New Duramax Owner

Welcome to the DF!!

How much extra hp do you want, its easy to make well over 400RWHP but your biggest expense will be the trans upgrades but you can usually get low to mid 300'sRWHP on a stock trans!

I would start with Gauges ( pyro and Boost) then a 4"exhaust with Cat deleat front pipe, EGR_BLOCKER_AND_CODE_BLOCKER ( to deal with engine codes from the exhaust) ANd then a programer Diablo Predator being my #1 choice because it adds some extra boost on the lly's and you will not need a finger stick using a predator because it has a egr off function in it!! But if you want the biggest power go with PPE_HOT_ET+2 but you will need trany upgrades with it on the high settings!!!


Hope this helps,
Caleb

Thanks for the reply. I also have a few more questions if you don't mind.
I was looking at different exhaust systems to go with and I ain't real sure what sounds the best on these duramaxes. I know that on a cummins, 5" sounds way better than 4". Is that so with the duramax also? What does an lly sound like without a cat or muffler? I have heard the lb7's straight piped but I haven't heard a lly with the variable vane turbo straight piped yet. Will it sound better with 5", or should I go with 4"? Or should I just leave the stock size and just have the cat and muffler cut off? How would this sound?

Also, I see that alot of you guys are using the EFI live for tuning, is that better than just using a programmer? What all does the EFI live do and how do I go about getting it?

Thanks for all the help, I know there is alot of questions, but I don't know who else would know besides yall.

Zach

You guys sure are alot of help.:rant

EFi live is by far the best tuneing for the dmax but it is a time consun=ming custom tuning software. It is not just a plug and play tuner. For efi try one of these two places they are by far the best in customer support and tuning support! Pat @ http://www.mcratracing.com/forum/ and Guy @ http://socaldiesel.com/ either one of these guys offer a great starter tune with efilive!!


For a good exhaust i recomend Mbrp 4" the 5" offers no more than looks to a lly IMO! Lots of supporting vendors here sell them try Pat or Larry @ http://discountpowerparts.com/

My brother is on DTR (2001 Dodge Cummins) all the time and I have lurked there before and I see there is a whole bunch of information that is exchanged on that forum. There has got to be a few more Chev/GMC experts on this forum that can pitch in with valuable info?.?.?.

I am very interested in finding what simple mods I can do as well as what issues to keep an eye on with my 03 Duramax.

Thanks!

i love my ppe hot e.t.2 but like 05 LLY said i the highest setting a tranny upgrade is a must in my truck i have bully dog shift kit and it really helped but i'm looking to put a after market tranny in it because the shift kit wasn't enough.if you want the best go with efi live there is none better.ps i love my 5" exhaust:rockin