Video: Duramax Explosion! (LB7)

By now, you have probably already seen the video hoping to see a truck flip over and fly into a million pieces like the movies. But what you just watched is a perfect example of how dangerous dyno events can be.

duramax_blowout1Thanks to Industrial Injection for recording this and posting it on YouTube, we can all see some cool carnage safely. This is, also, a perfect example why it is important to upgrade your intercooler. While the truck was loading down and nitrous was being injected into the engine, the engine back fired (not very common) which sent a pressure wave back through the entire intake system.

The weak link in this system was the intercooler tank ends. The tank ends experience a large force every time the vehicle is under boost. The force on these ends can be calculated by the boost pressure (measured in pounds per square inch) multiplied by the area. Roughly the tank ends are (at the widest) are 4 inches. A really rough estimate using the dimensions found on Duramaxdiesels.com forum, each tank end is roughly 177 square inches. This means that at 30 psi, the tank ends are seeing 5,310 pounds of force but at 50 that number quickly jumps up to 8850 pounds.

duramax_blowoutBoth pressures result in quite a bit of force on the tank ends. Depending on their geometry, thickness and what type of material they are made out of, will depend if the tank ends will hold.

Companies like aFe Power and Turbonetics (some intercooler) use additional pieces of aluminum inside of the sheet metal tank ends to hold them in place, while other companies like Banks Power, BD Power and Turbonetics (some intercoolers) use thicker cast tank ends to prevent blowout.

Either way, upgrading your intercooler, may seem like a waste of money, but how much do you think this cost the guy on the dyno? Grill, headlights, and who knows what else broke or was damaged by that blast. Sometimes upgrading your equipment is more of a cost savings than just a cost. In addition to that, all of the intercoolers listed above will outperform the factory intercooler, resulting in more power; winning!

About the author

Chad Westfall

With diesel running through his veins from childhood, Chad has more than a decade of experience in the automotive industry. From editorial work to wrenching, there isn’t much he hasn't conquered head-on. When he’s not writing and shooting trucks and tech, you’ll find him in the shop working on turning the ideas floating around in his head into reality.
Read My Articles

Enlist in the Diesel Army newsletter.

Receive the latest newsletter with the content you love from Diesel Army, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Diesel Army NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Diesel Army

DieselArmy

We'll send you the most exciting Diesel articles, news, truck features, and videos every week.

Diesel Army

Diesel Army NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


ORX
Off road, Jeeps, 4x4s
enginelabs
Engine Tech
dragzine
Drag Racing

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • ORX Off road, Jeeps, 4x4s
  • EngineLabs Engine Tech
  • Dragzine Drag Racing

Diesel Army

DieselArmy

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Diesel Army

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading