Hot Summer Towing Question: I have a question regarding my '06 Chevy Silverado with the LBZ Duramax engine. I want to install boost and pyrometer gauges, and I am wondering what the normal operating ranges should be. I tow a gooseneck horse trailer that weighs about 7,000 pounds, and I was wondering if my EGT is getting too high during our 90-degree summers here in New Jersey. My only modifications to the truck are a K&N air filter and Hypertech Max Energy programmer set on Stage 3.
Randy Duke Gibbstown, New Jersey
| Outside air temperature and elevation changes can have a dramatic effect on both horsepower and EGT levels. Since Duramax diesels have fairly larger turbochargers, they usually do pretty well at high elevations and hot temperatures.
Answer:Your question is a common one among new diesel enthusiasts. Gauges are highly recommended once you add power to a diesel truck-even if it's just a little bit above the factory ratings. We'll assume you leave the Hypertech set on Stage 3 while you're towing and answer your question from there.
For maximum reliability, a truck should be left at stock power levels while towing, or even de-rated in horsepower. However, since most enthusiasts like to tow fast, many bump up the settings on their programmers for extra pulling power. When this is done, it not only affects boost and EGT levels, but also other things like coolant temperature. We've seen more than one truck overheat because of the extra power when boost and EGT were just fine. Transmission temperature is another gauge that is helpful, especially when pulling a load.
When set on Stage 3, your Hypertech gives about 80 more peak horsepower than stock, which is about the most we'd recommend to any Duramax owner who was still running a stock transmission and torque converter.
The added power will change boost, EGT, transmission temperatures, and coolant temperatures, but none of those readings should be that far from stock. For EGT, we'd keep a close eye on the gauge and try to keep it at less than 1,200 degrees for sustained pulls up grades. Brief readings of 1,300 or 1,400 degrees at the top of a hill are OK, but towing at those EGT levels for a sustained period of time is dangerous. Duramax engines have fairly large turbochargers from the factory, so we wouldn't worry too much about overspeeding the turbo from excess boost. With no modifications other than the programmer, we'd expect boost to be about 20 psi, which is fine for your application. For coolant temps, we'd keep it at or less than 230 degrees, and for transmission temperature we'd expect it to be in the 180 to 220 degree range, depending on load.
Clutch-Friendly DPF Delete
Question: I have an '08 Dodge Ram with the 6.7L Cummins, and I want to delete the diesel particulate filter (DPF). But I'm being told that any tuner I use (to make the engine work without the DPF) will add too much power for my stock clutch to handle. Can I delete the DPF without doing a bunch of other stuff?
Andre O'Connell
Via email
Answer:If you just want to delete the DPF for fuel economy gains or as a first step toward your performance goals, that's something you can do without having to worry about needing a new clutch that can handle extra power. The DPF delete itself won't give you much power, it's the changes in programming that will do that. Keep in mind when you do this modification, it will void your warranty (talk to your dealer and see if they'll work with you on it) and could be out of compliance with local emissions and federal laws. In speaking with owners who have made this modification, however, many are reporting mileage gains of 20 percent or more, so even without extra power it could still be worth it to you just based on the mileage factor.
Power Stroke Bronco Question: I have a '96 Ford Bronco that is a gas-guzzling machine, but I want more power out of it, and I want it to be a diesel. I don't have the money to afford a diesel truck, but I can get my hands on a diesel motor. Can I put a diesel engine into the Bronco?
Zack Green Via email
| Editor David Kennedy owned this tricked-out Bronco that had everything it needed-except a diesel engine.
Answer:Unless you have a wrecked diesel truck to use as a donor for all the parts you need-diesel engine swaps aren't what we'd call "cheap." The easiest engine for you to swap into your Bronco would be a '941/2 to '97 7.3L Power Stroke. Though Ford never offered the Bronco with that engine, at least we know it will fit in the engine compartment.
| While David wanted to keep the SUV and swap a diesel in, it made a lot more sense for him to just buy this '97 Ford F-250. It has a lot better power potential than the gas-powered Bronco did and was actually much cheaper to buy. It also allowed him to make room for his Cummins-powered Suburban project.
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