Newbie here with a Duramax, but I will picking up a 24v this month. I am used to firing up my laptop to tune my current truck; I have a few things to learn about the 24v.

My question is, what will I need to max out the stock turbo. Lets assume the truck has a clutch and aftermarket lift pump. I am thinking some kind of box or smarty plus injectors?

TIA,
Eric

 

To start with just put a j-hook on the turbo. Then the performance box is a personal preference call.

 

A TST powermax will push the stock turbo about as far as I would be comfortable pushing it. I was running 35 psi with just a tst

 

Smarty and injectors would be a great start and take you well beyond what the stock turbo can handle.

BTW J-hooks are for 01-02 autos only =P

 

Thanks for the replies, what do you think the main differences would be running say TST or Edge + injectors vs. smarty + injectors?

Does anything need to be done to the turbo to allow it to make 35lbs with the above mods? Also any recommendations on sticks.

-Eric

 

To really maximize you're stock turbo and extend its upper HP range, you'll need an aftermarket cam and head porting. An aftermarket Intercooler and methanol kits will help as well. This will drop you're egt's as that will limit you upper HP power. Of course NOS will work as well. Typically a stock turbo is maxed out around the 400 rwhp. The 24v VP truck isn't a tuner engine like you're Duramax. Yes there is tuner/programmers out there but tuning options are limited. The best stack IMO is the edge drag box stacked with the smarty. Some people use the redline box to add abit more fuel and upper engine rev's. I would keep her close to stock, with the typical 275RV injectors and edge towing box. You wont break as much stuff and you can forget about driving the chevy.

 

XZT+ and 7x0.010" stock lift injectors is perfect.

 

Wow lot's of possibilities, I wish it were as simple as efi live and a lift pump. I will say; the sound, looks, and solid axle are worth much more than the capabilities of my DMax. Let the modding begin

 

The TST comes with whatever you need for the turbo like a boost elbow if aplicable already set for 35psi.
I am using the new smarty and I must say I think it is the best bang for the buck with bigger injectors for drivability. Read what I had to say in the smarty updates thread.
I like the F1 injectors. they are pricey but they do exactly what Don says they will do.

TST is just raw fueling. no real timing so you kind of need to stack it with something to get the most out of it

 

Nobody has made efi live for cummins/dodge. The newer trucks can be tuned, but you're playing with cummins first kick at an electronic injection system, some would say a mistake. I like the awesome low end torque these mechanical injection pumps kick out. The electronic stuff will help tweak the top end. You're really only limit is the stock turbo, as you could build a decent 500rwhp realible daily hauler that could out pull your Duramax and really put to work. My brother has a duramax, all it does is kick down and up in gears when it see a hill. Mine just stays in the top gear, unless I'm pulling a killer load and I have to go around all the broken chevies.

 

A stock HX turbo will only net you about 350 Hp reliably. Also, that red line on the Pyro at 1250 is a serious thing to watch. The DMax pyro is not required as most guys can blast 2000 degrees without damage. Try that with your 24V and you will be scooping aluminum out of the exhaust manifold.

I would say with a stock turbo, max 90hp injectors and possibly a box/uploader. The Smarty will be the closest you get to EFI live.

 

Why can the D-max handle higher temps than a 24 valve?? Does the aluminium the pistons are made out of have a higher melting point?? Different Alloy??

 

There was no "possibly" or "about" in my response, I love speculation.

 

I'm glad your not my Doctor! I'd be getting a diagnosis without knowing the symptoms!

If you want to absolutely MAX out the stock turbo, then you can do that with many different ways of adding more fuel than it can handle. Any plug-in box with 150hp injectors will get you in the range.

With a wire-it-in fueling box, the stock charger will be overloaded with injectors rated 100hp or higher. Maybe even lower...Possibly...Maybe...

 

I have not heard a definitive answer on that.. Could be the reverse flow cooling system, could be the smaller bore with high oil circulation, piston bowl design, clearance, material.. Dunno.. But all the scare about the aluminum heads way back in 01, is now just a moot point. Truth is the engineering of that mating between the AL head and iron block was bang on and gasket failures or head failures on the DM are not the killer.

The bottom end on the other hand..