New to diesels

[Bjoh24]

Hey guys, I just recently bought my first diesel truck... an 01 silverado LB7 EC/LB 2500hd with a leveling kit, 4" straight pipe, with a power pup bully dog chip. I know basically nothing about diesels so I was hoping some of you guys could educate me a little bit.

I'd like to know the basics of maintaining it most of all. But I'd also like to know how to get more power and beef it up so I don't break anything... like weaknesses of my truck and whatever's needed if I add something. I don't need a race truck, just a daily driver that I can haul my 12k pound bobcat and 18' steel trailer with ease and also have no problems getting up to speed or passing on a 2 lane.

Now I don't have the money to just drop thousands of $ at a time so any upgrades will be over time as I can afford them.
As a side note, I have no idea what you guys are talking about using abbreviations!

 

[zakkb787]

Ditch the leveling kit. Obscured angles are terrible for the front ends of these trucks. As far as maintaining it I change my oil with RotElla every 5000k miles. Get a good lift pump. I like Kennedy for ease of install and maintenance. Also price. A single pump would be good in your case. Get a cat fuel filter adapter and run a good fuel filter with a very low micron rating. Get you some tie rod sleeves to beef up the front end. And ditch the bully dog for efi live. Better safer power. Oh. And don't forget a boost and egt (exhaust gas temp) gauge to keep of safe and monitor. Also a rail pressure gauge of you get the triple pillar. Welcome to the world of diesels (the life of being broke) I have an 02 and love it. Congrats

 

[zakkb787]

Oh also. Save up for injectors and a transmission. Injectors are bound to go out at some point on any LB7 (engine code for 01-04 trucks) and if you tow heavy and often a beefed up transmission will be in your future haha

 

[Bjoh24]

Thanks for the info! But really, ditch the leveling kit?? I love how it looks with it on there and Idk if I could still fit 33s on it bc I already had to trim the plastic in the wheel well. The injectors were replaced at 105k miles (has 160k now) by the original owner/grandpa of the guy I got it from... has a label under the hood lol. Idk what injectors he put in or if it matters? He also said it's always had Mobil Delvak oil in it. I was told about the cat adaptor and planned on doing that next oil change. But what is a "good" lift pump for or change and why have a twin or single? Sorry for my ignorance about these diesels but idek what a lift pump is....
I've heard of the efi live but Idk what I have to do to put that in? Do I have to have someone program it for me and ballpark how much would that and gauges run me?

 

[zakkb787]

Thanks for the info! But really, ditch the leveling kit?? I love how it looks with it on there and Idk if I could still fit 33s on it bc I already had to trim the plastic in the wheel well. The injectors were replaced at 105k miles (has 160k now) by the original owner/grandpa of the guy I got it from... has a label under the hood lol. Idk what injectors he put in or if it matters? He also said it's always had Mobil Delvak oil in it. I was told about the cat adaptor and planned on doing that next oil change. But what is a "good" lift pump for or change and why have a twin or single? Sorry for my ignorance about these diesels but idek what a lift pump is....
I've heard of the efi live but Idk what I have to do to put that in? Do I have to have someone program it for me and ballpark how much would that and gauges run me?

You don't have to ditch the kit but depending on how they have your geometry tweaked you may wear parts faster than stock. Injectors should be good for a while but still save for it. It's inevitable (curse of the lb7) I've heard great things about mobile and since you know that's what he used I'd just stick with it.

A lift pump is to push the fuel to your injection pump aka cp3. These trucks stock form suck fuel from the tank all the way to the engine through the ficm (fuel injection control module) then through the fuel filter then it finally gets to the cp3. This puts a bit of stress on the pump because it's trying to suck the fuel all that way as well as pressurize it once it gets there. A lift pump will aid in keeping rail pressure to a point as well as prolonging the life of your cp3. As far as the single kit goes, kennedys website can give you more info on that. At the power level you're looking for a single pump will be a good match I think. Also look at the billet pickup kit while you're on the website. A good upgrade as well

As far as efi live goes it's basically a custom tune for your truck built especially for your needs and your truck. It gives better mpg and power also at safer parameters than a can tuner like you have ever could. You can go with a single tune, a dsp2 (2 tunes) or a dsp5 (5 tunes). Many different people from this site can sell it to you (ATP, PPEI, ridge runner...) best way to go for tuning.

I personally have glowshift gauges. They are cheap is why. Some have a bad rap but mine have done well tho my boost gauge took a crap on me. But for $46 why not buy another haha. Look in the garage sale on this forum and you'll find good deals on used parts too. Hopefully others chime in too.

 

[Bjoh24]

I gotcha now. Okay awesome, thank you for dumbing it down and explaining things so I know what you're talking about! That was extremely helpful and gives me an idea of how things work and what they are/do. I'll definitely look into this stuff.
Oh, so previously you said I should get tie rod sleeves, I was jw if I could put those on myself and be good to go or will I have to take it apart so that I'd have to get it aligned? I just replaced all the ball joints and had it aligned 2 weeks ago

 

[ChrisPerry]

If you have the stock intake, I'd recommend a S&B intake with dry filter, high flow turbo horn, and a boost increase valve.

Oh, if you tend to drive aggressively start saving for a built trans. Towing 15k up a hill with even a tow tune can slip a stock trans.

 

[Bjoh24]

It is the stock intake. I was told not to worry about a cold air intake unless I was 500hp + bc it wouldn't really do anything?
Why would you recommend high flow turbo horn and boost increase valve? Like I said before I know nothing about diesels tho.
Yeah I heard that the tranny is a weak point when you start messing with a tune and hp/tq. It did pretty good hauling the bobcat last weekend tho.

 

[ChrisPerry]

Boost increase valve allows the turbo to make more boost before opening the wastegate. This lowers the exaust gas temperature (egt) and helps clean up any smoke. Very cheap mod, as in $25. The high flow turbo horn allows the turbo to spool quicker, adding torque down low and in the midrange. As for the intake, I felt a difference over stock. Maybe it was in my head, but it felt like it spooled quicker and had a little more power.

 

[zakkb787]

I gotcha now. Okay awesome, thank you for dumbing it down and explaining things so I know what you're talking about! That was extremely helpful and gives me an idea of how things work and what they are/do. I'll definitely look into this stuff.
Oh, so previously you said I should get tie rod sleeves, I was jw if I could put those on myself and be good to go or will I have to take it apart so that I'd have to get it aligned? I just replaced all the ball joints and had it aligned 2 weeks ago

No problem. I was right where you were not long ago. These guys and the guys (and girl!) at lincoln diesel got me where I'm at now.

I don't personally have sleeves as I opted to go ahead and buy HD tie rods cause my truck had 250k on it. I'd imagine if you're good and EXTREMELY diligent at measurements and tightening you'll be able to do the sleeves yourself. They just beef up the tiny factory tie rods especially since you have 33s and are lifted a tad. I can't believe I forgot the boost valve. Great mod for cheap. As far as the intake I've heard the same tho it might be in the newer years they're good enough stock? But mine had an s&about when I got it and it's a nice intake for sure. I opted not to get the horn tho because I never quite understood the concept of it. Plus my goals include an s472 sometime so no point in upgrading it now.

Towing with your stock tranny that heavy often even on a stock truck it'll start to hate you. Watch your temps. If they're getting up there get a new upgraded cooler. Pretty sure PPE makes one.

And one more VERY important thing. Avoid eBay deals and sites that may look sketchy or deals too good to be true. Because they are. You're much much much better off paying more from a reputable vendor from this site than saving a buck and a month later you're stranded again. Quality is everything on a diesel. Sacrifice and you'll end up sacrificing more cash later. Been there done that.

 

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site

Tony

 

[Bjoh24]

Boost increase valve allows the turbo to make more boost before opening the wastegate. This lowers the exaust gas temperature (egt) and helps clean up any smoke. Very cheap mod, as in $25. The high flow turbo horn allows the turbo to spool quicker, adding torque down low and in the midrange. As for the intake, I felt a difference over stock. Maybe it was in my head, but it felt like it spooled quicker and had a little more power.

Okay Chris, thanks for explaining that. I'll def be getting that valve!

 

[Bjoh24]

No problem. I was right where you were not long ago. These guys and the guys (and girl!) at lincoln diesel got me where I'm at now.

I don't personally have sleeves as I opted to go ahead and buy HD tie rods cause my truck had 250k on it. I'd imagine if you're good and EXTREMELY diligent at measurements and tightening you'll be able to do the sleeves yourself. They just beef up the tiny factory tie rods especially since you have 33s and are lifted a tad. I can't believe I forgot the boost valve. Great mod for cheap. As far as the intake I've heard the same tho it might be in the newer years they're good enough stock? But mine had an s&about when I got it and it's a nice intake for sure. I opted not to get the horn tho because I never quite understood the concept of it. Plus my goals include an s472 sometime so no point in upgrading it now.

Towing with your stock tranny that heavy often even on a stock truck it'll start to hate you. Watch your temps. If they're getting up there get a new upgraded cooler. Pretty sure PPE makes one.

And one more VERY important thing. Avoid eBay deals and sites that may look sketchy or deals too good to be true. Because they are. You're much much much better off paying more from a reputable vendor from this site than saving a buck and a month later you're stranded again. Quality is everything on a diesel. Sacrifice and you'll end up sacrificing more cash later. Been there done that.

Well I am a machinist so I'd like to say that I'm pretty good with measurements! Lol. I'll be able to put those sleeves on and get it right back to where it was... didn't really think about that hah.
I won't be towing that heavy very often at all, that's a rare occasion. My trans temp didn't go up more than normal but I was just running straight highway. But I want to get an upgraded tranny or rebuild mine in the future but I'm thinking that'll be pretty steep.
Okay thanks for telling me that bc I generally buy everything eBay. How do I find vendors on here tho?

 

[Bjoh24]

Welcome to the site

Tony

Thanks Tony

 

[zakkb787]

Go to the forums sections and scroll down and you'll find all the vendors

 

[2008lmmchopper]

You should look into kryptonite front end parts. They build a badass kit it's bout 1400 bucks but it comes with HD tie rods, center link, pitman arm, cognito braces, and hardware. It's mostly if not all lifetime warranty. Way thicker and tougher. It would support high hp launches if that was in your future lol. And you can buy just the individual pieces instead of dropping 1400 at one time. They make stage 1, 2 and 3 kits. You don't have to ditch the leveling kit. I have a 6 in lift and with supporting front end parts that I have I don't have an issue. If the installer is good and the kit is good the geometry of everything will be pretty good. Leveling kits I heard they tweak shit which is bad. Lift pump is a must, I recommend airdog II 4G 165 lift pump, don't do the Cat fuel filters it's dumb it doesn't separate water out of your fuel. Personal opinion. If you don't have the few grand for the transmission I'd focus on your transmission temperature since that is one of the biggest factors in as transmission going out get a good aftermarket transmission cooler, deep vented trans pan and a shift kit. Probably a deeper vented rear diff pan too. Of course efi live too. Good luck. That's just some of the stuff you should get. Tip of the ice berg lol.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[zakkb787]

You should look into kryptonite front end parts. They build a badass kit it's bout 1400 bucks but it comes with HD tie rods, center link, pitman arm, cognito braces, and hardware. It's mostly if not all lifetime warranty. Way thicker and tougher. It would support high hp launches if that was in your future lol. And you can buy just the individual pieces instead of dropping 1400 at one time. They make stage 1, 2 and 3 kits. You don't have to ditch the leveling kit. I have a 6 in lift and with supporting front end parts that I have I don't have an issue. If the installer is good and the kit is good the geometry of everything will be pretty good. Leveling kits I heard they tweak shit which is bad. Lift pump is a must, I recommend airdog II 4G 165 lift pump, don't do the Cat fuel filters it's dumb it doesn't separate water out of your fuel. Personal opinion. If you don't have the few grand for the transmission I'd focus on your transmission temperature since that is one of the biggest factors in as transmission going out get a good aftermarket transmission cooler, deep vented trans pan and a shift kit. Probably a deeper vented rear diff pan too. Of course efi live too. Good luck. That's just some of the stuff you should get. Tip of the ice berg lol.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

He doesn't have to ditch the leveling kit but there's a huge difference between that and a true lift kit. Your 6 inch kit moves all the parts down 6 inches to give 6 inches of lift. A leveling kit just changes the torsion bar position and puts everything in more of a bind than needed. Almost always will launch bad with any sort of leveling kit with bad cv angles.

Also the shift kit on the 5 speed allisons is more money than it's worth. No real improvement.

 

[2008lmmchopper]

He doesn't have to ditch the leveling kit but there's a huge difference between that and a true lift kit. Your 6 inch kit moves all the parts down 6 inches to give 6 inches of lift. A leveling kit just changes the torsion bar position and puts everything in more of a bind than needed. Almost always will launch bad with any sort of leveling kit with bad cv angles.

Also the shift kit on the 5 speed allisons is more money than it's worth. No real improvement.

I just read another guys comment is why I said he doesn't have to. Also that's why I said my lift kit is nice everything is proper and I knew that most leveling kits do that. But i didn't know that about that transmission so it doesn't do anything at all? My transgo cost me like 50 bucks makes a huge difference for me.

2008 gmc sierra 2500 lmm

 

[zakkb787]

I just read another guys comment is why I said he doesn't have to. Also that's why I said my lift kit is nice everything is proper and I knew that most leveling kits do that. But i didn't know that about that transmission so it doesn't do anything at all? My transgo cost me like 50 bucks makes a huge difference for me.

2008 gmc sierra 2500 lmm

Yeah the 6 speeds it makes a good difference but not so much on the 5 speeds

 

[joshd472]

It's a waste of money in then 5 speeds