I know I am gonna get some heat for this but I am the average guy who wants the best out of my truck. I call and talk to a lot of diferent guys in the aftermarket industry for the Duramax engine. What the hell is with all the secrets?!?!?! I call am people tell me how yah we dont know what he's runnin in there but we know he lieing. Or what kinda converter or transmission parts are you using. I understand this is a competitive feild because its at kind of a ground breaking time right now. When I call asking about a part whether it be a tranny or turbo, etc.. I get well we think hes been through two trannys but he keepin it quiet. I know I am probobly not the only one who hears this. Dont you think it would help the development and betterment of this hobby if people could be a little more forthcoming? I mean we are all trying for the same goal. I just want to know whats best for my truck and when you got to weasel around trying to find out if your buying gold or a peice of Sh$# it would be nice to know. This is a truck not a secret fishing hole.

Have you talked to me?

I think you can find alot of the info you want here I have talked to pat (McRat) and guy (Trippin) and wade (ATS) and mike L. all were very helpful. Most of the info I have found out to help me with decisions about my truc is on this website. good luck dont be afraid to ask on here I think most of the duramax experts are on here anyway (see above post ^)

I have found the D-max gurus to be very forthcoming and freely give info whenever they can help. Even if it is relatively stupid questions from relatively ignorant people like me.

Thnks to you all,

dane

I know I am gonna get some heat for this but I am the average guy who wants the best out of my truck. I call and talk to a lot of diferent guys in the aftermarket industry for the Duramax engine. What the hell is with all the secrets?!?!?! I call am people tell me how yah we dont know what he's runnin in there but we know he lieing. Or what kinda converter or transmission parts are you using. I understand this is a competitive feild because its at kind of a ground breaking time right now. When I call asking about a part whether it be a tranny or turbo, etc.. I get well we think hes been through two trannys but he keepin it quiet. I know I am probobly not the only one who hears this. Dont you think it would help the development and betterment of this hobby if people could be a little more forthcoming? I mean we are all trying for the same goal. I just want to know whats best for my truck and when you got to weasel around trying to find out if your buying gold or a peice of Sh$# it would be nice to know. This is a truck not a secret fishing hole.


I think you need to realize a couple of things. First, the Duramax engine building is still in the groundbreaking stage. Nobody really knows what it will REALLY take to keep one together. As for tuning and combinations, the LBZ is also in the process of evolution/groundbreaking...

I guess if you get the Idunno it's for one of three reasons:

1) They dunno

2) They don't want to share

3) They know what should work, but are uncertain that what they do know is the absolute best or surefire way and would rather not share unproven ideas.


I'm in the #3 category at present...

# 3 for me to.New stuff always gets better as time rolls on.Dont know till mods are tried and proven to work.What will it take to really blow up a iszu motor.I dont really know till i try and get a lot of input .Im happy with my lbz now,and fixin to do a bunch of mods soon here.If she blows ill doit again till i get it right per say.Love my duramax .Take my wife but dont take my duramax .

PS - There are no secret mods on any of our trucks.

Our CC LBZ really does run 12's at LACR with a trans, exhaust, tuning and a liftpump, and it really does dyno "over 500". I've told dozens of folk how to set up their truck just like Kat's.

ha,mcrat i talked to you and the next night i found a horses head in my bed ,now i can't tell anybody about the cool v12 duramaxes your really working on

I think alot of times when you call someone they might be busy and not have time to chat. But if you have any questions don't be affraid to post, because i have learned alot just reading and asking questions.

I know I am gonna get some heat for this but I am the average guy who wants the best out of my truck. I call and talk to a lot of diferent guys in the aftermarket industry for the Duramax engine. What the hell is with all the secrets?!?!?! I call am people tell me how yah we dont know what he's runnin in there but we know he lieing. Or what kinda converter or transmission parts are you using. I understand this is a competitive feild because its at kind of a ground breaking time right now. When I call asking about a part whether it be a tranny or turbo, etc.. I get well we think hes been through two trannys but he keepin it quiet. I know I am probobly not the only one who hears this. Dont you think it would help the development and betterment of this hobby if people could be a little more forthcoming? I mean we are all trying for the same goal. I just want to know whats best for my truck and when you got to weasel around trying to find out if your buying gold or a peice of Sh$# it would be nice to know. This is a truck not a secret fishing hole.

You should be able to get your answers to your questions reguardless,,,I have only been a member on here for a short time,,BUT I was tracking and reading all that I could before I became a member,,,,,,from what I read on here, if I were you, I would talk to crank-it-up diesel from Ohio I think his name is Kile or Matt,,,,or duramaxracing.com the guys name is(I think)Mike,,,,, what I got from reading all that gets posted here, these are the guys that are making the duramax take center stage and the only ones I would trust to tell you like it is. Hope this helps:)

:eek: :eek: :eek: V 12 duramax:eek: :eek:

have you talked to me? x2.:d

What kind of info are you looking for? Ask a question. I'm sure you will get a lot of answers. I'll help if I can although I'm not an expert. I'll try about anything and usually know of people who have tried it if I haven't. I'm not into keeping secrets unless someone tells me something they don't want shared. That don't happen too much, but it has/is happening. As Kennedy stated, most of the info that isn't being shared is to help protect the community from trying an idea that is not proven. One expensive repair bill from an idea that didn't quite work as planned can be detrimental to the entire community by making everyone else gun shy. If we get gun shy and don't try new ideas, we will not get any further ahead than we are right now. With that said, I'm amazed at the info that has been shared with me over the past two years. I really can't believe how much I've been able to learn from the wonderful people on this website. It is a great thing and most of us would not have half the truck we do have if the information being shared was really all a big secret.

x2.:dYou talk too dam much:D . dave

I get nothing but great answers to questions when I ask. Alot of people on this site will answer your questions without making you feel stupid.

Ask away! Alot of great minds on this site and most of them would love to help you out. I know I would'nt be were I am today with out this great Site!! Good luck

ask me anything i can tell you how to blow up a duramax how's that??

Remember also that some people have discussed their stuff publicly only to have to defend themselves. Nuff said.;)

I know I would'nt be were I am today with out this great Site!! Good luck

x2. if it wasnt for this site, i would still have a little money in my wallet...:D

Pat John and Eric have been extremely helpful to me and they know that. I just read a lot and I'm not here to point any fingers just an observation. Am I just totally talking out of my a#% it just seems to be a lot of secrecy that I've noticed thanks to the guys who have been helping me get my truck where I want to go with it and you know who you are so don't get the wrong idea

well alot of these guy's have put alot of time effort and money not to mention some of these sell what they make and race or pull. When i dust somone at a lite or down the highway and they ask me what i have i don't tell them either. Some of these guy's have put alot of money and time and i don't blame a single person for not giving info. or all there facts.

Most reputable people prefer NOT to share excessive amounts of info or go into detail about speculative products, projects etc. My advice is to get one good tune which should put you at 470RWHP give or take a few on a realistic dyno and enjoy driving your truck. If you want to go further like twin pumps and big turbo, you WILL blow it up...

Thanks you John for the help which was why I started this thread because it was something I noticed, I am new to this and wanted to hear why it seemed that way. Its funny how easy some people get worked up. The post you wrote earlier John made a lot of sense and I think that helped sort it out in my head

Most reputable people prefer NOT to share excessive amounts of info or go into detail about speculative products, projects etc. My advice is to get one good tune which should put you at 470RWHP give or take a few on a realistic dyno and enjoy driving your truck. If you want to go further like twin pumps and big turbo, you WILL blow it up...

You will blow up your truck with just the stock tune. 100% guaranteed. Or the freeways would crowded with Model T's.

It's not a question of "if" but "when".

Believe it or not, there are trucks that have not blown up with twin pumps. I do guarantee they will (see above), but the question is whether there is a setup that will give acceptable service life at over 650hp. I'll admit I'm experimenting to find an answer, and I imagine others are as well.

As far as the definition of "reputable"? Guess I've never been of the class of that would fit your definition.

I remember reading books by Gordon Jennings (1931-2000) (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/001114b.htm) when I first started racing motorcycles back in the 1970's. He would not be considered "reputable" I suppose, since everything he learned he shared with the racing community. He is one of my heros, and I'm certainly no Gordon Jennings. Racing is my hobby, for Gordon it was life. I found out that $15 "Two-stroke theory" paperback I bought and passed on to a friend fetches $200 now.

So I do share what I learn in honor of Gordon and folk like him. Certainly not as much, but I do what I can. As far as "McRat Racing" goes? Ask anyone who calls whether I try to sell them anything, or pretend dialing up these engines is safe and sane. Just like before I started selling performance parts, I tell them what I know for a fact, and what my opinion is.

If that is not "reputable", I'm good with that. Certainly I've pissed off many folk who sell stuff when I tell people I don't believe a given product actually works based on my experience. Few truck owners have experimented extensively with different products, and for some reason those who have are looked upon with scorn by guys selling stuff.

As far as a specific dyno number goes that is "safe"? No such animal. More trucks have blown up with tow tunes than have with over 600HP simply because there more of them. 500rwhp tunes have destroyed factory chargers at a minimum, and have blown LB7 headgaskets. So it's a sliding scale of risk.

What will it take for Dramax Chev. to beat sheilds dodge pulling truck? This season.

What will it take for Dramax Chev. to beat sheilds dodge pulling truck? This season.

All it takes is for the motors to hold together.:D

The one I speak of in particular is like nothing you have ever seen before!!:eek:

I'd tell you all about it, but it is a secret.;)

Remember also that some people have discussed their stuff publicly only to have to defend themselves. Nuff said.;)
That and not about the truck they are running, just their old one......:D :D :D .

J/K Pat....;)

Mark:beerchug:











In all reality, I have had nothing but help here, even from the guys that don't have my old kind of truck anymore, but thay have had them and know what does work and may not divulge info on things that have not been totally proven yet. Look at it as a safety measure unless you want to sink all your $$$$ into R & D.:p: .

I'd tell you all about it, but it is a secret.;)
:D :D :D :D :D :D

Mark:beerchug:

All it takes is for the motors to hold together.:D

The one I speak of in particular is like nothing you have ever seen before!!:eek:

I'd tell you all about it, but it is a secret.;)
I will try my new motor in las veges. there will be no secrets either i win or break and if i break i will fix it.

I will try my new motor in las veges. there will be no secrets either i win or break and if i break i will fix it.
I mean we will fix it.

Can tell you this much, if you look at McRats posts and all the testing he has done along with the info shared from his findings I'd say thats reputable as a vendor gets. Its free knowledge passed to whoever reads it. If its trannies then ask Mike L. There are some guys on here that are more than willing to share info. I asked bobo a tunning question a few weeks ago and got my answer within minutes and I've never talked to him before on here. Some won't share all secrets or finding for the reason of competition and info being passed to another beyond yourself. Which is understandable.

remember also that some people have discussed their stuff publicly only to have to defend themselves. Nuff said.;) x2 :d

A lot of reading will do it for you. Take the time (and notes) to read what has worked for certain people and the setup involved and then go back and read about the failures and issues that caused them. This will give you better ideas and directions for Q&A in the future to best accomplish your goals.

Good advice GMC2500HD. That's pretty much what I did to learn about Duramax Diesel's. I have learned so much in just 3-4 months. I just ordered the last of my part's for my LBZ race truck. I picked the setup part by part. I would search these thread's for turbo, Injct Pump, Internall Mod's... info to make a decision on which company to buy from or which parts do I actually need for the Goal I'm trying to achieve. These forum's are like blue print's for a engine build. You just gotta figure out what kinda setup you want and search,search and search more till you know that you have the info you need to do it right and achieve your goal!!! I just ordered the last of my part's for my build and I think this truck is gonna be ROCKIN ROLLERS and BREAKIN TRACK RECORDS:D . I'm not listing the mods because their not on the truck yet. I dont like secret's, Secret's keep new comer's like me from entering the Diesel Race world. If everybody kept secret and their wasn't a site like this people like me wouldn't be able to get the info needed to get into this wonderfully amazing sport. So I can guarantee that when my LBZ is done in mid March and I'm Dyno'ing and Racing it I will share any Information or Tips I could give to the next guy tryin to make it happen:) Also to all you Diesel Guru's out their that didn't keep secret THANK YOU you know who you are:ro) :ro) :ro) .

when i bought my D-Max i had no clue whats was going on. This forum has been a staple item for learning all there is to know about my truck. Thanks to all for your help.

Here is my focus right now:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137057

I would think the best advise you could receive is someone telling you to wait until things settle down if your looking for big power. The Duramax hold 500 RwHp well for a period of time but once beyond that level you are playing with fire and some are going to get burned along the way. Figure what it is you really want out of your truck and what risk level you want then go from there.

I would think the best advise you could receive is someone telling you to wait until things settle down if your looking for big power. The Duramax hold 500 RwHp well for a period of time but once beyond that level you are playing with fire and some are going to get burned along the way. Figure what it is you really want out of your truck and what risk level you want then go from there.

I wish youd stop agreeing with me. If you don't stop people are going to think...:eek:


I've delayed a few engine builds including my own and Brandon's pending the outcome of some of the "high profile" engines being built this year. That and rounding up the tooling.

ha, kennedy you just wanted to snowmobiling up there in the great white north

I wish youd stop agreeing with me. If you don't stop people are going to think...:eek:

It's hard not to agree as I've been saying it for years, I think it just more people are starting to break with the big power and finding that the rods will just not take it. The piston are the next week link and we do not know at what level they are going to fail. If someone want to use the truck like a truck and get 100K or more miles I still do not recommend running the power up much over a 50 RwHp level on an '05 or later motor and 80 RwHp on the earlier motors. You can turn them up but be prepared to pay when it breaks. Short burst with the big power and rturning back to the lower power levels the rest of the time will make them last much longer but once you've turned it up it's hard to go back down.

This forum is the best thing around and everybody will help if they can i've learned more in the last 3 mos. On here than i've learned anywhere great people and 1 guy gave me his phone number and spent 30 minutes guiding me through a project it sometimes takes a few days to get replies but it's worth the wait and save a trip to the stealer

I would think the best advise you could receive is someone telling you to wait until things settle down if your looking for big power. The Duramax hold 500 RwHp well for a period of time but once beyond that level you are playing with fire and some are going to get burned along the way. Figure what it is you really want out of your truck and what risk level you want then go from there.

I wish youd stop agreeing with me. If you don't stop people are going to think...:eek:


I've delayed a few engine builds including my own and Brandon's pending the outcome of some of the "high profile" engines being built this year. That and rounding up the tooling.



It's hard not to agree as I've been saying it for years, I think it just more people are starting to break with the big power and finding that the rods will just not take it. The piston are the next week link and we do not know at what level they are going to fail. If someone want to use the truck like a truck and get 100K or more miles I still do not recommend running the power up much over a 50 RwHp level on an '05 or later motor and 80 RwHp on the earlier motors. You can turn them up but be prepared to pay when it breaks. Short burst with the big power and rturning back to the lower power levels the rest of the time will make them last much longer but once you've turned it up it's hard to go back down.


"I would think the best advise you could receive is someone telling you to wait until things settle down if your looking for big power."

The above statement is the one I was referring to.

What will it take for Dramax Chev. to beat sheilds dodge pulling truck? This season.
An act of God!

What's a top secret engine???


If you go over 500-550RWHP you WILL bend rods at some point. It's not a question of if, it's just when. If you keep it turned down until you go to the track, you may get away with it for a couple of years but it depends on the amount of power and the amount of time driving at that level.

As far as top secret build, there are limited parts available for the D-Max at this point so everyone that builds a GOOD motor will have similar parts. The engines all require the same parts to live such as good rods, good heads, good cam, and most of all.....a good engine builder and machine shop. If you get those basic requirements, the rest will just be bolt on parts and tuning. Just my opinion but you are better off to spend the money up front and not explode the motor and have nothing left to drive.

As a few have pointed out, I have no problem sharring the build information from my engine if it will help someone else save time and effort on research. The concept I had was to build a race/streetable engine that will last. Seems to be working good so far!;)

I dont see any secrets as a whole based on a few things. There is only so many people that supply rods, heads and the pistons are just GM that have been cut. I've got two motors at the machine shop now and three more in the next two weeks. A couple are stock, and a couple are expected 900 hp.

The new machine shop I am using has many great idea's that have never been discussed publically and things I would have never thought about. Since its just a bunch of bickering when new idea's are brought forth, I likely wont only share them with core people. Once tested and proven to work, then anybody will be able to find the info via pics on my website.

As for the other comments above, your going to bend the rods. Not if, but when. I bet alot of people dont even relize they are bent. Ask Bobo.

you put anything on your truck that has the word "twin" or "dual" in it and your motor will not like you.