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too bad the duramax is only one step above a boat anchor
wrong
I work on Duramaxes regularly. They're crap for durability. Yeah, they haul ass when in tip-top condition, but that does not last long before they start eating fuel systems, developing electrical quirks, derating at the drop of a hat, and breaking pistons. Since they're not sleeved and have no room for boring, that usually means a block. There's so much labor and such expensive "consumables" like gaskets and seals, it's cheaper to round up a $12,000 reman or a $17,000 new. Even then you still have to get a set of injectors since the replacement engine comes without and the piston usually breaks from over-fueling on one hole.
God forbid you need a turbo on an '03 or newer.
Personally, I'd prefer a used boat anchor.
I used to be an automotive diesel engine mechanic as well at Diesel Injection Sales and Service, San Antonio TX. Ive seen my fair share of cummins wrist pins letting go and dont get me started on powerstrokes. you know how the injector harness incorporates the valve cover gasket and fries up killing a whole bank of injectors. powerstroke injectors arent cheap either. Injection controller modules. then theres the o rings on the injectors cracking and filling the whole fuel tank with engine oil.
The cummins is probably the best of the three, but the powerstroke is more similar to a boat anchor than a duramax.