....LQ9 pistons would be a step backward. They are the same material but flat instead of dished so you have more compression, which would be bad in his case.

 

Well I was referring to upping the compression with the flat tops, heads, cam and tossing an LS2 maggie kit on it. But yeah, if you're going turbos then the dish is a better idea. Though with all the same parts that might be a bit quicker than high 12s..

 

I say do it. while I'm not an HD, I'm still a crew cab and its funny to see the looks on peoples faces when they get out run by a full sized crew cab gasser. there's quite a few lifted diesels around here to so I know what you mean in that aspect. I out ran a 2008ish dodge diesel the other day on motor none the less, but the funny thing is he had a sticker on his back window that said built not bought lol.

 

Its a solid chassis. My suburban is the same chassis as the 1500HD, and its been bullet-proof. I'm not running boost, but I dropped in my high-output 383 stroker without any other modifications. 10k miles later and no issues with the chassis.

The downside is more weight and higher parasitic loss = shitty MPGs, and you need more power for the same speed in a standard chassis.

I say go for it. You won't have to worry about the drivetrain, that is for sure.

 

I made 12.3 on a 2500hd 6.0 extended cab
Cam swap headers 200shot nitrous on 93 pum gas
4x4 dig launches, bone stock tranny 200,000 miles
Stock converter
Stock wheels
Full weight
If i were to guess im at 600hp on nitrous
Ultametly tho i wore out the tranny, new clutches and transgo hd2 shift kit and let her eat

 

I'm in the process of doing mine right now. It's an 04 ccsb 2500 non HD 4x4. I think it's pretty close to the 1500hd spec wise. I have the 1900 Maggie, ls9 cam, 3 inch pulley and a Gibson cat back. I'm part way through the build now. I think I'm going to get a 90mm throttle body and airaid intake box yet. Then finish my tune. It runs pretty good now compared to what it was. Not sure what it'll run in a quarter mile but it sure is fun to drive.

 

Cam, stall, gears, heads, and either spray or boost and bam your in the 12s.

 

I have a 02 1500hd. I like to think I built mine to run good. I have yet to test it at the track, But did just come across some extra wheels I plan to use as track only tires..So we will see..