Duramax in Cargo vans

[Chris Rosenberger]

Anyone have any information on the Duramax that is in the Chevrolet Express & GMC Savana cargo vans. I see it is rated at 250 hp. I now have a 2001 2500HD Duramax pickup. How does the detuned Duramax in the vans compare to 2001 version that is in my truck.

[hapaschold]

if there any like the ford set up, the van will be less power. i have a 04 ford van with a 6.0 psd. driven the pickups , big differance in power.

i m thinking due to the higher center of gravity is why the vans are detuned also.

[JoeyD]

It has less power but the motor is very smooth and quiet compared to the LB7 and the 04-05 LLY which I thought was smooth and quiet. I have a friend with a 03 2500 and he has an 05 4500 that I use for comparision.
So far milage has been a high of 19.5 and a low of 17.5 which is not bad.
I don't see why they didn't install the allison but heat has to be a concern in the vans vs the pickups so detuning it may have helped that out. Ford has the E vans at the same levels but uses the tq shift.

[6.5NOVA]

are there any road tests out of the duramax express?

[JohnC]

I don't see why they didn't install the allison ....

It would have required major sheet metal modifications. The Allison is a big honkin' transmission. The pickups have a 2" body lift to compensate.

[JoeyD]

Simple floor pan stamp change would have been more than enough to do it. I would pay the extra 1500 or so for the allison trans.

[wurk_truk]

Talked to GM guy from MO on Lightning board, where they build vans. Allison will not fit van. Chevy wouldn't go for floor mod, as that would change dog house, etc. Detuned so that 4-sp tranny 4L85E? would have a longevity chance.

I, in Ohio, am seeing 18mpg at average speed of 70-75. That is 5cents a mile difference, to me, compared to my gas van. That is $15k over lifetime of vehicle at 300k. That will pay for one new tranny and have change left from getting raped on duramax upgrade.

S-L-O-W, but for a van it will tow a utility box trailer with 2 tons of car wash chemical and not know the difference. Cant do THAT with my gasser!

[quickwrench]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to revive this thread to see how you all are getting along with your Duramax vans. We need to buy two this year, and I need to decide if it's worth the $7800 pricetag.

Thanks...

[Duramaster]

i don't want to work on them! That's for sure!!! :mad: Dumbest idea ever! :mad: I had to change an EGR valve on one. Hopefully never again!!!

[DieselMonk]

Another reason the Duramax is detuned in the Express van is that it has a lighter tranny (if memory serves me right it is a 4L85E and not an Allison.

[More Power]

Fuel economy and resale value are the primary benefits of spending the money on a Duramax in a diesel van.

JIm

[hapaschold]

stay away from the ford vans with the 6.0 diesel.......another nightmare all around......turbos, egrs.... been there ,lived it........

rumor on the ford forums that ford is bringing back the 6.0 for use in the vans....

believe when i see it ! !