AFE or S&B should work good. MBRP makes good exhaust kits and for a good price, 4" should be all you need but 5" will be a deeper sound but not much performance gain.

Any truck you'll want gauges of some sort, at the very least a Pyrometer so you don't melt down the motor and depending on things various other gauges, boost gauge (if not factory) ***** temp, are usually the primary 3.

You'll probably have plenty of power with EFI live tuning and supporting mods. Somewhere in the 400-450 rwhp range at least I would expect.

Then again I am a Ford guy though so you will have to do a bit more research but I would stay away from the big name tuners who pay for a lot of advertising and go after the more of the dedicated brand specific and proven tuners. Such as for a Ford 6.0L a custom SCT is the way to go, for a CR cummins a Smarty is the way to go, for a 7.3L Ford Swamps diesel seems to have good tuning so does DP Tuner.

On the wheels and tires take a look at the gallery over at http://www.trucktoyzperformance.com Tons of different trucks with different wheel/tire combo's and a great way to get an idea for the amount of lift to clear the tires and what not. Plus good prices on stuff and very helpful. I would think a 35" tire on a 20" rim would be a bit better and only need about a 4"-6" lift which isn't too tall but much taller than that and it starts to get tough to get in an out and use it as a truck, IMO of course.

Exactly what he said. Hit the nail on the head. Banks is nothin more than an adverising giant.

 

[WOT]

I dont know anything about diesels, but 38" tires are HUGE man, and cost a grip

I never cared for turbo diesels until I raced one up a huge hill in my turbo honda (mid 11 second car) and I only beat him by a few lengths. He was cool when we pulled over to chat, and invited me to race another guy at this meet he was on his way to, well that pulled like a 1.5 60 foot and outlaunched the hell outta me, I caught him, but **** they earned some respect in my books that day