Alright first things first. My name is chris (everyone says "hi chris"). I have been into modding vehicals since i was 12 building models . I've owned everything from a 72 nova, to a 91 chevy flare side reg cab 350, to an integra, to 2 eclipse gsx's, to a 95 honda coupe taht i currently tool around in. Sorry for the long story . Anyways I'v decided on a diesel truck to cut a very long story very short . I'm looking at either a duramax or a cummins. I'll have 20 grand to spend... heres my question anyways. With hondas there are all kinds of informative place where you can read and learn like... the difference between the b and d series, how much power stock internals can hold, all kinds of stuff. I can't find anything like that for diesels. You guys know of any links to find this stuff? In case you don't... I'm just trying to inform myself so i make the right choice. My father and 3 of my closer friends have cummins, one of my friends has a duramax, and alot of people have fords . Basiclly i'm looking for 1000 foot pounds everyday driver. I love chevy, but i'm wondering if 1000 foot pounds is realalistic for a duramax? I know a thing or two about cummins, but i know nothing about duramax. Anyone care to fill me in?

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ps i have no idea what all the smilies are that are laughing. sorry bout that

 

welcome and post up in HERE. to answer your question "I" personally think an older 12valve cummins say 96-98.4 would be cheaper to buy than a Duramax and they are stupid easy to mod and make power. you could find a truck in the 10K-17K price range depending on what all you are looking for in a a truck (4x4, ext cab, etc) don't worry about mileage on a Cummins cause for that power you are going to need to do a transmission if you go auto or a clutch and input shaft if you go manual. but if you could find an older truck then you'll have more money to spend on upgrades. there are a few that are very inexpensive and some cost some cheese.....

don't get me wrong i've seen some real nice strong Duramax's but i don't know what all will need to be done to get that much power.

i'm currently puttin' down 358hp/727tq and there is a bit more i can squeeze out of it if i wanted too.... and i'm on the origional internals from 96, origional head, head gasket and bolts..... maybe some Duramax guys will chime in soon.....

Benjamin

 

You really cannot go wrong with either, I personally would go for Duramax getting the power is not the problem. One of the easiest ways for you to get there would be the EFI live.

Go to each of the sub forums and post away and welcome aboard.

 

i've heard alot of good about EFI live. isn't that a GM specific tuning software? there are a few guys that live around me that use it on their gas burners.

 

Here is the link to them, http://www.efilive.com/default.aspx I am not that familiar with them as the tuning is too complex. I would mess something up. DangerousDmax and Ranger both have them so I am sure they will chime in,

 

Thanx for all the replies guys. Sorry about not postin in the newbie intro section.
Benjamin- I do like the cummins 12 valve, but I can't seem to find one in mint condition. I don't know, plus another problem is that i actually have a friend who has a 1200 ftlbs 12 valve. I'll never hear the end of it. Well guys i apriciate the imput. I'm gonna try to read up as much as i can, but i'll pop in from time to time.

 

For bigger power I'm partial to the 24V Cummins myself. It has the benefit of being able to adjust the power levels with the push of a button. This let's you control smoke, heat and fuel usage for those times when you don't need those big numbers. In about 5 seconds I can swith from around the 275hp mark to almost 400 in encremental levels.

But I will also be the first to admit that I know nothin about Ford or Chevy capabilites for this either.

 

With either a Cummins or a Duramax the power you are wanting to attain can be done fairly easy and reasonable. With the Duramax tuning a good lift pump and a tranny build should put you were you want to go. Tuning the Dmax I would go with EFI live or the PPE hot+2. I would advise to get what truck you like the best of the two.

 

Reaching 1000ft/lbs is quite easily done in any one of the big 3. Tuning and a proper fuel system will get you there. Not sure why you think a DMax cant make power but come take a ride in mine and I'm sure you'll change your mind. I know some DMax's pushing 2000ft/lbs. When EFI Live hit the market it radically raised the bar for GM vehicles. It gives you direct access to the fuel, timing, and turbo maps of any GM vehicle just like you are the Engineer doing the programming. Pat McSwain of McRat Racing was the first diesel powered truck to run in the 11's in a street stock truck running #2 fuel only. A couple of weeks ago he ran an 11 flat in Colorado so we are expecting him to turn high 10's at Houston. All this was accomplished with EFI Live. I'm sure the PSD and CTD guys will chime in as to how they are making the numbers. Just wanted to fill ya in on whats happening in the DMax community. BTW- recently a DMax built by a group of well known individuals made 1100hp and 2300ft/lbs of torque.

 

It's just that i know that 1000 foot pounds in a cummins isn't hard at all but i know nothing about duramax. I'm fairly sure i'll go dmax just because i'm die hard chevy but I just need more info. Bye the way you all are ecellent. Very informative posts. But i have to know... did chevy like make manuals a limited production or what. I can't seem to find them, and people want absurd amounts for them. I think i'm going with the 01-04 dmax, but how much would i have to spend on the tranni to have it handle that power daily?