Diesel Tuner's Blog

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.

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The 2011-2016 Duramax EGR

Some of you reading this are probably screaming at the computer already.  Mentioning EGR, or any emissions equipment tends to prompt that reaction.  Take a moment to read about how the EGR equipped on the 2011 - 2016 Duramax is NOT going to ruin your engine.  Afterwards, if you still want to send a letter about how terrible emissions equipment is, please address it to your local Congressman. 

Below you will find 5 things you probably didn't know about the EGR (exhaust gas re-circulation).  Including  how it is different than previous models, why it works well, and a few other note worthy facts.  

A few things you've heard people say about the EGR that are NOT true about the LML EGR system:

• "They dump dirty exhaust back into your engine."
• "The EGR will gum up and fail constantly"
• "Deleting it will get you better fuel mileage."

Whether you are in the field yet or not, you already know what machines in your operation could use more power.  Maybe your 4WD unit that does tillage work or if you have been thinking about running a larger implement but not sure if you got enough ponies to drag it.  Either way you need power.  

To be clear, this is not for those trying make a competition tractor!  This is for those that use their tractor to make a living.  This is for the farmer that needs more power but certainly can't afford to have broken equipment and trading in at the dealership is just too expensive right now.  

We plan to put the entire build into a FREE E-Book which will be available by the end of June, 2017.  If you would like a copy just click the button below and fill out the corresponding form.