2005 Duramax

[merlin2569]

Well guys I just bought a 2005 Chevy Duramax 2500. This is the first Duramax I have ever owned. It has the LLY motor in it. Is there anything that i need to be watching out for with it. So far pretty impressed with it. Gets much better mileage then my Powerstroke did and the ride is much nicer. Also, where is my money going to be best spent on aftermarket parts. Exhaust, Intake, Programmer, something I don't know about? Any help that you guys can give me would be appreciated.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Only problem with that truck is that it doesn't have the 6 spd tranny. Go with a 4" exhaust, EGR blocker and programmer. My LBZ ('06) was wicked strong with a simple Edge programmer. Lot's of guys will talk up EFI Live and I think it is great but no need to spend that money when you can buy a simple programmer. Go to DuramaxForum.com. I bought my stuff through alligatorperformance.com. Enjoy the truck.

 

[LoudHandle]

Carry a super sharp ice pick! Due to the wire loom length on number 1 and number 8 cylinders the connector makes and breaks contact causing the engine ECU to drop that bank of injectors and starts to run and sound like a old mechanical Cummins or Power Stroke. Take the connector off and run the ice pick through the connector plastic and through the actual contact. Leaves a sharp fresh jagged copper exposed to the male end of the injector connector and will give you another year or so of no issues. Search the net for better more detailed instructions.

The other is install a AFE mouthpiece for the turbo or port the stock one, GM molded it with a very sharp corner into the turbo and it chokes itself there. Causes excessive intake temperatures and overheating issues.

That is all I have done to mine and I am very happy with it. Would have preferred an '06 or '07 but it wasn't meant to be at the time.

 

[Himark]

Watch the two tranny lines at front to cooler. Where they mold the rubber to aluminum transition they all start to leak. We keep those lines on hand and have replaced them as low as 30k miles under warranty.

 

[rmk01r1der]

Intake, AFE mouthpiece, egr delete, PCV reroute, edge insight gauges, EFI live tuning (you get what you pay for), 4 inch exhaust or 5 if you want it loud but it usually causes droning in the cab, then drive it

 

[Mafesto]

Intake, AFE mouthpiece, egr delete, PCV reroute, edge insight gauges, EFI live tuning (you get what you pay for), 4 inch exhaust or 5 if you want it loud but it usually causes droning in the cab, then drive it

Neighbor has a straight pipe on his power stroke.
You have no idea how annoying that is to listen to on a daily basis.
If you think that sounds "cool" you are fu(#ed in the head.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Neighbor has a straight pipe on his power stroke.
You have no idea how annoying that is to listen to on a daily basis.
If you think that sounds "cool" you are fu(#ed in the head.

Agreed, I know a guy who went with a 6" exhaust because he thought it was cool. He agreed it was the biggest mistake he made modding his truck. When the vehicle was pulling it was the worst sound to experience. Him and his wife had their biggest argument over that exhaust and it landed him on the couch!

 

[Mafesto]

The manufacturers spend millions making these trucks nice & quiet.
Then the halfwits go & make them loud.........f_ing R-tards!

 

[Blk88GT]

I've got a 5" system on my 06. I wouldn't have it any other way

 

[SLDHVN]

Really you dont even need an intake unless you are makin over 500 horse. The AFE mouthpiece or one off an 06(LBZ) will do what ya need just fine. After that, exhaust, EFI live from duramax tuner or idaho rob, egr delete, turbo downpipe, and you will make plenty of power and still get good mileage. A good set of tierod sleeves and pitman/idler arm braces is a good investment, the stock GM front end does have weak points in it, then you can do boosted launches in 4wd.

duramaxforum.com is a good site, just use the search function. there is also a section just for the 04.5-05 LLY motors.

 

[AndrettiDog]

SLDHVN makes a good point on the front end. I did the Cognito level kit with bigger tie rods, pitman/idler arms and Bilstein shocks. I then did 285 Nitto tires and it was a great combination. I needed the beefy front end for my camper but I recommend it for all.

 

[carlc]

Can't see where you are from but if you happen to be from mt or southeast Idaho and are interested in efi, let me know. It's a lot better priced than you think

 

[T-Bone]

The manufacturers spend millions making these trucks nice & quiet.
Then the halfwits go & make them loud.........f_ing R-tards!

I know. Can you believe these fools that spent their own money and actually have something like they want it.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I know. Can you believe these fools that spent their own money and actually have something like they want it.

The huge exhaust coming out of the bed really gets me. Why would you ruin the ability to haul with your HD truck by doing that? What do you really gain? Some people just need a lot of attention.

 

[jasperB]

That was pretty cool.

 

[cjfox]

Efi live all the way why buy a tuner you can plug into any truck?(edge h&s banks you now etc.) Spend the extra and it will pay off in the long run. And all I know is I love that straight pipe wisel! Must be to old if it's to loud tie rods are weak on any gm just don't be tryin to turn big wheels at a dead stop and you will be FIne

 

[Tonysnoo]

Carry a super sharp ice pick! Due to the wire loom length on number 1 and number 8 cylinders the connector makes and breaks contact causing the engine ECU to drop that bank of injectors and starts to run and sound like a old mechanical Cummins or Power Stroke. Take the connector off and run the ice pick through the connector plastic and through the actual contact. Leaves a sharp fresh jagged copper exposed to the male end of the injector connector and will give you another year or so of no issues. Search the net for better more detailed instructions.

The other is install a AFE mouthpiece for the turbo or port the stock one, GM molded it with a very sharp corner into the turbo and it chokes itself there. Causes excessive intake temperatures and overheating issues.

That is all I have done to mine and I am very happy with it. Would have preferred an '06 or '07 but it wasn't meant to be at the time.

The turbo mouth piece mod and then finally, i went with the afe mouthpiece, they were the bomb for me. Nothing i did mattered til i got that kink fixed on my 05. Whats crazy is how stupid easy it is to do. 20 minutes and you are driving down the road without all that intake heat and clutch fan noise

 

[Burn Down]

The turbo mouth piece mod and then finally, i went with the afe mouthpiece, they were the bomb for me. Nothing i did mattered til i got that kink fixed on my 05. Whats crazy is how stupid easy it is to do. 20 minutes and you are driving down the road without all that intake heat and clutch fan noise

Tony,
I told you how to fix that intake elbow... Put another turbo in front of it.