For those folks out there with a Duramax-powered Chevy Silverado HD in the driveway eager for a healthy power boost, legendary diesel tuner Gale Banks Engineering is now offering a super simple plug-and-play solution. It’s called Derringer High Output, and it’s made specifically for 2024-through-2025 Silverado HD models equipped with the 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax engine. Not only does the tuner offer multiple power power settings, but it also unlocks key engine sensor readouts that are otherwise hidden from the factory GM interface.
Let’s jump straight to the good stuff – properly installed and set to the highest output level, the new Derringer High Output tuner boosts performance by 86 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Critically, this extra output is focused in the middle of the rpm band (2,200 to 2,800 RPM), the sweet spot for accelerating onto the highway or passing on a steep grade. Per Banks Engineering, it’s the same tuning strategy implemented for the U.S. Army’s JLTV engines.
To demonstrate how effective the Derringer High Output really is, Banks conducted real-world performance testing using a 2024 Duramax-powered GM HD pickup towing a trailer loaded with a Toyota Tacoma, with a gross vehicle weight just over 20,000 pounds. In an on-ramp acceleration test to 70 mph, the stock truck took 1,279 feet, while the Derringer-equipped truck reached the same speed in just 1,085 feet – nearly 200 feet sooner.
In a separate test simulating an uphill pass (45 mph to 70 mph on a seven-percent grade), the stock truck needed more than 23 seconds and nearly 3,000 feet. With the Derringer equipped, those numbers were reduced to just over 15 seconds and 1,336 feet, cutting 8.5 seconds and 756 feet from the totals, or about 36 percent less time spent in the passing lane.
The Derringer offers six power levels for the Chevy Silverado HD. Level 2 is tuned for fuel economy, Levels 3 and 4 are ideal for towing and work, and Levels 5 and 6 deliver max power. The system pairs with the iDash Pro, a digital control center that lets you monitor real-time engine data, adjust power levels on the fly, and fine-tune throttle response if you also have the Banks PedalMonster.
The entire setup is plug-and-play, easy to install at home, and leaves no trace once removed, making it warranty friendly.
Pricing for the Chevy Silverado HD Derringer High Output tuner starts at $978, per the Banks Power website. Note that installing this tuner requires iDash Pro or iDash Data Pro.
Comments
The issue is that GM doesn’t modify the standard 10-speed transmission from the 1500 to handle the Duramax 6.6’s demands. Instead, they simply rebrand it as an “Allison” transmission and pay for the naming rights. This creates a risk of transmission failure under the increased stress.
Its a different transmission in HD vs 1500.
Well, I watched a teardown comparison on YouTube between Ford’s heavy-duty transmission, the GM ‘Allison-branded’ version, and the standard GM transmission. Mechanically, the GM heavy-duty is identical to the regular version, with the only differences being additional cooling and programming. In contrast, Ford’s heavy-duty transmission is significantly more robust and reinforced.
And the Fords have more issues. GM’s HD’s have always had an upgraded version over the 1/2 tons. 4l60 vs. 4l80, 6l80 vs 6l90. I seriously doubt that the Duramax trans is the same as a 1/2 ton when it has triple the torque. Don’t be a sheep!
Any add onto the engine voids the warranty. You can’t tell the difference towing or MPG.
Been there done that several years back.
Hmmm, seems like they just proved you wrong on a dyno…