2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD ZR2 - Gas or Diesel for primarly hunting?

[Mike D Texas]

Based on your use case, gas will be your better option.

If you don’t work a diesel regularly, you will have issues with the emissions systems eventually.

As to payload, Ford and Chevy have increased their GVWR on their 2500 series trucks and they should offer plenty of payload, especially with a gas engine.

I would not do the supercharger. It will void your warranty and likely trash your transmission.

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[Asheron]

Curious, how much $ is the supercharger going to cost? That adds a lot of torque.

It's about 7-8k installed. It's a bit better than the 10k markup.

It doesn't affect warranty as it is easily removed and uses all stock engine parts.

As long as we keep the extra compression to 6 psi or less it's the same compression as the diesel turbocharger. No risk of damage or stressing the transmission or rest of the power train more than what the diesel would do. Remember the diesel is 975 ft-lbs torque. We're still less torque at 700 ft-lbs @ 6 psi with the procharger.

Also keep in mind that as we go up in altitude the air is more thin which is why the diesel does better - again mostly due to its turbo. At say 12,000 ft we're 66% as dense as sea level. So the procharger with this conservative setting gets us back to sea level pressures. Not bad at all - completely reasonable.

Many people jack it up to 8-12 psi, so we're 1/2 under max.

One downside is we now have to use higher octane fuel. Above 1,500 we need 91 octane. If we go down to sea level - 93. We're probably fine to stick with 87 at 7,000-10,000.

Given those octane levels also shows the setting is conservative engine wise.

 

[LCV]

It's about 7-8k installed. It's a bit better than the 10k markup.

It doesn't affect warranty as it is easily removed and uses all stock engine parts.

Just fyi, unless this is some kind of package from a GM affiliate like Callaway, they will almost certainly try to deny any engine related warranty claim after installing a procharger.

Once you’ve had it tuned GM can tell it’s been modified even if you take off the procharger

 

[LCV]

Also for towing I would consider taking a look at a twin-screw blower like whipple over a procharger. Would likely be a more involved install however

 

[Asheron]

Also for towing I would consider taking a look at a twin-screw blower like whipple over a procharger. Would likely be a more involved install however

I appreciate it! I'll look into them too.

What's the pros and cons of both?

 

[LCV]

I appreciate it! I'll look into them too.

What's the pros and cons of both?

Twin-screw superchargers generally make more power earlier in the rpm range. A centrifugal supercharger like procharger will usually make power higher up in the rpm range.

A lot of people like a centrifugal because it will feel pretty much like stock cruising around at low rpm and only be rowdy when you step on it.

Twin screws tend to take up more space, need more cooling, usually a lower ceiling on power potential if you’re going all out.

For something like a sports car I like a centrifugal. For a truck where there’s usually no issue on space and you’re not revving it out all the time I like a twin-screw.

Just my opinion. Google centrifugal vs twin-screw you’ll find a bunch of information on various automotive forums.

 

[Asheron]

Twin-screw superchargers generally make more power earlier in the rpm range. A centrifugal supercharger like procharger will usually make power higher up in the rpm range.

A lot of people like a centrifugal because it will feel pretty much like stock cruising around at low rpm and only be rowdy when you step on it.

Twin screws tend to take up more space, need more cooling, usually a lower ceiling on power potential if you’re going all out.

For something like a sports car I like a centrifugal. For a truck where there’s usually no issue on space and you’re not revving it out all the time I like a twin-screw.

Just my opinion. Google centrifugal vs twin-screw you’ll find a bunch of information on various automotive forums.

Sweet! I'll take a look.

How does the twin-screw feel for off-roading? Does the twin screw feel more like a diesel?

I like having the lower/more control of torque of gas vs diesel.

 

[LCV]

Sweet! I'll take a look.

How does the twin-screw feel for off-roading? Does the twin screw feel more like a diesel?

I like having the lower/more control of torque of gas vs diesel.

My experience is primarily messing with cars, and zero experience with diesels as I’ve only owned gas trucks.

If you’re doing much off-roading a procharger may be the better option, like I said they generally behave close to stock when you’re putting around at low rpm.

 

[Choupique]

It's about 7-8k installed. It's a bit better than the 10k markup.

It doesn't affect warranty as it is easily removed and uses all stock engine parts.

As long as we keep the extra compression to 6 psi or less it's the same compression as the diesel turbocharger. No risk of damage or stressing the transmission or rest of the power train more than what the diesel would do. Remember the diesel is 975 ft-lbs torque. We're still less torque at 700 ft-lbs @ 6 psi with the procharger.

Also keep in mind that as we go up in altitude the air is more thin which is why the diesel does better - again mostly due to its turbo

I won't spend too much bandwidth on this since you've thought it all out and made your mind up already, but the bulk of your logic of why this is a good idea is not technically sound.

I'll expound on it if you want. You would be far better served putting that $8k towards the upcharge for a diesel.

 

[Asheron]

I won't spend too much bandwidth on this since you've thought it all out and made your mind up already, but the bulk of your logic of why this is a good idea is not technically sound.

I'll expound on it if you want. You would be far better served putting that $8k towards the upcharge for a diesel.

Sadly it's already too late. I bought the gasser. I haven't made up my mind on the procharger yet - especially after someone suggested Whipple.

I won't be running off to install a charger right away. It's only a consideration if I have issues hauling.

Right now I don't think I will as I'm looking at only doing 11,000 traditional.

Regardless I'd want to break in the new engine etc first. If I decide I want a charger it might go in at 30k miles when I'm sure I won't need any warranty claims on the engine.

I also thought it was really worth mentioning in this thread for others who might be stuck in my decision.

460 torque gas vs 975 diesel was a hard decision.

700 @ +6psi super safe conservative supercharged while having ALL benefits of gas vs diesel? Plus getting MORE hp? In my mind that was a freaking no brainer choice.

Look - I've used to track motorcycles when I was young and dumb. I'm pretty skilled at operating gas engines in their preferred rpm.

At this time I don't know how the truck likes to drive empty vs under load. I did watch one YouTube hauling 14k lbs 5th wheel driving both gas and diesel. I noticed he didn't know how to drive gas correctly. He was having issues at 12k altitude in 7.5% grade going uphill and maintaining 60 mph.

I noticed he kept it at 3k rpm and that he was flooring it on the peddle. He never gave the transmission a chance to downshift and get it back to 5-6k rpm which is the sweet spot based on research and the procharger/Whipple tuning curves I've been looking at for the truck.

He was also not using his paddle shifters.

I do say gas takes more skill to drive it optimally than diesel going uphill...

Which brought me to a hilarious point on the YouTube. The poor guy was looking all over for the exhaust brake on the gasser

The gasser doesn't need an exhaust brake. It's clear he doesn't really know how to operate it and so on.

Then my partner has never towed before. That's a huge consideration for me to go with gas vs diesel too. I feel safer if he learns how to tow in a gasser personally. Like imagine if he forgets to turn on the exhaust brake or forgets to take it off etc.

Then finally - we're not towing every single day. It's only towing 5-6 times a year. If it was towing every day then yeah I'll prefer diesel. I really don't know if I'd want to hear 5k rpm whine all the time in that situation.

 

[Choupique]

700 @ +6psi super safe conservative supercharged while having ALL benefits of gas vs diesel? Plus getting MORE hp? In my mind that was a freaking no brainer choice.

No. If it was that easy, chevy would be selling supercharged gas burner HD trucks. Thermal management on boosted gas engines is tough and the relaively light construction of the engine vs a typical diesel also matters. There's a reason the diesels weigh 800 pounds more than comparable displacement gas engines. There's just way more iron in them.

An engine not designed for boost isnt going to live long on boost, especially one that's going to be worked hard. Not to mention none of the driveline behind the engine being designed for that much torque. Living life at higher cylinder pressure means shorter life, no getting around that.

You bought a great truck, and you are already aware that letting it scream is the right thing to do. Just let it scream. It'll do it forever. Slap some boost on it, and it'll grunt until it blows chunks all over the highway.

 

[keller]

I had a 2022 6.6 gas 6 speed trans. Traded for a 2024 6.6 gas with "labeled"Allison 10 speed. Trans. This trans is not built by Allison but by GM. The 10 speed is a great upgrade i pulled my 5th wheel camper from Mt to wi. With both . I prefer gas for colder climate quicker warm up easier starting. Also I am a tech at a gm dealer and see way less issues with the gas engine that would spoil a hunting trip. Best of luck!!

 

[Choupique]

Also I am a tech at a gm dealer

There ya go guys, the guy who works on trucks didn't buy himself a diesel.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

There ya go guys, the guy who works on trucks didn't buy himself a diesel.

Well ya I wouldn’t buy an l5p either even though they out down some impressive numbers. Cummins for life lol.

 

[Choupique]

If you held a gun to my head and made me buy a 2024 diesel, I'd get a duramax. Cummins is using roller lifters now. Ford still uses cp4 pumps.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

If you held a gun to my head and made me buy a 2024 diesel, I'd get a duramax. Cummins is using roller lifters now. Ford still uses cp4 pumps.

Trust me I work on them everyday. Still drive an 06 5.9. If I had to buy a 24 would be a Cummins and tremor coming in second with the extended warranty for sure. The lifters are a poor design I agree but an overblown issue.

 

[blackpowder72]

I love our diesel pickups on the farm for work. My personal pickup i drive a gas. Cheaper to service and don't have to worry about it gelling up in the winter.

 

[IdahoElk]

My vote is for gas.
Diesels are awesome if you're towing heavy loads, if not, Gas is the way to go. My 00 f-250 power stroke diesel was the best truck I ever owned and it went because I stopped towing loads with it, too expensive to maintain and fix.

 

[Tilggie]

gas all the way

 

[huntnidaho]

I have pretty much the same truck, except bison version so a little less payload but it's still at a tad over 3k lbs on the sticker. Very glad I went gas so far. Nice to drive and surprisingly capable on mild off-road stuff for such a big vehicle. Hope you enjoy it.