so im new to the diesel world. I know great time to get one. But i was just wondering what a few easy mods i could do to the motor were. It has 105,000 on it. Its an 05 GMC Crew cab, LLY. I was thinking about sending my ecu to powerupdiesel these guys? or should i just get a chip. and im guessin intakes make a pretty big difference? K & N or what brand does a guy go with.

If you have no plans for big power (over 120 hp) I would recommend Intake, Exhaust, Chip or Programmer. Winter driveing in -0 temps add anti-gel to fuel and plug in block heater at night.

just mod the stock intake & save the bucks for the other items above .most dont like the k&n type ,stock is good unless your makeing big hp... good fuel additive a must ...and just keep reading threads on this site youll be good to go

Stay away from K&N - they'll foul up your MAF sensor. The #1 best filter for these trucks are the AC Delco stock filter - yeah, they really did get this right. Spend $60 at www.coolmyduramax.com and get a cold air intake from TxChristopher - best $60 you'll spend on the truck.

Before you tune, you're going to need to change your exhaust. A 4" exhaust will keep you from damaging your turbo when you tune it later.

The simplest tuner you can get that's guaranteed to plaster a big stupid grin on your face is DiabloSport Predator. Pretty inexpensive as far as tuners go, ~#300.

Run a fuel additive all the time. The best is 5% bio diesel, I use Power Service - silver bottle in the summer, white in the winter.

Use the search feature and look for EGR block and PCV reroute. You'll want to do these ASAP, and they don't cost much - you can easily do both for under $50. While doing the PCV reroute, also look at blocking the resonator - $3.

Gauges to monitor EGT (exhaust gas temps) are very helpful... and a boost gauge is just fun to watch (and can help explain many things... even can help diagnose behavior sometimes). I still don't have gauges... but hopefully soon...

Read, read, read - there's lots to learn about owning a diesel truck and getting the most out of it. Good luck!

You are on the right path by getting on this site and asking questions. There is more knowledge than you will know that to do with on here. Great do-it-yourself stuff that won't cost a lot, and improve your truck. The posts above are all good advice and are fundamental mods. The search option here is the best. If you want to re-route your PCV (or learn what it is and does) you will find different ways and some of the guys have pics on how to do it and lists of what you need. Some things you really need to do are: set a realistic goal of what you want to do with your truck, stay inside your means, set a budget (don't jack up your credit card) and read till you go cross eyed gathering information on what you want to do. Enjoy.

What Randy said above is all true, except I differ on the K&N. If you decide on the K&N filter charger you want to get the aerosol reoiling can, this will keep you from putting to much oil in the pleated filter and messing up your MAF(mass airflow sensor). I have had mine on for month's, no problems and it runs really strong.

so im new to the diesel world. I know great time to get one. But i was just wondering what a few easy mods i could do to the motor were. It has 105,000 on it. Its an 05 GMC Crew cab, LLY. I was thinking about sending my ecu to powerupdiesel these guys? or should i just get a chip. and im guessin intakes make a pretty big difference? K & N or what brand does a guy go with.

You gotta ask yourself early in the game how much your willing to spend. Set a target HP level you will be happy with, and build to it.

Many here will disagree with me, but if your target is over 120HP... start looking into Tranny modifications or full built tranny's first. 100 000 mi on your Allison, it will not handle over 120 HP reliably. (My tranny began limping at 90HP gain)

If your happy with 100hp and under levels of gain, I would simply invest in a good set of boost/EGT guages and purchase an inexpensive programmer. It will be the cheapest way to your goal. Adding things like intake and exhaust to a mild tuner will help you, but unnecessary if your power target is around 100 hp.

I had the TxC CAI on my truck for awhile with the stock air cleaner and always found the air filter to be restrictive with the Predator higher tunes (little red restriction indicator showing red with a new filter). I replaced the CAI and stock airbox with a Brute Force intake, and no longer have the restriction. The IAT running temps when moving are within a few degrees of ambient, so the engine is getting cold air. My next oil analysis will let me know if the dryflow filter is doing its job as well as the stock filter.

im not looking to throw a whole lot of money at this thing yet. Just some of the cheaper easier ones. What does the PCV Reroute do. and what is the PCV?

So do i go with a programmer, get my ecu remapped? What is the TxC CAI?

I would look into a programmer, you can pick up gains (around 100hp) for around $300 and also read and clear DTC (diagnostic trouble codes/check engine light) with most programmers. I started with a simple hypertech when I first bought my truck over two years ago. Was very happy with it for sometime, but eventually the HP bug got ahold of me and wanted more. I would definately look into exhaust as that was my second mod and helped ALOT with power, and egts. Good luck and enjoy
Josh

im not looking to throw a whole lot of money at this thing yet. Just some of the cheaper easier ones. What does the PCV Reroute do. and what is the PCV?

PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation, IIRC. Basically, the eco nerds decided it was a great thing to suck oil mist out of the top of your valve covers and shove it right into the turbo intake. The result is an oily gunk that fills your intercooler and will leak everywhere and most likely blow your intercooler boots off at the least opportune time.

For about $20 or thereabouts, you can reroute it by capping off the turbo intake, then run the two outlets into a T and run the hose out of the base of the T down the back of the inner fender and down the frame, venting to the atmosphere. A few people run the hoses to a filter or a catch of some sorts. However, mine has been rerouted for 7-8 months and I've never seen a single drop of oil come out of it.

Most of us think we'd never get any oil out of the PCV if it weren't for the positive vacuum the turbo places on the hoses. But thanks to the GM eco nerds, they come from the factory sucking oil and making a huge mess. PM me if you want a link to a DIY article I wrote for another site... includes pics.

Hurtman, Im new to the diesel thang, Just bought a 04.5 lly and had an AFE Cold air intake installed aswell as an Edge Juicer with attitude, 4" exhaust, blocker plate. I love the power gain but.....on level 5 the egt shoots up to 1350-1400 and I have to back off. It also seems as if it's starving for fuel when I get into the top gears. I have been told that I have to install some sort of valve aswell as an FASS pump/filter to give it more fuel. Also what is the best aftermarket tranny for this setup as people are telling me that if I go more power on the engine that I can take out the tranny. Any hint's/tips to make this thing work on level 5 would be great........can't imagine this thing running on level 6(hot code) and besides, what mods need to be done for this to work on level 6?? Requires $$$$$ Thanks in advance

if you wanna run level 5 all the time I would suggest some type of tranny mod. even a converter and shift kit will help hold the power, even of level 6 if your careful. either suncoast or ATS diesel can set you up there. but diesel trans mods are expensive!

The valve they are talking about is probably a race valve or shimming the fuel pressure relief valve. shimming is $9, race valve is $50. these two things help the truck to not produce a code P1093 which is common on lly's and is the result (usually) of popping the fuel pressure relief valve, which is what shimming or the race valve will (hopefully) eliminate.

with the edge tunner the higher levels 5 and 6 is where the fass 150 would come in which is a lift pump which carries a greater amount of fuel at a higher pressure to the fuel rail. otherwise you can starve the rail of fuel which is not good and you will get a p1093 code.

As far as the high egt's that is what lly's are known for. running hot!! there are a few things you can do there. one is to get an aftermarket intercooler ($1200) or a bigger turbo helps also $$$$$$$$! a cheaper way is to possible do a water injection system which is fairly affordable and injects water to cool the egts down. Also can gain you a little in the mpg department from what I'm told.

Lastly I would look into a website named www.coolmydmax.com in which a guy named chris sells some products to help with the lly running hot problem. Hope this helps. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I ask all the time. Some are probably pretty dumb too!!

Thanks DMAX much appreciated!!

So what is the TxC CAI??? and i was thinking the bullydog power pup....opinions??

I like my Predator. I can't say I've ever heard of someone having issues with the programmer or programming. I have heard plenty of negative things about Edge and even Bully Dog to steer clear of those.

If you have a lot of questions...try using the search at the top right corner of the page. It will help you a lot....helps me all the time. ;)

I like my Predator. I can't say I've ever heard of someone having issues with the programmer or programming. I have heard plenty of negative things about Edge and even Bully Dog to steer clear of those.

If you have a lot of questions...try using the search at the top right corner of the page. It will help you a lot....helps me all the time. ;)

X2 - I've been on this board for more than a year now and I can't think of a single post I've read claiming that the Predator went bad or was bogus or [fill in the blank]... other than a couple of people claiming that the Predator tune just wasn't aggressive enough.

I love mine... just waiting to get it upgraded to 2.02 so I can get a little more oomph. And it's virtually impossible to screw up... unless you just don't know how to follow directions.

the TxC CAI is from the same place I mentioned eairlier (coolmydmax.com). His name on this site is txchristopher (I think that's right) and CAI stands for cold air intake. He sells a good one for dmax's on that site and I think it's under $100

PCV reroute is just stopping used oil from going into your intake. it makes for a really nice tar and cuts your oil life down alot. so either delete your EGR or do the easy way and block it. if i were you i would buy EFI Live. i dont run big power just use it for the great mileage. 20 in the city and 25+ on the highway. and you can use it to disable the PCV and EGR once you block and reroute them. and just cut a hole in the front of your stock air box. the stock box can hold up to 500hp at the wheels. and also go with an exhaust either 4 or 5. just depends how far you want to take it. good luck and have fun

PCV reroute done. Now either exhaust or programmer next?

Step 1: Wait for diesel to come down below $4 a gallon!

In all seriousness, I love my Predator. Best few bucks I've spent yet.

X2...

it alsmost there its at 4.06 here in NC

it alsmost there its at 4.06 here in NC

Lucky! it's still $4.28 here but steadily coming down in 10 cent increments.

Chip...then exhaust (unless you tow a lot of heavy loads....then exhaust first).

Get a Predator.....look in the Market place here for a used one...last time I saw they were going for $150-200. I got mine a couple years ago off of here for $260 shipped. The Diablo Sport Predator is the best bang for the buck for just starting out. You can read and clear codes, check your injector balance rates, change tire size...all kinds of stuff.

If you want to spend a decent amount on a programmer get PPE or EFI Live.


Exhaust....I'd just straight pipe the stock setup. It can be done quite inexpensively. I was going to do that 'till I found my 4" system used for $200!

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261164

here you go thought id help you out.

i was thinking the predator. That will be next. also intake.

Not to bad mouth the predator but I have run several different chips on my truck, and the best performing chip I've found is the quad. It is really underrated in power IMHO and lets you check balance rates and DTC's etc. JMHO
Josh

I purchased a Diablo Predator from a member here. It arrived today and I tried it tonight. Really easy to use. I just set it to the lowest lever (40HP tow). I am having an issue with the Allision after the download. It does not shift right. It kind of revs up before shifting. Kind of like a manual where you leave the gas down and slide the clutch in before you let off the gas. Took the wife and kids to dinner (wanted to try out the extra 40HP) and all the wife could say was "whats wrong with the trans? It's not shifting right". Any ideas?

I purchased a Diablo Predator from a member here. It arrived today and I tried it tonight. Really easy to use. I just set it to the lowest lever (40HP tow). I am having an issue with the Allision after the download. It does not shift right. It kind of revs up before shifting. Kind of like a manual where you leave the gas down and slide the clutch in before you let off the gas. Took the wife and kids to dinner (wanted to try out the extra 40HP) and all the wife could say was "whats wrong with the trans? It's not shifting right". Any ideas?

Yep. Totally normal. Alli has to learn what to do with all of that extra horsepower. It'll take a couple of days to figure it out... then "Katie bar the door". Each time you change from one tune level to another, Alli will have to figure it out again. But... once you get as high as you're gonna go, you can change from setting to setting with no noticeable difference.

It'll be fine in a couple of days. Best way to re-learn is to drive around town. Good luck!

Randy,

Thanks! I was getting a little worried. I have to drive about a 100 miles on Sunday so hopefully after that it will be 'fun' ;)

i bought a predator but it didnt work on my truck. they told me i had to get my truck reflashed or some bs. i ended up taking it back for a bullydog. so far i like it. i like being able to change the power driving down the road. no real important but good for play. will add the monitor when funds allow. i add a free flow muffy and afe pro dry filter. been debating on pulling the cat but until i see what egts are hitting not much point.

What do you mean the Predator didn't work on your truck?

Randy,

Thanks! I was getting a little worried. I have to drive about a 100 miles on Sunday so hopefully after that it will be 'fun' ;)

I had a similar problem with the bullydog I ran on my truck for about 300 miles and tranny never liked it. When I got my quad I used it's trans relearn tool and went through a few steps with it. Tranny has never shifted better. Just my $.02

so ive had this truck for almost a month now. And today i was driving it and when i would roll up to a stop sign and hold the brakes down it would make some kind of vibrating noise, when i let off the the brakes and gave it gas it would go away. It was coming from underneath the drivers side floor...exhaust rattling against cab maybe. then when you gave it gas the torque of the motor twisted it away from the cab?? just wodering what you guys think it might be. i would crawl underneath it but its raining out.

could be your steering shaft. do a search for ISS

i discovered it was a heat shield on the drivers side between the manifold and the cab. problem solved with pry bar. Installed a 65hp tune off my newly purchased diablo today. what a difference. Also have 4inch turboback to install one of these days.

im liking the new power that the diablo gave it. I just took it easy around town to let the tranny get use to the new power. Is the black smoke normal? Im sure it is just curious.

im liking the new power that the diablo gave it. I just took it easy around town to let the tranny get use to the new power. Is the black smoke normal? Im sure it is just curious.

Black smoke is unburned fuel. All tuners dump more fuel into the engine than stock. Ergo, it is not uncommon to get black smoke when you tune up your engine.

However, I now have a Predator +85 hp tune in my truck... and the new LBZ Kodiak turbo mouthpiece puts so much air in the engine that I now get very little black smoke... plus all the power and more.

Before the Kodiak mouthpiece, I could fog for mosquitoes; now... not so much. If you want some more power, quicker spool-up, lower operating temps, and a little more mpg's (at the cost of the black smoke), look into replacing your turbo mp with an LBZ mouthpiece, or even an LBZ Kodiak mouthpiece. You can find all you want and more here:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258428