Project LBZ Part 3

Where We’ve Been

Working together with some of the biggest vendors in the industry, we’re bringing together a truck and a build that represent the best parts available on the aftermarket. Working together with the Duramax experts at Custom Auto, we stripped down the engine and rebuilt the block, adding in a new intake tube, sump kit, welded water pump, Cat fuel adapter, head studs and gasket, new fuel and oil filters, and stainless steel up-pipes all from Sinister Diesel. The purpose was to not only improve the horsepower, but also to keep the performance under serious transmission issues, which typically begin when engines produce over 650-700 horsepower.

Continuing in the second part of the build, we stayed focused on performance. One of the first big additions to the truck was to add a DRP turbo to the existing stock turbo, creating a compound turbo setup. With new and improved fuel injectors from Dynomite Diesel Products, the engine was already producing monstrously increased horsepower and torque. With the initial dyno testing performed at Bully Dog, the stock truck hit 350 horsepower, and amid growing concerns over the transmission, Custom Auto worked together with Dmitri Millard at No Zone Diesel to build an improved transmission with ATS parts that would easily handle the modifications. While at the shop, we also traded out the transmission pan cover and the rear differential cover for more durable PML products.

Completing our work under the hood, we were ready to shift our gaze back on the truck and tackle the next phase of the project: suspension and appearance.