Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

Diesel engines have been around for more than 100 years, but they have made leaps and bounds in the last decade. Sled pullers have nearly doubled in horsepower, dragsters have gone from 8s, to 7s, to 6s in the quarter mile, and street trucks that are 800-1,200 horsepower are now all over the country.

To help keep the transmission cool, PPE offers this upgraded Setrab transmission cooler with custom brackets to install it in the stock location on your Duramax truck. It's common knowledge that heat is the number one worst enemy for an automatic transmission.

There's something about your first truck that makes it special. Whether it's a clapped-out beater, a show truck or somewhere in between, the first one is always special. While many of us have moved on from our first trucks-willingly or unwilling-most of us wish we still had them.

There's something about your first truck that makes it special. Whether it's a clapped-out beater, a show truck or somewhere in between, the first one is always special. While many of us have moved on from our first trucks-willingly or unwilling-most of us wish we still had them.

To say that diesel is becoming mainstream in America is still a stretch; the reality is that more and more companies are coming forward with sophisticated diesel powerplants that will eventually end up in some cool vehicles. New diesels will help manufacturers meet more stringent CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards that the government is demanding.

If you're looking to clean up the engine bay on your 2004.5-2010 Duramax truck, have a few minutes to spare, and $25 burning a hole in your pocket, the crew at Merchant Automotive in Zeeland, Michigan, have just the product for you.

The popularity of diesel-powered vehicles here in the U.S. has really jumped in a positive direction in recent years. More and more manufacturers are starting to offer all-new diesel powerplants in half-ton trucks, cars and midsize SUVs-the introduction of a 3.0L diesel in the new Ram 1500 trucks, an EcoDiesel in the latest Chevrolet Cruze passenger car and there's even been talk of a 4.5L Duramax coming down the pipeline.

The increasing popularity of GM's Duramax powerplant backed by an Allison automatic has prompted a diesel subculture of D-Max enthusiasts. You can find good, used trucks for a decent price these days, and with minimal modifications to an LBZ, you can make an easy 400-500 horsepower. Unfortunately, as is the case with most diesel trucks, the transmission becomes the weak link in the chain.

Regardless of what you buy or own, it's hard to get one thing to do all the things you would like it to do. And the more money you spend on something, the higher your expectations. The same goes with a diesel truck.

On the initial test vehicle, an LB7 model running the stock injectors, CP3 injection pump and turbocharger, tuning smoke was extremely controllable and nearly nonexistent. Running a low 500-hp performance tune, EGTs are limited to around 1,450 degrees, making for a fun daily driver. With their initial testing completed, it was time to really push the turbo and find its limits.

When it comes to making some serious horsepower (500+) in your Duramax, like any other diesel engine, you're going to need more fuel and air. On the fuel side of things, you start looking into bigger injectors, modified injection pumps and performance lift pumps, depending on the kind of power you'd like to make. But when it comes to choosing the right turbocharger, your options can be a bit overwhelming.

Of course, the stock Allison transmission would not hold up to that kind of power so the DTS crew worked their magic on it, building it to their Stage 5 performance level, including billet input and output shafts as well as a billet C2 hub and billet P2 planetary set. Machining was performed to fit additional Raybestos GPZ clutches that hold the power without slipping.

Giving a truck a new lease on life is what we here at Diesel World encourage, especially if you take a run-of-the-mill diesel truck and turn it into the truck you've always wanted. Matthew Mobley of Monroe, Georgia, is a 29-year-old collision repair technician by trade, but he thoroughly enjoys diesel trucks and diesel motorsports.