Duramax engine conversion

[florussem]

I am getting a duramax conversion done in April and have done a bit of homework but would like to hear about any personal experiences that may help. Thanks guys

[LGTRUCK]

Hi, I like your idea, I own a ´06 patrol that I´m planning on to do a Duramax conversion. What engine model are you going to use LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM.
What about the wireing harness, are you going to use it from GM truck.

Good luck.

[florussem]

Hi LG I am not going to do it all myself, but kustom Kables in australia do the wiring harness to suit the modified installation, pretty expensive but worth it. I am using a LMM with modified emmision controls to suit the year of my patrol and current local legislationn. I wouldnt use anthing earlier than a LBZ. I am starting the conversion on 8th April.
Thanks.

[Jacket_1985]

you will need an LBZ to talk to the patrol. no point buying a LMM, even heath doesnt buy em. if you do pick up a cheap LMM you will have to backwards engineer it into a LBZ.
Heath makes the adapter and output shafts for the patrol tranny to allison.
Alan makes engine mounts and gearbox mounts.
Mick will sell you a low mile LBZ for 15k.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENGINEER IN YOUR STATE?

I got so far as buying a car, and some bits, getting it all sorted and finding out after talking to a LOT of engineers that they all talk big, but are unwilling to sign when you put it to them.
Emissions arent an issue. neither is bodylift. but airbags are a problem in VIC. they wont engineer anything after 2002 for this conversion.
Way around it is get the car, do conversion, drive it to QLD, get it engineered there, drive home and present to local RTA, the engine mod codes carry over interstate.

Other thing, there are a couple of duramax patrols already in tassie. can you get a look at them? contact the guys who ave done it down there already?

[florussem]

you will need an LBZ to talk to the patrol. no point buying a LMM, even heath doesnt buy em. if you do pick up a cheap LMM you will have to backwards engineer it into a LBZ.
Heath makes the adapter and output shafts for the patrol tranny to allison.
Alan makes engine mounts and gearbox mounts.
Mick will sell you a low mile LBZ for 15k.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENGINEER IN YOUR STATE?

I got so far as buying a car, and some bits, getting it all sorted and finding out after talking to a LOT of engineers that they all talk big, but are unwilling to sign when you put it to them.
Emissions arent an issue. neither is bodylift. but airbags are a problem in VIC. they wont engineer anything after 2002 for this conversion.
Way around it is get the car, do conversion, drive it to QLD, get it engineered there, drive home and present to local RTA, the engine mod codes carry over interstate.

Other thing, there are a couple of duramax patrols already in tassie. can you get a look at them? contact the guys who ave done it down there already?

Better tell heath he doesnt buy them, he may not realise. You are right that he backward engineers them for earlier Patrols. Bummer about Vic roads. no problems in Tas. I have authorisation from Transport Tas and an engineer who has signed off the 2 here in Tas. As you say they will sign them off in QLD and I will try there first for the drive back to Tas. Saw a clip of one of the Tas patrols on the 1/4 mile against a rather hot falcon. It did better than well.
Thanks for your info!!!

[Jacket_1985]

Better tell heath he doesnt buy them, he may not realise. You are right that he backward engineers them for earlier Patrols. Bummer about Vic roads. no problems in Tas. I have authorisation from Transport Tas and an engineer who has signed off the 2 here in Tas. As you say they will sign them off in QLD and I will try there first for the drive back to Tas. Saw a clip of one of the Tas patrols on the 1/4 mile against a rather hot falcon. It did better than well.
Thanks for your info!!!

No worries. Only going by what heath told me when i asked a while back about the LMM. was a while ago now.
Tassie engineering you say? Tassie is closer than QLD come to think of it. . . . . . might come for a visit myself one day.

[florussem]

Cool. Great place to visit. The process for engineering here is to first make application to the transport department for the modification, lots of forms and detail required. Transport then reply with yes or no and conditions. After the mod you then supply engineers certificate regarding the detail on the transport approval "exactly" then all is good. Car has to be registered here though.

[florussem]

Quick Update: The car has been with Heath for over 8 weeks now and is still not finished, infact I was told to stop asking? So I would not recomend having this done to your daily drive or work vehicle. I still hope for a good job, but after being told it would be finished by the end of April and I am more than welcome to take it away as is I suspect customer focus is not high on their priority list. Here's hoping.

[GUtruk]

Hi
did you recently drive in back and achieve very good fuel economy ? I have just started enquiring and would like to know how happy you are with it ?? Thanks

[florussem]

Hi
did you recently drive in back and achieve very good fuel economy ? I have just started enquiring and would like to know how happy you are with it ?? Thanks

Giday GU Truck. I have recently gotten my car back after over 17 weeks wait. Not happy!. On the way back the car got 12.5l per 100km at 100 - 110 kph. We took our van (2.8t) up the coast in Tas and got 18l/100 towing (very hilly). Happy with that. I am happy with the conversion overall but have had to spend a reasonable amount of money to tidy up many loose ends and have not gotten to the bottom of a loud whine from the torque converter and back end.

Overall the idea is good and would recommend doing the conversion, but do your homework thoroughly and find an excellent auto electrician.

PM me if you would like some more info

[Bensmooth10]

So what did overall cost end up being?

[PattyWgnOwen]

Heath quoted me $46 drive in drive out. Killa quoted $44k drive in drive out. Brunswick diesels are now doing p400 cobra military spec HO engines and when you add brand new 4l80e and so on is also about $45k but with all brand new gear. Brunswick have ADR for up to 2010 on full mechanical non common rails which is interesting?

[florussem]

I also hear that Bullet in WA at least, are doing the Duramax conversions also. All about the same price give or take a couple of grand.
In summing up my experience: I have had a large amount of problems and very little support from PID. Every problem I encounter I am told this is usual , eg oil leaks, tricky electrics, whines etc etc etc. I have had to get these items fixed myself. Can't help but feel I am being treated like an idiot.
Enough gripe, the car has stacks of power and once the bugs are polished out it is a toss up between a new twin turbo Landy, 2nd hand 4.4 Rangie and the Duramax. ??????

[PattyWgnOwen]

Who is PID.? Sorry for my ignorance!

[PattyWgnOwen]

Bullet in brisbane do Duramax but would prefer to do p400 with supercharger for about same price. They only do remanufactured Duramax not second hand so it's more expensive.

[BigRAWesty]

I also hear that Bullet in WA at least, are doing the Duramax conversions also. All about the same price give or take a couple of grand.
In summing up my experience: I have had a large amount of problems and very little support from PID. Every problem I encounter I am told this is usual , eg oil leaks, tricky electrics, whines etc etc etc. I have had to get these items fixed myself. Can't help but feel I am being treated like an idiot.
Enough gripe, the car has stacks of power and once the bugs are polished out it is a toss up between a new twin turbo Landy, 2nd hand 4.4 Rangie and the Duramax. ??????

That's a bugga. Would leave a sour taste in ya mouth..
Fingers crossed you get those bugs ironed out and many happy years..

[Gecko17]

It's a pain when the companies tell you one thing, to get your business, then string you along giving all manner of excuses or as you said, they try to make you fell like an idiot... We pay a hell of a lot of money to get mucked around.... Maybe time to use the power of the forum... Hope your wagon is going great now...


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[BigRAWesty]

It's a pain when the companies tell you one thing, to get your business, then string you along giving all manner of excuses or as you said, they try to make you fell like an idiot... We pay a hell of a lot of money to get mucked around.... Maybe time to use the power of the forum... Hope your wagon is going great now...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Yea not cool. Tis a lot of out lay.. And all you wanna do is drive the bloody thing..

Mine is finally good. Happy for now.. Lol