Diesel Tuner's Blog

How does Allison 1000 TCM Tuning help with towing?

TCM Tuning is the modification to the programming calibration of a Transmission Control Module (TCM).  Ever since 2001 when the Duramax was first offered in the 2500 and 3500 GMC and Chevy  HD truck it has been paired with the Allison 1000 transmission. 

These trucks are designed for towing and if you use it that way, you can probably think of a few ways you would like your transmission to act differently.  That is where TCM Tuning may be able to help.

Common Complaints About Stock Transmission Tuning:

• "When I try to pass and I am in 6th gear, it is very reluctant to downshift."
• "While merging on the express way it seemed to take a long time to get from one gear to the next. It's even worse with a trailer on."
• "Even with tow haul mode on the truck doesn't seem to shift well since I put these larger tires on."

Apache Build Thread, Season 1, Episode 2:

With the cab and bed of this 1958 Chevy Apache truck mounted on the 2003 Silverado HD frame you can start to see this crazy idea come to life.  

A lot needed to be done to make this project happen.  The video below goes over the first round of modifications required to get our build going.  From little things like raising the height of the body mounts 10" to chopping 3' out of the HD frame to fit the Apache, we did it all.  

BUILD SOMETHING POWERFUL @ DURAMAXTUNER.COM

• Custom Builds
• Towing
• Street Trucks
• Sled Pulling
  

What are some good upgrades if you are towing?

You bought your 2011 - 2016 Silverado HD with a Duramax to tow something with it.  It certainly is capable of performing well in completely stock trim.  Your truck has plenty of power to pull anything up to it's rated Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), it stops well and the ride quality is superb. 

On the other hand, if you spend any length of time towing something you're bound to notice a few things that could be better. Furthermore, if you are towing for long distances, like a family vacation or for work, this LML Duramax engine has to be the most reliable vehicle you've ever owned.  

COMMON QUESTIONS LML OWNERS ASK:

• What aftermarket products help with towing?
• How can you improve MPG while towing?
• Is the LML a reliable truck to tow something with?

ApacheMax Build Thread, 1

This 1958 Chevy Apache pickup started life in Michigan.  Eric Kock had bought the truck new in 1958 and drove it daily while logging in the UP.  

While Eric owned the truck it had a hard life, being worked on logging trails and used like a truck everyday.  However, he took great care of it and actually did a frame up restoration twice while he had the truck. 

In 2013 it made it's way to DuramaxTuner.com with the original paint  scheme still intact. 

The original plan for the truck was to swap the body onto a GM 2500 HD chassis and throw an LB7 Duramax motor and driveline in it.  It sounds simple right? Originally there were no plans on doing a fully built motor and since it was going to mate up to a ZF6 the plan only included an aftermarket clutch.  In the end, it turned out to be "Something the Terminator would drive" (Nick Preignitz).

Get your truck the horsepower you need:

It's summer time and that means trucks are out sled pulling, towing, and getting worked! It also means you are more likely to be considering your trucks next upgrade (or repair).  

For the diesel owner who wrenches on his own truck the cost per horsepower is lower and his acceptable margin of error is inevitably higher.  In other words, it's cheaper but if something goes wrong there is only yourself to blame.  Many enthusiast thrive on this and only trust themselves or a few select others to  work on their truck.  The reality is however, that many diesel power fanatics don't have the time or skill level to tackle the bigger jobs - They just want to drive them!   Read on to see what things to consider in selecting a shop to do work on your truck.  

Here are some examples of truck builds we have done in the past:

• ApacheMax
• Scottsdale Duramax
• 733HP LML Emissions Equipped

Your 600HP Duramax Needs These 3 Things:

There are a lot of part combinations that can take your 2001-2004 Duramax to 600HP.  No matter what selections you make, there are 3 things you have to include if you want to keep your truck healthy and making power.

Here are some other articles about LB7 trucks:

• '85 Square Body fitted on a 640HP Duramax
• LB7 Duramax Turbo Upgrade!
• The Cleanest and Meanest LB7 Dually I Ever Drove

We've logged thousands of miles on our 2.8L Duramax Canyon - hundreds with a 5,000-pound load.  We continue to find this medium duty diesel worthy of a closer look.  When combined with DuramaxTuner.com calibrations you'll discover it can be incredibly fun and responsive to drive.

After all the 2.8L diesel Colorado and Canyon trucks we have tuned you might think we would get bored with them.  In reality, it has had the opposite effect.  Every time you drive one of these it's hard not to be impressed with it.  The seats are comfortable, interior is well equipped and because it's such a light truck (compared to the 3/4 and 1 tons we usually drive) it feels nimble.  Especially when you have the SPADE with DuramaxTuner.com's custom calibrations.

You might like the 2.8L Duramax Canyon/Colorado if:

• Your truck is used mostly for commuting
• When you tow, it is something lighter than 8,000lbs
• You want to best possible fuel mileage from a vehicle with a truck bed

2003-2007 5.9L  DROP-IN CUMMINS TURBO:

After the extensive testing we did in the Cummins Turbo Shootout back in 2013 we learned a few things about Cummins single turbo systems.  This test featured 5 turbo's, recomended by the manufacturer, analyzed and compared side-by-side.  

If you read the article featured in Diesel Power Magazine or listened to the episodes we did at the Diesel Performance Podcast then you already know there was no clear 1 winner.  The reality of aftermarket turbo's is you have to sacrafice something to gain something.  So we set out to develop a turbo that could meet our requirements for being a great daily driver, good for managing EGT's while towing and something we could cause havok on the streets with.  

Cummins Stealth 64:

• Great Daily Driver
• Good for managing EGT's while towing
• Cause havok on the streets!

1000HP Daily driven Single turbo 5.9 Cummins

Generally the terms "budget" and "1000RWHP" are opposing descriptions.   This build ties the two together while utilizing the highest quality parts in the industry.   The owner, Mitch, who has owned this truck for some time has always envisioned a 4 digit street truck. 

If you have been around the Cummins performance community for any length of time you understand how amazing it is to make over 1,000HP on a single turbo setup that is still streetable.  Of course many people have made the power, but with a single turbo the big problem is spool-up and smoke output.  With Mitch's truck we dialed in a parts package and our custom tuning so he could have the best of everything with his truck.