Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rode in a HOT Duramax yesterday...

[Jeff]

I'm a huge fan of "our" trucks, but I just had to share this story with the group. Took my '95 Dodge to Angola, IN last night to have a set of gauges, BD exhaust brake and HD exhaust springs installed at Dave's Diesel. While they were working the owner Rick asked me if I wanted to kill some time and go up town to the hardware store. We jumped in his project truck. 2002 Duramax w/ the Allison trans. He jumped on it a little bit on the way... I said "man this thing runs pretty good?. He just smiled and kept driving. On the way back he turned up the knob on his dash all the way to the right. I have NEVER been a vehicle (especially a truck) with that much raw power. He feathered that throttle and even at 1/2 - 3/4 pedal those back tires where like they were on grease. At approx. 30 MPH he hit it pretty hard again and the tires completely let loose. It was awesome. He said the truck is making just shy of 500 HP and I think he said 1,200 ft/lb. (don't quote me on the torque figures. ) It reminded me of a big block car from the 60's and 70's. :--)



I love it that these trucks just keep getting better and better. When Ford and Chevy raise the bar it can only make DC do the same. It's going to get fun the next 10 years I think...



By the way if any of you are looking for a certified BOSCH dealer with tons of knowledge in all the aftermarke goodies. Don't be afraid to get ahold of Rick. He is a perfectionist and likes to keep his customers happy. I can't wait to hook up a big load and try out my new brake. Should be fun... thanks guys. Later, Jeff

 

[F8LDOSE]

Please inform us all how this beast of a diesel is running when it has 100,000 miles on it, because like your big blocks from the yester years it will probably be worn out, not to mention on it 6th transmission?

 

[Shrimpy]

Hey Jeff, I had the same experience riding in one of the Diesel Dynamics trucks out in Vegas. Totally mind blowing from a 6800 lb. , 4-wheel drive, 3/4 ton TRUCK!!!!!!



On a side note, and not to run down the chebbys, buit give me the DODGE any day. It will be running long after the others (ford included) have passed on. Now about those auto trans... .....

 

[Elite1]

I also have a buddy who has the Duramax with a few add ons which really boost the HP... ... It is a nice truck, but I still like my Cummins engine better... . Just wish I had the Allison transmission, my Auto is a piece of junk! Wonder how hard it would be to install an Allison in my Dodge?

 

[Snow man]

Ive put the Egde Juice on 2 duramaxes so far,let me tell you,those trucks rock with just that one modification. My Dodge isnt the quickest CTD out there by far,but its no slouch either,its a solid mid/high 13 sec truck. I do not beat the D max all that bad, i beat it,no question about it,but i do not destroy it,i just slowly walk away from it. Was hoping to blow it in the weeds,but they are real quick,and no trans mods needed so far,my dodge trans would be all over the ground at that HP level if it wasnt modified. IMO,if you have ay less than an auto that been worked over,a Comp or equivent,and DD2's,youl'' get beat by a Dmax with just a juice. I tried to race him with the comp on level 1(same as EZ,)and my dd3's ,well they arent enough,I needed level 3 on the Comp to stick with the Dmax,they are very quick,dont sleep on them if they are bombed. Oh yeah this Dmaa is a loaded crew cab 4x4,which weighs at least as much as my truck,so it wasnt at an advantage at all.

 

[Hammer]

And I tought this was going to be about riding in a Duraflat with the A/C unable to work,Silly Me... .



500HP and over 1200 ft lbs,I'd think I'd want him to show me some graphics/paperwork on that feat. I am not saying it can not be done,but,with the vast resources here and on other sites HOW many Big HP Duraflats have you seen,heard about,or watched do a dyno roll and put numbers up like that. sounds a little fishy to me.



The Allison trans,while showing itself now in some larger applications to be rugged enough to do the job,still has not shown anything in the smaller diesel market. Numerous failures,in motorhomes and the Duraflats,have been seen and would make me nervous. One would wonder whyu all the screaming about our trannies happens. Being based upon a transmission with a stout history(727 torqueflites) all this hoopla is just that. Yes,I agree that straight from the factory they should be virtually indestructable,BUT,remember who dictates how they shift and work,we the consumers do. Ever wonder how many people complain about a firm or hard shift to dealers or D-C that leads to D-C softening up the shift points and pressures which will lead to premature failures??. Its one of the major complaints a good friend of mine who used to work at a dealership said they heard all the time. Bottom line is,yes we do pay good money for something that should not fail,but,if you like the truck and motor combo and are not happy with the transmission either make it bulletproof yourself or buy a stick... ... ... Andy

 

[Elite1]

Andy, You are right, I will have to make it (the auto transmission) bullet proof myself. It is just a shame that I have to go that route. My auto trans has been out twice, once at 65,000(the dealer helped with the cost) and again at 110,000 miles. (big $$$) This is on a stock engine, that only pulls loads occasionaly. I now have 160,000 miles... next time it goes out I will spend alot of $$$ and put in a high performance transmission... . I love the motor but IMO the Dodge engineers dropped the ball on this trans. and the consumer is paying the price. If I could go back in time, I would have opted for the 5-speed manual, the main reason I didn't in the first place was the amount of traffic I drive in, stop and go is a pain with a stick..... oh well live and learn!

 

[Hammer]

Yep I agree...

I'd have to say they,D-C, did drop the ball to a point. BUT,again their desicions are dictated by the paying public who want a truck to tow with but do not want it to "shift so hard". There is another example out there too,look around and listen to some of these guys in a group or even posting on here and some of these complaints come up...

My 2500/3500 truck rides to hard. -Oh,brother.

Engine is too loud in cab. -Arrrggghhhhhh.

Don't like the exhaust drone. -Doohhhhhhh.

Etc,etc,etc.

Makes me wonder if those who complain about this kind of stuff really wanted a truck that would tow the Queen Mary down the street or they really were looking for a car.



Alot of what the public complains about get changed in our trucks year to year,look the new ones over now and see what differences you see. Lowered suspensions,redesigned steering(this was and still is a major problem in the second gens for some),quieter diesel engine and quieter cab compartment,and so on. Yep the trans in the second gens have a flaw,but,there is enough good aftermarket parts to make them as bulletproof as their 727 predecessors and its a shame it has to be done that way,but,just thank those who are complaining about the hard shifts for the softness and premature failures and build yours to suit... Andy

 

[Jeff]

For Hammer...

I will try to get some type of proof for the "Doubting Thomas" in you. I think he had it tested at the last Dyno run at the Muncie, Indiana truck days? Maybe someone was there and saw it for themself. If you did, write in here and let me know what you saw. All I know is that I have ridden in some High Horsepower Cummins trucks and this truck was a whole different ballgame. It was awesome!

 

[nfox]

Dmax on dyno

When i was at diesel extravaganza 2002 in terra huete, there was a dmax on the rollers there he post good hp number 383, but the torque was 787, which seemed kind of low to me. There was some mean sounding cummins on the rollers though!!!

 

[bigkavr]

Jeff,



Glad to hear you went to see Rick at Dave's Diesel. I agree that his Durasled is one fast machine. Give Rick a diesel, any diesel, and he'll make it gooooooooo... .....

BTW, is Rick running some real nice M/T rims and BFG tires on that Duramax? He'll know why I'm asking. .

Brian

 

[Jeff]

Brian,

Since I'm not a big fan of the Chevy, I didn't notice the rims or tires. I can tell you the whole truck (inside and out) is very pretty. FULL 4 doors and nice leather... what a ride. If you too have ridden in it, then you understand how it is hard to explain how fast that thing is... help me out here! By the way, I want to get down to see you some time this week. I want to show you my new paint job... and I want to take a ride in your wild beast!

 

[BWilson]

One more thing to keep in mind when comparing apples to oranges (oh sorry, Cummins to Durasomethingorother) is that V motors produce HP's faster and at lower RPM's than the inlines do. Torque however takes longer and at a higher RPM in the V's. Two things I would like to see,

1. Hook a trailer to it and then see how it compares... ...

2. Put 400K on it and see if it still runs... ... .



I'd still like to go for a ride though, He**, I want to drive it

 

[bnelson]

road race

Neighbor Spud got a Duramax; quad cab, short bed, auto. I finally found him with a smile on his face, and asked about seeing how his new sled would do against my '97 BR 3500. I have the # 11 plate, K&N air filter, 5 speed, 3. 54 gears, flat bed and with all the "stuff" I pack with me, I weigh just about 8,000 pounds. I have no idea what the duramax weighs. The Duramax has about 8500 miles on it, my Dodge 96000.



We ran them off (ask me where and I tak'a' da 5th) three or four times, both standing start, and rolling start. Every run I was gaining until I had to shift. When prudence prevailed at about 85, I was less than a vehicle length behind.



About a week later I made a right turn as Spud was waiting to cross the road I had been on. When I noticed him behind me he had his foot in it and was to the point of beside me. This time when prudence prevailed, he pulled back in behind me, where he and the Duramax belong.



disclaimer: It is generally not a good idea to race on the road. Do not try this at home and expect sympathy from anyone if you get greetings from the nice man with the badge, gun, and ticketbook! Brad