Truck will be used as a daily driver so need to be realiable but Id like to build it up to be able to break 12s on weekends. So 500+HP. My local track is just a hint over sea level and usually prepped pretty well for the street legal races. So I have some of those advantages there.

12v would be cheaper to buy initially...not a whole lot of money to get the trans strong enough.

24v big money getting trans and converter to handle the power. But less required to get to that point.

LB7 Once again...transmission wont need very much attention.


I want to break 12s without using the baby bottle. From what Ive been reading about the 12v it may costs slightly more to run a dual turbo setup rathern than a big single but it should have better street manners. And down the road if i do decide to tow it will be more durable towards that aswell.


Anywho....any thoughts of which drivetrain would be cheaper to build in a more reliable fashion. Taking the cost of the truck into account. I love the looks of the newer CR 24v's but the initial cost just isnt possible for me right now.

Thanks for your time

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

sorry...NOOB mistake. Got my transmissions all mixed up.

For the subject It should say 12v/NV4500, 24v, or LB7



Basically I know that for my goals Ill have to put money into ANY transmission I get, no matter who makes it. If I go 12 valve, Ive heard the 47RH and 47RE will require a lot more than the 5 speed nv4500 will. Plus pulling my own gears is a lot more fun (Ive built a few quick cars before) and I realize it will be tough to get as consistent in the 1/4 with a 5 speed.

With a 24v from what I gather it will cost less in aftermarket to reach my goal but the initial vehicle cost is much greater than a 12v or LB7 from what Ive seen.

Ill also need to do the SBS for any dodge I buy.

The LB7 duramax Im considering because I hear the allison tranny is extremely strong but in researching it more it appears to require a great deal of work to make my goal power aswell. But motor, fuel and suspension wise it seems as though it will take between the price range of the aftermarket parts for the 24v and the 12v.

The 7.3 powerstrokes are also reasonably priced around here and I liked mine a lot before but always assumed the 12v in particular was a cheaper and easier route to get into the 12s in a daily driver. But Im open to input here aswell.

This is all assuming that to be consistently in the high 12s with our track and the great air that I should be safe with 550HP.

Im sure I have some misconceptions here so Im open to any and all advice you could send my way.

Thanks

 

Do you have a price on your budget for the new truck? You are right about a few things, one is that the allison will need be built pretty good to handle that power but then again no matter what you go with the trans is going to need to be built. That being said though duramax is very light compared to the other diesel trucks and can be around 500hp for the cheapest I would say (EFI live, airdog 2, built trans). Second is that 7.3 is going to take the most to get over 500hp, there great for reliability not so much for building. This is why I drive a 6.0 but it doesnt seem you are interested in those.

 

Thanks for the reply. I liked my 7.3 and it had some pep considering the lift on the truck and tires it had to spin but I always felt as though a different motor would have gotten me farther. So Im glad you mention the 7.3 takes more to get that that level. Ill cross it off the list entirely.

As for my budget (Im in Canada and from the looks of things will be buying a US truck as they seem to be much cheaper and more to choose from). For a 01-04 duramax (prefer 03-04 silverado front styling) it looks like Id like to pay up to $18k for the truck itself (assuming its stock or relatively stock). Id also be open to buying one that was already built though for more $. As for budget for mods....Id like to set it at $5k and see how close I can get....I do all work myself except for specialty trans work.

For a 12 valve Id prefer a 98 cc/sb 5spd but who wouldnt. I could settle for a few other years but would be looking to pay up to $11k for a 12v. But Id be open to buying a truck thats already built aswell for more $ of course. For a mods budget like to stick around $6k-7500 range.

24 valve....is it really worth it? With initial cost of the truck plus aftermarket parts?

 

a 24 valve is worth it but may be a lil more pricey... depends on what you find... if you can find a cheaper one with a manual... put a dual disc clutch with input shaft.. some 200 or 250 injectors... edge comp... something like a 64/68 turbo, head studs, o-ringed, you should be pretty close to 12's i would think... and you should be able to buy this truck and build it for $14,000- 19,000 i think... i'm sure someone will tell me if i'm wrong...

or, buy a duramax and EFI tune it...

 

I wouldn't cross off an lly either if you are considering an 03-04 chevy. If you are going to keep it on the road most of the time I would probably go with the duramax. But with a budget like that you haveany options just about finding the right deal

 

A good 12v would be cheapest and the easiest to build. No electronic tuning Would just be alot of fuel and big air pushers. The way I would look at it is which has the highest HP stock. A 12v is 180-190hp I believe. A 24v is 205-225. A LLY would be around 275 and a LB7 is about the same. A 12v would take more to hit 12s. Especially if you want to row your own gears. You have to remember that with every shift you lose between .5 to 1 second plus you lose boost and forward momentum. 500hp in a 12v or 24v with a manual is closer to 13s even 14s. The best scenario in my opinion would be a Duramax with some good EFI Live tunes. I dont like IFS and I have never owned an automatic but I think with your budget that will get you where you want and still have a solid DD.

 

an lb7 should require a

lift pump, good efi live tuning, and tierod/suspension braces to break below 13s..

then you upgrade trans, turbo, injectors, bottom end of motor... and start shooting for 10's

 

thanks for all the good info guys...Im leaning towards the LB7 the more I look into it.

For my daily driver I dont think Ill be going for 10s.

Although I am now considering an LB7 to go into my malibu wagon....for that one 10s is surely possible.

 

Been researching more and more...definitely pretty set on a duramax now. Leaning towards 03 or 04 LB7 still but an LLY would be nice too if I found the right deal.

Looking for a CC/SB and will probably lower it as much as I can within reason and put it on some subtle looking 20s and 33s. With a single stack probably. Dont see many lowered trucks on the street with stacks...I like that idea.

Going for the "street truck" type look but with some *****.

 

Don't be mistaken and think the Allison will get you to 12's without some work. I'll agree that it will be the easiest engine to get to 500hp (good EFI live tune and a lift pump) but even at that power level, the tranny is going to need some work. It still gets my first vote though. Just be prepared to change injectors if the previous owner did not install a quality set, because they will go out. If you go with a Dmax, it would be awesome if you could find an LBZ. I've seen them run mid 12's @ about 550hp with just a good EFI live tune and lift pump. You'll need a built tranny to run that consistently, but the nice thing about the 6 speed Allison is you can throw a Transgo Jr on it to help it out.

My 2nd vote would go to a 12v. Pump work, a set of 5x.014 injectors, DV's, and a good single turbo or compound setup using the stock HX35 would get you over 500hp. But its going to be hard to get a good 1/4 time with a standard tranny.