The Duramax 2.8L Turbo - Diesel Insights

Duramaxtuner's Nick Priegnitz tears down a stock turbo for the Duramax 2.8L to offer insight into how it performs and its potential for upgrading. Despite its size, the 2.8L turbo offers plenty of power for the Canyon and Colorado. At the moment (January 2018) Duramaxtuner provides calibrations only for the 2.8L but that could change in the coming year.
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[@HunterSkiff]

Any plans to release a turbo upgrade for these trucks in the future?

[@quint1715]

I drive an 18 zr2 duramax and trust me sir, this turbo has fucking laggg.

[@maddgear1312]

Think you'll find its actually the 'dead throttle' these trucks are known for. Same feeling in mine until i installed a throttle controller and turned it into a whole different beast!

[@scottbrightman3662]

So when are you guys ever going to start selling this?? I feel like you've been teasing the public with a better Turbo

[@jordanchailland8444]

Is there a time frame that the new compressor wheel will be available for purchase?

[@kaisonsamson3480]

dunno if anyone gives a shit but if you are bored like me atm you can stream pretty much all the latest series on Instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my brother lately :)

[@rayanalessandro8704]

@Kaison Samson Definitely, I have been watching on instaflixxer for months myself :D

[@davebrown5314]

Is it possible to slap another turbo on these Colorados or Canyon without messing anything up?

[@Duramaxtuner]

Our DT44 is a direct drop-in.

[@scottr1514]

Does the egr valve help to control over speed of the turbo or is this done by the vane position? I ask because I'm trying to figure out what the negatives are to blocking the egr valve. Great videos btw great to see how things work in our trucks without having to take them apart. I'm in Australia with the 2.8 duramax and loving it.

[@Mr_Clean]

Negatives of egr - do you really want to pump soot, dirty exhaust, back into the combustion chamber? No.

[@StevenLNew]

It's been a year now... Any more news on the 44 mil wheel? How did it turn out?

[@HunterSkiff]

would love to know

[@tobybeaman2000]

Likewise! Very interested in this.

[@lpinner]

2 years later, I'm gonna assume it didn't turn out well lol

[@dannygreen4878]

How does this compare to the "SDP Compound twin kit for 2.8L Duramax", does anyone have thoughts or what can Duramaxtuner provide as any insight, comments, or other feedback?

[@gustavozayas9542]

Gomoning from argentina quiero saber sí las S10 chevrolet de América Sur son la misma mecánica que las Usa.

[@sammypalmer7633]

I love my 2.8 great mileage just waiting on the warranty to run out and my pockets to fill up so I can start upgrading some parts. Thanks for all the videos y'all have made on this engine please keep them coming.

[@Duramaxtuner]

Thanks for your note and look forward to working with you. You can reach out anytime if you have any questions or other needs: 815-568-7920

[@jeffthompson9589]

All I want for Xmas is tunes for my L5P🤣🤣

[@zhongxina5595]

My to two front tie rods🎄 Lol

[@ResponsiblePledge]

@Nick - when you are 'tuning' that turbo on the 2.8, up to a 41mm compressor wheel, do you have any other aspects that need to be redone? Or is it as simple as upgrading the compressor wheel? Im sending my truck into the Chevy dealer and wondering if this is something they can do or do I have to go to an after market tune shop? And do you know of an aftermarket tune shop in the Denver Colorado area you would suggest?

[@Duramaxtuner]

Hey Aaron, give us a call 815-568-7920. Our phone lines open at 9 am central.

[@cdawg0918]

Any news on the compressor wheels yet????

[@24revealer]

Hey Nick, Do you think this is enough engine for a 2021 GMC 3500 cutaway van with a 16 foot box for carpentry use?

[@Duramaxtuner]

What’s it weigh?

[@24revealer]

@@Duramaxtuner www.gmfleet.com/vans/gmc-savana-cutaway-3500-4500 According to this 10-14000 GVW. I'm lookinga at the 177" wheelbase. I wish they's bring back the 6.6L duramax in these.

[@Duramaxtuner]

@@24revealer I think with a tune it’ll be average. Without a tune it’ll be a sloth. We echo your thoughts on the 6.6.

[@24revealer]

@@Duramaxtuner That's what I thought. I think I'll just order the van with the new 400hp 6.6 gas engine.

[@noodlesflawed4800]

fit a box with dry ice around intercooler. This will net a few ponies..

[@PHLTHS]

Is there any efficiency maps provided with these 41 / 44mm compressor wheels when you sell them so the tunes can be updated accordingly?

[@Duramaxtuner]

We have not released this turbo for sale yet.

[@rickypierce1383]

Any updates on this turbo upgrade? Very interested because this is my second warranty turbo replacement.

[@reginaldsmall3766]

Use amsoil 5-30 diesel oil. Put it in my 2017 . What a difference. Amsoil is the best

[@dustinlaborde4537]

Any word on a turbo upgrade of any kind?? 39mm 40mm ?? Anything

[@Duramaxtuner]

We are going through another round of testing on these now actually. Sometimes our obsession for perfection means that launching products takes a long time.

[@HunterSkiff]

@@Duramaxtuner god speed

[@justinhardt1]

Any news on when this can be expected to be released?

[@thomasboydston6446]

I want to drop a 2.8 into my '76 LUV truck.

[@HunterSkiff]

great idea

[@cgreeneblue]

Okay I'm confused: I thought the vanes opened when you let off the throttle to act like the old "blow off" valves? So is it actually the opposite?

[@truckinman86]

Chad Greene: only when the Tow/Haul mode is active, or more specifically, when the engine brake mode is active. On the LWN, Tow/Haul and Engine Brake are linked.

[@candyred3v]

vanes are closed at low rpm to increase response. they open up as the rpms increase to make the turbo seem larger then what it is. it eliminates the issues with non vaned turbos which are either small turbo for response but no top end power or larger for no response but all top end

[@braddo1972]

You know why I don't like the video is all the its small comments it does look small but it does a amazing job .

[@frankiemendoza6526]

Sir, thanks for explaining how my turbo works

[@gregjames666]

65000 km (from the north) blew my turbo. Waiting to see what 120000km looks like.

[@KaptennZako]

Hey crew! We get these engines here in Australia, but a LOT of the engines have intake manifold issues and warranty is a struggle - no parts readily available. Do you guys have custom intake manifolds?

[@Duramaxtuner]

We do not, sorry.

[@donaldgitschier4495]

Why not put in a tdi turbo and a small 6.6 for a compound setup.

[@AlejandroLopez-vp5tt]

I just did my oil and fuel filter on my 2.8 L duramax and now I'm seeing the engine shake more than usual. What can cause this ?

[@frankiemendoza6526]

Any abuse or been driving normal?

[@paulschab8152]

Bad motor mounts? I don't see how changing oil can make a motor shake.

[@frankiemendoza6526]

@@paulschab8152 u you how sometimes when you put the wrong thickness of oil inside a bmw, the engine doesnt even turn or does a jerking mode.

[@paulschab8152]

I always put Mobil 1 5w20 advanced full synthetic in my 05 Acura Mdx. Sadly I don't own a BMW even though a second gen x5 or 5 series is on my list. If somebody puts the wrong oil in, they should not be doing it lol.

[@frankiemendoza6526]

I'm not saying alejando did . But just trying to think of odd ways and thinking how can engine shake after an oil change ...

[@StevenLNew]

Do you guys sell the 41 or 44 mill wheel on line anywhere?

[@HunterSkiff]

Show us that sweet DT42

[@barryduff9839]

Would be nice if the water cooled turbo could replace the one in my 2006 2.8 liberty jeep. The engines shares a lot of common traits. One is just newer.

[@magnacartasamadams8189]

The only thing that's fairly similar is the displacement Everything else has been redesigned

[@zerofuckkksgiven8027]

What’s the news on the new wheels?

[@vonvoyage14]

First time I saw that kind of tech. But are those veins the modern version wastegate for turbochargers?

[@Duramaxtuner]

Essentially, yes. But they do more than just relieve excessive pressure to prevent over speed. They actually change the flow of exhaust gas around the turbine wheel to change wheel speed.

[@magnacartasamadams8189]

I wonder if you have to tune it by adding a bigger Turbo wheel And if it would void my warranty?

[@Mr_Clean]

The only thing they could void your warranty on would be things that a bigger turbo could cause to go wrong. Warranty suspension problems? No, a bigger turbo cannot cause problems to the suspension. Blown head gasket and toasted motor, different story.

[@dustinlaborde4537]

Any word on selling the upgrade turbo impeller ?

[@Duramaxtuner]

not yet.

[@jasonrogers143]

I was excited to hear about the diesel and when they said 10 to 15k less than a full-size well so much for 10 or 15 Those trucks cost too much

[@00seanzy]

Not sure what you're looking at, but I'm seeing my Z71 come in at just over 10k less than the 1500 Z71.

[@bigdiffas]

What we use in 3.0liter engines probably will work with this engine too. So basically take a gtb2260vk and add 51.5/48.6mm turbine and 48-50mm inducer compressor wheel takes you around 400hp.

[@magnacartasamadams8189]

When you get to the 400 horsepower range you gotta worry about piston connecting rods on the 2.8 That's the weak point After that you can just get a compound Turbo kit If you want more boost they even have emissions compliant ones

[@sunfi2953]

F55 v

[@mreliteliving]

ZL1 or ZR2 to tune hmmm?

[@hotrodmack269]

When are we going to be able to purchase these wheels? Msrp?

[@Duramaxtuner]

We have this project still in the R&D stage with no ETA for release. When we do release a product for the 2.8L turbo it will most likely be a complete unit and not just the wheel. Thanks for watching!

[@elitenoob1147]

@@Duramaxtuner any news on upgrading the turbo?

[@tims_4x4_garage]

I smell upgrade parts available in the near future

[@Duramaxtuner]

Yes indeed.

[@tims_4x4_garage]

Duramaxtuner you mentioned 35hp is that on a stock truck or with a tune? If tuned, which tune? Love mine with y’alls tune, got some vids on here of it. Towing is the biggest improvement with your tune, but daily driving is also a lot more fun now as well.

[@Duramaxtuner]

That's over stock. Glad to hear you like the 2.8 tunes.

[@tims_4x4_garage]

Duramaxtuner *love lol

[@jessehernandez5043]

Duramaxtuner since that is the improvement over stock, can those gains be expected across the board with the different tunes as well? For example if the tow tune claims ~30hp and your turbo mod claims 35hp would both the mod and tune yield a 65hp addition?

[@tanka5700]

Any reason why the turbo is so quiet? They barely whistle compared with other brands turbo diesels.

[@Duramaxtuner]

It's just the way it's recorded. It is very difficult to record the whistle and replicate the same sound you hear in-person.

[@tanka5700]

No not in your audio, i own a colorado with a duramax, and here in australia we have only just got dpfs fitted since last year, so earlier models even with a full open exhaust the turbo is barely audible compared with other diesel vehicles.

[@MetaLexxer]

I had the same question with my 2016 colorado. Hard to make out the whine.

[@coreyforbes3341]

If you find out let me know, I've also got a colorado haha

[@candyred3v]

i just drove a powerstroke f150 and the small diesels are really quiet. the powerstroke is more quiet then the ecoboost. guessing its the same for this

[@lococubaa]

When’s the upgraded turbo expected to be available?

[@Duramaxtuner]

No specific time at the moment (December 2017) so we'll keep you updated.

[@lococubaa]

Ok, thanks! Some of us on coloradofans.com are impatiently waiting HA! Also, will the entire turbo need to be purchased with your modifications or will the larger compressor wheels fit in the stock housing?

[@Duramaxtuner]

Our wheel assembly will not fit in a stock turbocharger.

[@lococubaa]

Duramaxtuner Ok, thanks!

[@bradfoster6987]

will your bolt ons suit the international vehicle in RHD? (Australia)

[@AlejandroLopez-vp5tt]

I also have a video on my page.

[@DavidStanleymusic]

The turbo on the 5.0 liter Cummins is more interesting

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I'm sorry to ask, but why the hell would anyone want to tune a 3 yr old Duramax diesel engine? What's wrong with 181hp and 369 lb.-ft. of stock torque? That sounds like more than enough power for a vehicle like either a Chevy Colorado and a GMC Canyon.

[@JohnBrowningsGhost]

The same reason people upgrade anything else, to see what kind of performance is achievable

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Ahhh! Okay. I suppose that makes sense.

[@DallasHVac]

I just tuned and deleted mine a few days ago, the power difference is day and night and better mpg by 5 is a plus!

[@candyred3v]

5 mpgs just with the delete?

[@duken4evr]

@@candyred3v About the same here with an emission intact tune that turns off EGR. DPF regenerations happen half as often too. EGR on diesels is the work of the Devil, turning that shit off does wonders.

[@500viewz]

Anyone know where i can get an after market turbo for a dmax 2.8l? Mine just shit the bed

[@Duramaxtuner]

We're close to releasing a Stealth Turbo for them.