GM's Duramax Diesel engine

cowboydoc · Oct 4, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

Gary and others,
The duramax is the highest rated hp but it's misleading. Unlike dodge and ford the duramax just has it's pumps turned up more so they could be 15 hp more than ford so they could say they have more hp. Anyone of the three; ford, dodge or chevy are capable of making 350 hp or more by just putting in a $295 chip or the mfg. can change the program. So what they advertise for power is meaningless. Also they are having alot of problems with that Allison transmission. Far more than ford and dodge are and even those aren't very good auto transmissions.

The thing that would turn my pocketbook the most is that the ford and dodge diesels are proven to be 500k motors over and over. The rest of them are suspect on all three. The duramax, well who knows what it will be capable of. It's a brand new design and as of yet unproven. The duramax is also the most money for the diesel option as is the allison transmission. Ford is coming out this next year with a 5 speed auto which should take care of the auto reliability but we'll see.

If it was me I'd stay with a dodge or a ford unless you want to be one of the testers for the new duramax.

Lastly I'm not sure where there is more maint. with a diesel. All you have to do is change your oil, fuel and air filters. You don't have to ever tune them like a car either. Oil every 3000 or 5000 depending on driving, fuel every 15k and air when the regulator shows it needs it. Unless you have extended life coolant for cavitation you have to test the antifreeze every 15k to make sure it is ok but that's it. I've had a diesel truck all my life and don't know of any other maint. for the motor.

JATO_RaT · Oct 4, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

The thing is Richard, when you compare engines, you have to put your money where your mouth is and GM is willing to put in either higher capacity pumps or chips or whatever the means used to increase fuel delivery and back it up with the warranty. Sure you can pump out more power with Ford or Cummins or the new Duramax for that matter if thats what you desire, but do you put that in your brochure, that actual HP varies by how willing the owner is willing to tweak the engine? Ford and Cummins have done this over and over. When Ford over took Cummins in the HP and torque values, Cummins responded with uping the performance. Its only natural. You are right though about the durability, it may be a guinea pigs will let us know, however, Isuzus are very well known for building very good diesels. I think that in the end, its going to come down to the desireability of the vehicle and less about the powertrain. For now, Duramax will have the advantage in its far superior quietness and apparent transmission, Cummins will have the long proven track record of reliability.

P.S. Cummins is also available in Ford trucks, F650 while the CAT is available in the F750

Devildog · Oct 4, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

Chipping is an excellent way to get more horse power and torque, But check to make sure your exhaust will handle it and always have an EGT gauge to monitor your (exhaust gas temperatures). If you dont and your pulling a long grade with a hot chip you could damage your engine. Also a chip if you have a auto will reprogram your tranny to match engine HP and Torque, Better shift points to.
Propane also adds horsepower to a diesel like nitros(NOS) to a gasser. But again before adding make sure you have an EGT gauge and a good exhaust. The people at this site http://www.diesel-central.com can answer any questions you have./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I have a 4" exhaust and a TTS 3 position chip in my PSD and it works perfect. Growing up on a farm in a truckdriving family we have always had diesels around. Except now with all the electronic advances they even start in the winter without either, which is a big no no on the ford and dodge I dont know about the duramax. Here are some more sites that also carry chips, and pretty much anything you need.
http://www.performancediesel.net/

http://www.bd-power.com/

http://www.cl.ais.net/hypermax/

http://www.ttspowersystems.com/ even though it dont say it they make chips for alot more than what is on there website. And Steve is one of the top programmers.

http://www.atsturbo.com/

http://www.superchips.com/
___________________________________________________
Take care all, Jim

ON EDIT: Rat, You posted while I was busy pecking away, Just wanted to say good post.

2001 B7500 HST 302 Fel R4 Tires, Befco BRB60
Semper FidelisEdited by Devildog on 10/04/01 08:30 PM (server time).

cowboydoc · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

Rat,
You're missing the point. Ford and Dodge could have put out those numbers! Everything they put out is 2-4 years behind. Originally GM was going with an inline 6 diesel motor than put out 265 hp. Then when Ford and Dodge upped the anty they went to a V-8 design and put it at 300 hp. Next year you will see Ford and Dodge put out the higher hp's than Chevy. The point is it's meaningless on those three engines. And yes Ford will still honor the warranty with a chip in at 350 hp.

cowboydoc · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

Devildog,
Yes you are exactly right about that. I have the 60 hp chip and all the gauges though and have never even come close to redlining either my tranny temp. or my exhaust temps. I don't think the exhaust is as bad as they would make you think it is. But I agree you should have gauges with even a stock truck for that matter. Good advice.

bgott · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

I don't think it's a question of being behind. First off, they don't want to shoot their load right off the bat. Once they announce their HP figures someone else is going to bump it by 5 or 10 HP so they need room to grow.

Second, the engine will put out a lot more juice than the drivetrain will handle. You have to keep it de-tuned for amateur hour. The people that have a little experience will figure out how to pump them up and maybe keep the rest of the vehicle in one piece. Cummins sells the B series engine with the two valve head putting out ( if I remember correctly) 660 pounds feet of torque for off road equipment so I don't think it's a question of not being able to get it to perform reliably. Nascar is getting 6 or 700 HP out of a small block Chevy and they ain't stickin' it in the trucks!

Edited by bgott on 10/05/01 10:03 AM (server time).

dmccarty · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

I followed some of the links that others had posted.

You might want to check out http://www.meltonsales.com. They have some very LOW prices on 2001/2002 trucks. 3500/4x4/Diesel/6 speed tranny/Quad cab with MSRPs in the 38500 range selling for 33000 or there abouts. There are some other dealers that are mentioned on the websites others have posted but they were only knocking off around 3,000 dollars for one of these trucks and not 5-6,000.

I know nothing about the dealer but the prices are interesting.

Hopefully his link will work, its the thread where they are talking about dealers....

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=36e58e93e6125b56991ef9dd05bf0200&threadid=25637

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty

RobertN · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

The manufacturers leap frog each other all the time, and not just with trucks. I'm sure next year will see bigger HP numbers coming from Dodge and Ford.

Did you see the stuff here about a year or so ago about the Brazilian Ford F250-350 with Cummins motors? Different country, different contract...

unfortunately, Richard is right; the manufacturers are not getting as much long term testing, and do use the consumer more and more as a guinea pig...

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

Devildog · Oct 5, 2001

Re: GM\'s Duramax Diesel engine

Richard thats good advice having gauges even on stock. Better safe than sorry in my book/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Dan, I checked out that site and Im not going to let my boss see it after the spanking he took on his new dodge. The same thing he bought on that site would of saved him 4000 more. Man If anyone is looking for a diesel you just cant beat them prices. Loud or quiet/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
__________________________________________________
Take care all, Jim

2001 B7500 HST 302 Fel R4 Tires, Befco BRB60
Semper Fidelis