Stick Shift Duramax

[Mark13]

I think with a good cooler and some common sense on how to treat an automatic trans the allison will be more then durable enough for your use.

[RockinPCRanch]

I do know how to take care of an automatic. Both of our trucks have extra transmission oil coolers for what we do. and even with an idle control switch I don't think an Allison will preform like a manual would in our situation. I would also like to hear from some of you guys that have the hard to find Duramax trucks with manuals how well they preform under a load and unloaded.

[dozerboy]

I don't know that you will find anyone here with one thats how rare they are. I don't normally suggest other sites, but you should look at DieselPlace to get more info on the ZF6.

[Hatfieco]

My boss has one and it runs hard just different. I think the duramax as with most v8 diesels really benefit from a good automatic. Allows things to spool up and get them in their sweet spot alot quicker. I liked my allison behind my old dmax. However for towing i do prefer a manual with my CTD.

[99-2door]

I had to go to TN to get my dad a 6.5 TD with the NV4500 a few years back and I know the Duramax is much rarer with the manual. Good luck finding one local.
FWIW my Dad has always been a manual trans guy, but after using my brother's duramax with the Allison over the past couple of years, he is shopping for one with the auto.

[Skeeter1486]

Sorry, to chime in on a thread that maybe dead but this is my first time back on the forum since early 07, I guess I just kinda forgot about you guys when I got mad at my internet provider and cancelled my contract a few years ago (that lasted about 3 months). But as someone that owns and drives a Duramax with a ZF6 I maybe able to shine some light on this.

First, the clutches in the trucks are perfectly fine it’s just that the have a dual mass flywheel (JUNK!!) that they are paired with from the factory. Second, I currently have EFI Live on my truck (Stock, 70hp, 100hp, 215hp, & 350hp – I don’t run the big tune) and my factory clutch, with 70,000 miles on it, is still right as rain.

The Allison tranny is great too, I just happen to like manuals better, so it’s all in what you want (and can find)

P.S. – It’s also cheaper to buy a DD clutch than upgrade an Ally. That’s why when my clutch does go out I will be calling South Bend, they are the best in the biz.

[RockinPCRanch]

Tried an Allison and in 4low and in manual mode I couldn't get the truck to climb an incline with out giving it some fuel, with a load it felt like the truck hunted for gears more than I thought when trying to pull hills. I'm just not really impressed with an Allison and I'm gonna to continue to look for a true stick shift.

[thedirtymax]

i have an 05 lly ex cab short bed with efi live, mbrp 4" to 5"stacks, 6" lift, lift pump, cold air, and a southbend dual disc clutch 3600lbs of plate pressure and i LOVE it. my allison in my 01 sucked, spend the 1800 dollars and call peter at southbend and order a dual disc non weighted with a single mass flywheel. i spun the stock dual mass flywheel in 2 pieces BEFORE i got my efi live. now im puttin 450-500 horse to the ground and i drop my cluthc in 3rd gear at 3000rpms at the track and havent hurt it yet. it pulls awesome although it does shutter a bit because of the dual discs. i pulled 18000 pounds of round bails and it handeled it with ease. zf6 trucks kick ass!!!!

[thedirtymax]

o and good luck findin a zf6 truck....only 1% of all duramaxs made between 01-06 got the 6 speed option.....

[RockinPCRanch]

I have found a few local well 180 miles away. Dad is going to look at an 07 3/4 single cab, as for me I'm still looking for an extended cab.

[crossy's son]

Wait, an 07 auto or 6spd ? I'm guessing its the "classic" body style ?

I agree with everyone else, a Southbend dual disc is ALOT cheap than a torque converter and a full built trans.

And then you still got a 6spd , which are much more enjoyable to drive IMO, hearing the turbo spool and unspool between gears and just the power rush every gear.

[DarkCharisma]

The transmission in the Duramax manuals is a ZF-6. This is a medium-duty transmission commonly put behind larger trucks--Like with the Allison, without power adders it's probably fine.

[94383Z71]

I dont understand why this thread is even still going

And even though I've read it twice, I missed exactly why you need the ZF-6

['04CCLB7]

Originally Posted by DarkCharisma

The transmission in the Duramax manuals is a ZF-6. This is a medium-duty transmission commonly put behind larger trucks--Like with the Allison, without power adders it's probably fine.

exactly, so find a wrecked 4500-6500 Kodiak or Topkick and pull the damn trans. it's a lot easier than trying to find a complete Silverado with the ZF6. hell, my dad's shop has 6 of them (and one 8500 with a 10 speed )

[crossy's son]

Originally Posted by 94383Z71

I dont understand why this thread is even still going

And even though I've read it twice, I missed exactly why you need the ZF-6

Because some people enjoy manual trannies, and they DO tow better, hands down.

[RockinPCRanch]

My biggest problem is getting every thing I need to do the swap is non existent in the area. And in the long run to me a manual is cheaper to maintain and will last longer than an automatic in my applications. I'm also tied of an automatic hunting for gears and heating the transmission up when I'm towing at low speeds like picking up square bales of hay in the field.

[Harv06]

Hmmm never realized the sticks were this rare... the one I test drove friday was stick and theirs also a 02 stick shift forsale in this area.

[rowdyruss]

its quite comical reading a bunch of people with no experience with the ZF-6 transmission offering advice...

[JustinSilverdo]

Originally Posted by farmer98

yeah the zf6s were stopped being offered when lbzs came out, as previously stated before. Get a south bend clutch and you can run lots of power through them just fine i read

x2

[94383Z71]

Originally Posted by crossy's son

Because some people enjoy manual trannies, and they DO tow better, hands down.

Well hell, I like them to, but I wouldnt kill myself to find one if I didnt need to find one right away.

As much as it may to better, my only point was moreso, if it's worth the effort. But hey, it may be to you guys