The Allison automatic was the much more popular choice among buyers. Besides the Allison 5-speed automatic transmission, buyers could also select a ZF 6-speed manual. The real star of the show to many people was the introduction of the Allison 1000, arguably the first automatic transmission in its class worthy of being mated to a diesel.
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Ford introduced aluminum cylinder heads a full decade later with the debut of the 6.7L Powerstroke in 2011. Aluminum cylinder heads were another polarizing new feature as the lightweight alloy was typically not found on top of a diesel engine. One of the biggest highlights was the use of common rail technology developed by Bosch, preceding Dodge by two years and Ford by seven years. The LB7 Duramax was considered revolutionary at the time and utilized a turbocharger, intercooler, and direct-injection. The LB7 put out a segment-best 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The resulting engine was a state-of-the-art 6.6L V8 with four-valves-per-cylinder. A little over 3 years after the initial concept, the LB7 Duramax diesel went into production. The all-new Duramax (RPO ‘LB7’) was far superior to the outdated Detroit Diesel engine and featured some state-of-the-art technology.ĭesign of the Duramax diesel began in 1997 when General Motors and Isuzu Motors paired up to create DMAX Ltd. The Duramax diesel was introduced for the 2001 model year, replacing the Detroit Diesel 6.5L. Twelve years after Dodge teamed up with Cummins and completely altered the heavy-duty truck landscape, GM introduced a diesel engine that would finally help establish them as a legitimate competitor in the diesel marketplace. Buyers Guide, Duramax 2001-2004 GM 6.6L LB7 Duramax Buyer’s Guide