Diesel Tuner's Blog

LML SPADE & Smart EGT Control:

Exhaust Gas Temperatures (EGTs) give you an insight as to how much stress you are putting your engine under.  It is the most accurate way to monitor if your current activity is safe for the engine. 

In a factory tuned truck high EGTs would most commonly be a sign of a physical problem like a boost leak.  However, a tuner added to an aggressive driver could result in EGTs beyond the desired limit.  

Most examples of this also include a mismatch of your tune level and truck operation.  Such as the guy towing in his race tune.  

The LML SPADE by DuramaxTuner.com now includes a Smart EGT Control feature.

• Let your tunes manage the EGTs so you can keep your eyes on the road
• Have peace of mind that your truck is safe
• Get the power you need from your truck without sacrificing reliability

What crashes an LB7 and LLY ECMs?:

If you have a 2001 - 2004 (LB7) or 2004.5 - 2005 (LLY) Duramax and have been thinking about tuning it, this article is for you. 

As you're probably aware, ECMs have some small risk of crashing during a tuning flash.  Browsing the forums online you definitely already picked up on the fact that the LB7 and LLY ECMs are more suscepitble to the issue.

To make sure you aren't stuck stranded somewhere far from home follow these tips: 

• Disconnect all aftermarket electronics
• Make sure your batteries are at a full charge
• Flash your truck at home or a local garage

6 Speed Conversion Kit for the LB7 & LLY 5 Speed Allison:

Your 2001-2005 Silverado/Sierra HD diesel is powered by either the LB7 (2001-2004) or LLY (2004.5-2005) Duramax.  That Duramax is tied to one of the most popular automatic transmissions, the Allison 1000.

While the Allison 1000 was a big step forward, it still needed improvement.  The LB7/LLY models came with 4 gears and Overdrive, or "5 speed".   In 2006 General Motors (GM) released the 6 Speed transmission for the new at the time LBZ model and other HD trucks. 

Without getting too technical about how automatic transmissions work, they did not actually add a physical gear.  The Allison works through a series of clutch packs being applied with hydraulic pressure to create different gear ratios.  What GM actually did was design a brand new valve body and improved tuning to achieve the 6 speed Allison 1000.

DuramaxTuner.com now has a 6 Speed Conversion Kit which includes a new valve body and custom tuned TCM that allows your truck to achieve 6th gear.  

Who Will The 6 Speed Conversion Kit Help?

• Owners wanting a quieter ride
• Drivers looking for a smoother shifting transmission
• Highway commuters

5 to 6 Speed Allison Conversion:

The Allison 1000 transmission equipped in the 2001-2005 HD Silverado and Sierra was considered to be revolutionary when it was released. 

Owners rave about the smoothness and reliability of the 5 speed Allison transmissions.  They're able to reliably handle the strain of towing heavy and still have reasonable street manners for commuting.  Duramaxtuner has recently invested considerable time into the AL5 controller to build out the shift shedule and quality of all the 5-6 and 6-5 shifts.  Matched with our upgraded valvebody this kit will have your 15 year old truck shifting like a 2018 model. 

As most technology has advanced over the last 12+ years, so has transmission technology.  You've probably noticed that just about everything on wheels has more gears these days.  Starting in 2006 all Duramax powered GM trucks were given an extra overdrive gear (.61).  Since then, they haven't looked back. 

Why is that?  Why does your truck need more gears? 

Benefits from more gears:

• MPG improvement 
• Noise Reduction
• Parts Longevity
• Narrower Cruise range to meet Emissions Requirements

The 2011-2016 Ford Powerstroke is an amazing truck.  With up to 24,500 lbs of 5th wheel towing capacity and 400-440 HP from the factory these diesel trucks are meant to be worked.  

However, you many have noticed that your Ford 6.7L just doesn't seem to have the snap your old truck did.  You step on the throttle thinking all that power is going to rocket you into traffic.  In reality you probably feel like it just meanders into the lane.  We call this lack of throttle response the "Dead Pedal".  

Below you will find 3 things that cause the Dead Pedal and a simple solution for your truck. 

Learn More About the Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

2011-2016 Ford Diesel Dead Pedal

Many customers have upgraded from their old pre-emissions Powerstroke to a new Ford 6.7L and found there are a few changes besides just the looks. 

The2011-2014 F250 and other diesel models made and astonishing 400 RWHP and 800 ft/lbs while the 2015/2016 Powerstroke makes 440 RWHP and 860 ft/lbs of torque. Which is impressive by itself but you will probably notice your old Ford diesel feels quicker.  In fact we hear many stories of guys trying to merge into traffic or gun it to get in front of someone and the pedal does not seem to respond.  This phenomena is often called the Ford 6.7L "Dead Pedal".  The "Dead Pedal" is a delay the driver feels between pressing on the throttle pedal and the truck reacting as desired. 

But what causes the Ford Diesel Dead Pedal?  And more importantly, What is the fix for it?

These are exactly the questions we hope to answer for you. Below you will see what we have put together on the topic. 

• LISTEN TO THE DIESEL PERFORMANCE PODCAST ON CUSTOM FOR TUNING
• READ ABOUT CUSTOM TUNING FOR THE 6.7L POWERSTROKE 
• WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT CUSTOM FORD TUNING

Ford 6.7L Emissions Equipped Tuning:

The 2011 through 2016 Powerstroke is one of the best diesel trucks Ford has ever made.  However, the opportunity to make it even better is just instinctual for American diesel truck owners.

The most impactful improvement a Ford 6.7L owner can choose is aftermarket tuning.  As we talk with owners considering 6.7L Powerstroke Tuning there are several questions that just about every truck owner will ask.  This article will provide the most common questions we are asked at Calibrated Power along with corresponding medium-winded answers.  

Other Article About 2011+ Powerstroke Performance

• How the DPF and Exhaust Aftertreatment Work
• Calibrated Power Custom Ford Tuning

We have lowered our MAP pricing on the Stealth 64 Turbo:

Calibrated Power, home of DuramaxTuner.com, has ramped up in-house production of the Stealth Turbo line.  This added capacity and volume of turbo production has provided an opportunity to lower MAP pricing on all Duramax models and allowed the Cummins 5.9L Stealth 64 to be a low price and top quality leader in it's category. 

Our Stealth 64 Turbo's are:

• Made in the USA!
• Upgraded, Drop-In Replacement!
• Quick Spooling with Big POWER!

DPF, EGR SCR, DEF, What does it all mean?!?

Before you throw an exhaust on your 2011-2016 Powerstroke, at least understand what the emissions equipment is and how it works.

Sure there are plenty of guys that had to delete their truck because they had an issue with the emissions equipment.  But there are also a lot of guys that have never had a problem with it.  Just imagine if you could get the same or ever more power and performance from a DPF, EGR, DEF equipped truck as you could from it's deleted counter part.  If you understand how the emissions equipment works, there is less of a chance you will need to delete it. 

No need to delete emissions to make power!  

Many people looking to make more power with a 2011 - 2016 LML Duramax think an aftermarket exhaust is required to make power.  This is simply not true!  Countless people reach over 500 RWHP with just the LML SPADE and a lift pump.  

Above you can see the dyno graph from our DPF ON sled pull truck.  Named #DTCleanSweep because this truck has "swept away" plenty of deleted trucks on the sled pull track.  It sounds quiet, it runs clean, and it kicks some ass!  This 2012 Duramax makes great power with the emissions equipment still working.  While this truck has a few more upgrades than your normal street truck, it does definitely proves you can make power with the stock exhaust. 

Keep in mind this truck came to us deleted, and was returned to stock.  We had a chance to test it with both setups.  Truth be told, the deleted version made less than 5% more power.  Not enough to notice from the driver seat and obviously not enough to cost us anything at the track. 

The most common myths about making power with an LML Duramax:

• "The DPF is going to fail"
• "Higher hp tunes will plug up the filter"
• "I deleted my truck and now I get better MPGs"