"Wendy" is a paper plate 2006 LBZ Crew Cab SB 4x4 GMC SLT Sierra that my wife bought a couple months ago. It is Fire Engine Red, has Navigation, 3 DVD entertainment system for the kids, OnStar, XM Stereo, video backup camera, and rides on 275-17 tires.

While a stock LBZ is no slouch (mid 15's), Kat wanted a little more punch. So I put on tierod sleeves, Cognito braces (to stop toe-in), a 4" exhaust, a built Allison (Mike L Suncoast with CoPilot), an Edelbrock 1792 lift pump, EGR Blocker plate, and tuned it up using EFILive.

Total cost of performance modifications is $6000, so she now has about $55,000 into her truck including purchase and all modifications. It is basically a Cadillac with a bed on it, very much a luxury vehicle, which is what she wanted it to be like.

I took it Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale CA (2710' ASL) to do some fine tuning passes. Running 32PSI in the tires, I stalled it to 2300 RPM in 4x4 and let the dogs out. First pass spun all four tires for a 13.22 @ 102. Next I turned on the CoPilot transmission controller to firm up the shifts, then stalled it to 2100 rpm to reduce wheelspin, and click off a 12,92 @ 102.8 (1.75 60', 8.1 eighth time at 81mph).

We believe this to be one of the first LBZ's to run a 12 second ET, and set a track record for LACR for "tuning only" diesels, surpassing all the LB7 and LLY trucks (as well as Dodge and Ford) that have run there in the DHRA series.

The LBZ Duramax is the new Hot Rod of the pickup world. Nothing is easier to tune up, and we've only started messing with them.

 

OH HELL YEAH!!! Its Truly awesome what these trucks are capable of!! Thanks for giving us guys a road map on what to mimic to get results we want! Keep it coming, I knew these LBZ 's were going to be SOME of the best running Duramaxes out there.

 

Damn that was easy. I thought the new Ally the LBZ has would hold a good tuner and run 12's. Couldnt you just get an intake, exhaust, and tuner and be in the low 13's high 12's?

 

McRat, i just saw where you live. I used to stay there a long time ago. Is Texas Lucy's still open?

 

Transmissions are always the bear, but I get to "watch the parade" since I do tuning. I tell a customer my tune will hurt his trans, and he calls back a week later telling me he "limped it".

You might get away with just a TransGo Jr (cheap) and a converter ($1200), but avoid full power load-cell dyno pulls at less than 2500rpm. The torque will slip the C3 trans clutches. I found that out the hard way.

But on a bone stock transmission you will blow through the converter clutch at about 400rwhp/800ftlb.

Texas Loosey's changed their name and ownership, but there is still a southern-style bar at that location.

 

I'm a little behind on the diesel stuff. What exactly changed from the LLY to the LBZ that accounts for the performance differences?

I really don't need a diesel but, I keep seeing post like this and they make me start dreaming again. Good job on the "tune up"

 

As far as performance, (besides stronger components), the LBZ injection pump has more capacity, the rail pressure is higher, the compression is lower, and the turbo has changes to the impeller and turbine.

 

I see in your sig that Wendy has 530rwhp. What does it have at the crank for hp/tq?(aprox.) Excellent work!!! Almost bought an 06 CCSB diesel about 3 months ago but I opted not too this time around. You're making me regret my decision. Lastly could you tell me under normal driving conditions what kind of economy you're getting. For city, highway, and overall average. I still haven't heard of any posts from people with more than 25-30k miles on them and what they're getting.(not broke in enough yet)
Thanks for the help!

 

insane....

 

Wendy is not getting "spectacular" mileage yet. About 17 hwy. I need to spend some more time tuning in the cruising range. City driving varies wildly, from 10 to 17 mpg. Depends on how you define city driving.