When most people think of diesel engines, they probably associate them with exhaust and noise. Truck lovers, however, understand that there’s more to diesel engines than those elements. And when it comes to diesel, it’s hard to beat the Duramax family of engines. Originally built as a collaboration between General Motors and Isuzu, the Duramax line was created in 2001 and has run through multiple variations since then. Historically, Chevrolet and GMC installed Duramax engines in their trucks and implemented several design changes to improve performance. Currently, Duramax engines are manufactured by DMAX, Ltd., a subsidiary of GMC, which turns out 200,000 units per year. But what makes the Duramax engine run, so to speak? Here’s everything you need to know about Duramax engines before making a purchasing decision.

The Duramax Evolution

Let’s get this out of the way first—you may have heard that models from earlier years had their flaws, but technological advances have since improved engine performance and more. Newer Duramax engine models are more powerful and last longer, providing extra features to handle bigger jobs and longer hauls both on and off the road. Read on to learn about some of the specifics of today’s engines.

Super Savings

If you want to save on fuel, Duramax engines provide good to great gas mileage compared to both gas- and diesel-burning vehicles. These particular engines can get about 22 miles per gallon on the highway, and Duramax charts well and runs even better when receiving scheduled maintenance. If you keep your tires inflated to optimal levels, change all fluids on a regular basis, and use premium diesel when filling the tank, your truck will thank you with better performance and bigger savings.

Miles To Go

With regular maintenance and upkeep, any car can last for a long time. But 6.6 Duramax engines respond exceptionally well to proper care and maintenance. In fact, these engines are well known for hanging on for years and years. Despite what you throw at it, whether it’s heavy lifting, towing, or intensive driving, you can often get 100,000 miles of work and distance from a Duramax without a single trip to the mechanic. Some owners even report mileages of 300,000 or 500,000 miles or more before they bring in their trucks for professional service.

Plenty of Pull

Towing ability can be a dealbreaker when it comes to trucks, as most owners want vehicles that can provide powerful towing and hauling when they need it most. Diesel engines make it easier for trucks to pull and carry anything from campers to trailers to other vehicles. Whether you need a robust vehicle for work or recreation, Duramax engines provide the required pound-feet of torque to accomplish heavy-duty jobs. Other engines may provide more, but for the money, 6.6 Duramax engines generate the power you need when you need it.

Don’t Hold Your Horses

Torque is good, but a truck needs horsepower to get wherever it needs to be. Greater horsepower means a faster vehicle, and Duramax engines are well-known for providing more horsepower over their competitors. It’s also important to note that later Duramax engine models provide more horsepower, torque, and other features than earlier ones. Still, most Duramax engines will provide enough of both torque and horsepower to help your truck perform regular duties.

Give It a Brake

Power and speed are necessary for a properly functioning truck, but for safety’s sake, trucks also need to be able to stop. For instance, it’s difficult to slow down and stop a truck with brakes alone when it’s speeding downhill with a full load. Fortunately, Duramax engines can be fitted with a backup system known as an exhaust brake. This device shuts off the exhaust by means of a butterfly valve that forces the engine to compress the gases in the manifold and cylinders. With this system in place, a truck can slow down further because no fuel is being used. Not to mention, it’ll eventually pay for itself through lessening wear and tear on the brakes, thereby reducing trips to the garage. You and your passengers will be safer as well.

Utter Flexibility

Duramax engines are popular with several vehicle brands and are most often connected with Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Duramax engines have also been installed in several brands of vans, SUVs, and even Hummers. Available in four- and six-cylinder configurations—whereas competitors often only offer diesel engines featuring inline cylinder set-ups—their torque and horsepower remain big selling points. Also, despite earlier models’ issues, diesel truck aficionados still look for vehicles with these engines. All Duramax engines offer relatively easy upkeep and can be maintained and modified with little to no fuss. Repairs are a cinch as well, and the longevity of Duramax engines means there’s a large assortment of aftermarket parts and upgrades available for the diligent gearhead.

Time To Tune In

Engine tuning involves modifying and adjusting an engine’s inner workings. This includes working on the engine control unit (ECU) to escalate power, performance, and durability. Duramax engines easily lend themselves to such alternations. Greater horsepower and other enhancements can be achieved with basic adjustments, installing aftermarket performance parts, adding a new microchip, using a plug-and-play box, or installing any number of compatible devices.

The Next Step

When it comes to everything you need to know about Duramax engines, keep in mind that there’s always more to learn about these fascinating and supremely functional devices. If you’re interested in doing a deeper dive, you can look into individual Duramax engines and their respective pros and cons.

When you’re ready to find Duramax parts and devices online, visit Blessed Performance. You can explore our website for further information on Duramax engines and other items to keep your vehicle in top condition. Ensure your vehicle provides prime performance and doesn’t require costly repairs by purchasing high-quality parts for Duramax and other engines from our shop.

Blessed Performance is also available for questions and consultations—contact us today to discuss any products you’re interested in or projects you’re working on. We’re located in Wyoming and offer services out of our shop, but we can ship most of our products to the contiguous 48 states.