Banks Power decided to find out what the top-spec eight-cylinder diesel mill of the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD is truly capable off when pushed to its limits. The results surprised even the experienced owner of the workshop.
For the test run, the Duramax L5P V8 received a single enormous Precision turbocharger, a high-performance fuel pump, larger injectors and an in-house made distribution shaft. Other than that, only a custom exhaust system with 127mm (5-inch) finishers was added. Once started, the engine proceeded to rev up to 1,004 horsepower (750 kW) and 1,875 Newton-meters (1,383 lb-ft) of torque.
Both figures sound rather otherworldly, given that it is a diesel engine that usually exerts no more than 453 hp (338 kW) and 1,234 Nm (910 lb-ft) at 1,600 RPM. Both of the abovementioned pickups use it in conjunction with 10-speed Allison transmission.