Duramax conversion results thread

[guruerror]

I'm going back and forth between whether I should build a 408 stroker or go with a Duramax conversion. I'm not looking to make any move until I reach a 'critical' rebuild point...I just cracked 80,000 on my 05, so I'm good for now; but I thought it would be helpful for us Duramax-prospects to have a thread highlighting the success/failure stories of past conversions.

The main points I'd like to know are:

Was it successful?
Where did you get the conversion done?
How long did the conversion take?
What was the total cost?
Are you happy with the conversion?
What do you see as the biggest post-conversion advantage?
What do you see as the biggest post-conversion dis-advantage?
Any other feedback...

Thanks in advance.

[tcalz06]

I'm curious to see if you get any response to this.

I'd say go with a 427 stroker and you will need a better trans anyway so 20k vs 30k and no electrical problems from the conversion. 30k buys a lot of gas

0r just a built LS1. There are plenty that make 600hp with cam and heads now
you could probably do that for 13k with 5k going towards a built trans

Until someone come out with a plug and play harness for the diesel conversion it sounds like they are huge problems

[scottminor]

I think this truck screams for a diesel. With the weight of it, the low end would be great, and I could run waste oil filling up at Chik-fi-la when I stop to eat.

[tsdrummerboy]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$........lol

[Stellar]

Stroker kit and 4.88's..Had a chance to drive a Hummer with this combo, you'll love this setup! Now I'm saving my pennies :beerchug:

[Gleamor]

So its been 8 months on this thread.

Did you do a conversion? What did you go with?

I'm sitting at 150k on my 03 H2 and starting to look at options. I'm almost definately going with a duramax conversion. It would be a stretch for me to consider a stroker as previously mentioned. Just not practical for what I use my truck for.
I spend almost every weekend on the trails and the rest of the week its a daily driver. Diesel seems the best option.

[guruerror]

So its been 8 months on this thread.

Did you do a conversion? What did you go with?

I'm sitting at 150k on my 03 H2 and starting to look at options. I'm almost definately going with a duramax conversion. It would be a stretch for me to consider a stroker as previously mentioned. Just not practical for what I use my truck for.
I spend almost every weekend on the trails and the rest of the week its a daily driver. Diesel seems the best option.
I'm waiting for a major overhaul point before seriously considering the conversion...maybe 150-160k like you, I'm at 93k now. Plus a fellow member who is local to the metro area (Waldorf) sent his rig out recently...so I'll also want to get a little firsthand experience with a converted truck and see want kind of issues he runs into before committing myself to the process.

I also really hate the idea of shipping the truck to CA to get the work done. Crisswell Performance out by Quince Orchard has done a Duramax conversion on an H1. They said it cost 40Gs...I'm thinking that they could probably tackle an H2 as well, and cheaper. Logically it should be easier to fit a GM diesel in a GM truck then to stuff it into an AMG...that's got to be a complete mechanical/electrical nightmare.

Your details say your from Gaithersburg...where at exactly? We've probably seen each other rolling around. Where have you been wheeling? Off road spots are slim pickin's around this area...I pretty much gotta go on a road trip to get the truck dirty...lol.

[draconianruler]

How about a supercharger? I have one and love it.

[guruerror]

How about a supercharger? I have one and love it.
I thought about a supercharger...
...but weighing the two options (diesel vs. supercharger) based upon the information available on this forum, I see more benefits in going with a diesel.

The way I see it, the conversion's pros are: better mpg, good HP, great torque, the ability to drop to rear-wheel drive, and, well, it's a Duramax in and H2...and that's just sweet!. The cons are: the expense and the hassle of shipping it to CA to get the work done.

In the same token, I've read a lot threads about folks who are happy with their superchargers. I just worry about the strain that adding power in this way puts on the transmission and possibly other components. I also get the sense that a supercharger would adversely effect my MPG...and while I didn't buy the truck for fuel efficiency, I'm not going to go with any mods that decreased it further just for some added umph.

I think the diesel is the best fit for me...my truck is my daily driver but I also try to hit some kind of trail a couple times a month (and usually plan one trip a year where off-roading is a component).

I love the sound of an American V8...but diesels have been sounding good to me lately... ;)