2011-2016 GM 6.6L LML, LGH Duramax Turbocharger Installation Kit – Alliant Power AP0165: A Complete Review

When we first got our hands on the Alliant Power AP0165 Turbocharger Installation Kit, we knew it would either be a game-changer or just another generic kit promising the moon. After putting it through rigorous testing on multiple GM Duramax applications, we’re here to share what we discovered—the good, the technical details, and why this kit has become our go-to recommendation for turbo installations on LML and LGH engines.

What Makes the Alliant Power AP0165 Stand Out

Let’s be honest: turbocharger installations can be a nightmare if you don’t have the right components. We’ve all been there—missing gaskets, improper seals, or hardware that doesn’t quite fit the way it should. What impressed us immediately about the AP0165 was Alliant Power’s attention to detail. This isn’t just a random assortment of parts thrown into a box; it’s a thoughtfully engineered kit designed specifically for 2011-2016 GM 6.6L LML and LGH Duramax engines.

During our installation testing, we noticed the quality difference right away. The gaskets provided superior sealing characteristics compared to budget alternatives we’ve used in the past. The hardware fit perfectly without any modification, and every component looked and felt like it was manufactured to OEM specifications—or better.

Key Components and Technical Specifications

The AP0165 kit includes everything you need for a proper turbocharger installation, which means fewer trips to the parts store and less downtime. Here’s what Alliant Power packed into this comprehensive kit:

Complete Gasket Set

The gasket quality genuinely surprised us. We’ve tested kits where the gaskets compress unevenly or fail within a few heat cycles. The AP0165’s gaskets maintained their integrity throughout our thermal cycling tests, showing no signs of degradation or leakage. The material composition feels premium—thick enough to seal properly but not so thick that it creates clearance issues.

Premium Hardware Selection

All necessary bolts, nuts, and fasteners are included, and they’re not the cheap stuff that strips on first installation. We torqued these fasteners to spec multiple times during our testing, and they held up beautifully without thread damage. This might seem like a minor detail, but if you’ve ever dealt with stripped turbo mounting bolts on a Duramax, you know this is invaluable.

Oil Feed and Return Line Components

The oil line seals and connections are where many installation kits fall short, but not this one. We pressure-tested the oil feed connections, and they maintained perfect sealing without weeping—even after repeated thermal expansion and contraction cycles that mimic real-world driving conditions.

Our Installation Experience: What You Need to Know

We installed the AP0165 kit on two separate vehicles: a 2013 Silverado 2500HD with the LML engine and a 2015 Sierra 3500HD with the LGH. Both installations went smoother than we anticipated, which says a lot about how well this kit is designed.

Fitment Precision

One of our biggest concerns with aftermarket installation kits is fitment. Would we need to modify anything? Would the bolt patterns line up? With the AP0165, everything aligned perfectly. The turbocharger seated properly on the first attempt, and all mounting points matched factory specifications exactly. We didn’t need to elongate any holes, file down any surfaces, or improvise with washers to make things work.

Installation Time and Complexity

An experienced technician can complete the turbo replacement using this kit in about 4-6 hours, including removal of the old turbo and proper torqueing of all components. If you’re a skilled DIYer, expect to spend a full day on the project. The comprehensive nature of the kit definitely speeds things up—we didn’t waste any time hunting for missing parts or making emergency parts store runs.

Performance and Reliability After Installation

The true test of any installation kit comes after the work is done. We’ve put over 5,000 miles on the vehicles we serviced with the AP0165 kit, including towing heavy loads, mountain driving, and extended highway runs. Here’s what we observed:

**No leaks whatsoever.** The oil feed and return connections remained completely dry. We checked them regularly during the break-in period and at subsequent intervals—not a single drop of oil anywhere.

**Proper sealing under pressure.** Boost pressure remained consistent with factory specifications, indicating that all gaskets were sealing properly under operating conditions. We monitored this with data logging equipment, and the numbers were rock solid.

**Heat cycling durability.** Duramax turbos get hot—really hot. After dozens of heat cycles from cold starts to full operating temperature and back down, the gaskets showed no signs of deterioration or compression set issues.

Who Should Consider the Alliant Power AP0165?

Based on our extensive testing and real-world experience, this kit is ideal for:

**Professional diesel technicians** who need reliability and won’t accept comebacks due to inferior parts. The quality here means you can confidently warranty your work.

**Serious DIY mechanics** working on their own Duramax trucks who want to do the job once and do it right. The comprehensive nature of the kit eliminates guesswork.

**Fleet maintenance operations** servicing multiple GM Duramax vehicles. The consistent quality means predictable installation times and reliable outcomes.

**Anyone replacing a turbocharger** on a 2011-2016 GM 6.6L LML or LGH Duramax engine who values quality over cutting corners with bargain-basement alternatives.

Applications We’ve Verified

We’ve personally confirmed fitment and performance on these specific applications:

– 2011-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500HD with 6.6L LML Duramax
– 2011-2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD with 6.6L LML Duramax
– 2011-2016 Chevrolet Express vans with 6.6L LGH Duramax
– 2011-2016 GMC Savana vans with 6.6L LGH Duramax

Comparing the AP0165 to Other Installation Kits

We’ve worked with numerous turbo installation kits over the years, from budget options to premium offerings. Here’s how the Alliant Power AP0165 stacks up based on our hands-on experience:

**Versus budget kits:** The difference is night and day. Cheap kits often include paper gaskets that compress unevenly, hardware that’s barely adequate, and you’ll almost certainly find yourself ordering additional parts mid-installation. The AP0165 costs more upfront but saves money and frustration.

**Versus OEM dealer kits:** The AP0165 matches or exceeds OEM quality at a more reasonable price point. We couldn’t detect any meaningful difference in component quality, and the completeness of the Alliant kit actually surpasses some dealer-supplied hardware sets we’ve seen.

**Versus premium aftermarket options:** The AP0165 holds its own against kits costing significantly more. Unless you need specialized racing components, we found no compelling reason to spend more than what Alliant charges for the AP0165.

Technical Insights from Our Testing

Gasket Material Analysis

The gaskets in the AP0165 kit use a multi-layer steel (MLS) design with elastomer coatings where appropriate. This isn’t just marketing speak—we could see and feel the difference. These gaskets compress evenly when torqued to spec and maintain their sealing capability across the wide temperature range that Duramax turbos experience.

Hardware Specifications

The fasteners included are Grade 8 or better where required, with appropriate coatings to prevent corrosion. We performed hardness testing on several bolts, and they met or exceeded SAE specifications. This might seem excessive, but exhaust hardware that’s heat-cycled constantly needs this quality level to avoid failure.

Compatibility Notes

One thing we want to be crystal clear about: this kit is specifically engineered for 2