Chevy 2500 durmax upgrades

[yfzrider310]

I just got the go to on the idea that I could build up the Chevy work truck to haul more and get better fuel economy. Now my plan is to get exhaust, chip, and filter. I have no idea on what does what so any info is helpful. Basically we are looking for power, towing, and fuel economy. This has to pull a 12,000 pound Welding Trailer across the states so it needs some more guts. Also on the exhaust it has to be legal for we drive all around the states for hobart welders (doesn't need to be California legal we never drive there). Is straight piping a diesel legal (it is prefered)? If anyone has any suggestions it would be helpful. This will also be my truck eventually since we recently got a desert baja 1000 ready f-150 with built in welders that slide out (very cool). Since this will be replacing the chevy, the chevy will become my truck I will want it to haul a** so I want a programable chip which I could change settings. Thanks guys.

[Moto49X]

Start with gauges to keep an eye on everything. You can get the single, 2, or 3 gauge pillar pod and your choice of gauges. Install is simple. I'm a cummins guy so I'm not sure which programmer is best for the Duramax but I think Smarty and Bullydog are pretty decent ones. SO many options on intakes, I run an AEM on my cummins, I also like Banks. MBRP makes a pretty sweet 5" Turbo back exhaust, sounds pretty dang nice also.

Look into a FASS150 fuel pump. It takes all vapor/air out of your fuel and has great flow. Youll get better mpg, HP, and torque.

Like I said I am a cummins freak and I'm not up to date on the Duramax but this would be a good start for any diesel truck.

[Moto49X]

Also, if you travel alot like you said. These are pretty sweet to have.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pickup-Truck-Diesel-Fuel-Transfer-Auxiliary-Tank-Toolbx_W0QQitemZ150265414316QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[yfzrider310]

Anyone got any idea on what legal as far as putting an exhaust on goes? Moto49x I probably don't need an external fuel tank. As far as gauges go what were you thinking. I know I would like a turbo and exhaust temp gauge. If that sounds right.

[bens250ex]

find some chevy forums and they will be able to tell you what the best programs are for the dmax. i run a straight stack on my powerstroke. you can get a mbrp exhaust and i think most of them are 50 state legal and have a nice sound. as long as you have a muffler you will probably be ok. make sure to get a turbo back. gauges are a must when towing.....as i just rosted a tranny in my f-250. get you a good intake as well. i don't know much about the dmax but i think there is a crazy larry tune for it if you want some insane power. you'll eventually rip somethin up though. check into sct tuner as well you can get some custom tunes on there if you can get one for a dmax.

[Moto49X]

Originally posted by yfzrider310
Anyone got any idea on what legal as far as putting an exhaust on goes? Moto49x I probably don't need an external fuel tank. As far as gauges go what were you thinking. I know I would like a turbo and exhaust temp gauge. If that sounds right.

I run a pyro, boost, and trans temp on my pillar. I run straight pipe stacks also, most states are illegal to run without a muffler. Buy the MBRP with a muffler and it sounds sweet and 100% legal.

[Dave400ex]

PPE programmers are suppose to be one of the best for the Duramax. EFI live is the best, but I don't think you need that. Just get a AFE Stage 2 intake, MBRP downpipe back 4" exhaust which will have a muffler and a programmer and you should be set. As mentioned the gauges are a good idea.

Check out Xtreme Diesel (http://www.xtremediesel.com) Very good prices!

You don't really need/want to get into tunes such as crazy larry with the stock tranny, at least not all the time or for towing.

[yfzrider310]

can anyone find me a trans. temp gauge? How hard are they to install im hoping to do this all myself. I have on order a mbrp exhaust 4in and a diablo predator chip/tuner. Im thinking this set up is good. I was looking at filters and wondering if it is worth it. Its between ram air and cold air. Not sure whats better or maybe none at all. So far I am at a total of 630 with free shipping on everything. How does my mods sound so far. I have not ordered so please tell me if I need anything else. All I have in the cart is the chip and exhaust. Also how much mpg increase am I going to get from these mods? Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to blow 700 bucks on stuff that's not as good as it should be. Also if you help me out I will do a build up thread if thats any motivation haha.

[Dave400ex]

What year is your D-Max?

Get this exhaust right here! It has the downpipe back and is 409SS. You have to select down pipe back. Exhaust should be $548. I wouldn't get aluminized.
http://www.xtremediesel.com/mbrpinct-409stainlesssteelexhaustsystem1.aspx

Also look at the AFE Stage 2 intakes.

[yfzrider310]

2002 6.6 liter :macho :macho :macho Why not aluminized though. Not looking for a pretty truck just one that hauls a** and tows good and has the opportunity for good milage.

[Dave400ex]

Aluminized doesn't hold up as good. Plus the 409 has a lifetime warranty where the aluminum does not.

02 is the original LB7. Here's the 3 things I would buy first along with the guages. https://www.xtremediesel.com/cart.aspx

[yfzrider310]

it wont show your cart to me. You would have to send each product individually. :(

[Dave400ex]

http://www.xtremediesel.com/afestage2magnumforceairintakesystem-1.aspx

http://www.xtremediesel.com/ppexceleratoreconomypowerprogrammer-1.aspx

http://www.xtremediesel.com/mbrpinct-409stainlesssteelexhaustsystem1.aspx?variation=384 7

[Moto49X]

Originally posted by yfzrider310
2002 6.6 liter :macho :macho :macho Why not aluminized though. Not looking for a pretty truck just one that hauls a** and tows good and has the opportunity for good milage.

You won't be gettin it to haul a** on a stock trans but you can get it scootin along pretty good with what we have mentioned. Simply program, exhaust, intake, gauges. If you can afford it, the FASS is a good investment.

[yfzrider310]

well not haul a** but enough to suprise some people. That programmer dave I think is a little to expensive unless you can talk me into it. I will check out FASS also.

[400exrider707]

DAVE400ex is the closest so far.

You do NOT want a bullydog, a banks, any of that garbage. Waste of a lot of money right there...

In the diesel world, we laugh at people with these "programmers"

PPE is what you'll want, EFI live may be a bit much like Dave said.

Exhaust and gauges are a must.


You'll want to note that a stock allison will NOT hold more than another 100hp over stock. The allison is great... stock... put any power to it and its almost as bad as the dodge autos.

My advice is join a chevy forum, see who does the best custom tuning. I know for the Fords we can get towing specific tunes, even ones with a built in exhaust brake (using the factory variable geometry turbo's)

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by yfzrider310
well not haul a** but enough to suprise some people. That programmer dave I think is a little to expensive unless you can talk me into it. I will check out FASS also.

If you cant afford a good programmer, DONT get one at all. I never got how people could spend $25k-$50K on a truck and then buy a crummy programmer because they dont want to spend $500-$1000. Is your truck really worth that little to you?

[Dave400ex]

Check out Fleece Performance Engineering. They are Duramax specialists.

Fleece Performance (http://www.fleeceperformance.com)

[Premis]

Check out the site www.dieselplace.com. It is a Duramax specific forum that will answer ALL your questions.

I would def suggest the Edge programmer, if you get the attitude with it you can keep an eye on up to 4 different guages (eng temp, trans temp, boost, EGT, etc..)

For exhaust, you have to have a Cat to make it legal.

Don't waste your time on a Cold Air Intake (CAI) System. A filter may be a good idea though.

For comparison sake, here the mods I have. We travel all over the country pulling a 44 foot enclosed gooseneck (16,500 lbs) for film trips. It works great.

(copied from my signature on dieselplace.com)
2005 Black Duramax Crew Cab Short Box
Edge Juice w/Attitude - 4" straight pipe with 5" tip - triple guage pod (EGT, Air Bags, Boost) - air bags w/compressor - tint (5 back/15 front) - custom grill - pace roll-top cover - 28 gallon aux fuel tank (gravity feed) - Pioneer AVIC-N2 in dash DVD/GPS unit with XM Nav Traffic - metra on-star adaptor - PAC SWI-PS steering wheel remote interface - 2 10" MTX subs with Rockford amp - head rest monitors - passenger visor monitor - viper remote start - 07 mirrors (w/ DIY leveling) - DIY pre-OEM Cat fuel filter - boost stick - AEM Brute Force CAI - 20" KMC wheels (black spoke with chrome rim) mounted with 305x50x20's

[Rich250RRacer]

My '05 D-max has nothing but straight pipe from front to back, not excessively loud, but it's got a nice bark to it. The pipe is stepped down slightly where the cat and muffler were. I have a cat to put on when any warranty work needs to be done, but here in Ohio there's no problem running without it. No e-check or anything like that where I live.

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by Premis
Check out the site www.dieselplace.com. It is a Duramax specific forum that will answer ALL your questions.

I would def suggest the Edge programmer, if you get the attitude with it you can keep an eye on up to 4 different guages (eng temp, trans temp, boost, EGT, etc..)

For exhaust, you have to have a Cat to make it legal.

Don't waste your time on a Cold Air Intake (CAI) System. A filter may be a good idea though.

For comparison sake, here the mods I have. We travel all over the country pulling a 44 foot enclosed gooseneck (16,500 lbs) for film trips. It works great.

(copied from my signature on dieselplace.com)
2005 Black Duramax Crew Cab Short Box
Edge Juice w/Attitude - 4" straight pipe with 5" tip - triple guage pod (EGT, Air Bags, Boost) - air bags w/compressor - tint (5 back/15 front) - custom grill - pace roll-top cover - 28 gallon aux fuel tank (gravity feed) - Pioneer AVIC-N2 in dash DVD/GPS unit with XM Nav Traffic - metra on-star adaptor - PAC SWI-PS steering wheel remote interface - 2 10" MTX subs with Rockford amp - head rest monitors - passenger visor monitor - viper remote start - 07 mirrors (w/ DIY leveling) - DIY pre-OEM Cat fuel filter - boost stick - AEM Brute Force CAI - 20" KMC wheels (black spoke with chrome rim) mounted with 305x50x20's


It is always a good idea to get separate gauges from the programmer.
Main reason is all those digital gauges that read off your OBD 2 port read off of OEM sensors..

it is a kndown fact that the OEM gauges are very inaccurate...

now when it comes to an all in 1 package like the edge with juice I dont like those because if for some reason it breaks you lose your tuner and your gauges in 1 shot... also very easy to steal...


You are correct, he should join the forum and read....