THE LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIESEL WORLD

OEM NEWS Ram Goes Big in Texas

Ram made its presence known at the 134th annual State Fair of Texas. With a ’19 Ram 3500 on display front and center, the best-in-class 1,000 lb-ft torque rating from the all-new 6.7L Cummins was highlighted along with the truck’s 35,100-pound tow rating and 7,680-pound payload capacity. Ram’s fifth-generation interior is also being praised for setting the benchmark in ride comfort, luxury materials, innovation, and technology that goes way beyond what competing brands are offering.

RACING DURAMAX CARNAGE

How hard can you push a stock internal LBZ Duramax? Short answer: until it fails. Long answer: quite a while with the right parts and driving style. In campaigning the first and fastest stock engine LBZ in the 9s (including a best of 9.80 at 141 mph), Direct Injection Engineering’s Jesse Klennon finally found the limit of playing with fire. After a short-shift scenario inevitably caused a torque spike and all hell to break loose, the block was windowed in more than one spot. The factory long-block Duramax was sporting 300-percent over injectors, dual CP3S, and a 68/71 VGT from Danville Performance when it let go. Along Jesse’s 9-second, stock bottom end journey he proved that a 300,000-mile engine could survive more than 50 passes in the 900hp range.

EVENTS MORGAN PRIMM MEMORIAL TRUCK BRAWL

Dozens of competitors turned out to compete at the 2019 Morgan Primm Memorial Truck Brawl held on September 22, an event designed to remember the late Power Stroke guru that started Midwest Diesel and Auto. Dirt drags, truck pulls, and a dyno competition highlighted the action, with the 6.4L shown here clearing 1,243 rwhp aboard the rollers and taking home First Place (look for a full feature soon). Even though rain showers lingered throughout the day and eventually brought an early end to the truck pulls, the dirt drags went off without a hitch, the ‘Show ‘n’ Shine offered plenty of eye candy, and the owners of One Up Offroad, Tyrant Diesel, and Proven Diesel were also onsite to interact with customers.

RACING ANOTHER ODSS SEASON IN THE BOOKS

Prior to their awesome grudge match with the new PPEI/NGM Corvette, the Firepunk Diesel/save the Racks S10 wrapped up the Pro Mod class points chase at the ODSS season closer in North Carolina. A win for Mindy Jackson at Rudy’s gave her the 5.90 Index title in a class that was nothing short of thrilling to watch in 2019. As for Pro Dragster and Pro Street, Scheid Diesel’s Jared Jones and Stainless Diesel’s Johnny Gilbert won both the last event and earned top points for the year. In 6.70 Index, Landon Miller’s strong final race for the year kept him well out front in the points chase, thereby locking in the class trophy. Last but certainly not least, Ryan Riddle capped off his racing season with a win and title in 7.70 Index, along with coming out on top of the ET Bracket points chase.

EMISSIONS EPA/NHTSA: ONE NATIONAL PROGRAM REGARDING GHG EMISSIONS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued a final ruling on the federal government’s power to provide nationwide fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards. The action, called the “One National Program Rule,” prevents California from adopting and enforcing its own GHG emission regulations. With this action, there will be one uniform national fuel economy and GHG emission standard for light-duty trucks and automobiles. The state of California will retain the ability to enforce its low-emission vehicle program and other emission standards to combat smogproducing pollutants.

RACING FIREPUNK/SAVE THE RACKS S10 VS. PPEI/NGM DIESEL C7 CORVETTE

In what can only be described as one of the most exciting side-by-side drag races in modern diesel history, a couple low-4-second Pro Mods faced off in a grudge match following the action at Rudy’s Fall Truck Jam on October 5. In the left lane: the Cummins-powered Firepunk Diesel/save the Racks S10 piloted by Larson Miller. In the right lane: Wade Moody in the new, Duramax-propelled C7 Corvette creation from PPEI and NGM Diesel Racing Engines. Rocketing out to an early lead, Moody nabbed an insane, 1.02-second 60-foot on his way to a 4.39-second pass at 165 mph in the eighthmile. Though Miller was reeling the ‘Vette in on the back half, he would end up going 4.40 at 173 mph, giving the win light to Moody and team PPEI.

OEM News IS THE P-PUMPED 12-VALVE BACK?

Now available exclusively through Mopar/fca dealers, you can buy a remanufactured 12-valve 5.9L, complete with the mechanical Bosch P7100. Intended as a cost-effective, no-surprise solution to get your older Ram workhorse back on the road or back out on active duty in short order, Cummins’ remanufactured 6BT mill should be a big hit. Each engine is backed by a 2-year, 100,000-mile warranty for ultimate peace of mind. As for power ratings, the new 12-valve has been brought up to modern standards. Horsepower ratings of 325 hp to 385 hp are available, along with torque ratings of 610 lb-ft to 930 lb-ft.

RACING ANOTHER PRO MOD GUNNING FOR 4.30S IN 2020

U.C.C. competitor Donavan Harris’ two-wheel drive Pro Mod Dodge made an appearance over the weekend. Look for this north-of-the-border, common-rail, Cummins-powered second gen to join the ranks of one of diesel’s fastest classes in 2020. Harris hopes to send the two-wheel drive Dodge through the ‘660 in 4.30- to 4.50-second intervals with consistency, and while he admits that racing a purpose-built drag truck will come with a learning curve, he’s definitely looking forward to it. We know we’re looking forward to the Pro Mod field expanding even further.