It looks stock, but Jonathan...
It looks stock, but Jonathan Gudel’s ’02 Silverado HD packs a serious punch—to the tune of 575 hp and 1,170 lb-ft of torque.
You probably see one every day— an all-white heavy-duty pickup hauling a load of materials to a job site or perhaps towing a trailer. When it comes to building a diesel truck, there’s no better way than going with the work truck look, because it’ll blend into society and look like every other work truck in the United States. Some folks may not agree with this approach, but it’s great if you like sneaking up on opposition with a very cool sleeper. The example shown here only displays a few minor exterior modifications but boasts more than 1,000 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels. There’s no denying the stock appeal of this particular truck, and that’s exactly how its owner, Jonathan Gudel, wanted it. No frills, stock wheels, and lots of power!
Packed into the engine bay...
Packed into the engine bay is a Duramax LB7 6.6L engine, which is essentially stock. It has a K&N air intake system, a 5-inch exhaust, and lots more boost than the factory designated—40 psi to be exact. The engine is connected to a fully customized Goerend Allison automatic transmission.
While it makes great power, Jonathan’s truck has a very simple setup. It has the necessary modifications to perform very well, and it isn’t loaded with high-dollar wheels and tires, or a lift kit. In fact, Jonathan actually lowered the rear of his truck by 2 inches to level out the stance. With a stock outward appearance, there’s no doubt this Duramax-powered Chevrolet sneaks under the radar, so when someone lines up against it at the track or happens to pull alongside it at a traffic light, the end result is usually a damaged ego when the black smoke clears.
Underneath, Jonathan’s 2500 pickup is equipped with 3.73 gears, which work out well for his tire size and overall setup. The truck rolls on stock Silverado HD wheels, wrapped with 285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires, which is only a couple of sizes up from factory.
The truck’s motivation comes from a Duramax LB7 engine, which displaces 6.6L. It features a cast-iron block with a 3.90-inch stroke and 4.06-inch bore from the factory. The cast-aluminum cylinder heads lower the engine’s overall weight compared to other diesel platforms. Diesel engines are known for being heavy and bulky, but the Duramax is efficiently designed and makes plenty of power in stock form, coming in at 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The fuel system consists of a common-rail, direct-injection setup from the factory, while a turbocharger and intercooler are also original equipment from Chevrolet. Jonathan’s Duramax is very close to stock, as it was only a matter of allowing more boost to enter the engine to make much more power and torque than the factory claims.