Diesel Tuner's Blog

1,045 RWHP Duramax Powered Suburban

"There are few things in life more badass than a 1050rwhp Suburban.  I can't say enough good things about the team that made it happen.  Between my shop guys burning the midnight oil, Bob tuning it, and our awesome vendors Exergy and WcFab.  This thing is incredible." -Nick Priegnitz

This 2004 Suburban was originally converted to run a 2006, LBZ Duramax at Duraburb in Apopka, FL.  Back then, the truck had just a built trans, small drop-in turbo and stock CP3.  Now, it's a tire shredding, family hauling, quarter-mile blasting MONSTER!

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.

LML Stealth 64 VVT by DuramaxTuner.com

The Stealth 64 turbo lineup has provided Duramax and Cummins owners the perfect drop-in, upgraded turbo option to net 80-120 extra horsepower.  It spools like stock, appears stock, and still makes good power.  The Stealth 64 lineup has already supported the 04.5-07 Cummins and the 01-10 Duramax.  Significant changes in design of the factory turbo slowed our entrance to support the 2011 - 2016 Duramax trucks.  Until now! 

This turbo has an upgraded compressor and turbine.  It's a direct bolt in for the factory charger on the LML (Custom tuning Highly Recccomended!)

• #DTCleanSweep Video
• 500+ HP Emissions Intact Cummins
• Learn more about Emissions Equipment

Duramax engines have always come with solid turbos. However after miles and miles of whistling and boosting, your turbo may have problems. Or you may have other issues, that make you think your turbo has problems. This is very common as most drivers watch boost, keeping an eye on how much PSI they're making. It stands to reason that if your peak boost drops, your turbo has a problem. This is usually not the case though. More often then not, when we diagnose this symptom we find there are other problems leading to a lower than expected boost number. 

Target boost numbers for the following RPO's are as follows (PSI)

2001-2004 LB7- Stock 20-22, tuned 24-26, tuned with PPE boost valve 28-31.  Failure will occur near 34psi

2004.5-2016 Stock 22-24, Mild tune 27-28, Hot tune 33-35

The factory map sensor which electronically measures boost on a 2001-2004.5 trucks only reads to 22-24 psi, 2006-2016 MAP sensors read to 37 psi.  If you want to read boost numbers higher you'll need an aftermarket gauge. 

REGEN is the burning of soot built up in a DPF. 

 The Emissions Equipment for diesel trucks has changed quite a bit through out the years. In 2004.5 all heavy duty diesel pickups had to install EGR's which is the exhaust gas recirculation system. Basically it turns exhaust into inert gas and directs the gas back into the combustion process. Then in 2007.5 the EPA required pickups to use a DPF. The DPF, or Diesel Particulate Filter, is a filter that catches soot, or unburnt fuel from the exhaust. Once the soot builds up, the exhaust heats up to burn the soot off. Starting in 2011 Diesel Exhaust Fluid is used to treat NOx emissions, in addition to the EGR and DPF treating the carbon emissions. 

The DPF is a crucile part of treating diesel emissions and each OEM utilizes and operates their DPF a little differently. Below, the DPF in the 2011-2016 LML Duramax is explained.

 CHECK OUT THESE OTHER LINKS ABOUT REGEN AND DPF's

• Duramax Thread about Regen Data
• DieselNet Tech Guide to DPF
• How Diesel Particulate Filters Work (JLM Lubricants)

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. 

Stage 1 (~430RWHP)- (~430RWHP)- This set of modifications maximizes the value and reliability per dollar on a truck with a stock transmission.  Reliable power levels up to 430rwhp can be achieved with this set of parts.  The  factory transmission parts are the limiting factor.

 Includes:

• Fuel system (suggested) - FASS 150
• Tuning: Stock trans EFILive Tuning / SPADE Jack

Stage 2 (~530RWHP) (~530RWHP) -This set of modifications maximizes the value and reliability per dollar on a truck with a built transmission.  Reliable power levels up to 530rwhp can be achieved with this set of parts.  The  factory turbocharger is the limiting factor. We highly recommend gauges with this setup, as it’s limited turbocharger capacity means it has the potential to run high EGT’s which (left unchecked) can cause engine damage.

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. 

INTRODUCTION:

Many customers hunt the forums in search of How to FLASH your LML Duramax.  Let's face it, these are expensive trucks and you want to be confident in your actions while flashing a truck.  

In this BLOG, you will learn how to FLASH your ECM and for you visual customers, I have included a great link to our very popular YouTube channel at Duramax Tuner and Calibrated Power Solutions