Reliability for built duramax?

[ChrisV]

2005 LlY. Would like some more power. If rebuilding the motor and adding compound turbos with supporting mods. Built trans, injectors etc. Could these engines go 200k?

 

[JFMFG]

2005 LlY. Would like some more power. If rebuilding the motor and adding compound turbos with supporting mods. Built trans, injectors etc. Could these engines go 200k?

Sounds like a question for yup boys

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Short answer would be yes, if built and tuned correctly (depending on power level). I am not sure who the go-to is for Duramax performance in the post-EPA apocalyptic era.

 

[Roosky01]

I had an '05 LLY that was tuned to the max of the stock pump it's entire life with me. Traded it in with 246k on it. Only issue I ever had were a couple of injectors around 200k miles. That truck ate front wheel bearings and steering parts on the regular though...

 

[mattyc]

The lly has been the most common offender for head gasket failures as far as duramax goes, in my experience. All of which have been original gaskets and original head bolts, some tooned up, some stock.

You have a race car and a race boat, do you really need a race truck too??

 

[eand28]

My logic is: if it’s your primary hauler the closer to stock the better. Diesel performance gets expensive real quick. My lly has been pretty good to me other than rebuilding the transmission at 160k.

 

[ChrisV]

My logic is: if it’s your primary hauler the closer to stock the better. Diesel performance gets expensive real quick. My lly has been pretty good to me other than rebuilding the transmission at 160k.

The lly has been the most common offender for head gasket failures as far as duramax goes, in my experience. All of which have been original gaskets and original head bolts, some tooned up, some stock.

You have a race car and a race boat, do you really need a race truck too??

Truck is 400k miles. I really don’t want a new truck.

 

[Cooter01]

How much more power would you like? If 100 hp more, address the trans with better clutches, valve body, and converter, will help lay down the power much better! If you want 650 hp or more, you will need to build the engine as the pistons will crack at that level. Compounds are great for towing, lower EGT temps, power on tap when sized properly with fuel. All comes down to how much more you are looking for, you have a few venues to take to achieve the goal.

 

[ChrisV]

How much more power would you like? If 100 hp more, address the trans with better clutches, valve body, and converter, will help lay down the power much better! If you want 650 hp or more, you will need to build the engine as the pistons will crack at that level. Compounds are great for towing, lower EGT temps, power on tap when sized properly with fuel. All comes down to how much more you are looking for, you have a few venues to take to achieve the goal.

Looking to rebuild the engine and trans. So far I got a quote from Inglewood trans and it was $6500.

I’ll be fine with 100-200hp more tbh.

 

[Cooter01]

Looking to rebuild the engine and trans. So far I got a quote from Inglewood trans and it was $6500.

I’ll be fine with 100-200hp more tbh.

Trans price seems inline if it includes a converter and them removing and installing the trans.

Any issues with the current engine? Any mods on the current engine? Are you lifted and if so re geared?

 

[ChrisV]

Trans price seems inline if it includes a converter and them removing and installing the trans.

Any issues with the current engine? Any mods on the current engine? Are you lifted and if so re geared?

Basic bolt ons. Down pipe, 5in exhaust, Idaho rob tune for 7 years with the stock trans. Been pretty damn solid. Lately trans been slipping so figured I address that first. It’s also lifted on 35” tires. Taking it to get re geared with I do the trans. 4.30

 

[Cooter01]

You could do compounds now stock/s4XX or a larger drop in single. Both work real well, compounds with a heavy foot will cause more issues, faster. For 100 hp extra I would say look into a larger drop in single. Either way you go will need new tunes as Rob has left the industry thanks to regulations.

You can talk with Inglewood to see if they have any trucks or customer trucks with a drop in single to get a feel for power and drivability, Much more common over compounds, yet man compounds work so damn good

 

[eand28]

Compound kits for LLY’s are hard to come by. You can swap to lbz intake runners to make an lbz compound kit work. Iirc stock turbo and spicy tune is good for 550whp. 66 or 68 drop in will put you in the 650-700 range with supporting fuel mods

 

[ChrisV]

Compound kits for LLY’s are hard to come by. You can swap to lbz intake runners to make an lbz compound kit work. Iirc stock turbo and spicy tune is good for 550whp. 66 or 68 drop in will put you in the 650-700 range with supporting fuel mods

Going to make it. Doesn’t seem too hard. Watch it kick my ass.

 

[Cooter01]

Compound kits for LLY’s are hard to come by. You can swap to lbz intake runners to make an lbz compound kit work. Iirc stock turbo and spicy tune is good for 550whp. 66 or 68 drop in will put you in the 650-700 range with supporting fuel mods

I would swap to an LBZ intake hands down, breathes so much better! Correct on power goals

Going to make it. Doesn’t seem too hard. Watch it kick my ass.

If you can park the truck for say two weeks and work on it here and there it is doable, usually about half the price of buying a kit. I would spend the money saved and get vibrant pinless clamps. So nice versus dicking around with a 1/4" cordless impact and 1.5" long t bolt.

PINLESS HD Clamp Assembly

Vibrant Performance's new PINLESS HD Clamp features an integrated clasp mechanism with a safety lock push-button, replacing the old quick release pin. This new clasp mechanism is very easy to use and delivers a significantly more secure connection, while the safety lock, which is always set in...

vibrantperformance.com

 

[Roosky01]

Truck is 400k miles. I really don’t want a new truck.

Why not just go “I’m ready for the coming apocalypse” and drop a 12v Cummins in there?

I always wanted to do that and never had the time.

 

[ChrisV]

I would swap to an LBZ intake hands down, breathes so much better! Correct on power goals



If you can park the truck for say two weeks and work on it here and there it is doable, usually about half the price of buying a kit. I would spend the money saved and get vibrant pinless clamps. So nice versus dicking around with a 1/4" cordless impact and 1.5" long t bolt.

PINLESS HD Clamp Assembly

Vibrant Performance's new PINLESS HD Clamp features an integrated clasp mechanism with a safety lock push-button, replacing the old quick release pin. This new clasp mechanism is very easy to use and delivers a significantly more secure connection, while the safety lock, which is always set in...

vibrantperformance.com

I install these all the high boost cars that comes out out the shop. Works great.

 

[Dcb.blake]

Lbz intake horn for sureee that’s where a lot of the headgasket issues originate from in my expensive experiences lol.

Sounds about right for the trans with prices now days. The 5 speed has had a good life lasting this long.

Smog suxs but that aside a s463 or 464 with all the intake and exhaust pipes to flow with 60% over injectors would be a very fast/reliable setup with supporting mods internally. With a good tuner you could have a nice tow setup then be very fast with the twist of a knob.

 

[Havasu blue label]

Looking to rebuild the engine and trans. So far I got a quote from Inglewood trans and it was $6500.

I’ll be fine with 100-200hp more tbh.

Try Boston trans in pico Rivera this guy will build it

 

[Chili Palmer]

Unfortunately Mike from Inglewood Trans has passed. That guy was the Allison trans guru. Hopefully he passes his knowledge to someone else.

 

[ChrisV]

I’ve already

Lbz intake horn for sureee that’s where a lot of the headgasket issues originate from in my expensive experiences lol.

Sounds about right for the trans with prices now days. The 5 speed has had a good life lasting this long.

Smog suxs but that aside a s463 or 464 with all the intake and exhaust pipes to flow with 60% over injectors would be a very fast/reliable setup with supporting mods internally. With a good tuner you could have a nice tow setup then be very fast with the twist of a knob.

theres also an option of making it 6speed. Might do that as well.

Unfortunately Mike from Inglewood Trans has passed. That guy was the Allison trans guru. Hopefully he passes his knowledge to someone else.

place is still in business so hopefully it’s legit.

 

[timstoy]

I had an '05 LLY that was tuned to the max of the stock pump it's entire life with me. Traded it in with 246k on it. Only issue I ever had were a couple of injectors around 200k miles. That truck ate front wheel bearings and steering parts on the regular though...

The lly has been the most common offender for head gasket failures as far as duramax goes, in my experience. All of which have been original gaskets and original head bolts, some tooned up, some stock.

You have a race car and a race boat, do you really need a race truck too??

I’ve already

theres also an option of making it 6speed. Might do that as well.

place is still in business so hopefully it’s legit.

I heard Ingelwood transmission moved to Long Beach Ca.

 

[eand28]

Inglewood is still in business. Evan @ limitless diesel took it over before Mike passed.

 

[Bobby_329]

I did my LB7. Should have just left it stock. S366, SAC45's, 10mm cp3, built trans, stage1 heads. It absolutely rips but I always feel like Im gonna break something. Hard to go on big trips with the family when you don't trust your truck.

 

[ChrisV]

I did my LB7. Should have just left it stock. S366, SAC45's, 10mm cp3, built trans, stage1 heads. It absolutely rips but I always feel like Im gonna break something. Hard to go on big trips with the family when you don't trust your truck.

Have it broke down….?

 

[Bobby_329]

Have it broke down….?

After I did it the first time I blew a head gasket on my way home from Oregon towing my 5th wheel. Made it home but then had to pull it all back apart. I probably should have went with twins. With the single and a lot of fuel you really have to watch temps towing you cant just mash it up a hill. So instead of being able to just tow now I'm watching egt's having to manually downshift and let off the gas when it gets too hot if your not paying attention you could easily break it. Not really what I wanted out of my tow vehicle. But it is fun to drive and surprises the shit out of a lot of people.

 

[ChrisV]

After I did it the first time I blew a head gasket on my way home from Oregon towing my 5th wheel. Made it home but then had to pull it all back apart. I probably should have went with twins. With the single and a lot of fuel you really have to watch temps towing you cant just mash it up a hill. So instead of being able to just tow now I'm watching egt's having to manually downshift and let off the gas when it gets too hot if your not paying attention you could easily break it. Not really what I wanted out of my tow vehicle. But it is fun to drive and surprises the shit out of a lot of people. View attachment 1356792 View attachment 1356793

Fuck me that’s hard! You blew the head gasket after the motor got built?

 

[Bobby_329]

Fuck me that’s hard! You blew the head gasket after the motor got built?

Yeah. I did all the work myself so no one to blame. I think I just stayed in it a little too hard towing its making 50+ lbs of boost

 

[ChrisV]

Yeah. I did all the work myself so no one to blame. I think I just stayed in it a little too hard towing its making 50+ lbs of boost

You can’t adjust dofferent boost settings in different maps? What about oring the heads? Is that a thing in the diesel world?

 

[Cooter01]

You can’t adjust dofferent boost settings in different maps? What about oring the heads? Is that a thing in the diesel world?

Eh you can with different tunes and fueling, for high horsepower and competition yes they do it. Man thing to look at is drive pressure the turbo and building the turbo and to match the fuel with good tuning. Sure you can make a 800 hp hot rod, yet will suck at towing. All about turbo sizing, fuel setup, and how the end person uses the truck. If you tow can do a upgraded single charger for small gains, a S400 single turbo as better and larger manners over an S300 frame, or compounds. All comes down to how much you want to spend, how you plan to use the truck. For towing, I would stay stock fuel and a upgraded stock charger from calibrated power and let it ride. The 5 speed to 6 speed conversion is around $2k and drops rpm maybe 2-300 rpms in 6th gear, so driving unloaded it will help, yet maybe get 0.25 better fuel economy so a long time to recoup the money.

 

[ChrisV]

Eh you can with different tunes and fueling, for high horsepower and competition yes they do it. Man thing to look at is drive pressure the turbo and building the turbo and to match the fuel with good tuning. Sure you can make a 800 hp hot rod, yet will suck at towing. All about turbo sizing, fuel setup, and how the end person uses the truck. If you tow can do an upgraded single charger for small gains, a S400 single turbo as better and larger manners over an S300 frame, or compounds. All comes down to how much you want to spend, how you plan to use the truck. For towing, I would stay stock fuel and an upgraded stock charger from calibrated power and let it ride. The 5 speed to 6 speed conversion is around $2k and drops rpm maybe 2-300 rpms in 6th gear, so driving unloaded it will help, yet maybe get 0.25 better fuel economy so a long time to recoup the money.

So I should start with a built trans and upgraded turbo. I’m probably over thinking about the mileage for the motor. I replaced the headgasket and injectors at 200k. So not worried about head gasket issues.

 

[Cooter01]

So I should start with a built trans and upgraded turbo. I’m probably over thinking about the mileage for the motor. I replaced the headgasket and injectors at 200k. So not worried about head gasket issues.

Yes, a built trans changes how the truck drives especially with a aftermarket converter. Evan does great work for building allisons, tell him your goals and plans for the truck. I will say, if you plan to be at 600 HP, build the trans for 800 HP. It is much cheaper in the building process versus having to pull the trans back out and upgrade it. If you are lifted and 37" or larger do one step up on the trans as well. Spend the extra money now as it will cost twice as much doing it over again. Do the deep pan, larger trans cooler also.

If you have no issues with the truck and just did head gaskets and injectors and no issues run it. You will need to find a new tuner with the new turbo setup you plan on doing.

 

[ChrisV]

Yes, a built trans changes how the truck drives especially with a aftermarket converter. Evan does great work for building allisons, tell him your goals and plans for the truck. I will say, if you plan to be at 600 HP, build the trans for 800 HP. It is much cheaper in the building process versus having to pull the trans back out and upgrade it. If you are lifted and 37" or larger do one step up on the trans as well. Spend the extra money now as it will cost twice as much doing it over again. Do the deep pan, larger trans cooler also.

If you have no issues with the truck and just did head gaskets and injectors and no issues run it. You will need to find a new tuner with the new turbo setup you plan on doing.

Yeah I totally understand the overbuild process. Same thing I explain to my customers. Might just try the bigger turbos for stock engine for now. I’ll be fine with 600 tbh.

 

[eand28]

Yes, a built trans changes how the truck drives especially with a aftermarket converter. Evan does great work for building allisons, tell him your goals and plans for the truck. I will say, if you plan to be at 600 HP, build the trans for 800 HP. It is much cheaper in the building process versus having to pull the trans back out and upgrade it. If you are lifted and 37" or larger do one step up on the trans as well. Spend the extra money now as it will cost twice as much doing it over again. Do the deep pan, larger trans cooler also.

If you have no issues with the truck and just did head gaskets and injectors and no issues run it. You will need to find a new tuner with the new turbo setup you plan on doing.

That was my logic when I did mine. Truck is stock except for a tune but I had the transmission built to handle 750hp. Fuel mileage dropped with the slightly higher stall converter

 

[Cooter01]

Yeah I totally understand the overbuild process. Same thing I explain to my customers. Might just try the bigger turbos for stock engine for now. I’ll be fine with 600 tbh.

You can do an upgraded drop in

LLY LBZ LMM Stealth 64 Turbo (2004.5 - 2010)

Stealth 64 VVT - LBZ/LLY/LMM 650rwhp Easy Install, Snappy Response, EGT control, and Turbine braking The VVT Stealth 64 Turbo takes a stock appearing LBZ/LLY/LMM turbocharger and overhauls it to meet the demands of the Duramaxtuner team. The stock LBZ/LLY/LMM turbocharger runs out of air at...

duramaxtuner.com

Or for a grandish more a S400 turbo and can grow into depending on turbo

SDP S400 install kit LB7 or LLY

Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmissions Performance specialist shop and manufacturer with shipping available worldwide.

www.sdptwins.com

If it was me, I would do an upgraded stock turbo and get bored put an S475 or S480 over it and run it.. In the mean time find a spare block and build that up to handle the truck potential of the compound setup.

 

[Cooter01]

That was my logic when I did mine. Truck is stock except for a tune but I had the transmission built to handle 750hp. Fuel mileage dropped with the slightly higher stall converter

It can happen, depends on the converter stall and engine mods. Yet, once you make more power fuel economy can go back up. Higher stall converter then stock will have a fuel economy hit, a lower stall converter then stock usually better fuel economy as less throttle input to get it going off of stop lights and towing. It can also cause EGT issues for towing and just make driving unenjoyable.

 

[eand28]

It can happen, depends on the converter stall and engine mods. Yet, once you make more power fuel economy can go back up. Higher stall converter then stock will have a fuel economy hit, a lower stall converter then stock usually better fuel economy as less throttle input to get it going off of stop lights and towing. It can also cause EGT issues for towing and just make driving unenjoyable.

My original plan was a drop in Danville 64 or 66 hence the slightly higher stall but since Danville closed up shop a few years ago, I haven’t had the urge to mess with it.

 

[eand28]

Yeah I totally understand the overbuild process. Same thing I explain to my customers. Might just try the bigger turbos for stock engine for now. I’ll be fine with 600 tbh.

Stainless diesel is another good option for drop in style turbos.

LLY

These turbos are standard built with 10 Blade high flow turbines, However, after extensive testing, we are proud to offer our even more efficient 9-blade turbine option!The 9-blade turbine wheel offers a minimum of 15-20whp more throughout a much flatter power curve! Often yielding 2-3lbs more boost

www.stainlessdiesel.com

 

[Cooter01]

My original plan was a drop in Danville 64 or 66 hence the slightly higher stall but since Danville closed up shop a few years ago, I haven’t had the urge to mess with it.

Gotcha, I miss working with him, he did a lot of pioneering stuff back in the day.

 

[Cooter01]

Stainless diesel is another good option for drop in style turbos.

LLY

These turbos are standard built with 10 Blade high flow turbines, However, after extensive testing, we are proud to offer our even more efficient 9-blade turbine option!The 9-blade turbine wheel offers a minimum of 15-20whp more throughout a much flatter power curve! Often yielding 2-3lbs more boost

www.stainlessdiesel.com

I forgot about ole Johnny boy! I would do his drop in turbo, he builds killer turbos and started the 5 blade gang

 

[Chili Palmer]

If you’re doing only 100-200 Hp you might be overdoing it. I had an ‘11 LML that went to a fat farm and lost all sorts of weight and was running a MotorOps 150hp “race” tune, I ran that from 110,000 miles to 310,000 miles when I traded it in. The only other performance mod I did to it was Mike from Inglewood Trans installed a dummy solenoid in the valve body to increase the line pressure. I never untuned it, I pulled my 22’ Howard with no issues related to the tune. In those 200,000 miles I only had to replace one injector and the trans wiring harness due to being brittle from
heat and the elements. Those were the only drivetrain issues I ever had besides normal maintenance. It was still running like a champ when I got rid of it. Good luck.

 

[BB132]

www.socaldiesel.com

 

[DoughBallin14]

Just definitely dont forget the crank dowel pin! Get a keyway cut in and make it last. Trans build for sure changes so much of how the truck drives and transfers the power.

 

[DoughBallin14]

Sounds like a question for yup boys

Ah come on we all know Byron and them only really like fords!!! Lol

 

[ChrisV]

Anyone ever been to Inglewood trans? Good reviews?

 

[JFMFG]

Anyone ever been to Inglewood trans? Good reviews?

I believe my BIL did before they sold.

 

[adam909]

Anyone ever been to Inglewood trans? Good reviews?

I havent used him since mike passed. But I wouldnt use anyone else. Mike was the main face for inglewood but his main worker was the hands on guy and i believe that guy is still there. (from what i heard). I had great experience there but it was with Mike. I had my allison way over built for my stock truck and he looked me in the eyes and said if you break this trans with your stock motor your a idiot!! lol..

 

[ChrisV]

I havent used him since mike passed. But I wouldnt use anyone else. Mike was the main face for inglewood but his main worker was the hands on guy and i believe that guy is still there. (from what i heard). I had great experience there but it was with Mike. I had my allison way over built for my stock truck and he looked me in the eyes and said if you break this trans with your stock motor your an idiot!! lol..

What stage did you go with? I think I’ll be fine with the stage 2 since I have a tuner.

 

[adam909]

What stage did you go with? I think I’ll be fine with the stage 2 since I have a tuner.

Im not exactly sure this was back in 16 or 17 when I used them.

 

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