LBZ and 6sp ally. weak?

slpcamaross97 · 12-16-2007, 09:29 PM

Ok so i worked in a chevy dealer for a few years. I loved the duramax. i left around the time of the 6sp ally. ive been reading up on the motor and trans and it sounds like there a weak combo. i now have the chance to get a LBZ with a 6 speed ally. I was thinking of a MBRP exuast cat back, would like to do something like an EDGE programer but ive been reading that the motor can only go to like 500 rwhp before failer. and the trans is good for 80HP only?

Now are these kits safe i really dont want to distroy my new truck? All this talk of tranny limp and stuff like that is making me think i should just keep it stock and drive it. but im a big fan of the diesels and power they can make. i know a few of my friends with cummings have no problems with big power. and a friend with a 02 duramax running and edge kit with exuast and intake kits and ive never heard of any problems since im his mechainc buddy and he has no clue of working on trucks or cars.

so long story short will my truck be safe with a k&N filter, exuast, and some kind of edge programer?

Thanks KP

**Landscapeman** · 12-16-2007, 11:17 PM

It should have no problems as long as you keep the power level low. I have the Bully Dog and my trans has a hard not slipping when i have it set on crazy larry. I havent had any mechanical problems... Yet(knock on wood). I would recommend the PPE programmer or the Bully Dog. Many of my friends along with me have them and those programmers produce power!

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 12-17-2007, 06:38 AM

welcome to the Duramax forum..first off do not go with K&N air filters on turbo charged engines they allow to much dirt thru and that can cause turbo failure..
i have the LBZ/6SP Allison combo with well over 400RWHP(i should be in the 475-500RWHP range)but to some extent the Duramax is past a safety point when you hit 500HP but the one thing you have to rember even if you have 400hp you can blow the same stuff as if you had 500hp if you beat on it hard enough.
Programmer=Diablo is the best for the $$,PPE is the best handheld avalible IMO,but the best is the EFILive and the reason i say that is you build your tunes to suit you but the one drawback is it takes some time to learn how everything works.
CAI=AFE,S&B or do the Cheap CAI upgrade for your LBZ
Exhaust=Silverline or MBRP,i would do the 4" 409SS turbo back
Gauges=Autometers or do the Quadzilla Commander Digital gauge setup.
hope this helps
ps your 6SP Allison will handle about a 100 extra HP but i would do a tranny upgrade and then put the power to the LBZ.

**n0useforaname** · 12-17-2007, 07:14 AM

Yeah...stay away from K&N and EDGE...and you shouldn't have any problems if you keep your foot off the pedal. And if you are saying your friend has a cummins and has no problems...then you should def. be fine....their trannys suck big time.

**IdahoRob** · 12-17-2007, 08:51 AM

Very good recommendations above. In my experience tuning the LBZ and 6 speed allisons, is that the 6 speeds can take more HP than the 5 speeds. Allison did their homework and modded the C1/C2 area to handle extra HP in the new trannys.

I'm running in excess of 650HP on my stock LBZ engine without fail, but I'm very careful with my tuning. Exhaust, lift pump and EFI will get you in the high 400's/500HP, but tranny upgrades are recommended after the 420HP range.

slpcamaross97 · 12-17-2007, 10:20 AM

now you guys say tranny up grades? what kind and how much work are they? i rember the show TRUCKS on spike tv did a 5sp up grade with replaceing a few springs and only had to drop the valve body.

Note Yes i am a GM tech but i cant stand red fluid. ive never had good luck with any trans problems.

**IdahoRob** · 12-17-2007, 10:46 AM

Trango Jr. helps with extra holding power. This is just a valve body upgrade, no need to drop the tranny. Under 200.00. I have a customer that drives and dyno'd 475HP with just transgo upgrade, EFI Live, and Cat back exhaust on a LBZ.

Next weak link is the converter, then pressure mods to the pump. Which require tranny removal.

**Bryan@ATS Diesel** · 12-17-2007, 10:47 AM

Here is the last upgrade you will ever need!!

ATS Billet Allsion Transmissions

This is the same tranny that is in "DirtyMax" as seen in this video.

DirtyMax in Houston

**TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN** · 12-17-2007, 01:11 PM

like Bryan posted a full fledge tranny upgrade is highly recommended but they also have tranny upgrades that hold 400-500HP and then ones that hold quite bit more so once you decide how far you wanna go then do a stage 3 or 4 from Sun Coast or the stage 2 or extreme from ATS along with the torque converter..

**n0useforaname** · 12-17-2007, 02:23 PM

Price for tranny upgrades...I just got off the phone checking for myself. ATS does FULL trannies....no kits...and they start at 6 grand. Suncoast's cheapest upgrade is 2,800.00. Then once you get the parts....you have to send them your stock TC back and they will give you 500.00 back. So 2,300.00. And if you can't do it yourself....you have the cost of labor into it.