I’m looking for a duramax to put in my 54 Chevy truck I would like to get about 700 hp what do y’all recommend far as a donor just get block and buy all the accessories far as turbo's and intake or buy a wrecked truck and salvage parts out of it budget wise I would like to stay under $15000 for trans and moods and motor. And also were would be a good place to pick up a complete motor or a truck. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

The latest edition of diesel power had a cool article on building a 6.6 dmaxx into a 454 (7.4L) that made some serious power. Its a great read and would give you some basic ideas of what kind of work would make the power you need... they also have an article on a tour of the dmaxx factory which was cool!

Im not much of a dmaxx guy but that 454 build was cool!

 

I will have to go pick up the issue. Do you guys think that maybe there’s a better alternative than a duramax. I haven’t actually got the motor but defiantly want to run diesel. I've researched and look and there is no clear setup that seems to better than another, any advice y'all can provide would be great.

 

Cummins make for great swaps, and I think are one of the more popular swaps.

 

I've thought about a Cummins too, I am a Mopar guy. Have a 72 challenger with a short deck 500ci big block in it but boy does it suck on gas. I thought it would be pretty cool for the truck to have all Mopar, since it seems that the old hot rodder puts a Chevy 350 in there vehicles.

 

If you put in a dmax itll be a fun swap, but itll be worth it. I would recommend getting an 06-07 LBZ. The could make huge power, and were the first series of dmax's that didn't have any major problems. Strong EFI live tune, lift pump, and an upgraded tranny and you should be able to hit nearly 600hp. Then maybe dual CP3's, and run a twin setup using the factory vgt....... would be a bad ride

 

the only thingbetter to run would be a built 12valve just because it would be easier to do case its a mechanical motor but the dmax would be sweet to see in the 54

 

I agree a 12v would be ALOT (and I mean ALOT) easier to swap in, but then again its pretty common and a dmax would be something with a lot of cool factor. It really just depends on how much work (and $$$$$) you want to put in it.

 

man don't do a 12 valve. its been done. and then done again. when i read your post i thought wow a guy using a duramax in an older truck. and a chevy too. it's perfect. i'm interested. i think it'd be a great build and if you were ever gonna show it it would be recieved a lot better. then also think about value. when you sell a 12 valve truck its just another twelve valve but that truck with a duramax is something special. if i could do it i'd run with that idea. i'm hoping more duramax guys will chime in and for you guys that do chime in give him reasons why to use that engine. dont just tell him the engine thats in your truck

 

^^^ Agreed