LB7: Noob Towing Question

[BigJess]

Hello,
I'm about to purchase a 2002 Chevy 2500 from my Uncle and use it to tow my TT. It has 420,000kms on it. Reputable duramax mechanic says it has lots of life left. I'm 100% new to diesels and have a question for adding performance mods. I don't have a huge budget and will use it 99% to tow my TT.

From what I've read, programmer, exhaust, inake...are the best starters. Is there a best worst for any of these upgrades? Are upgrades going to kill me with such high miles? I'd like to keep the stock tranny for as long as possible...if possible at 420k.

Any input would be great.

Cheers.

 

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site.

Tony

 

[BudTX]

In this order: Intake, exhaust, gauges.

Then a mild tune, followed by appropriate transmission upgrades if you want to go with bigger tunes.

 

[BigJess]

Thanks for the welcome Tony. And thanks for the advice BudTX. Think I should be able to afford that for now.

Jess

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Hi there, and welcome to the site!

First I gotta say, tuning it could come with some issues being the mileage is so high. Reputable mechanic is a d-max specialist? Did he check the balance rates of the injectors? How did he determine the rigs shape?

So, for starting mods I'd suggest the following-
You can mod the stock air box for free! Don't spend the money if ya don't have to, unless ya want to
You should also mod the turbo intake horn, you can do this as well but I've heard it's a real pain. Profab performance (Rick) and also DHD (Tony) has a nice one available for the LB7
I'd also look into a Batmowheel turbo compressor wheel for a nice bump in spool and a lil extra mid and top end air
A 4" exhaust and a downpipe will really help in all counts
Dual filter lift pump ( air dog or fass) to clean and supply fuel
I'd highly suggest adding an aftermarket transmission cooler, PPE makes a good one
And possibly a set of cheap helper bags to help carry the load of hauling a trailer
Then I'd look into a stock trans EFI Live tune from one of the vendors here, there are quite a few reputable tuners here on the forum, I'd hate to start listing them for fear of missing one, they all tweak em about the same with similar results, yet they all "feel" slightly different in the seat.

Use the forum for what it's worth, it's a vast database of others experiences, thoughts and questions. It's a wealth of info and a wealth of possibilities that offers up some good times along with great vendors who've taken the time to provide tried and true parts for our benifit.

Good luck and have fun

 

[BigJess]

Thanks Cocoal.
Not sure on the Mechanics name or shop. But he is a durmax specialist. I guess he builds some dmax race trucks as well in his spare time. I know my uncle said compression test was done and passed. Also, told the mech that he was selling to me so if there was any reason the truck might die prematurely to let him know and he wouldn't sell it to me.

I've heard a lot on the EFI live tunes. Do I need to by the kit to get user tunes? Or can I just buy a tune from someone without the module?

Sounds like there's a lot I can do with this truck. If only the pockets were deeper. I think I'll just start off with exhaust, maybe intake, small tune, and perhaps the batmowheel/intake horn. All depends the wife's appetite to "upgrade."

Thanks again.

 

[Hot COCOAL]

Thanks Cocoal.
Not sure on the Mechanics name or shop. But he is a durmax specialist. I guess he builds some dmax race trucks as well in his spare time. I know my uncle said compression test was done and passed. Also, told the mech that he was selling to me so if there was any reason the truck might die prematurely to let him know and he wouldn't sell it to me.

I've heard a lot on the EFI live tunes. Do I need to by the kit to get user tunes? Or can I just buy a tune from someone without the module?

Sounds like there's a lot I can do with this truck. If only the pockets were deeper. I think I'll just start off with exhaust, maybe intake, small tune, and perhaps the batmowheel/intake horn. All depends the wife's appetite to "upgrade."

Thanks again.

no worries
You can get an auto-cal and switchable programming from most any tuner, or some tuners will even make single tuned ECM's, which for you might be the best for your rig and your needs, something like a +75hp dedicated "tow/street" tune. I'd look into that. Also, if funds are somewhat tight I'd just modify the stock air box and keep the Donaldson paper filter, that combo will be more than enough for your needs. I went with cheap Diamond Eye 4" exhaust and I don't regret it at all, IIRC the downpipe back system was $330 shipped.

Exhaust $350
Batmowheel $400
Intake horn $150
Single tune $300

Srsly, try to get a trans cooler on there $450
Adding horsepower also adds heat, everywhere, especially the transmission. Heat is one of the biggest killers of a stock trans, so keeping it cool should be a priority. Considering your goals of added power and towing you should really consider the need you'll have to shed that extra heat