3.0L Duramax Oil Pan Upgrade

[Haufski762]

Is changing the OE pan out for a PPE, banks, etc, worthwhile or just hype?

[diyer2]

I would use better oil than off the shelf or dealer oil than replace the pan. Amsoil is better and easy to get IMO.

[newdude]

Do YOU think its necessary?  

 

Are you running the truck at 90-100% of its towing capacity or payload daily?   

[Atlas]

I looked at a PPE pan because I just bought a new Trail Boss with the 3.0 and was like, hey, cool, what is PPE and what do they make for our trucks? Here's what I gathered:

 

-The stock pan is basically thin sheet metal. This isn't concerning to me, personally, but would be IF I planned to regularly wheel the truck / take it where high clearance is needed. However, I'm not sure if cast aluminum (PPE pan) is a better choice to safeguard against impact than a softer malleable steel / stock pan. IMO, modifying shape of the pan is preferable to cracking the cast and having all the oil leak out.

 

-The stock pan supposedly retains ~1/2 quart of oil even after it's fully drained through the plug opening. They say this is a potential collection point for sludge and that the oil there doesn't get filtered. My thought: Well, don't let sludge accumulate in the first place, and the oil probably does get filtered. But no, you don't get a full drain out of the stock drain opening. This could be helped by suctioning the remaining oil; OR, determing a root cause for why 1/2 quart remains in the oil. Is this done for any scientific reason?

 

-PPE offers additional sump capacity, 9.5 quarts over the stock 7.0 quart. While I don't believe this warrants any extended drain interval, it may help existing oil cooling capacity and provide additional cushion/safeguard for the protective properties and detergents of the oil during the same interval.

 

It comes with a wallet-reducing mod for sure...$329 on the PPE website, with a total of 3 reviews. Hmm.

Edited August 13, 2025 by Atlas

[redwngr]

Unless you're buying it for looks, save your money. 

 

 

 

 

[Atlas]

Looking at the Banks pan, I'd have the same questions. It appears to be significantly higher quality, though, also a bit more expensive at $429?

 

I don't see myself buying either. I won't be towing often or off-roading, AND, both of those pans apparently require sealant with RTV? The Banks pan says it protects against RTV beading and breaking off in the pan, but I'd still consider that a risk. The factory pan uses a one-piece gasket, does it not? IMO that would be much better.

[newdude]

4 minutes ago, Atlas said:

The factory pan uses a one-piece gasket, does it not? IMO that would be much better.

 

Negative.  RTV.  

 

[Bikerjon]

4 hours ago, Haufski762 said:

Is changing the OE pan out for a PPE, banks, etc, worthwhile or just hype?

Not worth it/not needed IMO.

[Atlas]

4 hours ago, newdude said:

 

Negative.  RTV.  

 

 

Learned something new today.

 

Really?

[davester]

Yeah, it's just hype/looks.  If you want cooler oil, an actual oil cooler would do that, but the system is designed and tested for very hot days already.

 

It's a crapshoot if a cast pan will be extra protection or not.  Depending on the hit, sheet metal can collapse, or it can tear, but the same applies to a cast pan, the pan might move the object, or the object will crack the pan.  If this is something you are worried about, you really should consider something else to protect the underside of the vehicle.

[newdude]

13 hours ago, Atlas said:

 

Learned something new today.

 

Really?

 

 

Not much that isn't RTV'd these days.  

[Atlas]

1 hour ago, newdude said:

 

 

Not much that isn't RTV'd these days.  

 

That surprises me a little, and is different from what I've experienced. I'd think the opposite. User-applied RTV tends to be inconsistent and messy, so in a service setting I'd think it would add additional time and higher failure/customer comebacks even when using something with a quick set time--it's still not instant, is it?

 

All the differential covers on my modern vehicles use a reusable gasket or one-time use gasket, but no RTV. Allison transmission pans on a motorhome and former pickup of mine, both were gaskets. Water necks, surprised I didn't find RTV, those were gaskets too.

 

Why RTV? What's the advantage?

Edited August 14, 2025 by Atlas

[newdude]

13 minutes ago, Atlas said:

 

That surprises me a little, and is different from what I've experienced. I'd think the opposite. User-applied RTV tends to be inconsistent and messy, so in a service setting I'd think it would add additional time and higher failure/customer comebacks even when using something with a quick set time--it's still not instant, is it?

 

All the differential covers on my modern vehicles use a reusable gasket or one-time use gasket, but no RTV. Allison transmission pans on a motorhome and former pickup of mine, both were gaskets. Water necks, surprised I didn't find RTV, those were gaskets too.

 

Why RTV? What's the advantage?

 

 

On all the engines in the trucks currently, the lower and upper oil pans and front and rear covers are all RTV.  Actual gaskets are found on things like water pumps, valve covers, head gasket, etc.  

 

Some engines like the 2.0 LSY turbo, the cylinder head is actually sort of in two pieces.  The lower head containing the valves and the upper half is the valve cover and camshaft carrier assembly.  It uses both a gasket and RTV in some locations on the cam carrier where it meets the head itself.  

 

Why RTV?  Cost.  Also, IF, and I mean IF, its applied correctly, it does seal superior.