A MARINES-INSPIRED 1,180 HP FORD DRAG TRUCK

A MARINES-INSPIRED 1,180 HP FORD DRAG TRUCK

By now, we’re used to seeing diesels at the dragstrip, but when we saw the Marines-inspired drag truck of Dorian Reyna, we stopped in our tracks. From the World War II “Flying Tigers”inspired wrap to the graphics and rivets, the whole truck just invited questions. And that’s why Dorian built it. The truck was designed to bring attention to the estimated 22 veterans who take their own lives every day—a statistic that affects many, including Dorian.

“So many friends and fellow military, including me, have lost loved ones.” he pointed out. With a flying flagship that promotes such an important cause, Dorian wanted to build a truck that would inspire—which means it probably wasn’t going to be a 17-second-bracket truck. Through his shop, Power Stroke Enginunities (PSE), in Houston, Texas, Dorian was able to create a Ford that flew down the dragstrip just like the fighters of old.

“We found a heavily abused '12 Ford F-250,” he said. “We could tell the truck had been through a lot, even as new as it was. Bits of dust, dirt and grime fell off with every part we took off.”

At first, Dorian started slow, running 12s in the quarter, then 11s. Then, he picked up steam.

“The decision was made to try and run in the NHRDA and ODSS'S 6.70 classes (low 10s in the quarter), so the truck had to be plenty capable.”

Like many diesel enthusiasts who look to run in the 9s or 10s, Dorian needed a full build on the 6.7L engine. He started from the crank up, replacing the factory connecting rods with immensely strong R&J units. The pistons were also upgraded HD versions that were ceramic coated. From there, an aftermarket cam bumped upgraded pushrods, springs, locks, retainers and keepers and kept air flowing through ported 6.7L cylinder heads and an Odawgs Diesel intake.

The fuel system was also heavily upgraded—so much so that almost no factory parts remain. The factory CP4 pump was replaced with a River City Diesel Super Stroker pump. Up top, an H&S Motorsports CP3 pump added even more fuel to the mix.

It's all fed by a Fuelab 200 gph lift pump and terminates in 100-percent-over injectors. Like many sled pullers, Dorian's is air

 We were somewhat surprised that a 75mm S400 turbocharger was able to crank out more than four digits, but Dorian reports that he’s basically spinning the Engineered Diesel-built turbo as hard as he can.  We swear there’s a 6.7L Ford engine somewhere under that maze of piping. Far from the stock powerplant, the V-8 has been rebuilt with all the best parts Dorian could find and cranks out an astounding 1,180 rear-wheel horsepower.  Dorian kept the intake tract simple: A huge-diameter universal conical filter was used to rid any incoming air of contaminants.