Recently got a duramax

[Ridin'GMC]

hey, i've been on this site for a while doing many researchs trying to pick the right duramax. I bought one last week after 2 years of waiting for a dmax of my own. The truck is all stock its rolling on a set of 325's and its alrite on mpg. I'm looking for something to increase my mpg. I looked up on the Kennedy boost stick and the PPE boost stick, what's the difference between them (disregarding the huge price difference) and which is better? I also need to find the right programmer to calibrate my speedo since it is 9mph off and the dealer said they cant recalibrate it cuz of the tires ( bunch of dumbasses). I would like to increase the power to move those huge tires and also not sacrifice mpgs. any suggestions would be helpful from your experiences.

[BigRedChevy]

First of all congrats on the new truck!! What year did you buy?

The biggest differenct in the Kennedy Boost stick and the PPE boost controller is that the PPE is adjustable and the Kennedy is pre-set. Each of the two has their advantages, but not needed always. For example the PPE tuner adds boost in their tuning, so if you add a boost stick on top of that then you will overboost your turbo.

Like 4x4Fantasy said, the PPE or quadzilla either one would be a good choice for tuners and if you go with one of them the boost stick or controller neither one will be needed.

[Duraski]

Nice looking durmax. Modding these trucks can become as addictive as is ease of mashing your right foot which leads to lower fuel mileage.

[Ridin'GMC]

Thanks guys, I forgot to mention my dmax is a 2006 with a LLY. I probably will go with a PPE but i would like something adjustable on the fly like EDGE but from what i've heard about them, i decided not to go that way. Banks sounds pretty nice and i like their idea of their safeguards to prevent my tranny limping or other things that can harm my new pickup.
the truck already has a 4" silverline cat back pipes but it doesnt really sound any different, barely even loud at all (considering that i am already deaf/hard of hearing). I dont really like the silverline pipe at all and been looking for the best deal for a 4" turbo back. I guess i will not be needing a boost stick if im gunna get a PPE. It was just an idea. I dont really mash my throttle as i used to with my old truck, im gunna take better care of this one better than i did with my old 1500.

For a cold air intake, i have been thinking about the Banks Ram Air but however i am not sure if their filter element are oiled or not. I dont like the oiled element because it screws around with the MAF sensor too much and i have to clean it quite a few times. Im just looking for an oil less filter element. Sometimes soon i will be modifying my mouthpiece as i have read on other threads to smoothen out the air turbulence and hopefully lose some temp because i live in the valley of arizona and its pretty hot (around 110-115 degrees in the summer). I have been thinking about a lower thermostat like a 180 but im not sure if thats good for it.

[Ridin'GMC]

What is included in the complete banks package? I will have to save up for a while to get stuff for it since I just bought the truck.

ps. - How do you add large pics to my profile?

[Raul B]

i think the banks stuff is way overpriced.. you can get the same performance(sometimes better) with other products...

i refuse to sell banks products because the owners son is a dip****... stay clear from banks... im sure Mike can hook you up with some way better stuff

[daddysLBZ]

Originally Posted by Ridin'GMC

Thanks guys, I forgot to mention my dmax is a 2006 with a LLY. I probably will go with a PPE but i would like something adjustable on the fly like EDGE but from what i've heard about them, i decided not to go that way. Banks sounds pretty nice and i like their idea of their safeguards to prevent my tranny limping or other things that can harm my new pickup.
the truck already has a 4" silverline cat back pipes but it doesnt really sound any different, barely even loud at all (considering that i am already deaf/hard of hearing). I dont really like the silverline pipe at all and been looking for the best deal for a 4" turbo back. I guess i will not be needing a boost stick if im gunna get a PPE. It was just an idea. I dont really mash my throttle as i used to with my old truck, im gunna take better care of this one better than i did with my old 1500.

For a cold air intake, i have been thinking about the Banks Ram Air but however i am not sure if their filter element are oiled or not. I dont like the oiled element because it screws around with the MAF sensor too much and i have to clean it quite a few times. Im just looking for an oil less filter element. Sometimes soon i will be modifying my mouthpiece as i have read on other threads to smoothen out the air turbulence and hopefully lose some temp because i live in the valley of arizona and its pretty hot (around 110-115 degrees in the summer). I have been thinking about a lower thermostat like a 180 but im not sure if thats good for it.

Welcome to the forum,and congrats on ya new to you LLY Duramax,you'll like it forsho!!The mouthpiece mod is a must on the LLY's for/increased coolin capicity.I don't know about the cooler therm though,cause a cold running engine[not cold,but not hot enough to evap h2o and burn out soot deposits]wastes fuel.The warmer a diesel engine becomes[within reason]the more efficient it becomes.[you may actually want a cooler therm till ya get the comp m-piece modded,for cooler temps?]Water is evap properly,soot and carbon deposits are burnt off when op temp is reached and maintained for 20-30 minutes..I don't think it would hurt at all,but it may be less efficient.I know it's hot there,but in Louisiana in summertime 95-100 degrees is common,and heat indexes often reach double digits..My truck does fine,and pulling 16k never goes above 196 [water temp]in the hottest and most HUMID weather.I hope ya enjoy that new LLY...
Kev

[Ridin'GMC]

Originally Posted by 4x4Fantasy

to your profile, you go to your garage and add that way. but to add pics here, go to imageshack.us and upload them, then copy the second set of code "thumbnail link for forums" and paste it here for each image.

As for the banks, depending on package, you get an intake, tuner, exhaust and/or intercooler.

I have most of them on my site for your viewing pleasure under "packages". Or, you can go to the Banks official site and research.

Gale Banks

3k for a big hoss bundle does sound pretty expensive. which PPE tuner will make that same amount of power? I like the idea of the PPE hot et +2 but im not sure how much is it gunna upgrade the stock tranny with a shift kit to handle that much power ( i've been through 6 trannies imy life in my 96 1500 because it had plenty of power to fry that tranny with a shift kit!) Which cold air would you guys recommend? i heard that volant has a non oiling element that my dealer recommended to get but i dont listen to dealer recommendments because thyre just trying to get some extra money. Does cold air really help? I have a friend from college backthen saying he put a k&n cold air in his lb7 and he got an extra 3-4 mpg just on that. i was skeptical about that.

[picklopete]

I am a first time Dmax owner. Also new member to this site. I love your guys input. How do I know what engine I have? I have cortex superchip, phantom autometer guages on A pillar and upper console. (boost, egt, water, oil).AFE magnum force intake,looks like 5" Flo-Pro exhuast w/6" tip, 6" lift, electric steps, Kenwood deck, w/back up camera. I bought it this way, so I really don"t know what else it has. I got it from liftedtrucks.com in ARIZONA. Question: where is the best place to hook up water sensor?

[picklopete]

thanks 4x4 fantasy. its a LLY, what is the differance between LLY and LBZ?