can someone bring me up to speed on tuning?

[Porno Joe]

so i havent really paid much attention to the duramax world for a few years- but from what i am seeming to find, most of the shops got shut down by the EPA, there is no more delete tuning available?

i got my LBZ where i wanted it in 2013, and have just enjoyed it. fixed all the rust on it, but then i started driving a beater car to work and its just sitting. I've been thinking about downsizing some of my vehicles, and one of the ideas floating around would be to sell off the LBZ and another car fto move into a smaller truck. my LBZ ia a 3500 crew cab dually, im thinking of dropping down to a 2500 6' 6" bed.(or whatever standard is)

a friend of mine has a 15 2500 for sale for what i think is a fair price.

so- is it worth the jump from a 07 LBZ to a 2015 LML? should i hold out for a newer truck with a 10 spd allison
am i correct there is no more delete tuning? it seems like i do see some tuners offering emission compliant tuning?

 

[2004LB7]

On wether it's worth it or not, I think only you can answer that question

As for tuning, your going to likely need to do it yourself as tuners are far and few in-between these days. And if you find any, good luck getting them do do anything emissions related

If you can find the stock file for the LML EfiLive can tune it. But there is no emissions related tables available provided by them. Only cax files, from someone who has put the time in to find them, can reveal the necessary tables. And there's not many willing to share

 

[Porno Joe]

I was trying to search up some of the places i remembered, looks like most of them are gone.

does look like PPEI is offering emissions compliant tuning for the LML.

thats where im torn, id like the newer cabs and interiors, but i know i'll likely be going way down on power. and with everything there is likely no easy way to go back

 

[pl_silverado]

I’d keep the lbz over the lml. The 10 speed isn’t a real Allison either. If you want newer find a 2017-2019.

 

[blueshift]

A bit of a contrary opinion on a forum with 'diesel' in its name, but have you considered just getting a gas truck?

If you're towing heavy a lot, then the diesel still probably makes sense, but the newer gas engines are lightyears better than the ones of the mid 00s. More than sufficient for just driving around and/or the occasional <10k tow, in my opinion. I love my LB7, but without a doubt, it's the last diesel I'll ever own. A 3.5 Ecoboost 150 waxes it in pretty much every way possible. The gas motors in the newer 2500s are pretty strong as well.

 

[Porno Joe]

well originally i wanted like a 2018-2019 denali 2500 diesel. i liked the body style. i wasnt exactly keen on the 15 lml, but this one popped up at a good deal.

i never towed much, but i used to do alot of highway driving for my job, and i just loved the diesel out on the highway.

since i stopped DDing my truck, ive only put 10k miles on it- in 6 years. our stupid registration in PA keeps going up, so paying $200+ a year for a truck that sits alot is tough. ive changed jobs so im thinking dump the truck, dump the commuter car, and get 1 truck that does it all- commute if needed, tow if needed.

If i open up the gas truck debate, then i would have to think about dropping down to a 1500 too maybe? the last thing i towed of any significance was my car trailer- maybe 7k loaded down? the most i ever towed was probably 13k once, 9k a few times. been debating getting a 20 ft enclosed car hauler, which might make me stay in the 2500 class though?

 

[Dozerboy]

Put a Whipple on a 1500. Lots of low end power and a lot less weight. Probably better mileage too.

 

[Porno Joe]

funny you mention that, i actually have a callaway tahoe, 6.2 with a supercharger- tons of fun. and gets 26 mpg on the open road cruising at 78

 

[yellowchevy]

I recently sold my LB7 for an LML so I made that jump into the newer emissions vehicles...
I don't care for the emission at all and the regens are all over the place on this 2011. Even though my LB7 had 45% over injectors, 363 turbo, built transmission, & all the other goodies I feel this LML bone stock pulls better than my LB7 did.

The mileage on this LML is terrible compared to my LB7 which surprised me. My LB7 was a dually and pulling my 20ft flat front extra tall enclosed trailer I'd average around 12.5 - 13mpg (most of my trips were shorter). But with this short box LML pulling the same trailer I get around 8 mpg...

I just started tuning it so we'll see if it gets any better mileage. I did get rid of that damn dead pedal it had.... That drove me insane...

All in all it comes down to preference. There are things I miss about my LB7 and things I don't. The biggest thing I really like is the turbo brake, better ride, and so much quieter in the cab than my LB7...