Diesel Tuner's Blog

Drop-In Duramax Turbo Options

In the old days, there was no such thing as a "drop-in" turbo.  You pretty much had to buy a turbo that was designed for a different application and convert it to run on your Duramax.  Meaning the requirements for installation included several custom fabricated pieces to make it work.  

As technology in the diesel performance industry has advanced, our options for parts have expanded.  No longer do we have to use semi turbo's and roal coal to make power.  Now with the common rail injection system and variable vane turbo advancements there is a real need to find a turbo that makes more power than stock, while retaining all the benefits of a stock turbo. 

Benefits of a stock turbo:

• Quick Spooling 
• Clean installation
• Reliable
• Serviceable by any dealer or reputable shop
• Requires no custom fabrication

However, they do lack peak power, and peak power matters!  When looking for which upgraded unit to replace the stock turbo, we recommend matching the replacement as close as possible to the desired power level to minimize compromising drive-ability.  Any extra capacity you buy in peak for performance will cost you low end response.  Example: Looking to make 650rwhp? Buy a turbo that can just barely squeak out 650rwhp, do not buy something that's good for 850rwhp because it will drive poorly a light load. 

 My name is Danny Voss, I have been working with the tuning department at Duramax Tuner on our emissions equipped truck to get the most out of our LML (2011-2016)  Duramax

"The Clean Sweep" is Calibrated Power Solution's Emissions intact pull truck designed to kick butt on the pull track and drive home like nothing happened.  This truck is the true definition of a sleeper.  When I get on the throttle, the responsiveness is unbelieveable.  

Here are the TOP 3 Reasons why Duramax Tuner choose to do this project:

• The EPA frowns on removing emissions equipment.
• The future of our industry is going in the direction of CLEAN POWER.
• To show the world we can make CLEAN, RELIABLE and LEGAL power.

Did you know there is no reason to delete the emissions from your 2011-2016 Duramax? 

DuramaxTuner.com's SPADE is capable of adding up to 135HP to your EMISSIONS INTACT LML. 

Actually, more and more people are tuning their 2011 + Duramax (LML) with the emissions equipment intact.  This is a great option for Duramax owners that would like a nice, quiet, reliable, efficient truck that performs well every time. However, many LML Owners have some basic questions prior to pursining emissions intact tuning. 

Too often trucks come into our shop experincing high EGT's, turbo lag, excessive smoke output, and bad fuel mileage which are all symptoms of a boost leak. It is so common to develop a boost leak that we now require all trucks to have a leak down test done prior to strapping them down on the dyno. What's funny is, most truck owners that we do identify boost leaks on never even knew they had one. The reality is that even if you can hit peak boost, you may have a leak, especially if you have a variable vane turbo. Variable vane turbos will change vane position and other operations to try to compensate for the reduced level of boost pressure in the intake system. Leaving you driving around without an idea that your turbo efficiency has taken a hit. 

3 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP KEEP YOUR LML DURAMAX RELIABLE:

Your truck is generally one of the largest investments you will make, so keeping it on the road is priority number 1!

The LML Duramax is one of the best trucks GM has ever produced. With 397 Horse Power and 796 ft/lbs of torque from the factory, the truck has the power plant necessary to do just about any job you can throw at it. However, despite the massive improvements the LML has brought to the table, there are some all too common pitfalls that can make this beast a burden. 

Here are some other places you can read more about the LML Duramax:

• LML Duramax SPADE
• Truck Trend Review of LML Duramax