Duramax's
- Thread starter Turbo25
- Start date
Best one in my opinion is the 2003 lly I think that's the right name for the motor can't keep them straight. Yet the 2006 lbz is sweet with the paddle shift, but my buddies 2007 lmm is awesome and gets good mileage. So 20k to 30k plus is all up to u. Hope this helps let me know if u need me too look for a pickup.
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itsallgood
Member
I believe the 01-04 are somewhat perferred from a mileage & performance standpoint. The downside is the injectors are a pain to replace compared to the newer versions & the alison would also need to be upgraded with any moderate upgrades.
LB7 2001-2003 315hp had major injector issues
LLY 2004-2005 345hp completely new block
LBZ 2005.5-2006.5 365hp LB7 block with new heads
LMM 2007+ 360hp same LBZ engine with emissions.
Please do not quote me on specifics, it has been a long time since shopping for my DMax...
I have had the best luck with the LBZ. It has injectors capable of delivering 300hp additional over stock. The rest of the fuel system can not supply that, but up to 225 no sweat and no codes. Durability is there also. The only issue I have seen was turbo related. The oil line fitting broke inside the turbo, dumping engine oil into the intake. It ran away, couldn't be shut down, and ended in multiple fatalities.
I have seen an LB7 eat 3 sets of injectors, the first two covered under warranty. That was enough to make me look for newer.
I have all my books if you are interested in actual numbers, service intervals, etc.
LLY 2004-2005 345hp completely new block
LBZ 2005.5-2006.5 365hp LB7 block with new heads
LMM 2007+ 360hp same LBZ engine with emissions.
Please do not quote me on specifics, it has been a long time since shopping for my DMax...
I have had the best luck with the LBZ. It has injectors capable of delivering 300hp additional over stock. The rest of the fuel system can not supply that, but up to 225 no sweat and no codes. Durability is there also. The only issue I have seen was turbo related. The oil line fitting broke inside the turbo, dumping engine oil into the intake. It ran away, couldn't be shut down, and ended in multiple fatalities.
I have seen an LB7 eat 3 sets of injectors, the first two covered under warranty. That was enough to make me look for newer.
I have all my books if you are interested in actual numbers, service intervals, etc.
i have an 04 80k miles never had a problem love the truck
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twsandrew
Well-known member
I have had all of them
LB7 - best mileage and easy power. Transmission is the downside and injectors at high mileage.
LLY - decent mileage, power and better tranny
LBZ - my fav from a motor and trans perspective but mileage was down for me even after blocking the EGR
LMM - same motor as the LBZ as soon as you pull the dpf crap off and you get decent performance with an interior that is finally updated
I think they are all great honestly. I have had 4 and haven't had more than a very minor repair on any of them. I don't keep them for more than 50k miles but they have all been tuned over 125 extra rwhp with some much more and they performed flawlessly pulling my boat and sleds. I did limp the tranny on my LBZ and when I sold it I think it was pretty shot but I only had a transgo Jr even with an aftermarket turbo. I think the stock Ally holds a ton as long as you drive it right
LB7 - best mileage and easy power. Transmission is the downside and injectors at high mileage.
LLY - decent mileage, power and better tranny
LBZ - my fav from a motor and trans perspective but mileage was down for me even after blocking the EGR
LMM - same motor as the LBZ as soon as you pull the dpf crap off and you get decent performance with an interior that is finally updated
I think they are all great honestly. I have had 4 and haven't had more than a very minor repair on any of them. I don't keep them for more than 50k miles but they have all been tuned over 125 extra rwhp with some much more and they performed flawlessly pulling my boat and sleds. I did limp the tranny on my LBZ and when I sold it I think it was pretty shot but I only had a transgo Jr even with an aftermarket turbo. I think the stock Ally holds a ton as long as you drive it right
05 LLY with 131k here. Motor has been good to me, it's all the other "little" things that have killed me. I must be dumb because I'd definitely get another duramax even after all the problems....
That being said, I always felt the 06 LBZ was the "best" package. 6sp tranny, more power stock, quieter running, same good tranny. Wish I could've afforded one when I had to buy my 05....
That being said, I always felt the 06 LBZ was the "best" package. 6sp tranny, more power stock, quieter running, same good tranny. Wish I could've afforded one when I had to buy my 05....
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tymetoride
Member
2006
I did a lot of research before i bought mine, and ended up chosing the lbz(kind of hard to find with low milage) which was made from 2006.5 to 2007.5. The first part of 2006 just had the lly coding which was a little less horsepower and torque but same motor as the lbz coded engine. The only thing i have ever heard going wrong on those year duramaxs was the pump rub issue on the transfer case and leaking coolant lines, which both have fairly easy aftermarket fixes. My opinion though is u cant go wrong with the lbz, and all u need to do is a programmer to delete codes after blocking egr and then do the pcv reroute. I know a lot of people that have them and they all love them and they tow with them. But do some research on the different ones on like the duramax forum sites, they have a lot of good information on them. Just my opinion...
I did a lot of research before i bought mine, and ended up chosing the lbz(kind of hard to find with low milage) which was made from 2006.5 to 2007.5. The first part of 2006 just had the lly coding which was a little less horsepower and torque but same motor as the lbz coded engine. The only thing i have ever heard going wrong on those year duramaxs was the pump rub issue on the transfer case and leaking coolant lines, which both have fairly easy aftermarket fixes. My opinion though is u cant go wrong with the lbz, and all u need to do is a programmer to delete codes after blocking egr and then do the pcv reroute. I know a lot of people that have them and they all love them and they tow with them. But do some research on the different ones on like the duramax forum sites, they have a lot of good information on them. Just my opinion...
So what year u leaning on then?
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Turbo25
New member
Thinkin the lbz sounds like the one to have.. talked to a local dealer and they are super hard to find with low miles and not beat on.. i would like a maroon possibly white one also four door. i suppose on the early duramaxs if you changed out the injectors and put the six speed allison in(you would have to get one h*ll of a deal to do this) but would pry have an awesome pickup ..
Have an 03 with upgraded allison... Looked today have 145,010 miles. Have 4'' Mbrp and Hypertech Programmer set at plus 60hp and havent had a single problem..
This months Diesel Power mag. has an article on this. They say that the LBZ is probably the best. I did a lot of research before buying mine, and felt the LBZ would be the best. Buddy of mine has the '04 and if nothing else he likes my transmission a lot better than his. LBZ gets my vote hands down.
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itsallgood
Member
What was the mileage on the LBZ compared to the LB7. My lifted 01 gets 14 in the city, just under 19 on the hwy, 12 towing the sled trailer & 10 towing the boat @ 80.
