An unbiased review of "Killer Bee"

AlisoBob · 10-06-2008, 11:14 PM

My name is Bob, and I recently bought my first Duramax. I live in So-Cal, but flew into Phoenix to pick it up.During the process of finding the " right truck", I came across this site and found several threads by Killer Bee. Needless to say, I was impressed by his No-Nonsense approach.

I decided for my first mod, I would do his Intake Tract Overhaul kit. His articles note several shortcomings in the design, as I'm sure all of you have read.

As I getting ready to fly to Phoenix, I get a email reply from K.B., in it he gives his home address... in Phoenix! What a stroke of luck!!

So, I fly -in, pick up the vehicle, and head straight to Mike's home.

He is just as straight foreword in person, and pulls no punches. We discuss allot of Duramax issues, go for some test rides, throw on some gauges, and banter for a while.

My impressions? Mike knows his stuff! He also spent far more time with me than expected. His insights were worth the trip alone. On one test drive, he explained everything I would see on the gauges BEFORE they occurred. I asked him "How many times have you performed these tests?" His rely...... " A few."

I left with both the Intake Kit, and the Cold Air Induction Kit, which I installed there. The quality was tip-top.

As I dont have much to judge it buy, and considering the K&N that was installed on the truck at time of purchase was disgusting... I could feel ( and hear) a difference in the trucks breathing.... I'm getting the Intake Kit on this weekend.

I'm mostly writing this as my introduction to the site, and a testimony to the dedication KillerBee has made to finding the facts about the Duramax.

Thanks again Mike, for your time and opinions.... You truly do separate the wheat from the chaff.

Bob

jcline · 10-06-2008, 11:33 PM

Wow, well said. Its nice to hear that about people on the site and to know that they are just as stand-up as you picture them to be. So, welcome to the site he is one of many here that is loaded with info about our trucks. And plan on spending more money this place has a way of making you try to find money you dont have. I think they took the sulfur out of fuel and replaced it with crack because I know I'm addicted.

AlisoBob · 10-07-2008, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcline

And plan on spending more money this place has a way of making you try to find money you dont have.

KillerBee's parts are expensive, but remember... your not just paying for the parts themselves, your paying for the mans time too.

If one were to add in the development costs to each part, Mike has done the homework for us pretty darn cheaply.

Heres my truck, by the way..... A 2004.5 LLY/ Allison 4x4 Crewcab.

**bigdaddydiesel** · 10-07-2008, 05:28 AM

If you don't mind posting more pics, where did he install the gauges?
Also, you mentioned that the truck had a K&N on it before you put one on from KB, what did you do with it? any plans? Please PM me with the informaiton...
Thanks
I need one for different reasons...

Thanks again,
chris

**n0useforaname** · 10-07-2008, 05:52 AM

I'd like to see some pics of his intake and the work he did too. I enjoy reading his posts and would like to have a visual of what he does!

AlisoBob · 10-07-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddydiesel

1.Where did he install the gauges?
2.The truck had a K&N on it , what did you do with it?

The gauge plugged into the OBD port. It was a single, multifunction gauge... pretty slick.

He predicted that I would see great fluctuations in the Inlet temperature during different driving conditions, the mass air flow numbers, the boost, etc.... and nailed all the numbers BEFORE the testing.

The K&N went in the trash..... sorry.

AlisoBob · 10-07-2008, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0useforaname

I'd like to see some pics of his intake and the work he did too. I enjoy reading his posts and would like to have a visual of what he does!

Go to any of his posts.... you will see this at the bottom....

Michael, 2500HD LLY
Vehicle Systems Engineer-useful links
THERMAL FEEDBACK INTRODUCTION
PERFORMANCE AND COOLING
maxxTORQUE | THE Magazine of the GM Diesel Community No Fluff

Click on what I've highlighted in BOLD

jcline · 10-07-2008, 08:31 AM

[quote]KillerBee's parts are expensive, but remember... your not just paying for the parts themselves, your paying for the mans time too.
[quote] ---Sorry I screwed the quote up-----I didn't mean his parts are expensive but in general after you really dig down and find out what you can do with these trucks it all adds up. I actually think his stuff is pretty reasonable for the R&D that went into it.

DuramaxOnTheBrain · 10-07-2008, 10:45 AM

Nice truck. I like the debadge. It's weird we have almost the same truck but mine has push button 4 wheel drive. Must have been an option. That truck looks REALLY clean. Nice ride!

**n0useforaname** · 10-07-2008, 10:55 AM

I wish I didn't have the pushbutton 4X4. I had it break in my Chevy ZR2 before....and it is NOT cheap to fix. There is the button, the box that controls it, and the motor itself. The button was 40+, and the other two weren't under 300.00