David Schaefer’s 2015 GMC 2500HD Denali, known as "Time Bomb," is a remarkable achievement in the world of diesel performance. With a stunning 700 horsepower while maintaining full emissions compliance, this truck is a testament to what can be accomplished with thoughtful engineering and high-quality components. Let’s break down this comprehensive build, exploring the features that make it special and how they come together to create a never before achieved driving experience.
Diesel engines have many nuances when compared to their gas counterparts, fuel injectors being one of them. Unlike fuel injectors used on direct injection gasoline engines, diesel injectors often have a higher failure rate and shorter lifespan due to their more extreme operating conditions. When these injectors fail, it can lead to a cascade of performance issues, increased emissions issues, and even engine damage.
Diesel engines are renowned for their power and efficiency, but they also come with complex emission systems designed to reduce harmful pollutants. Two critical components of these systems are the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). When these components fail, it can lead to decreased performance, increased emissions, and costly repairs. Understanding the common causes of EGR and DPF failure can help you maintain your diesel engine in top condition. Here are the top three causes of failure for each component:
As the winter months rolls around us diesel owners get an unexpected bit of stress added to our plate. Diesel fuel gelling is a very common issue most diesel owners who live in areas where the temperature drops below 32 degrees will face at least once in their lives. Not only is this issue frustrating and stressful when it occurs, the mere trauma from past experiences can lead to constant stress during these cold times. No one wants to get out of work in the pitch black freezing cold only to find that their truck won't start at all. But what should you do in the event that your truck won't start or stay running? Luckily we have a step by step guide on how to properly fix this issue once it has occurred.
As a preface, this issue is caused when the paraffin wax used in diesel fuels (for lubricity and proper viscosity) start to solidify. While gelling can take on varying levels of severity from cloudy fuel all the way to a squishy solid mass. Diesel fuel gelling is never a thing you want to expeirince. At its most mild levels it can cause poorer fuel economy, less power, and be pretty hard on your fuel system. At its worst I can clog fuel lines, filters, pumps and even injectors while potentially causing irreversible damage to your fuel system. If you live in a cold climate take precautions by adding anti-gelling agent into your fuel before severely cold temperatures start setting in to avoid all of these issues.
Over the years, GM has changed a lot regarding the turbos they use on Duramax engines. Not only have they changed manufacturers a handful of times but each RPO has its own unique measurements for key components. This can make it a headache when trying to track down exactly what the measurements of your stock turbo are. Luckily we've compiled this list of stock Duramax turbo specifications along with other helpful information so you can get a good idea of what you're already working with before you dive into the sea of turbo upgrades these trucks have to choose from. However, while some turbos may have the same peak power output, the size and shape of specific components can affect things such as exhaust gas temperature, drive pressure, and turbo efficiency range.
What's an RPO? Crucial Duramax Information!
This article will help you understand what an RPO is, how to find yours and when it will be needed. An RPO or Regular Production Option is a GM-specific code, made up of 3 characters, that helps the manufacturer specify what configuration of options has been or needs to be applied to a vehicle. This can include anything from paint color to powertrain options. For Chevy/GMC Duramax trucks each type of engine can be signified by a different RPO code.
520 RWHP TUNE ONLY LML DURAMAX:
The 2011 - 2016 LML Duramax came rated at 395 horsepower and 765 ft/lbs of torque. That seemed like an amazing amount of power when this model was first released but these days it is dwarfed by the available power of brand new trucks.
Furthermore, that whopping 395 HP is a peak power rating, meaning that you probably won't produce that much power during normal operations. In fact, many owners complain that the power delivery of the stock tune is too soft. This is why custom tuning is so important for the LML Duramax.
Here are some of the things tuning your LML can help with:
- Increased Peak Horse Power
- Improved Shift Quality
- LML Dead Pedal Resolution
Ever wonder what you need to push your stock truck to its limit? We know the answer, and we created this article for you. For 600-640 RWHP you will need to keep in mind all the supporting modifications you need to maintain reliability.
Custom tuning is going to ask your truck to perform at a higher level. The same goes for upgrading your turbo, transmission, fuel system or any other performance orientate component. The best way to maintain a moderate level of reliability while upgrading is to address these issues once and do it right!
Here is the list of what you need to make a reliable 600+ RWHP LML with a DPF still on it:
- EZ Lynk AutoAgent 2.0 w/ Support Pack & LSP5 Switch
- LML Stealth 64 Turbo
- 10mm Cp4 Exergy Stroker Pump
- DT550 Built Transmission
- S&B Intake
- Tie Rod Sleeves
- Traction Bars
- Fass 165 Lift Pump
- Beans Fuel Tank Sump Kit
- Edge Insight CTS2 Monitor
- EGT Probe
You use your truck for daily commuting or hauling the family and trailer for a long weekend of camping, you’re rolling up to your work or that campsite and you notice the LML go into regeneration (regen). You can’t keep driving as you should because you got a job to do or things to unpack. You can’t help but wonder what can be done to keep your LML from going into this cycle as often as it does, we’ll get into that in bit, first let’s look a little more at DPF regen.
The DPF takes essentially 700 miles or 18 hours of drive time to put it to the maximum values of normal calculated mass soot levels, which if you were curious is 44 grams. Active Regen describes the procedure your truck goes through to burn that accumulated soot. To do this, fuel is dosed through a 9th injector directly into your exhaust. Many drivers have noticed a drop in MPG and even potentially a lack of power during regen.
A popular theory is that if you go through regen less frequently, your MPGs will go up. So, how can you go through less regens?
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: