2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax — Performance Engine Build & Cab Swap

Starting Point

The truck came to us with a T-bone collision that required a complete cab replacement. The donor cab was from a gas truck, so the diesel wiring harness needed to be swapped to work with the LB7 Duramax. The cab itself was in decent shape, requiring minimal bodywork before a base-clear black paint job. Interior was stock and required no upgrades.

Project Goals

Fully modernize and maximize performance of the LB7 Duramax
Complete cab swap while maintaining proper alignment and fit
Black out all engine and mechanical components for a clean, aggressive look
Deliver a truck that drives reliably while producing serious power

Engine & Performance Upgrades

The LB7 short block remained stock, but every other performance component was upgraded:

Reworked heads with Type-C head gaskets and ARP head studs
S&S Motorsports SAC injectors
Fleece Cheetah turbo with custom turbo horn
MBRP downpipe & PPE up pipes
Welded water pump
5” exhaust
FASS Titanium fuel system with billet sump and upgraded lines
PPEI EFI Live tuning
All components blacked out for a stealth, cohesive look

Estimated output: ~650 HP at the wheels, with strong spool and smooth power delivery, all tuned for durability and reliability.

Transmission

Fully built by Brian Ogrady at Transmission Specialties (Huntsville, Ontario)
Billet internals, shift kit, dual 24,000 BTU trans coolers
Custom 5-disk torque converter
Designed to handle the increased power while maintaining streetable drivability

Cab Swap

Full wiring harness swapped from the donor cab to the LB7 system
Minimal bodywork required
Cab aligned and installed over a single weekend

Chassis & Driveline

Frame checked—no major damage
Passenger-side control arms replaced
Suspension, brakes, and driveline components inspected and cleared

Paint & Finishing

Entire truck received a full base-clear black paint job
All engine components, brackets, and accessories blacked out
Clean, aggressive, unified aesthetic

Challenges

Wiring harness swap required careful planning to integrate with the diesel system
Cab swap completed under a tight weekend timeline

Final Result

A fully modernized LB7 Duramax with a stealth, aggressive look, capable of hauling, towing, and street driving at high performance. All mods are balanced for power, reliability, and longevity, making this one of the most capable trucks of its class.

Media

Before and after photos showcase the transformation from a collision-damaged work truck to a fully built, blacked-out powerhouse.