First time modding a diesel, need input

[BADLUK007]

2011 duramax 4x4 LB CC 70k miles

A little history about the truck may be in order. After having nox sensors replaced under warranty, getting Regens about every hundred miles on the nose, taking around 80 miles to complete Regens, I convinced dealer to replace 9th injector. Current Regens around 250 miles now and takes about 40 miles to complete. After 2 years of dealing with frequent regen and mpg going from 16 to 11 and power train warranty being up in Sept, I've decided chasing these issues isn't the life for me. All fluids have been changed about 5k miles ago, switched to transynd and replaces pan filter and spin on. Truck is about as stock as it can get aside from a locking fuel cap and slightly larger than stock tires. I don't pull or load it down at this point but, once my new house is built and I have more room, I'd like to get stuff like a boat / camper etc.

So, after copious amounts of research and digging through build threads etc, I've learned I can't make up my mind on what I really want. Considering ALOT of info comes from 2011 to current, it's hard to make up my mind. Is something new out that I just didn't read about, does this part not work with that, etc etc. I'd hate to buy and install something to find out the next day, thats the old way and there is a better stuff available. Too overly obsessive I guess, but hey its a lot of money I'm trying to dump into the truck. I'd like to be able to purchase everything from one vendor that sponsors the forum / community that I'll be taking advantage of over the next however many years. Maybe even get a decent little discount.


Basically what I'm wanting to do is as follows and I'll just adjust by the feedback I get here from the guys who know what the hell they're talking about.

Cp3 conversion (which one to get, my gut tells me the stock cp3 is fine, but I know later I'll be getting the trans built and may upgrade other fueling components and go with a larger turbo as time and funds permit along with built Trans being first on the things to do list)

Air dog II (sump or not I don't know if it's worth my troubles installing the sump) Ive read just to flip a coin between fass and air dog. So, I did.

S&B intake

Egr delete (just cap it off or get the full kit with up pipe and all?)

Turbo back Exhaust dpf free ( I'd prefer just to get the down pipe part of the way and get it done. Not sure if I need one with any bungs welded in it or not. is 5" too much of a PITA to fit, prone to rattling ? Thinking about going straight pipe, I love the sound from the videos I watched, heard about some people not liking the drone. I'm still fairly young and loud isn't really out of my system yet.)
Will all the downpipe interchange with other brands of exhaust?

Efi live, need to be tuned for the aforementioned mods. I don't really want a canned tune, either. I've contacted a few that didn't really offer the service I require. So, after making my mind up on who I wanted to tune my truck, I basically have to start back at square one.

Edge insight w/ Egt probe - backup camera would be cool too, but not sure if it's worth it really or has good quality - not a big deal. Plan on getting a head unit installed later that can facilitate this function.)

Pcv reroute (haven't looked into this much but, seems like it would be over all more beneficial. Thinking about just doing a catch can so I don't get drips in my driveway.)

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. My budget is around 5 grand. I can spend a little more, I can spend less. Doing the work myself. I'm more concerned with the cp4 letting go and causing more $ damage that my mods will by a factor of 2. More power and drivability is a bonus.
I inquired about an extended warranty but 3300$ for 3 years just wasn't in my opinion, a good idea considering how hard they try to deny your claims and what kind of hoops I'd have to jump through to get a cp4 replaced.
The only reason I'm even posting is, frankly, I can't make up my damn mind about which parts to buy. I wish there was just some sort of duramax starter kit, make my life easier.


If there is some change left in the piggy bank, I'd like to get a cognito leveling kit. This will likely put me in the 6k + range but the expansion joints on the over passes here in Houston about thrown me through the windshield, so the Fox shocks would be a welcome addition.

Thanks for reading and advice in advance.

 

[Dozerboy]

Wow that's a book. Anyways welcome to DD. Are you going to be working on your truck yourself or are you going to have a shop do it? Not many shops I'm crazy about localy. But JoshH's shop is up twords Dallas and he does great work.

I wouldn't put a stock CP3 in my truck if I ever saw the possibility of out growing it.

I love my Kennedy Diesel dual lift pumps. They have been around a long time. No sump needed with them I have almost sucked my tank dry and to much of a risk of tearing it off IMO.

There is no gain in you getting an intake at this point. Wait until you start looking a turbos.

Delete the whole EGR you don't need a new up pipe nessary.

Down pipes don't add power so it's kind of a wast other then for sound, but the sound is substantial. The stock DP makes the turbo screech more. I have a 5" and am fine with it. No drone, but it takes up alot of space. Think of what tip you want to run and how you want it to exit. That should help you pick a brand and size.

PCV reroute is a wast of time at your power level and can easily be done at any time.

I hate leveling kits just crank it or get a lift.

What part of Houston are you in I live out 290?


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[FROGMAN524]

Looking forward to following your build good luck. Is be interested to see if you do the CP3 yourself seems like a real pain.


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[A. Stock Lbz]

Your cp4 should fall under the extended warranty gm did on the lml's. My lml's fuel system is covered until 2018 or 120,000 miles.

 

[Goss]

Sub'd. I have a 2016 LML, fill the DEF tank every 2k, have had several regens and only have 3800 miles. I need to track miles between. I use mine mainly for towing a horse trailer. As soon as i hit 36k, I'm taking care of my truck. Not sure about a CP3, i was told a lift pump with CP4 keeps lubed enough that there won't be a problem, but again I don't know. Ill watch your progress until I hit 36k! :thumb:

 

[roxyfever]

Whats your horsepower goal? What will you be doing with the truck?

 

[Chad006]

I would do the sump, I was told the lml's draw straw is necked down allot compared to previous years but I haven't actually pulled any of mine to look I just did sump on all my lml's. I'm running kory's tuning in all of my trucks after trying most of the big name tuners I liked his the tunes the best. But you really can't go wrong with the big names other than I'm not sure Rob is offering deletes for lml? Correct me if I'm wrong though. Stock cp3 will support 650rwhp so unless your planning on building a motor I don't see an issue with stock. I say do the PCV regardless of power level, I've pulled enough intakes apart that are caked with nasty gooey s**t. I usually just run lb7 up pipe on my deletes, got one that I welded and they're fine.

 

[c20elephant]

I would do the sump, I was told the lml's draw straw is necked down allot compared to previous years but I haven't actually pulled any of mine to look I just did sump on all my lml's. I'm running kory's tuning in all of my trucks after trying most of the big name tuners I liked his the tunes the best. But you really can't go wrong with the big names other than I'm not sure Rob is offering deletes for lml? Correct me if I'm wrong though. Stock cp3 will support 650rwhp so unless your planning on building a motor I don't see an issue with stock. I say do the PCV regardless of power level, I've pulled enough intakes apart that are caked with nasty gooey s**t. I usually just run lb7 up pipe on my deletes, got one that I welded and they're fine.

The LML fuel pickup hose appears to be the same size as LBZ's and LMM's, not much has changed...
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[Dozerboy]

I would do a billet pickup not leave it stock. Sumps should not be use on on anything other then street queens and race trucks.

 

[A. Stock Lbz]

I would do a billet pickup not leave it stock. Sumps should not be use on on anything other then street queens and race trucks.

Why is that? All 3 of my trucks have had or have them, not a single problem and none of them are street queens or race trucks.

 

[Chad006]

The LML fuel pickup hose appears to be the same size as LBZ's and LMM's, not much has changed...
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Hmm I wonder if it necks down further down the line? I'll have to crawl under one and look. I just throw the sump on and call er good. Haven't had a an emmisions system last more than 10,000km since the Lbz, they get thrown in the bush. I run the sump on our work trucks that get used in the oilfield up here they don't get allot of love and I haven't had a issue. I always put the cover back on the bottom of the tank when I install them and cut a hole for sump to keep it out of mud and rocks.

 

[Digmax]

I have an lml that makes 650..... factory pickup, air dog 4g. also the nasty gooey stuff in intake comes from egr and pcv together, take the egr off and pcv is a non issue.

 

[c20elephant]

Hmm I wonder if it necks down further down the line? I'll have to crawl under one and look. I just throw the sump on and call er good. Haven't had a an emmisions system last more than 10,000km since the Lbz, they get thrown in the bush. I run the sump on our work trucks that get used in the oilfield up here they don't get allot of love and I haven't had a issue. I always put the cover back on the bottom of the tank when I install them and cut a hole for sump to keep it out of mud and rocks.

The stock primer/filter assembly is another one....

 

[BADLUK007]

Wow that's a book. Anyways welcome to DD. Are you going to be working on your truck yourself or are you going to have a shop do it? Not many shops I'm crazy about localy. But JoshH's shop is up twords Dallas and he does great work.

I wouldn't put a stock CP3 in my truck if I ever saw the possibility of out growing it.

I love my Kennedy Diesel dual lift pumps. They have been around a long time. No sump needed with them I have almost sucked my tank dry and to much of a risk of tearing it off IMO.

There is no gain in you getting an intake at this point. Wait until you start looking a turbos.

Delete the whole EGR you don't need a new up pipe nessary.

Down pipes don't add power so it's kind of a wast other then for sound, but the sound is substantial. The stock DP makes the turbo screech more. I have a 5" and am fine with it. No drone, but it takes up alot of space. Think of what tip you want to run and how you want it to exit. That should help you pick a brand and size.

PCV reroute is a wast of time at your power level and can easily be done at any time.

I hate leveling kits just crank it or get a lift.

What part of Houston are you in I live out 290?


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Yea, I wrote a lot to prevent lack of info and people having to ask me questions. I plan to do it myself, I can never bring myself to let a shop do any work I'm capable of doing myself. I've had a few instances where I've had to have half my car towed from the shop and the rest picked up in a box with missing bolts and peices. If I just can't do it or lack specialty tooling, I'll pay. Such as rebuilding the trans.

I did crank it a little but I think my shocks are topping out during rebound and it's a pretty harsh jolt like the truck just landed on frame. Doesn't happen often.

I called Kennedy and he asked for me to send him an email last Thursday but, as of yet, no reply. He did mention the downpipe doesn't really do much but, I figured while I'm taking it apart, removing egr etc etc might as well just knock that out and get it over with. I read that about the screeching too. My neighbors are going to hate me enough at 450am.

Looking forward to following your build good luck. Is be interested to see if you do the CP3 yourself seems like a real pain.


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Yea, I don't think much of the parts I'll install will be a breeze. I haven't done much research as to the installation of the conversion kit or pump, I feel like it's within my wheelhouse just looking at the kit. For whatever that's worth lol

Your cp4 should fall under the extended warranty gm did on the lml's. My lml's fuel system is covered until 2018 or 120,000 miles.

Can you provide any information on this, I searched the Web and can't find much on this. Very interesting as I've received quite a few letters in the mail already extendinh the warranty on nox sensors, 9th injector and other items.

Sub'd. I have a 2016 LML, fill the DEF tank every 2k, have had several regens and only have 3800 miles. I need to track miles between. I use mine mainly for towing a horse trailer. As soon as i hit 36k, I'm taking care of my truck. Not sure about a CP3, i was told a lift pump with CP4 keeps lubed enough that there won't be a problem, but again I don't know. Ill watch your progress until I hit 36k! :thumb:

Dayum, thats insane. Do you have any way to monitor your truck? I'm no guru but if I had to guess, I'd think you'd have to be leaking fuel at the injectors or have a bad dpf / dpf sensor. Don't quote me on that though, just a shit in the dark. Cheap way to do it is with a torque app and and Bluetooth odb2 dongle and verify balance rates etc. When mine regenerated, it didn't use much Def due to the fact the injector was clogged. Even now, I rarely fill the tank up.

Whats your horsepower goal? What will you be doing with the truck?

I have no real goal at the moment, I guess as far as the parts will take me without causing harm to the Transmission. At first, I'll just be driving it to work and casually on the week ends. Eventually, towing car/4 wheeler trailer and if work doesn't peeter out again over the next few years, I camper or boat.

I would do the sump, I was told the lml's draw straw is necked down allot compared to previous years but I haven't actually pulled any of mine to look I just did sump on all my lml's. I'm running kory's tuning in all of my trucks after trying most of the big name tuners I liked his the tunes the best. But you really can't go wrong with the big names other than I'm not sure Rob is offering deletes for lml? Correct me if I'm wrong though. Stock cp3 will support 650rwhp so unless your planning on building a motor I don't see an issue with stock. I say do the PCV regardless of power level, I've pulled enough intakes apart that are caked with nasty gooey s**t. I usually just run lb7 up pipe on my deletes, got one that I welded and they're fine.

Will Kory take care of me in regards to deleting some parts? My intake currently looks like what you're describing. Black nastiness and it's hard not to just clean it out but, I wanted to wait until I had it all apart to deep clean.
Lb7 are easy to come by / cheaper alternative?

I would do a billet pickup not leave it stock. Sumps should not be use on on anything other then street queens and race trucks.

Well, it's currently a street queen but, if time allows it I'd like to see what she can do on a somewhat regular basis. I'm still kind of a puss though. I've really only ever driven cars.

The LML fuel pickup hose appears to be the same size as LBZ's and LMM's, not much has changed...
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Should be gtg then, right?

I have an lml that makes 650..... factory pickup, air dog 4g. also the nasty gooey stuff in intake comes from egr and pcv together, take the egr off and pcv is a non issue.

I'll take that into consideration. Either way, not much a downside once egr is deleted eh?

The stock primer/filter assembly is another one....

Another restriction for fuel flow?

 

[Digmax]

I put 85000 on before full egr delete, only the tuning delete and my intake was just kinda dark no thick buildup at all

 

[BADLUK007]

About to pull the trigger on all this stuff. Trying to decide witch parts to go with still. I'll post an update with what I end up doing.

 

[Dozerboy]

Why is that? All 3 of my trucks have had or have them, not a single problem and none of them are street queens or race trucks.

We've taken out a few fuel coolers on work trucks and I have scratches on the bottom of my tank. I don't wheel my truck, but it goes off the road and plays a little. No way I would risk it when guys are making tons of power without going to a sump. I would of had one, but Kennedy talked me out of it. I'm glad he did.

 

[BADLUK007]

So, small update. Ordered the parts just now.

Ppei ecm and tcm tuning
Fleece cp3k conversion
Deviant egr delete w/ up pipe
Fleece Pcv / resonator block off plates
Diamond eye Downpipe
Flo pro 5" stainless turbo back
Air dog II 4g lift pump
Edge cts2 insight w/expandable probe
Edge dash mount
S&B Intake w/dry filter
Level 4 cognito leveling kit

Are there any specialty tools, tricks kr, tips etc that anyone can think of that I'll need? One tool I can think of is a 22mm line wrench for the fuel lines, if I remember correctly.

Shoot, forgot to order a couple extra air dog filters to keep in the tool box just in case.


Did anyone with a lift pump delete their factory fuel filter?

 

[Dozerboy]

I didn't need a line wrench on my LBZ they ain't that tight.

Maybe some fancy hose clamp, and hose pliers? Those are always the biggest pain for me just using regular pliers.

IIRC JoshH posted a formed hose to use for the coolant on the EGR delete. That was better then bending/kinking a strighrt hose.

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[NinjaMax]

Did you go with The leveling kit or actual 4" lift kit? Might want to track down a torsion wrench (clamp) if your doing it yourself.