I like the way you think... mentioning "seasoning" the filter.
It's interesting that these two applications will interchange despite being for two radically different engines. I think the contrast you note in weight is due to the fact that the DMax needs more air than the 4.8 or 5.3 in your Tahoe (I presume) so it may have more media for that reason. It will also have more reinforcement because a turbo diesel draws a LOT of air, lots more than a gasser, and DP will get high fast and the filter must be able to resist collapse.
If indeed these filters interchange, I would be tempted to go with the DMax part. More media means a longer service life. There may be an increase in potential airflow but your engine will only draw what it needs at any given moment and even the specified filter has more airflow potential than the engine needs (a generic value is 20-40% more) to account for dirt loading. The increased area of the DMax filter will just be giving your engine more of an overage so it can get dirtier without restricting airflow. Net result: a MUCH longer FCI!
CAUTION: If you do this, I would strongly suggest that if you don't have a filter restriction gauge installed that you get one (Filterminder would be a good one to google). Get one that shows restriction on a graduated scale. Test the specified filter's restriction (basically with a full bore acceleration run) which will then capture the maximum restriction with that filter. Then switch filters, reset the gauge and do it again, duplicating your first acceleration run as closely as you can, noting the difference in the restriction recorded. If you do this with both filter part numbers in a new state, you can test if there is any difference in restriction between them (on your engine, it could vary from engine to engine).
In theory, more area would result in less initial restriction but there could be differences, maybe big ones, in the media efficiency. A more efficient cellulose media is more likely to have higher restriction than a less efficient one. The reason I mention this is that the Spicer Test (see below) showed the OE Delco filters were one of the most efficient out there, but also fairly restrictive.
While the seasoning aspect is a factor, I don't think it will be a huge one... especially if the filter starts out very efficient.
FYI, If you have not seen the "Spicer air filter test" (google that term, you'll find it) and you will find some testing done specifically on the DMax elements. It's not real fresh (from about 2004) but may give you some perspective on filters for that application.
