I test drove a brand new crew cab short bed today. I think it had the LB7 in it. It has power,but I still am not totally convinced how much power . I'll get Chevy but the salesman was riding with me so I couldnt really test the power. I'll get to someday. It is truly quiet though, I could not believe how quiet it was. I didnt have the radio on and I almost couldnt hear the motor. I wish I new what they sounded likw with a straight pipe on them because that exhaust was as quiet as my Z71 was when I bought it.

Doesn't Gm still offer the 24 hour test drive? When I first drove mine I was a little bit disappointed. It was really tight the first few miles. Once I drove it a bit more it seemed to loosen up. If you have the chance take the 24 hour test drive. But be prepared to buy one if you do. Once you see it in your driveway there is no going back. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Diesel power takes a little getting used to. There's no commotion, often no downshifting, just a push in the back and away you go. My old Z71 certainly FELT and SOUNDED fast with a K&N intake, gibson headers and exhaust, and I think 0-60 it would probably give my stock DMax a run for the money....unloaded, that is, up to 60MPH or so.


But...it would quickly downshift on uphills, and it averaged 13 MPG around town, and you had to flog it to really make it move. The DMax, on the other hand, gets 16MPG plus no matter how I drive it, and is pretty responsive at 1/2 or 3/4 throttle....that's torque at work vs. horsepower.


The DMax takes 10-15K miles to break in...I wasn't overly impressed on the test drive, but every 1000 miles it got better. Mine was certainly "slower" for the first 8K miles or so. It took a while for my MPG to come up, too.

They feel slower than they actually are. The turbo lag kills them. A box takes care of that though. They do however loosen up after afew thousand miles.

I thought my Dmax wasn't as quick as my Toyota Tundra when I first started driving it. It seemed to get more powerful as I put some miles on. Now I know it will walk away from the Tundra especially at higher speeds. I find that I'm always going faster in my Dmax than I think I am, and slower in my car than I think I am. With J/A it has some serious balls in OD. It feels like second gear when I put my foot down. Once I was passing while pulling a trailer uphill and I hit the governer at 95 mph so hard that I was stunned, and it took a few seconds to figure out what had happened. --SShttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

If I live to be a hundred (hope I don't), I'll never understand why someone would spend $6,000 for a diesel if what they're looking for is "performance". There's another post in here somewhere where somebody wants to buy a new Duramax to build a racer... WTF?.. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Save the $6K, but a Silverado with the 5.3 gas motor in it, spend another $2-3K on the motor, trans, exhaust, etc and blow the doors off any diesel you run into.


Or spend the $6K on the diesel, put another $3-4K in it, and hope you whoop the dude in the hot rod Silverado.


Just my .02 cents.


Chris in NC

I'll get Chevy but the salesman was riding with me so I couldnt really test the power.


BS. "Hammer Down" if you are ready to drop $40,000+ on a truck put her to the floor. Make sure it is what you want.....the power you want....the ride you want!!! It will not hurt it. If the salesman has a problem with that......go to the next dealer.

You would have to add a supercharger to the 5.3/6.0 to equal or beat the performance of a diesel with a 150hp box. I have a GMC C3 1/2-ton all wheel drive with a K&N intake, Gibson exhaust and a Hypertech. The C3 came stock with 325hp. It runs EXACTLY the same as my Duramax did with a 96hp Hypertech. And that was 15.4. Remember, a stock 5.3/6.0 runs the same as a stock Duramax, around 16.2-16.3. Diesels have come a LONG WAY!

Do yourself a favor and go to the Drag strip this summer. It might save you next time you come up to a light where a Dmax might be sitting. I've made quite a few gassers stick with racing Geos and such from now on. Super Diesel

I've made quite a few gassers stick with racing Geos and such from now on. Super Diesel


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Are you guys talking about me or the one that thinks he needs a diesel hot rod. I'm not that scatter brained when it comes to pure power of a truck.

My post was meant for NCMAX. I've owned the 5.3, 6.0, 6.0 C3, 8.1, and Duramax. We do a lot of racing around here. You can take all of the above trucks, except for the C3, and they run neck and neck through the 1/4 mile-honestly. I was just stating that it would take $4000-$6000 (installed) that you would have to add to one of these gas engines to run with a 150hp box on a Duramax. There goes the savings on buying a gas.....

Thank's for that Scotty, I know that is definetely a heck of alot cheaper for upgrading a Duramax than my Z71 or another gas truck.

I was talking to you about the test drive.....


Then I thought the comment about racing GEOs was funny.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

My post was meant for NCMAX. I've owned the 5.3, 6.0, 6.0 C3, 8.1, and Duramax. We do a lot of racing around here. You can take all of the above trucks, except for the C3, and they run neck and neck through the 1/4 mile-honestly. I was just stating that it would take $4000-$6000 (installed) that you would have to add to one of these gas engines to run with a 150hp box on a Duramax. There goes the savings on buying a gas.....


And with the Duramax, you will still get 18+ mpg and can tow half dozen of those 1/2 ton trucks at once.


If you add 110 hp to the Duramax, it should run in the mid to high 14`s in the 1/4 mile, and last well over 100,000 miles with a stock tranny.


How long will a 5.3 last at 375 rwhp?

I personally like the diesel "clatter" sound. I like the fact I can tow a 14 or 15k trailer if needed. And at the flick of a t/h button I can make a Mustang GT look silly. Try that on a gasser with only a 1000k investment in performance. PEACEhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

I have a $600 module, and am running high 13's in my truck. Try adding $600 to a gasser and have it do that. My stock Duramax ran .2 quicker than my brother's 2000 5.3 Z71, and gets 5mpg more around town. Go back to your $1.99 gas pump.

I hope you guys arent talking about me when you say,Go back to your $1.99 gas pump. That's one reason why I'm getting the Dmax. Do you guys want me to start naming off the reasons why. O.k 1 fuel mileage is alot better,2 Up the performance for alot less money,3 tow alot more anytime you need,4 You can smoke people out,5 Because I've decided to move up and I'll have this truck for years since I'm paying that much for it. 6, Because it's a DURAMAX! Need any more. I'm just asking simple questions and trying to get simple answers.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Z71 Grizzly -


I don't think any of the disparaging comments are intended for you! DMax owners on this forum are a pretty passionate bunch, some race, some tow, some just drive'em, but we all love our trucks. We just sometimes disagree on just how fast we should and can make these trucks go. The great news is that they can be modded for towing AND performance, what a great combination.


Fred G

Grizzly; This is the post that got some of us posting in this thread!





If I live to be a hundred (hope I don't), I'll never understand why someone would spend $6,000 for a diesel if what they're looking for is "performance". There's another post in here somewhere where somebody wants to buy a new Duramax to build a racer... WTF?.. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Save the $6K, but a Silverado with the 5.3 gas motor in it, spend another $2-3K on the motor, trans, exhaust, etc and blow the doors off any diesel you run into.


Or spend the $6K on the diesel, put another $3-4K in it, and hope you whoop the dude in the hot rod Silverado.


Just my .02 cents.


Chris in NC

I know he must not be in the 21 century with the technology now. We can make these trucks go alot easier and cheaper.

For one thing; I don`t know of anyone paying $6,000 for the Diesel option in a pickup truck. Even if they pay sticker price (Which one would have to be very stupid to do that) it is only about $5200.


The tranny can not be included in the price, because that option is also available in the big block gas engine. (8.1L)


I would guess that most are paying more like $3900-$4100 for the Diesel option. Because with rebates and discounts 20%-23% is pretty common)

Speaking of test driving a Duramax. Has anyone with an LB7 and LLY with the same cab/box configuration line 'em up yet, stock? We have all LB7's in this area right now. Just wondering if you can really see 10hp/70tq between the two in a race.


How about the 6.0 Ford? One of my friends has one, but he's stock, has a 4" lift with 35" tires. He does have a straight pipe from the turbo back, though. So my beating him really can't be compared. (I've got the Banks Six-Gun/speedloader, Banks exhaust, and K&N intake).

Speaking of test driving a Duramax. Has anyone with an LB7 and LLY with the same cab/box configuration line 'em up yet, stock? We have all LB7's in this area right now. Just wondering if you can really see 10hp/70tq between the two in a race.


How about the 6.0 Ford? One of my friends has one, but he's stock, has a 4" lift with 35" tires. He does have a straight pipe from the turbo back, though. So my beating him really can't be compared. (I've got the Banks Six-Gun/speedloader, Banks exhaust, and K&N intake).


Scotty, I have. I posted the info here:


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6455&KW=flhrciblueice

I know he must not be in the 21 century with the technology now. We can make these trucks go alot easier and cheaper.


I live in the 21st century, gents. All I know is that my 2002 5.3 (stock) Avalanche would smoke my 6.6 (stock) D/A from a stop light.


I quit racing when I sold my 2000 Corvette, so 1/4 mile runs aren't all that interesting to me. I'm much more interested in how much grunt my truck has once I hook up my trailer and head west toward the mountains.


No harm intended, just stating personal observations.


Oh, and 13 second runs are quick - can whoever it was that posted that his truck ran 13 second ET's with nothing more than a $600 programmer post copies of the time slips? I'd like to see that for myself.


Y'all have a good weekend.


Chris in NC

Posted timeslips mean nothing, I can post 10sec timeslips and claim them to be my Duramax. The Programmer is the Smartbox E 150hp. Many people here have went 13's with just a single box. Sorry, I have a Summit exhaust that I paid $125 from their demo room, but have yet to run with it. What is so hard to believe about this?


All I know is my 2500HD EXT cab shortbed 4x4 ran 16.4's stock and my brothers 1500 EXT cab shortbed 4x4 with a 5.3 ran 16.6's stock.

I had an 01 Ext Cab short box with a 5.3L before my duramax. I raced the two side by side to about 80mph when my duramax had about 1000 miles on it and they were side by side.

Z71 Grizzly said you couldn't really test the power cause salesman was with you. I test drove a duramax at a dealership in Denver, truck only had 4 miles on it but the salesman told me to open it up...I thought this was crazy, I would never do it with my own truck...Anyone have thoughts on this, Am I the ignorant one or was it the salesman.

All I know is that my 2002 5.3 (stock) Avalanche would smoke my 6.6 (stock) D/A from a stop light.


Ummm.... Your avalanche probably weighs at least 2000# less than a CC 2500HD thus making the 5.3 seem quicker... Put that same 5.3 in a 2500HD, and it will be a DOG. I can tell you from personal experience that diesels are NOT what they where 20 years ago. Yes, you might get off the line quicker, but when the turbo spools up and builds boost, the Duramax WILL blow your doors off. My sales rep was telling me about when him and a buddy of his where out camping, and they went for a ride. His buddy has a suburban with the 8.1, and my rep has an LLY D-Max. From about 30mph, on a very long, flat, straight dual lane road, they punched it. The D-Max lost traction and the 'burb pulled away, but as soon as the D-Max caught the road, he shot past the 'burb like it was standing still.


I took an '01 Duramax for a ride, and it was faster than my '97 Silverado with a 454, and there was no comparason to my '80 Boneville with a 5.7 Diesel. That car, if you saw headlights, don't pull out.Edited by: Cougar281

Hey 3500LLY. I have test driven two Duramax's now, I'm not sure if both were LLY's but I know the latest one was because I asked the dealer after I got back from my drive. He didnt go with me and after the truck warmed up more I really could feel the power then. I stopped at a light and when it turned green I punched it, The turbo spooled up and it broke the tires loose a little. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Both of the trucks were crew cab short beds, I'm going to test drive more as I go to tease myself until I get one. I can't wait until they figure everything out about the LLY so they will have all the aftermarket toys to mess around with. I just wish I could here more Duramax's with straight pipes or aftermarket mufflers. I heard one Sunday night and it was an LB7 and it sounded like a farting powerstroke. Please anybody tell me all of them including LLY's don't sound like that. I live in North Central Ohio if anybody has Badass Dmax's I can seehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif Thank's Adam

Yep, Just got my LLY (4x4 ext. cab, short) last month, after reading how fast these trucks were then driving one I bought one! But really, I just ran mine on the Gtec (allowed for some break in time) and it ran a 17.0, just punching it (man that turbo lag kills ya) so I power braked it to 2000 rpms, then launched with major tire spin and ran a 16.6. Comparison--my old '98 5.7 vortec (4x4 ext. cab, short) ran 16.5 stock and I got a 16.0 out if it on the Gtec with only a hypertech, stock exhaust and intake. I would think that for the cost of a programmer the Duramax would easily beat that 16.0! (will find out when something is available for the LLY) Put my 19ft Ranger behind it and it is a different story all together! The brakes alone are a huge improvement, my old truck had problems stopping itself, the 2500, I don't even need the trailer brakes! Then you got the weak 4L60 tranny in my old truck that frankly really surprised me lasted 160k miles! Course I change my fluids in all me vehicles religiously. My '98 served me well (even with the nagging intake coolent leak), so I would suspect the Dmax to serve even better and last well past 160k!

redneck45,


The best way to take off in a stock Duramax is right around 1500rpm. Below 1000rpm, the turbo spool-up takes too long. At 2000rpm, too much wheel spin. You should run 16.2-16.3 all day long doing the 1500rpm take-off. By just adding the Hypertech on setting 3 (96hp), you'll be running 15.3-15.4 for only $350.

I have never run my stock dmax on the track, so I don't know what stock numbers are for it.


I did add an Edge Juice with attitude. I spool it up to about 1800 RPM and do 4x4 launches at the track and get around 14.9 track times.


Perhaps someday I will attemp to do some non 4x4 launches and see how much better it gets.


When I test drove my dmax, I knew it was going to be my truck! (I didn't know I was going to ad a box to it though, sure glad I did)

I know he must not be in the 21 century with the technology now. We can make these trucks go alot easier and cheaper.


I live in the 21st century, gents. All I know is that my 2002 5.3 (stock) Avalanche would smoke my 6.6 (stock) D/A from a stop light.


I quit racing when I sold my 2000 Corvette, so 1/4 mile runs aren't all that interesting to me. I'm much more interested in how much grunt my truck has once I hook up my trailer and head west toward the mountains.


No harm intended, just stating personal observations.


Oh, and 13 second runs are quick - can whoever it was that posted that his truck ran 13 second ET's with nothing more than a $600 programmer post copies of the time slips? I'd like to see that for myself.


Y'all have a good weekend.


Chris in NC





I would bet that a regular cab long bed 4x2 with 5th gear locked out would run mid to high 13`s with the 135 stealth. That box is $535 when you get the 10% off, which Quad offers once in a while.


Then there is the Hot Juice/Attitude for $950-$1000 (Maybe even less, which I am waiting for a good price) and if you can run the 1/4 mile without needing 5th ( Over drive lock out and 285 tires will help in this) you should be able to run low to mid 13`s.

ya think, we had a tow truck at the rack on the weekend weight 10,323lbs, with a 110 quad spool up to 2500rpm, 60ft 2 sec flat, quarter 15.4 at 94mph!!!!! kinda quick for a fatty!!!!

ya think, we had a tow truck at the rack on the weekend weight 10,323lbs, with a 110 quad spool up to 2500rpm, 60ft 2 sec flat, quarter 15.4 at 94mph!!!!! kinda quick for a fatty!!!!


With the .1 sec per hundred pounds, this means that if you lightened it up to 6300# it would have run 11.3-11.4 in the 1/4http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Sounds like there are some slow 5.3s out there (that or both of my old 5.3s were freaks?) I had a '99 Z71, K&N and some generic cat-back exhaust (bought it used, dunno what kind of exhaust was on it) - 15.88@85mph, leaving the truck in "D". Traded the '99 in on an '02. Identical truck, just the K&N (no exhaust.) Best 1/4 was 15.77@88.x shifting out of 1st right at 6,000 and running 2nd gear to the traps.

I don't know that my '04 CC D/A would be able to catch my old 5.3L in a 0-60 run... but from a 60mph roll, I know my D/A would stomp the 5.3.

Once the weather warms up a bit, I will take my '04 to the track and see what she runs. I expect low-mid 16s out of the D/A. Just a little under what my 5.3 ran.

Were your 5.3's in regular cab short box trucks? The best Car & Driver or Motor Trend ever got out of a 5.3 extended cab short box was 16.2, and that was corrected for altitude, as they always do. I would doubt the intake/exhaust would get you more than a 1/10 of a second gain in the 1/4.

<font color="blue">Were your 5.3's in regular cab short box trucks? The best Car & Driver or Motor Trend ever got out of a 5.3 extended cab short box was 16.2, and that was corrected for altitude, as they always do. I would doubt the intake/exhaust would get you more than a 1/10 of a second gain in the 1/4.</font>

No. Both were extended-cab shortbox Z71s, LS trim (cloth) and came equipped with the 3.73s. '99 had ~60k on it, the '02 had ~10k.

Best launch was to NOT stall it up at all... just wait for the green and step on it. Little sqwak from the tires and I was off. I ran the 15.8 in my '99 at US41, and the 15.7 in my '02 at Great Lakes. Both trucks were fairly consistent in the 15.8-15.9s. Edited by: OmniGLH

HDMAX&lt; I know exactly what you are saying, sounds wack eh? I have no clue, how it happened! I mean mathematicaly its wrong, reallly wrong, but Time slips don't lie, or do theyhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif. I have no clue seriouslly! we are going back this weekend with a nother tow truck that weighs 9200lbs with the same mods, so we will see how fast,or slow that thing can get down the track!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


have a good one!


DEREK