Duramax Diesel Performance??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300EVIL · #1 10-12-2010, 11:02 PM

So, I bought this Diesel truck,,, Yeah it's not a Mercedes but I know almost zero about diesel and want to see if I could tune it up a bit. It's a 2000 3500HD with what I'm guessing is a Duramax diesel engine in it. The engine looks like this...

It obviously has no intercooler but I figured the boost could probably be cranked up a PSI or so.

I noticed it has some sort of electronic solenoid control for the wastegate. Is there any cheap or easy solutions for cranking a little extra power out of this sucker?

Thanks!
Adam

biopete · #2 10-12-2010, 11:34 PM

Duramax started in 2001. You have a 6.5. Much simpler. Duramax is common rail. Yours has an electronic ip controller that could maybe be tuned.

300EVIL · #3 10-12-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biopete

Duramax started in 2001. You have a 6.5. Much simpler. Duramax is common rail. Yours has an electronic ip controller that could maybe be tuned.

Ah, as an interesting side note, the engine is a remanufactured swap so I don't know if it's an updated version or not but the engine does look like the one in the pic. Also, I am interested in an aftermarket cruise control system if anyone knows how that's done and what I should buy.

soothappens · #4 10-13-2010, 01:37 AM

Re-manufactured is a good thing. These engines where notorious for the blocks cracking. Durability was a problem on the early ones 92' to 96'.
In late 96' till 2000' Gm started adding piston oil spray cooling to increase durability. The machining for this weakened the blocks resulting in cracks. I read the tech article in diesel worlds Dec. issue. The 6.5 GM and the early 7.3 Ford lack after market support. Power stroke , Cummins , and Duramax are high on the aftermarkets list.

As for the cruise you could probably get all the parts from the junk yard and have the dealer program it when your through. We do it all the time on utility trucks that come without it.

300EVIL · #5 10-13-2010, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soothappens

Re-manufactured is a good thing. These engines where notorious for the blocks cracking. Durability was a problem on the early ones 92' to 96'.
In late 96' till 2000' Gm started adding piston oil spray cooling to increase durability. The machining for this weakened the blocks resulting in cracks. I read the tech article in diesel worlds Dec. issue. The 6.5 GM and the early 7.3 Ford lack after market support. Power stroke , Cummins , and Duramax are high on the aftermarkets list.

As for the cruise you could probably get all the parts from the junk yard and have the dealer program it when your through. We do it all the time on utility trucks that come without it.

Interesting, I find it ironic they call it a "Duramax" LOL.

As for the cruise control, what parts would I need other than the control stalk? What should the dealer approximately charge for reprogramming to add the cruise?
Thanks!
Adam

-=DeanstuD=- · #6 10-13-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300EVIL

Interesting, I find it ironic they call it a "Duramax" LOL.

How Ironic? You've already been told that your trucks engine is NOT called Duramax. "lol"

There is a forum called www.oilburners.net that has a section for 6.2/6.5 GM Diesel engines.

02isb · #7 10-13-2010, 02:55 PM

thats a 6.5 all right. indirect inj. not much power to be had compared to a duramax. try dieselplace.com huge gm forum. only one making anything performance wise is heath diesel.

6.2/6.5 have bad rep for the ignorant. they were never meant to be power houses. just fuel effecient alternitve to a gasser. most complain about the inj pump but the pmd is to blame and needs to be relocated.

that saying if you keep them stock and maintain them they can go along time.
blocks and cranks failing are due to bad harmonic balancers so check and replace.

and no its not a converted gasser. a ground up design from gm and detroit diesel. built buy GM!

p.s i had a 99 3500 4x4 ran great. rated at 195hp and 430ftlbs and 4.10 gears got 18mpg empty

lietuviai · #8 10-13-2010, 08:54 PM

I wasn't impressed by their durability when I last researched buying a diesel powered truck. I've yet to hear of a 6.5L go past 250K without any major work. Blown / cracked heads are common.
I curious to know how many miles was on this truck when it ended up needing the new engine.

KarTek · #9 10-13-2010, 09:29 PM

For extra reliability, you'll want to invest in a "PMD relocation kit". A Google search will provide all the info you need about this.

300EVIL · #10 10-13-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

For extra reliability, you'll want to invest in a "PMD relocation kit". A Google search will provide all the info you need about this.

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to do that but I'm not paying $140 for a heatsink. I'll make my own kit.

Thanks Again!

300EVIL · #11 10-13-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I curious to know how many miles was on this truck when it ended up needing the new engine.

Yikes! Well, the odometer currently says 152K. My next utility vehicle is going to be a Sprinter. This one has to last me at least 10K.

300EVIL · #12 10-13-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02isb

thats a 6.5 all right. indirect inj. not much power to be had compared to a duramax. try dieselplace.com huge gm forum. only one making anything performance wise is heath diesel.

6.2/6.5 have bad rep for the ignorant. they were never meant to be power houses. just fuel effecient alternitve to a gasser. most complain about the inj pump but the pmd is to blame and needs to be relocated.

that saying if you keep them stock and maintain them they can go along time.
blocks and cranks failing are due to bad harmonic balancers so check and replace.

and no its not a converted gasser. a ground up design from gm and detroit diesel. built buy GM!

p.s i had a 99 3500 4x4 ran great. rated at 195hp and 430ftlbs and 4.10 gears got 18mpg empty

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll just forget the performance upgrades in place of just keeping it alive. Knock on wood, fingers crossed.
Thanks Again!

lietuviai · #13 10-13-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300EVIL

Yikes! Well, the odometer currently says 152K. My next utility vehicle is going to be a Sprinter. This one has to last me at least 10K.

Doesn't surprise me. I was finding 6.5L powered trucks with 150K-200K going for cheap, even less than gassers, so I had to find out why. I found out GM gassers will usually outlast the diesels.

300EVIL · #14 10-13-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Doesn't surprise me. I was finding 6.5L powered trucks with 150K-200K going for cheap, even less than gassers, so I had to find out why. I found out GM gassers will usually outlast the diesels.

You're scaring me now...

Wow, I hope I didn't make a mistake. I bought it because it was a Diesel and they are "usually" known for their longevity. Well, it runs great for now.

I cannot seem to find anything on adding cruise control to this thing. Chevy must have some kind of identity crisis because there seems to be little about a 3500HD other than 2010 models.

soothappens · #15 10-14-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300EVIL

You're scaring me now...

Wow, I hope I didn't make a mistake. I bought it because it was a Diesel and they are "usually" known for their longevity. Well, it runs great for now.

I cannot seem to find anything on adding cruise control to this thing. Chevy must have some kind of identity crisis because there seems to be little about a 3500HD other than 2010 models.

If its running I wouldn't worry about it to much. Just as you said though concentrate on keeping it going forgetting about to much power.

On the cruise you might check with a dealer. Tell them you would like to install cruise ask for a quote and what parts are needed.
If its a good price have the dealer put it on . If not you'll have a list of parts to look for.
I think we paid about 600.00 per truck. For programing they usually charge 200.00 that's just to hook the computer up the programming is part of the fee. Same goes for troubleshooting and pulling codes.

Diesel world said the newer H1 hummers 6.5's had all the bugs worked out.
These engines are supposed to be pretty good, durable and some power.
dont know about where your at but I havent seen any H1's in the local PNP.

Best of luck with it !