Couldn't agree more. That's my issue with finding someone local. No one here that I've found has shop trucks or much experience in these engines and I'm not taking a $15k plus gamble.
Lbz Engine build
- Thread starter Ironworker15
- Start date
I was almost going to just have the machine work done and assemble the engine myself as I've built many small and big blocks over the years and probably could put together a Dmax. But never having actually done one, I decided it's better left to the people who do this every day.
One of the issues I think he is insinuating is the quality that has come from Lincoln of late. They use to be the go to, but have fallen badly in the last few years.
That's why I asked. I haven't had an issue with any of their parts. Turbos , injectors, nozzles. They've only been top notch. I'd hate to hear that they went down hill. Especially since their prices can't be beat. It's a little ridiculous what Exergy and S&S are asking for injectors these days of you ask me.
Ya I'm the same way. It's a gamble building yourself when the guys that do it know what mistakes not to make and what to watch out for. Especially with the QC of some of parts now days.
Yes for sure. The whole thing with Callie's cranks a few years ago and their thrust washer issues was the nail in the coffin for me. I wouldn't really know what to look for on something like that. Better off letting the pros do it and if theirs an issue let them handle thingd. I'm a Union Ironworker by trade and a part time welder/fabricator. I try and stick to what I know best.
Lincoln used to help support this forum. But its been reported their quality is not the same as it was years ago. But if you have not had any issues, then no problems.
Did your tuner think the 100s will support your goals adequately?
That's a shame if it's true as they are always good to deal with. Yes, my tuner suggested 100 or 150 overs. Brent at Lincoln Diesel suggested the 100s as more than sufficient. I believe each company rates them differently. As I've compared the flow sheets that came with my 60 overs from them to ones from other companies and these flow more at WOT than others. I could go with either and be able to support my goals. I personally feel that going with say a 200 over in a steet driven vehicle is too much , unless you're trying to spool a larger fixed vane turbo. If I were building a strictly race truck, I would of definitely went with the Fingers oval bowls and 200 overs. But since this truck is still used as a work vehicle sometimes, I feel the 100s and the Mahle Racecast will do well. It may never see 1000 HP and I may just have to settle for what I can afford.
Gotcha. You really have a good plan. Its been a long while since we've had someone come here interested in the perf side. 
Ive been into these trucks since I was in highschool over 20 years ago. I've made plenty of mistakes along the way that I've paid for , for sure. I never really was that internet savvy and tried to learn on my own or from people around me. After having found this forum, it's great to have access to so much information and be able to ask questions from people that have been doing this longer than myself. This will be my first full on Dmax engine build and there's just not enough people around me doing it so I figured I'd look here for answers. Definitely some good people on here. Thank you for you're help. I'll get some pictures up once I have the engine out and at the machine shop. ?Gotcha. You really have a good plan. Its been a long while since we've had someone come here interested in the perf side.
Only issue with the Callies rods right now is that they are still about 4-5 weeks out...
DHD would be a good Choice.
The issue with LDS, like Tom said, is their quality has gone down hill ever since they got cutoff from S&S and their lawsuit with Bosch didn't help their public image any. Some of the big name tuners won't even tune LDS injectors as lately they take far more pressure than is reasonable. For example, I had Lauren tell me it's normal for SAC45 and SAC65 to run 7000-8000psi at idle to be clean. For comparison I have not had to run that much pressure on any other company below 250%. The 250%+ stuff can be closer to 8000-8500psi to idle clean but they also support 500-1000whp over say a SAC45% or SAC65%.
Personally I would be taking my motor to DHD as others have said. Ask yourself, can you afford to do the job twice? There is a reason DHD is so highly recommended and also arguably one of the best (if not the best) Duramax engine building shop on the globe.
12mm, 100% injectors, and a 68vgt/483 is a great setup for the 800whp area while still having great street manners. A 150% or 200% would be more ideal should your goals be closer to 1000whp. The days of a 200% being a competition only injector are gone as tuning technology and injector technology has come so darn far that they are extremely clean in all applications.
Personally I would be taking my motor to DHD as others have said. Ask yourself, can you afford to do the job twice? There is a reason DHD is so highly recommended and also arguably one of the best (if not the best) Duramax engine building shop on the globe.
12mm, 100% injectors, and a 68vgt/483 is a great setup for the 800whp area while still having great street manners. A 150% or 200% would be more ideal should your goals be closer to 1000whp. The days of a 200% being a competition only injector are gone as tuning technology and injector technology has come so darn far that they are extremely clean in all applications.
Yes, I had read about that lawsuit a little while ago. Never heard anything on the outcome though. Seemed to be how they were able to sell injectors so cheap. My issue is , look what a set of brand new injectors cost, then see what others charge for say a set of 100 overs. $2000 more than stock in some cases more. I'm not a professional machinist by any means but I can't see honing a set of injectors costing that kind of money especially when theyve done so many and have it down to a science. My current injectors only have 3500 miles on them. It may be that I send them out to get turned into 100 or 150 overs. Hell I even considered throwing a set of nozzles on myself as I don't see how they can balance them once the nozzles are installed and honed. But I'm not a professional fuel injector specialist so I may be wrong.
Let's look at it this way, if you go to a mom and pop diner and buy a ribeye steak will it be the same quality as a ribeye steak at a 5 star steakhouse? That answer is not a chance.
Injectors are most certainly balanced after the nozzles are put on to account for any differences in the body flow and nozzle flows. Some companies hold tighter tolerances than others on the nozzles, some hold tighter tolerances on the bodies, some hold tighter tolerances on the injection quantities. Injectors are one of those things that comes down to "you get what you pay for".
If LDS has been good to you that's awesome and I wish you luck on this 100% set but there are reasons tuners and shops refuse to touch them. For example, we're not far at all from LDS and we as a company will not sell or install them no matter how good the customer is or how much they ask as I don't want my name tied to it.
I expected that from the get go honestly seeing how much cheaper they were than others. You get what you pay for 99.9 percent of the time and I agree with you there. Like I said , I just don't see the costs of the upcharge to hone and balance them. But I'm not in that business so I'm just making an assumption. I purchased these injectors two years or so ago. Maybe their quality was better then as I've had no issues with tuning, smoke, balance or return rates. Maybe I just got lucky. If sending these to Exergy to be turned into 100 overs would be better than sending them somewhere else , I'm all for it. I have little to no experience dealing with these trucks on a professional level as you obviously do. So I appreciate your advice for sure.
So do you have 100% injectors now or do you have 60%? You can send them in to a company like DDP, Exergy, or S&S to be upgraded to whatever size you prefer. DDP is typically the most affordable but all three aren't terrible. S&S can be a bit picky on who's injectors they touch.
2yrs ago should be decent quality, if I recall correctly they were still on S&S parts and had not been cutoff at that point yet.
I currently have 60 overs purchased two and a half years ago from LDS. My plan was to either sell them and purchase a new set of 100s or just have nozzles installed.
Personally I'd sell them and start fresh. I don't know what your timeframe is but there is a sale starting in a few days on DDP running for all of April/May on reman or new body stuff. It's pretty hard to go wrong with DDP (Dynomite), S&S, or Exergy.
Rotating Sales
Hello everyone, I am going to keep this thread updated with rotating sales.
www.duramaxdiesels.com
Thank you for the information. I don't have a set time frame. I have all the parts for my engine build but am still in the process of looking for a builder. I'd say I'm a few months out until I have everything put back together. Depending on my work schedule it may be longer than that. I have been buying parts over the last few years as I have found deals. For what it's worth, the Brian Crowers I purchased are being discontinued and are still available for $1200 shipped. They were $2800 or so originally. I haven't seen anyone have issues with them other than a few guys saying they had to sand the wrist pin bored a touch to clean them up. Mine look great. I am not a professional builder , racer or even mechanic. I do all this in my free time and have been working on vehicles since I was a kid 30 something years ago. I'm not trying to break the bank on this build as I have 4 kids that are way more important to me than my truck. If I can save a couple bucks here and there i will as long as it's not going to sacrifice the end product. I appreciate all your info on the injectors and i will see what I can do in the near future.Personally I'd sell them and start fresh. I don't know what your timeframe is but there is a sale starting in a few days on DDP running for all of April/May on reman or new body stuff. It's pretty hard to go wrong with DDP (Dynomite), S&S, or Exergy.
Rotating Sales
Hello everyone, I am going to keep this thread updated with rotating sales.
Wish I found this site a few months ago. New to diesels and just put some stock size remans from LDS in my LB7 recently after seeing a bunch of people recommending them on another forum. About 6 thousand miles and so far so good but I don't want to do that job again anytime soon. My truck is just tuned with a liftpump and intake/exhaust but I plan to upgrade trans/turbo when they need to be rebuilt. Lots of good info on here, I'm jealous of your LBZ and engine build, things clean..