lookin for a duramax whats the best year?

[68chevy92]

I'm looking for a duramax I want a ext. Cab long bed. I know they 6.6 is a good engine but I wanna hall my pull truck anyone know what year is a good year to buy I also am gunna lift it n make it a standerd thanks matt
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[MadManAndrew]

Dieselplace.com is a good resource if you're interested in Duramaxes. I have a 2002 which is the Duramax LB7 and they're known for injector issues. That said, my 262k mile truck has only had the injectors replaced once. The LB7 engine is the only Duramax which you may care to avoid and its years were 2001-2004. I went with it because I personally love the 01-02 body style and my motor runs great. The thing about putting a manual behind it is that the Duramax, and diesels in general, make a lot of torque for a clutch to handle. That's why Ford and Chevy stopped making manual diesels.
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[GCncsuHD]

They all have their pros and cons.

As mentioned, 01-early 04 LB7s were prone to injector issues, my 03 died at 125k mi, but luckily was fixed under warranty. The extended 7yr 200k mile warranty on injectors has ran out on all LB7s and they are very expensive to replace. BUT LB7s tend to get the best mileage.

Late 04 through 05 and a few 06 trucks had the LLY, it had cooling and wiring issues, but were MUCH easier and cheaper to fix than the injectors on the LB7. More power, but less fuel mileage. Also introduced the VVT turbo, used on later models as well.

06 introduced the LBZ which ran through 07 in classic body style trucks, this is generally the "best" Duramax, more power, no reliability issues, and no emissions other than the cat.

07 NNBS trucks got the LMM, basically the same as LBZ, but with DPF emissions.

2011 got the LML lots more power, but DPF and UREA emissions.

Now then, since you mentioned you want a "standard" only 01-06 were offered with the ZF6 manual. And even 06s got the older, less powerful LLY engine. Keep in mind the manual does not handle much added power very well, the clutch will slip well before you would have started having issues with the Auto Allison (which has it's limitations too for sure), but even after upgrading the clutch, you can't really do much more for it. It is only rated for 520lb/ft, although the transmission name ZF6-650 implies 650lb-ft...either way the LLY was 605lb-ft, the LBZ was 650lb-ft, over the rating, hence them using the detuned LLY in manual applications, and later dropping it all together.

Now then if you were considering building for power, and going above ~500hp or so, the general consensus is the forged rods of the LBZ and later are better, while using delipped LB7 pistons, as the LLY-LMM are prone to cracking at high power levels. I am not familiar with LML internals though.

[clinebarger]

^^^GCncsuHD covered everything.

I also think the '06/'07 LBZ trucks are the best.

[68chevy92]

Thanks y'all helped a lot ...do you guys know bout aftermarket injectors for the lb7 duramax iknow there gunna be exspensive but I'm look for power n fuel mileage.
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[GCncsuHD]

Unless you are planning on making HUGE power, an injector swap would be worthless, the stock injectors are good for well beyond 500hp, beyond the limits of a stock turbo, stock rods, stock trans, etc. You can get to 500hp very easily on stock Duramax injectors and turbo, getting beyond that there are many parts that will need replaced.

[68chevy92]

Alrite thanks ill just leave it stock injectors. Do u know what would be the best standerd tramission for lb7
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[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by 68chevy92

Alrite thanks ill just leave it stock injectors. Do u know what would be the best standerd tramission for lb7
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What do you mean best "standard transmission"? Are you mean swapping from an Allison Auto to a Manual transmission? If so, either buy one with a ZF6 from the factory or swap a ZF6 in, that is the easiest, and best driving option, but again, remember, you can build an Allison to the sky (or even swap a built auto 47RE from a Dodge if you are going racing), but you are pretty limited with the manual ZF6. Manuals that can hold that kind of power are few and far between, ones that will are made for big trucks, such as a Fuller, etc. you will have issues adapting it, lots more weight, slower shifting (don't plan on beating any other vehicles at the lights).

[68chevy92]

Its gunna be a hauler n work on the farm withn thanks ill look at all that info I got a year to figure it out
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