2.8 Duramax CX Racing intercooler install

[@TheSilver9r]

4.5 hours is really good for the amount of work you had to do, well done!

[@breoll86]

@@TheSilver9r I was just surprised because the timing belt and water pump took almost half that time. I didn't expect that I would have to remove the entire front end! Lol Thanks for watching.

[@RyanBloemke]

I have this kit and installed it in March. It’s been averaging about 11-12° over ambient at the intake manifold. I can also feel the difference in the seat. The stock exchanger has some pretty serious flow reduction on the tanks. I had to remake one of the lower brackets since it broke at the 90° bend from vibration.

[@breoll86]

@@RyanBloemke That's about the same temperature delta I was getting with the stock intercooler. My flow or boost didn't change either. Still 32 lbs/min and 31-32 psi. I think this might be more beneficial for a compound setup. I'll keep an eye on the mounting brackets for cracking though.

[@HunterSkiff]

@@breoll86 was going to say, thats the same delta as stock intercooler. Sometimes less

[@MrTesedgar]

Any tuning need when this is done ?

[@breoll86]

@@MrTesedgar No, not at my power level. Maybe if you had compounds. This one would be less of a restriction as airflow increased. So the only tuning change might be to add fuel.

[@HR-rt9nh]

Very Nice ! I have 2017 z71 got it used with 27k and catch can was installed at 30k now have 120k on it. i can tell you that every oil change (about 5k) i drain the catch can and get about half a cups worth of water soot/oil. Seeing that your intercooler had so little drain out was interesting, did all that watery soot go somewhere else? or could it be the environment? the way one drives ?

[@breoll86]

@@HR-rt9nh I'm assuming the majority ended up going through the motor. I might pull the intake manifold off and take a look. But I may be opening a can of worms doing that. Lol

[@HR-rt9nh]

@@breoll86 or use a bore scope?

[@breoll86]

@@HR-rt9nh That's not a bad idea. Might turn that into a future project.

[@applewhite926]

Still not see you fabricate compound turbo for this duramax. For diesel engine, compound turbo is a must when speaking about performance, race etc....

[@breoll86]

@@applewhite926 I'm happy with the power level that this truck is at currently. I am limited by the airflow that this turbo provides. But I'm not interested in putting a set of connecting rods in this motor.

[@chrisp110408]

With all of your upgrades, I'm curious if you're mpg during normal driving conditions increased or decreased?

[@breoll86]

@@chrisp110408 I've put about 2500 miles on it since the injectors. My average has dropped mostly because of a heavy foot. Currently around 26-27 mpg. Used to be around 29-30 before. Regen is normal intervals.

[@gdu370]

I got a used garrett 24.00in x 12.11in x 4.50in intercooler for $50 and some Ford Powerstroke high pressure clamps from the junk yard

[@ryanlogan2911]

Hey bruh I did this 2 years ago in my 19 ZR2. Might want to upgrade the mounts for the intercooler both sides on mine are broken and top bracket is cracked. Otherwise this kicks ass with the DT44 turbo.

[@willyck948]

Kind of on the fence on my truck. Got 148,000 miles on mine and I do tow periodically but I'm in North East PA, lot of hills. I haven't had any turbo issues yet but will upgrade if it does fail as I've heard oem turbo are hit and miss. I'm not going to delete anything nor do I need more power, just going for reliability. I'm thinking good boost tubes would be fine but if I swap in a higher boost turbo and adjust the tune for higher boost, would the stock intercooler hold up towing multiple miles up a hill or should I bite the bullet and get the whole intercooler kit.

[@breoll86]

@@willyck948 It really depends. If you're keeping the stock turbo I wouldn't invest in this intercooler. If you install a DT44, then MAYBE consider this intercooler. In my opinion, the stock intercooler is hard to beat if you're under 275hp. If you plan on pushing more than that, you'll need more than just an intercooler to get there reliably.

[@willyck948]

@breoll86 Reading comments, I at least know what a good temperature is and can use that for future reference when I do upgrade the turbo.

[@breoll86]

@@willyck948 Exactly. Monitor what your temps are doing normally. And if you see them getting out of control, then you either have a problem, or you're running out of cooling capacity. From my experience though, you have to push it pretty hard before you run out of intercooler.