2017-2019 Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax Tuner Review

Posted on January 27, 2021February 2, 2021 by Kamil

The L5P Duramax Diesel engine found in 2017 and newer Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD trucks and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD is very impressive on its own. At 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque from the factory, it comes stock about as powerful as a tuned LML Duramax, the previous Dmax generation. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have room for improvement though. Tuners are one of the best L5P Duramax upgrades offering significant performance increases for minimal cost. The Edge Pulsar is one of these L5P Duramax tuners, and one you should definitely consider for your truck. It’s arguably the best L5P Duramax tuner when it comes to value proposition, offering a ton of “bang for the buck”. Find out how in this post, our Edge Pulsar Tuner Review.

We’ll Get to our Edge Pulsar Review, But First…

Before we get into our Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax tuner Review, we want to let you know a couple of things first. The Edge Pulsar tuner review is based on my experiences with this tuner installed on my own 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD L5P Duramax. Most of our testing experience has been in Florida, which is mostly flat land. We did have a brief trip in the Smoky Mountains however, where we got to test the Edge Pulsar at higher elevations.

There are a lot of factors that go into diesel performance. The environment you live in and other external factors can impact your gains. With that being said, we’re confident the Edge Pulsar offers a ton of value for anyone, no matter what climate or conditions you live in. Now, let’s get into our Edge Pulsar Tuner review and feature breakdown.

Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax Tuner Feature Review

Easy To Install

L5P Duramax tuners and programmers are different than most tuning we’ve seen thus far. This is because GM utilizes ECMs that no one has been able to crack. The result is there are really no truly plug-and-play tuners that simply plug into the OBD2 port anymore. Several companies have found a couple of different ways of navigating this ECM allowing you to tune your vehicle with a little extra work.

The Edge Pulsar is probably the easiest L5P Duramax tuner to install. You just need to disconnect the factory ECM, attach the Pulsar Device into it, and then insert it back into the vehicle. The toughest part about the whole thing is just getting the ECM in and out of the vehicle.

Switch-On-The-Fly Tuning with 5 Power Levels

The primary reason for interest in the Edge Pulsar Tuner for L5P Duramax trucks is for its tuning capabilities. The Pulsar comes preloaded with 5 different power levels. These power levels offer varying performance improvements. The highest performance is achieved in power level 5 which offers up to 90 more horsepower and 156 lb-ft more torque. Here is a chart showing all the different Power Levels and their respective performance characteristics.

Power Level	Horsepower Gain	Torque Gain
0	Stock	Stock
1	19 horsepower	46 lb-ft of Torque
2	37 horsepower	71 lb-ft of Torque
3	52 horsepower	105 lb-ft of Torque
4	67 horsepower	125 lb-ft of Torque
5	90 horsepower	156 lb-ft of Torque

L5P Duramax Power Gains – Taken From Edge Products Website

These 5 power levels listed above are switch-on-the-fly capable, meaning you can easily switch to a different power level without re-flashing the vehicle. Its in-line tuner design connects directly to the vehicles ECM to offer instant tuning and other benefits as well. This design allows you to change power levels by pressing the +/- cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. You don’t have to install a switch or anything, making it almost impossible to tell your vehicle has tuning without looking closely under the hood.

Edge Pulsar Tuner Dyno Result Found from the Edge Products team. Photo taken from **www.Edgeproducts.com**

If you purchase the Edge Pulsar Kit, this is what I run on my truck, you also get the Edge CTS3 Insight Monitor. When your vehicle has a Pulsar tuner installed and you connect an Edge CTS3 insight, it will allow you to adjust power levels through the monitor instead.

Smart, Safe Tuning

Unlike other tuners that give you more power but lesser reliability, the Edge Pulsar is a “smart” tuner that monitors EGTs and the transmission for slippage. If EGTs get too high, power will decrease to protect the engine. If the transmission slips, power will also decrease to protect the transmission. This makes the Edge Pulsar significantly safer to use than alternative tuning methods that don’t offer these fail safes.

Other Standalone Edge Pulsar Features

The Edge Pulsar doesn’t just let you add tuning to your L5P Duramax, but it can also let you adjust ton of settings you would normally have no control over! You can adjust the TPMS (tire pressure monitor sensors), adjust the speed limiter, re-calibrate the truck when you add larger tires, adjust the gear ratio, clear DTC codes, and more!

Here are some more Edge Pulsar Features:

start a manual regeneration
Start a transmission re-learn
built-in throttle sensitivity control for improved throttle response
High-Idle user settings to control rpms

When the Edge Pulsar is paired with the Edge Insight CTS3 you also unlock a treasure trove of new features. Check out all these features in our Edge Insight CTS3 Monitor Review.

Edge Insight CTS3 Monitor — **Edge CTS3 Insight** Performance Monitor mounted on the windshield of my truck. Notice how on the left side you can change your Edge Pulsar tuning levels by simply pressing the up or down buttons on the screen.

Initial Thoughts:

Why I Chose the Edge Pulsar for my L5P

2019-Chevrolet-Silverado-2500hd-L5p-Duramax — Photograph of my 2019 L5P Duramax, the test vehicle.

One of the primary reasons I chose the Pulsar tuner to review for my Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is because I didn’t want to spend $3,500-$4500 swapping out the ECM and I wanted a tuner that is CARB Certified. The Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax meets both of these criteria, and to prove it, it has a CARB Certification Number of D-802-9. This means it’s a legal diesel performance modification for your truck that you don’t need to hide. It leaves all emissions systems in-tact and it can be used without deleting emissions components.

I also wanted something that is easy to use, user-friendly, and easy to install. I’ve gotten tuning before that required a 15-20 minute re-flash every time I wanted to change a power level. I’ve also had to trouble installing tunes because it required uploading tunes onto the device myself, and using a specific computer. Pretty much every tuning software isn’t compatible with Apple computers so I literally had to buy another computer just to use download tunes to my device and then install them on my truck.

After doing my research I decided the Pulsar met both of these criteria. It’s affordable and after reading the installation instructions I felt very comfortable with this device. I also LOVE Edge products and have used their CTS Monitors in almost every truck I’ve owned. The fact that I could pair my CTS3 Insight with my Pulsar was another serious plus.

After getting a free Pulsar tuner for my L5P Duramax from Edge to try out, here are my thoughts. I’ve had this tuner on my truck for almost 10,000 miles now, so I’ve had a pretty good trial period to develop my review. Let’s dive in.

Value & Price

At about $800, the Edge Pulsar sits similarly priced to other L5P Duramax tuners that don’t require you to exchange your ECM. Where the Pulsar differentiates itself however is its other capabilities. If you take a look at the features the Pulsar has, it offers many capabilities that you would need to purchase a monitor for. Things like DTC clearing, adjusting TPMS sensors, or calibrating the speedometer are valuable tools for any diesel owner.

If you want additional value and more “bang for the buck”, you should seriously consider purchasing the Edge Pulsar Kit instead of the Pulsar by itself. The Pulsar Kit includes an Edge CTS3 Insight monitor and the Pulsar for a better price than what you can buy them for individually.

Design & User Experience

One of the best characteristics of the Edge Pulsar tuner is its design. It doesn’t require re-routing wires and the install is simple. It’s an in-line computer that offers immediate power and comes with safeguards to protect your truck like EGT backdown and transmission slip power back downs. You don’t have to install a switch to change power levels, instead you simply use the +/- cruise control buttons on your steering wheel. It is also built to connect with other Edge devices like the CTS3 Insight, offering greater capabilities.

Now, I was worried as the Pulsar unit sits in the engine bay right next to the engine. It’s exposed to extreme heat when the vehicle is operating and extreme cold when your vehicle is parked outside during winter months. After driving my truck over 8,000 miles with my Pulsar I haven’t had a single glitch or issue. When I was in the mountains in January and faced extremely cold temperatures, my Pulsar worked perfectly. Even on long drives in Florida, 90+ degrees Fahrenheit, I didn’t experience any issues either.

Performance

I’ve always been an advocate for custom tuning, but when it comes with a $3000+ price tag for the L5P Duramax, I wanted a more affordable option with still-respectable performance gains. The Edge Pulsar really impressed me right out of the box. It has 5 power levels that pretty much cover the spectrum, offering a tune level for every individual. While running through these different tune levels I also closely monitored my CTS3 Insight Monitor to see the tunes’ impact on my L5P.

I wanted to see if my number of Regenerations would increase and also how the tunes impacted various fluid temperatures and EGTS. After thousands of miles, I really didn’t notice an increase in the occurrence of regenerations taking place. When I drove to Tennessee with the tuner installed I only had one Regen occur on my way up.

EGTS slightly increase when using higher level tunes, but even so they don’t reach levels in which you should be worried about unless you are sustaining full throttle. If you are towing heavy or you encounter difficult terrain or other external conditions, you should choose a lower setting.

My average fuel economy improved slightly, but not as much as I’ve experienced in the past on deleted vehicles. At best, I experienced about a one MPG increase. Some of this could be attributed to my chronic smashing of the accelerator pedal because the higher tunes just make driving the truck so much more fun.

Quality

The quality of this unit is apparent immediately. The design was very well thought out and the unit itself fits seamlessly onto the OEM ECM. It has also exceeded my expectations in terms of durability. If you think about it, the Pulsar is right next to an extremely hot V-8 Diesel engine in a crammed engine bay. If it wasn’t up to the task, you’d find out very quickly.

Final Thoughts

The Good

I found significantly more good than bad during my Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax tuner review. Tuners can sometimes be tricky or you can definitely tell there is a lack in user friendliness or even just usability. The Pulsar is easily one of the most impressive tuners available, straight out of the box. It’s easy to install, even by a diesel novice, and it doesn’t require any complicated set-up on the computer. It works seamlessly and provides instant power with varying levels. I Love the safety features that were incorporated to make this tuner as safe as it is powerful. If you are looking for a tuner that will make your L5P Duramax more fun to drive and more capable, the Edge Pulsar is it.

The Bad

The only really negative comments I have about the Pulsar is that the fuel economy gains weren’t as big as I was hoping for. I do have bigger AT tires than the factory ones however, 34×11.50R20 Nitto Ridge Grapplers, that could contribute to the lower fuel economy. The other thing I disliked about the Edge Pulsar is that it doesn’t come with a monitor. Many of the features are going to require you reading from the product manual for instructions on how to complete them. If you get a CTS3 Insight however this becomes a non-issue. The Edge Pulsar is also not available for 2020 or 2021 L5P Duramax trucks yet.

Is the Edge Pulsar Tuner Right For You?

If you are daily driving your vehicle or using it for work this is a great tuning device for you and your vehicle. It provides a number of different power levels without sacrificing fuel efficiency or reliability. It’s also extremely user friendly and easy to install, making it a great choice for novice mechanics or people who just want a quick, solid tuning solution without the headaches.

**Edge Pulsar** 2017-2019 L5P Duramax Tuner

Not A Emissions Deleting Tuner for the L5P Duramax

If your vehicle isn’t street-driven, this tuner might not be the best option for you. It doesn’t have emissions deleting capabilities, so if your truck is going to be a competition truck or used for things like sled pulling, this is not the tuner for you. Instead you will need to pay the higher price of swapping the ECM and using custom tuning through the HP tuning software. Just remember, deleting your truck’s emissions is 100% federally illegal on registered and highway driven vehicles. If your truck isn’t used in competitions, emissions-compliant tuning is the way to go,

How to Install the Edge Pulsar L5P Duramax Tuner

Disconnecting the ECM is easy, you start by disconnecting the battery. Then, you need to let the vehicle sit for 5-10 minutes! Than there are a couple of bolts you take out, and three connectors that need to be disconnected. After that, the Pulsar is pretty much ready to come out. Just be careful as it is a pretty tight fit! We had the best luck removing it with two people. One person maneuvers the ECM out, while the other pushes/pulls hoses and other vehicle components out of the way.

Once the ECM is removed, you plug the Pulsar device into it. It’s easy to tell how it connects if you simply look at the two devices. You just align the plug locations and then push the Pulsar onto the ECM firmly. You need to make sure you plug the Pulsar in from directly over top of it, and you push straight down. There are hundreds of tiny pins you can damage so you want to make sure to approach the ECM from straight on.

After it’s plugged in, there are two brackets that Mount into the new, larger ECM unit. These brackets are what you use to secure the unit when it plugs back in to the vehicle. Once these brackets have been installed, you re-install the ECM into the vehicle. Make sure you re-connect the connectors and secure them with the factory clips. Re-connect the batteries and insert the mounting bolts to secure the ECM.

L5P Duramax Edge Pulsar FAQ

How much horsepower and torque can be gained from the Edge Pulsar?

The Edge Pulsar tuner has 5 different power levels offering a best performance increase of 90 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque.

How much does the Edge Pulsar Cost?

The Edge Pulsar retails for an average price of $800.

What is the Edge Pulsar?

The Edge Pulsar is a tuner for 2017-2019 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy Duty trucks with the 6.6L L5P Duramax Diesel engine. Different Edge Pulsar Variants are also available for other trucks.

What is a tuner?

A tuner is a device that improves performance on your vehicle by changing the engine’s factory settings. Manufacturers often limit power to improve reliability. Many vehicle owners choose to tune their vehicles to improve horsepower, torque, throttle response, and fuel economy. Diesel tuners are one of the best performance modifications for any diesel truck.

Will the Edge Pulsar work on my Duramax?

If you have a 2017-2019 GM HD truck with the L5P Duramax Diesel engine the Edge Pulsar will work with your truck.

How do you change power levels on the Edge Pulsar Tuner?

You can change power levels on your Edge Pulsar by pressing the +/- buttons on your steering wheel that are used for controlling cruise control when cruise control is not activated. Your vehicle’s speedometer will change showing you which power level is selected when you change power levels.

Buy The Edge Pulsar Tuner

Buy the Edge CTS3 Insight

Build Your Next Super Duty 6.7L Powerstroke

What’s New About The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Posted on October 24, 2020October 24, 2020 by Kamil

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was vastly different than the exiting 2019 model. It was basically an overhaul year, resulting in a new exterior, interior, and new technology never before seen in a heavy duty Chevrolet truck. It’s been a year since then however, and 2021 models will be hitting dealerships any day now. How does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD compare to 2020 models?

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD — Photo Courtesy of Chevrolet Media.

2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Performance Changes

Duramax Diesel Engine Changes?

2021 marks a year of refinement and improvement over the 2020 Silverado HD. The L5P Duramax diesel engine remains largely unchanged, but it still provides plenty of power at 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic Allison comes standard with the Diesel engine and it remains similar to the previous model year as well.

Changes to the 6.6L Standard Gas Engine

In 2020, the popular 6.0L V-8 engine was replaced with a new direct-injected 6.6L gas engine for huge performance gains and greater capability. The only major change for this 6.6L Gas engine in 2021 is that it now offers FlexFuel capabilities. Other than that, the powertrain is very similar. The same 6L90 6-speed Automatic transmission is used with a standard tow/haul mode.

Towing Improvements

2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Towing — 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD with the Custom package. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD retains its 18,500 lb conventional tow capacity and 18,500 Lb 5th Wheel or Gooseneck tow capacity. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD trucks received a slight tow capacity raise.

Technology improvements on 2021 will definitely aid in towing now though. The Bed View Camera is now available on Work Truck, Custom, and LT models. The Safety Confidence Package is also available on Work Truck and Custom models.

New Special Editions & Packages

2021 model year Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD trucks will be offered in several unique trim packages compared to 2021 models. The most noteworthy new edition is a collaboration between Chevrolet and Carhartt. The new 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Carhartt edition features an exclusive exterior, a CarHartt-themed interior, and a bunch of additional styling characteristics.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Carhartt Edition — 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD Trucks are available in a new trim, the Carharrt edition. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet Media Site.

Other special editions include the LTZ Premium Texas Edition, Midnight Edition, Z71 Sport Edition, and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition. A Duramax and Appearance Package is available on LT Trims too.

Other New 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Features

Other changes to the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD trucks include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection capabilities. The EZ Lift tailgate is also now standard on LT Models.

What About The 2021 Silverado 3500HD?

Click on the link below to see what changes Chevrolet made to their 3500HD for the 2021 model year.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD New Features

Build Your Next Super Duty 6.7L Powerstroke

Mishimoto’s Universal High-Flow Baffled Catch Can – Affordable Protection For Your Diesel

Posted on December 5, 2019December 13, 2019 by Kamil

What is an Oil Catch Can?

Catch Cans like the Mishimoto Universal High-Flow catch can are primarily responsible for catching blow-by that is re-routed by your diesel truck’s crankcase ventilation system or CCV. This blow-by consists of oil and fuel vapors that enter the crankcase after combustion. Your truck’s CCV system will then re-route this oil and vapor through the intake.

Catch can’s have been around a while for gasoline powered automobiles, but what about Diesels? Because of their high compression ratios, diesels are especially susceptible to blow-by. Standard catch cans designed for most gas-powered vehicles won’t work for diesels though. They’re too restrictive, and they can cause serious issues like putting your truck in limp mode. Why does this happen? The high horsepower and torque of diesel trucks leads to very high crankcase pressures. A bigger, high-flowing catch can is needed for diesel applications.

Why Should You Get A Catch Can?

The crankcase ventilation system causes blow-by to enter your truck’s intake. This means your turbocharger, intercooler, intake, and other crucial parts can experience carbon build-up causing premature failure. Wouldn’t you rather pay the small price of a catch can to help prevent major failures like a bad turbocharger?

Why Choose Mishimoto’s High-Flow Universal Catch Can?

Mishimoto’s High-Flow Universal Catch Can was made for diesel trucks. They offer high-flowing catch cans that won’t restrict your CCV system but still capture significant blow-by. Inlet and outlet ports feature 1″ diameters compared to the standard 3/8″ outlets. A massive filter featuring CNC-Machined baffle catches harmful vapors and oil while simultaneously letting crankcase vapors pass through.

Worried about having another part to worry about or having to do more maintenance? Mishimoto makes it easy by allowing you to drain the catch can without removing the filter by using a 3/8 NPT plug on the bottom of the casing. They also provide the necessary hardware and a mounting bracket for easy installation too! Mishimoto also has a lifetime warranty on all of their products.

Want to see my thoughts on the High-Flow Catch can? Check out my review of Mishimoto’s High-Flow Universal Catch Can that I installed on my 2018 Ram 2500. This catch can is also one of the products mentioned in my “10 Best Gift Ideas For Christmas 2019” blog post.

Universal High-Flow Catch Can Kit Components — Included Items in the **Universal High-Flow Baffled Catch Can Kit**

Want To Buy Mishimoto’s High-Flow Catch Can Kit?

Click the Amazon link below to take advantage of your Amazon Prime membership and get this high-flow catch can for your diesel!

Drive A Powerstroke? Mishimoto Has Specific Catch Cans For Your Truck.

Own a Powerstroke? You don’t have to use the Universal catch can! Mishimoto makes specific catch cans for your truck. Find the links below!

2011-2016 Powerstroke

2017+ Powerstroke

Learn more about this particular catch can by visiting Mishimoto’s R&D blog post on the Universal high-flow catch can.

Build Your Next Super Duty 6.7L Powerstroke

New 3.0L I6 Duramax Available on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Posted on July 8, 2019September 9, 2019 by Kamil

Chevrolet just announced details on their new 3.0L Inline-six Cylinder Duramax engine that will be available on the 2020 Silverado 1500. While GM is the only manufacturer with diesel options in the light truck market in the 2.8L LWN Duramax in the Colorado or Canyon trucks, they are the last of the big three to have a diesel option in the 1/2 ton truck market. Ford already has a 3.0L V6 Powerstroke engine available on F150s while FCA has their 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel engine that will also be available in 2020 on the Ram 1500. The new 3.0L Duramax engine will produce a class-leading 277 horsepower and only fall slightly behind Ram with 460 lb-ft of torque.

Chevrolet Chooses An Inline-Six Design for the 3.0L Duramax Engine

3.0L Duramax Engine Available on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — New Inline-six 3.0L Duramax Diesel engine available on the new Silverado 1500. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet Media

Chevrolet’s engineers wanted to create an engine that provides Silverado 1500 owners with a world-class experience and unmatched durability. The inline-six design is a favorite amongst heavy-duty Ram truck owners who have an inline-six Cummins engine. Will Chevrolet’s new 3.0L inline-six Duramax turbodiesel engine offer the same reliability though?

The 3.0L Duramax engine block is made from cast aluminum alloy that reduces engine mass by up to 25% according to Chevrolet. The engine block features a deep-skirt design in which the block casting extends below the crankshaft centerline. Iron cylinder lines are present within the block to increase durability. 7 iron main bearing caps also add strength to the block and allow for accurate location of the rotating assembly.

The engines rotating assembly features forged steel connecting rods, a forged steel crankshaft, and aluminum pistons. These aluminum pistons are made of an aluminum-silicon blend to increase heat resistance and reduce engine noise.

The 3.0L Inline-Six Duramax engine will also contain an aluminum cylinder head, with a composite cam cover. This engine uses a Dual Overhead Camshaft design (DOHC). Unlike many other trucks, the camshaft drivetrain will be located on the rear of the engine. According to Chevrolet, this was done for greater refinement and packaging considerations.

10L80 10-Speed Automatic Transmission

The 10L80 10-speed Automatic transmission originally came from a joint-venture by GM and Ford. Ford’s variant is known as the 10R80 and has been used in many of the F-150 trucks. The 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission used on the 3.0L Duramax-equipped trucks will feature a centrifugal pendulum absorber torque converter. This torque converter improves smoothness by reducing vibration.

Towing With the 2020 Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Diesel

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Towing — The 2020 Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax will offer max tow capacity of 9,300 lbs.

Towing numbers are a bit disappointing compared to the tow capacity of the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel or the 3.0L Powerstroke engine found on the new F-150s. Max tow capacity for the 2020 Silverado 1500 equipped with the 3.0L Duramax is roughly 9,300 lbs. Keep in mind, actual tow capacity differs depending on different features of the trucks. While the numbers don’t help Chevrolet claim the throne in the towing wars, the new Duramax should still meet the needs of most Silverado 1500 owners. Chevrolet did a good job at making sure the 3.0L Duramax gets torque early. The trucks reach 95% of peak torque at just 1,250 rpms. The truck then reaches peak torque 1,500 rpms maintains peak torque until 3,000 rpms. A water charge air cooler along with a new, low pressure EGR help achieve torque earlier.

The new Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax will feature exhaust braking to reduce brake wear and slow the vehicle quicker. Exhaust braking occurs in tow/haul mode, courtesy of the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT).

How Much Will A 2020 Silverado 1500 with the New 3.0L Duramax Cost?

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2020-Chevrolet-Silverado-Diesel-077-1024x683.jpg — Under-the-hood picture of the new 3.0L Duramax

Chevrolet considers the 2020 Silverado with the 3.0L Duramax as an upgrade over the standard 5.3L V8 engine. Therefore, 3.0L Duramax prices will be similar to the 6.2L V8. The 3.0L Duramax models will cost $2,495 over the 5.3L V8 and $3,890 more than the 2.7L turbocharged I-4 engine. Unfortunately, the 3.0L Duramax Silverado 1500 will only be available on LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country models. If you’re going to want this new light-duty diesel, you’re going to have to opt-in for a slightly nicer trim.

When will the new 2020 Silverado 1500 Be Available?

Expect the new 2020 Silverado 1500 to hit dealerships later this year! The new 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks will be available later this year too! Click here to visit Chevrolet’s Media Article about the new 3.0L Duramax.

5 New Convenient Features of the 2020 L5P Duramax

Posted on February 8, 2019December 4, 2019 by Kamil

Whether you’re a Duramax, Powerstroke, or Cummins fan, you know that there are some small details that can really be a pain in the a$$ or a serious eye-sore when it comes to your truck. Unfortunately, you usually don’t notice these minute details until after you buy. While you put up with them, life would be a lot easier if they just had a better design from the manufacturer. GM just released their 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD, and 2020 GMC Sierra HD Duramax trucks. While you may not appreciate the new body style yet, you will appreciate these 5 small, convenient features that make a BIG difference on the 2020 Duramax.

DEF Fill Location

When it comes to Duramax trucks, I have always HATED how the DEF fill location is under the hood. While you don’t have to deal with it that often, it’s just so inconvenient. No matter what precautions I take, I ALWAYS manage to spill some DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid). I can actually remember one distinct occasion when the cheap spout of my BLUE DEF bottle actually came off. Diesel exhaust fluid went all over my truck, and I was angry to say the least. Well guys and gals, GM finally moved the inlet under the fuel cap. Now, just like your Cummins and Powerstroke friends, you can fill your DEF tank from under your Fuel Door. Hooray!

GM’s Biggest Eye Sore: The DEF Tank Location

It took me a while to get accustomed to the new LML trucks when they came out. The only thing I noticed was how huge the DEF tank was and how awkwardly it was located. It was actually why I waited until the L5P to get another Duramax. I just couldn’t get past it because I knew it would drive me nuts. Then, the L5P was released, and I just couldn’t resist buying the truck because of their sheer performance numbers. But guess what? That DEF tank still made me bitter every time I approached my truck, until finally, I bought some running boards. While they helped, it still didn’t resolve my issue as the DEF tank was still glaringly obvious. GM finally moved the Diesel exhaust fluid tank, and relocated it further back on the Frame and out of sight.

New Bed Steps: Easier access to the front of your Bed

GM’s corner steps integrated into the Duramax trucks’ rear bumpers are an awesome feature that make getting into the bed a lot easier. What about accessing the front of the bed without hopping in though? This is something every truck has struggled with. Running boards or nerf bars were the only solution! Not any longer! GM just introduced new bed steps that are located in front of the rear wheel openings to make accessing this area much easier.

2020 Duramax Bed Step — 2020 Duramax New Bed Step

New Easy-Access Engine Block Heater Outlet

Because I live in Florida, this isn’t one of my pet peeves, but i’m sure it drives a few guys up north bonkers. Engine block heater outlets are an eye sore when situated behind the grille or near the bumper. We’re uncertain if this issue was resolved on GMC trucks. However, Chevrolet placed the engine block heater on the lower, side portion of the front bumper. The new Engine block heater outlet is unnoticeable and better protected from the elements. You no longer have loose hanging cords or have to open the hood for plug-in.

New Snow Prep Package

Snow plows aren’t something we use every day in Florida. I know how important they are to you guys up north though. We’re not sure about GMC, but Chevrolet introduced a new snow prep package. Chevrolet designed the front end of these trucks for easy removal of the Air Dam and skid plate for easier installation of snow plows and their hardware. You don’t even have to drill additional holes in your front bumper! We can all appreciate the goodness of a bolt-on design. When you take the plow off your truck, your truck will now maintain its clean, aesthetic appearance.

Chevrolet took many of the photos used in this article. You can find them here.

Looking For More Information on the L5P?

Check out some of our other helpful resources for diesel owners and enthusiasts. Our l5P Duramax Specifications resource will give you all the nitty-gritty details you want to know about these new trucks.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Trucks Officially Debut

Posted on February 6, 2019December 7, 2019 by Kamil

If you’re a diesel enthusiast like me, you may have seen some shots of Chevrolet’s Silverado HD prior to their official debut. They’re vastly different than any truck Chevrolet has made so far. The 2020 Silverado HD features a redesigned exterior that is taller, wider, and longer. Compared to the 2019 Silverado HD crew cab SRW standard box, the new 2020 counterparts have a 5.2″ longer wheelbase, they’re 10″ longer, 1.6″ Taller, and 1.4″ wider. When I said they’re taller and bigger overall, I meant it.

It’s also the most capable Chevy to date, featuring a max towing capability of 35,500 lbs. A myriad of new features inside and out make using the truck and towing easier, including new integrated bed steps and the DuraBed cargo box. Five trims are available for Chevrolet’s new HD: the Work Truck (WT), LT, LTZ, Custom, and High Country Editions. While there are differences in features across the trim spectrum, it’s crystal clear that Chevrolet built all of these trucks with one thing in mind. Functionality.

How do we know all this? Chevrolet actually invited us out their event where we, along with some other media members, had exclusive access to these trucks. Here is what you need to know about the all new 2020 Silverado HD.

2020 Silverado HD New Exterior

The 2020 Silverado HD is Chevrolet’s third new Silverado in 18 months. The Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD were released last year, as well as Chevrolet’s new Silverado 1500. While all these trucks are coming out around the same time, they don’t share any similarities when it comes to their exteriors. In fact, the only metal the Silverado 1500 and the Heavy duty shares is the roof. The new generation 2020 Silverado HD received a major overhaul from their previous L5P too.

Rolling Shot 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country
Front-Driver-Corner View 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country
Rear Driver, Corner View of 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country
Driver’s side view 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ
Front driver’s side corner view 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Work Truck
Rear driver’s side corner view 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Work Truck
Driver’s side view of 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Custom
Rear corner view, driver’s side 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT

A massive new grille paired with a hood that contains a larger hood scoop gives the new Chevy HD’s cooling system a boost. New headlights were added, as well as optional fog lights, and clearance lamps. For the first time ever, Chevrolet’s heavy duty trucks also have LED strips built into the headlights of certain models. While it’s a small detail, I believe it adds significantly to the luxury aspect of these trucks.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD LTZ Grille Close-up
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country

New tow mirrors are standard on all new 2020 Chevrolet HD trucks. These new tow mirrors extend and retract, and have an available power extension feature to make adjusting the mirrors while driving easy. A larger surface area gives Chevy HD owners a larger view of what’s behind their trucks. New spot lamps that face forward at 45-degree angles provide better illumination at night and the mirror housings actually contain side-view cameras that can also be paired with puddle lights and rear spot lamps.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Mirror — 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country Mirrors

In addition to their existing bed step feature, they added steps to the side panels of the truck bed, to give customers an easier access point to the front of the bed.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD bed step

Compared to the 2019 Silverado HD crew cab SRW standard box, the new 2020 counterparts have a 5.2″ longer wheelbase, they’re 10″ longer, 1.6″ Taller, and 1.4″ wider. When I said they’re taller and bigger overall, I meant it.

Chevrolet’s New DuraBed

As someone who uses their truck daily for work, a truck’s bed is critical to me. Chevrolet really outdid themselves with their new DuraBed cargo box. For the first time ever, Chevy HD’s won’t share a bed with their lighter-duty relatives. These beds add 6.7 inches of width of useable space to standard box models. The standard box receives an added 3 inches of length too. This results in an added 14% increase in total cargo box volume for regular bed trucks, and a 9.5% increase for long bed application.

Chevrolet managed to add in a variety of other useful features as well. Chevrolet’s EZ-Lift/Lower tailgate was so impressive to me the first time I saw it. They were so impressive I purchased an aftermarket part, the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist to have these features on my own truck. The new tailgates for these trucks takes innovation a bit farther. They have an exclusive power up/down feature to raise and lower the tailgate. Gone are the days of the slamming tailgate or struggling to lift a heavy tailgate! Gone are the days where you need to lift or lower your tailgate yourself too. Twelve fixed tie-down rings and an available 120V power outlet also add to the functionality of Chevrolet’s new DuraBed.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Performance

While the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD equipped with the L5P Duramax didn’t post any noticeable gains in the Horsepower and Torque departments, Chevrolet once again added to the functionality aspects of these trucks. Increasing towing capacity by 52% was a tall task. In order to accomplish this feat, a new 10-speed Allison Transmission was partnered with the 6.6L L5P Duramax engine. This will allow the truck to deliver 910 lb/ft of torque in lower gears. A new, variable speed, 28 inch cooling fan was added, along with the addition of several blades to the existing oil cooler. Engine braking capacity was also increased by 14%.

“4 Auto Mode” is electronically controlled by Chevy’s new Autotrac active two-speed transfer case, allowing the truck to shift between 4WD and 2WD in varying road conditions. An enhanced version of their existing ladder-frame was created to support the new GCWR of up to 43,500 lbs. Larger, more durable front and rear axles, as well as beefed-up prop-shafts were used to achieve “best-in-class-so-far” tow capacity.

2020 L5P Duramax Engine & Transmission
2020 10-Speed Allison Transmission
Open-view of 10-Speed Allison Transmission
2020 L5P Duramax Engine
2020 6.6L L5P Duramax Engine

Interior & Trailering Technology

Chevrolet made just as many drastic changes regarding their interiors and their new trailering technology. Similar to GMC’s Sierra HD, the 2020 Chevy HD trucks received the addition of numerous trailering technologies. So many, in fact, that we will write a separate article altogether to cover it all in detail. Fifteen unique camera views give drivers unparalleled visibility. I’m the most excited for their transparent trailer view, which gives you a view as if the trailer wasn’t there. The 2020 Chevrolet HD trucks also gained auto park brake assist and park grade hold assist features.

Drivers and front-seat passengers enjoy class-leading head and leg room. Crew Cabs gained three inches of leg room. The trucks also received a new infotainment system and an available head-up display. Higher trim models also gained a digital gauge display.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD High Country

Don’t Miss Out, Theres More

Check out our live walk-around of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD. There is so much information we have yet to share! Don’t Miss out! Make sure you subscribe below.

GM Reveals their New 2020 GMC Sierra HD

Posted on January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 by Kamil

With Chevrolet set to debut their new 2020 Silverado HD trucks in February, it was a safe bet that GMC would release their new 2020 Sierra HD around a similar time. While both the Silverado HD and Sierra HD share the legendary Duramax-Allison combination, these trucks have vastly different exterior appearances, different interiors, and different features. GMC just revealed their 2020 GMC Sierra HD and gave us a taste of what the new heavy duty GMC trucks have to offer. Here is what we’ll be missing out on until Late Summer this year, when they become available.

The New 2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Exterior

The new 2020 GMC Sierra HD received an exterior overhaul. The new Sierra HD is both taller and longer. The front of the truck features an elevated hood line and a new grille that helps aid in air induction. Door mounted tow mirrors provide drivers with power extending and retracting mirrors. All new segment-exclusive bed-side steps provide easier access to the bed and cargo. These bed-side steps compliment GMC’s existing Corner steps that are found in the rear bumper. The 2020 Sierra HD trucks also received the first ever six-function Multipro tailgate. Stay posted, we’ll be going over the new tailgate in another post.

New lighting including headlights, running lights, taillights, fog lights, and cab lights also adorn the truck, using LED technology for better illumination. The towing mirrors also come with available led lighting.

2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually at Reveal
2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT package
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali with New Tailgate
Side View of 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali
Front View of 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Dually Front Corner View
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Dually towing trailer
New Segment-Exclusive bed-side step for easier access of bed.
New Headlights Grace the 2020 Sierra HD, featuring LED Lightings.

Interior Changes

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD also contains a new interior that proudly takes the trophy for best-in-class front head-room and leg-room for crew cab trucks. GMC owners will have a superior perspective of the road because of a new, higher seating position. A segment-first heavy-duty head-up display helps drivers pay greater attention to both the road and their truck. As if that wasn’t enough, Premium leather seating, authentic open-pore wood trim, and dark aluminum decor add to the luxury and interior appeal of GMC’s new 2020 Sierra HD.

2020 GMC Sierra HD Denali Interior – Entertainment System
2020 GMC Sierra HD Denali Interior

New Technology on 2020 GMC Sierra HD Trucks

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD not only has a totally redesigned exterior and interior, but also a myriad of new features designed to provide customers with a premium truck that make life easier. Drivers who frequently tow will be thrilled with the addition of numerous technological additions geared towards towing. These new additions include a new ProGrade trailering system with up to 15 available trailer views, rear camera mirror, and an all-new smart trailer system to be used with compatible “Smart” trailers. We will go more in depth on the Sierra HD’s new technology in a following article.

Multi-Function Tailgate
Rear Side Camera view
All new Transparent Trailer Rear Camera View
Rear View Camera
The 2020 GMC Sierra HD features a cargo camera that makes loading up easy!
See In front of your 2020 GMC Sierra HD with the new front view camera
Front Side View Camera
See your hitch with the new Hitch View Camera
2020 GMC Sierra HD Receives new rear view mirror Camera

A New Trim For The 2020 Sierra HD Lineup

The new heavy duty Sierra will also be available in a new trim, the AT4. The AT4 will provide GMC customers with superior off-road capabilities. AT4 trucks receive an off-road suspension, Rancho Shocks, skid plates, and an Eaton locking rear differential. 18″ or 20″ wheels mated with Michelin AT tires provide traction in a variety of terrains. AT4 trucks also come standard with a traction select system, hill descent control and hill start assist. Sierra HD AT4 trucks will also have some differences with their exterior and interior. We go over that in greater detail here.

Front View of 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4
Corner View of 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD AT4

2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty Performance

Because this Duramax still produces 445 horsepower and 910 lb/ft of torque, we believe the 2020 GMC Sierra HD’s L5P engine has not received any major changes. However, GM is pairing the L5P Duramax with a new 10-speed Allison transmission for 2020 trucks. According to GMC, this will help keep the engine in an optimal range in all terrains and load conditions. GMC believes because of a new, stronger frame, trailer tech, and greater performance, the new Sierra HD will be capable of a tow capacity greater than 30,000 lbs.

2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually Pulling Trailer — 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Dually Pulling Trailer

Don’t forget to keep up with us as we cover every aspect of these new Sierra HD trucks. They won’t be for sale until close to the 3rd quarter of this year. That means you have quite a few months to convince your wife that you need a new truck!

All Photos used were taken by GMC.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Debuts Next Month

Posted on January 28, 2019January 30, 2019 by Kamil

Chevrolet has made some significant investments into diesel technology when it comes to their line of pickups. A couple of years ago, they added the 2.8L Duramax engine to their Colorado truck line. Last year, they released their new Medium-Duty pickup trucks in their 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD. Now, Chevrolet just announced their new body style 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Duramax trucks will debut in February. Chevrolet says the 2020 Silverado HD will be the most capable and advanced Silverado Heavy Duty to date.

A Truck Built Specifically For HD Silverado Owners

Chevrolet’s Chief Engineer of the Silverado HD, Jaclyn McQuaid, said, “We know the needs and priorities of heavy-duty owners are different than those of light-duty or medium-duty customers”. McQuaid continued, “As such, we built a heavy-duty truck tailor-made for them that has more differentiation than ever before from light-duty models, offers advanced towing technologies to improve towing confidence and includes new features such as the integrated Bedstep, which makes it easier to access the bed while pulling a fifth-wheel trailer.”

So, what does this all mean? Chevrolet is creating an almost entirely new product from their regular Silverado 1500 pickup trucks. In fact, the only exterior component shared in common between the two is the roof panel. This new 2020 Silverado HD is built on the wants and needs of their Heavy-Duty consumers, and will feature new trailer technology features and both a higher payload and towing capacity. The interior will also stand to benefit from the body-style change. There will be an added 3 inches in leg room and a new seating position in crew cab models.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Front End

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Performance

The new 2020 Silverado HD has several changes performance too. An all new direct injection Gas Engine will be introduced. This new motor will work in conjunction with a Six-Speed transmission. The L5P Duramax engine will also be paired with a new Ten-Speed Allison Transmission, producing a whopping 910 lbs/ft of torque.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD Exterior

If you’re familiar with the 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD Duramax Trucks, you can point out the differences fairly easily. Chevrolet has changed these new 2020 Silverado HDs from top-to-bottom. In the pictures above, you can clearly see the new body styling, grille, lighting, bumpers, and the mirrors that have been Instagram’s latest truck controversy. Steps have been added to the side panels of the truck’s bed. This allows easier access to the bed of the truck. Now, we have only seen Chevrolet’s High Country edition HD so far. We’ll be updating our posts as soon as we have more information.

Keep In Touch With Us

While the new Silverado HD is making its debut In February, it won’t be for sale until mid-2019. We should have a lot more information about these trucks in the next two weeks. GMC and RAM are also releasing their new Heavy-Duty trucks. Make sure you stay posted!

All Photos Courtesy of Chevrolet.

New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD

Posted on January 27, 2019January 31, 2019 by Kamil

I know, we’re a little bit late to the party. GM released their new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD last year. But we’re writing this article as these new trucks are finally being shipped to dealers nationwide. I actually just saw my first one in person the other day driving down I-75, so I decided now is as good a time as ever to bring some attention to these new workhorses Chevrolet designed to meet the needs of their Commercial customers.

Features of Chevrolet’s New 2019 Medium-Duty Trucks

As an avid diesel truck enthusiast, I love when auto manufacturers release a diesel truck that just seems to be a little bit badder than the rest of them. Chevrolet just released their brand new 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD, and no, they don’t look anything like their new 2020 Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD relatives. The only exterior feature these two different segments share is the iconic Chevrolet bowtie.

Chevrolet claims that this truck is the most customer-centric Medium Duty truck of any major competitor. Powered by a 6.6L Duramax Motor, and an Allison transmission, these new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HDs, 5500HDs, and 6500HDs are up to whatever task you throw at them. Not only do they feature GM’s legendary Allison-Duramax Powertrain combination, but they also have many of Chevrolet’s latest connectivity innovations. These include OnStar, 4G Wi-Fi, Wireless cell phone charging, Bluetooth, and Apple Carplay and Android Auto Support. Optional factory-installed rear air suspension gives the truck a more comfortable ride both on and off-road. Triple-sealed, inset doors dampen noise while driving, and at the job site. These features make Chevrolet’s new 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD not only a very capable work truck, but a very capable mobile office as well.

As you can imagine, trucks this large can oftentimes be difficult to drive because of their poor turning radius and the driver’s lack of visibility. With these trucks, Chevrolet introduced up to 50-degree wheel cuts, to make sure these trucks can maneuver easily. The lightweight, contoured hood was designed to make sure the driver has maximum vision of the road. Speaking of the hood, they were designed with a front hinge, resulting in a “Clamshell” design. When opened, instead of opening up and to the rear, the hood pulls forward. This makes working on these trucks vastly superior to trucks featuring a standard hood design. Technicians can easily access everything under the hood, and service these trucks without having to use a ladder or climb on top of the truck.

Showing Off Under the hood
New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500-6500HDs
Side View
Front end view of 2019 Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD
Side View /w Hood Open
Silver 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD

The New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500 HD, and 6500HD are Highly Customizable.

The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD allow for a wide variety of cargo boxes and flat beds. They did this by creating seven different Cab-To-Axle choices, from 60 inches all the way to 162 inches. Chevy’s new medium duty trucks also have five different axle-to-back-of-frame lengths. These trucks also come in a single cab, or crew cab configuration. No matter what your business needs, these new medium-duty trucks can be outfitted for you.

Make Sure You Stay Tuned

Stay tuned! We will be writing about and featuring the new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HDs on our site as soon as we possibly can. All photos used are courtesy of Chevrolet. Find out more about these new Medium-Duty trucks on Chevrolet’s Site here.

L5P Duramax Tuning: The Wait is Almost Over

Posted on September 19, 2018November 30, 2018 by Kamil

The Problem

Things are changing in the automotive space. Automotive manufacturers are making a push to make vehicles uncrackable. 15 years ago, you could swap out the exhaust on your truck, or turn the pump for some quick horsepower gains without any issues! Recently, emissions devices were introduced to Diesel trucks to lower emissions output. These devices include DEFs, SCRs, and EGRs. These changes forced us to purchase a tuner to either work with emissions or disable them if you want to use a turbo back exhaust and other performance parts. Tuning always comes out quickly after a new motor is released. So why are we two years in and just now getting close to having L5P Duramax tuning available?

The answer? GM has worked very hard to make these trucks virtually uncrackable. By using state of the art security and encryption methods , they made it extremely difficult for most tuning companies to crack the ECMs and TCMs these trucks are equipped with. From what I understand, every truck is equipped with a different key exchange. This makes it impossible to create one tuning solution that could be implemented on every l5P. What’s worse is that if one manufacturer is doing this, it’s likely the others aren’t far behind. So to you Powerstroke and Cummins guys, enjoy it while you can!

The Solution for L5P Duramax Tuning

So how are we going to tune our L5P Duramax trucks? You can either compromise and purchase a generic tuner that doesn’t offer delete tuning or you have to swap your ECM and TCM. In the last couple of days, HPTuners has announced their L5P ECM and TCM exchange service. You send them your ECM and TCM and in exchange they will send you their modified version. The new, modified ECM and TCM will allow you to tune your truck. Several companies including duramaxtuner.com and PPEI are working on creating tunes for these new ECM’s. According to HP Tuners website, they will start shipping ECMs by September 21st. This ECM exchange service costs quite a bit, at $2500. This doesn’t include the tunes! We are anticipating costs of $4-5,000 to successfully tune your L5P.