A Well-Planned 500-HP Duramax

We’ll often walk by a diesel truck that simply catches our eye, and that’s exactly what happened with Eddie Valadao’s 2008 GMC 2500 HD. It wasn’t a single modification that jumped out at us, but rather the fact that the truck had been tastefully modified in a variety of ways. From its wheels to its stance, its lights to the paint, it was clear that Eddie had taken some time and put some thought into his ride. What surprised us even more is that when Eddie bought the GMC, it had no modifications whatsoever; it was bone stock.

While Eddie liked his 2008, he had plans of modifying it even before he bought the truck. In fact, he had a set of 20×12 Weld Cheyennes months before he even got the GMC. Those wheels were the first modification to the truck, along with four 33×12.50 Cooper Discoverer STT tires. It wasn’t long before Eddie acquired a 4-in. Cognito lift (front suspension only). The rest of the outer GMC also received cosmetic pick-me-ups, in the form of de-badging, trim removal, and paint-matching by Valley Collision Center in Hanford, California. Most of the stock rubber and chrome got the heave as well, leading to the smooth looks that got our attention in the first place. The final touches came in the form of HID and LED lights on all corners of the truck.

The modern Duramax diesels are known for their performance potential, and Eddie’s truck is no exception. The GMC’s mods started off with an aFe Stage II intake to allow some freer breathing, and a new exhaust system with a 7-in. tip. Power was also upped with a 120-hp EFILive tune from Brown’s Diesel in Riverdale, California, which gives the truck some extra oomph when playing in the sand. The truck’s interior was upgraded as well, with an Edge CTS monitor that’s used for gauges, Weathertech floor mats, and a Kenwood deck with a 10-in. subwoofer.

Eddie had future plans to up the power on the GMC, and future became reality right after our photo shoot when the transmission finally gave up. A stronger 200-hp tune will soon take the place of the 120-hp program, and the Allison 1000 has already been built to handle more than 500 rwhp by Brown’s Diesel.

The more we kept looking around at the truck, inside and out, the more we kept noticing Eddie’s attention to detail. While it may not be the craziest truck in these pages, it’s one clean ride that most folks would be proud to own (Eddie included). UDBG

“Power was upped with a 120-hp EFILive tune which gives the truck some extra oomph when playing in the sand.”

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Build Sheet:

2008 GMC
2500 HD 4X4

Performance:

• Tuning: EFILive by Brown’s Diesel
• Intake: AFE Stage II Exhaust: 5-in. MBRP Gauges: Edge Insight CTS
• Transmission: Custom build by Brown’s Diesel
• Stock Horsepower (measured at the crank): 365 hp
• Current dyno-tested horsepower (measured at the rear wheels): 500 rwhp

Chassis:

• Suspension: 4-in. lift by Cognito Motorsports
• Wheels: Weld Racing 20×12-in. Cheyenne
• Tires: 33×12.50R20 Cooper Discoverer STT

Extras:

• Color-matched mirrors, bumpers and door handles
• T-Rex Billet Grille with matching bumper grille
• Clear corner headlights
• HID and led lighting throughout
• Kenwood Excelon deck with 10-in. Boston Acoustics subwoofer
• Back-up camera custom installed in the tailgate handle

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