Getting on here to learn about the Duramax platform in the 2000s. I'd love a 7.3 Powerstroke but where I live people seem to think they are made of gold and not a machine. LMM back with exception of the LB7, not interested in that one.
Ok looks like the LBZ is only available for two years. That's like a 6.0 from 05-07, it kinda bottle necks me. Why does the LLY have overheating issues? Does the LMM constantly run the DPF to burn off the soot?
So looked on a couple sights and maybe the LB7 isn't as bad as I thought. Is it like the 6.0, had a few quirks early on but got fixed?
My goal is for light towing (track bikes, home materials) and durability and mpg. I live in Colorado Springs and commute to Denver so driving that far I don't want to replace the truck every few years. I will keep it stock mostly, I'm not against performance upgrades as long as they improve durability and mpg.
Can well I won't be towing that much weight, 5-6k at most, so sounds like the LB7 got a bad rep. Would studding the LLY help the head gasket issue?I would trade my lbz for an 02 lb7 in a heart beat. They are all good trucks with quirks. Lb7 has injector issues but with SAC injectors it can be remedied. LLYs had crappy head gaskets and a poor intake design that caused overheating. Both of those can also be fixed. LBZ is a great engine but does have worse pistons than the first few years. But the 6 speed is very nice. LMM is basically an lbz with dpf. No it doesn’t run all the time but it is one of the worse designs for emissions dumping fuel into the exhaust.
Lb7 is going to get the best mpg. But an LLY and up may tow better due to the vgt turbo spooling faster and the ability to tune in a turbo brake. Lbz and lmm have the 6 speed which some people have had better luck holding a little more power than the 5 speed plus it’s easier on the ears and engine when cruising.
L5P is way over my price range, I'm ok with twenty year old truck because I can get parts to update things that need replaced. As long as it isn't rusted out I should be ok.Others will know more but I believe the LLY had multiple issues, with each one contributing to over heating. Undersized cooling system, smaller (then LBZ) fan?, Restrictive air intake, increase in HP, maybe more. Seems like many end up doing multiple modes to try and correct it
Until the L5P, I think the LB7 is my favorite engine. Simplest of them all. I I said before, with the newer SAC injectors, it is just as, or more so, reliable as any other year engine. Less emission systems to deal with. The issue is the engine, and truck, is sitting at or near 20 years old now. If you are ok with that then don't overlook it as a viable truck
LBZ was kind of the last version before the emissions overhaul to add the DPF. LMM saw the addition of the DPF and redesign of the cab/body. LML improved on the DPF system and added some Nox reduction equipment. Redesigned cab and body again and beefed up frame
And currently the L5P with a major overhaul to the engine and emissions, cab, body, frame, ect. A very different truck the the previous years
Got a little confused in your post, if i find a LLY or LB7 with low miles it wouldn't really matter? Or did you mean both? You mentioned HG twice, what is that referring to? So LBZ's are gonna need serious work after 200k is what it sounds like. LMM is not ideal but I'm a realist and if that's what's available in my area at the right price I wanna be prepared.