Diesel World January 2023

A few years ago I wrote my column here, about the RPM Act. Very quickly, it has to do with how laws are written and how they can be interpreted with a very possible end result being, no more modified vehicles, period. The RPM Act is trying to stop that from happening. There are several laws on the federal books that state no emissions modifications are legal, this of course we know. No matter what your local laws are, if you modify the emissions equipment on your vehicle, you’re in violation of federal law. Period. Even if you’re making it better, the law still says you’re in the wrong. Now there are exemption orders (EO) you can obtain as a manufacturer, but, and I’ll touch on this later, depending on how…

ELECTRIC NEWS THE HARSH REALITIES OF HYBRID AND EV OWNERSHIP Check out the battery replacement cost for this hybrid Chevy Volt customer. Nearly $30,000 seems a bit steep, but it may not be that uncommon in the future—especially if the massive push for EV’s continues to pick up momentum. Our advice on the matter (other than buying a diesel, of course): If you’re going to buy an EV or hybrid, make sure you get the extended warranty. And by the time the extended warranty runs out, have a new vehicle with a fresh warranty lined up. INNOVATIONS A BOSCH CP9 IN PLACE OF A CP3? Just what S&S Diesel Motorsport has in mind for this Bosch CP9 high-pressure fuel pump we don’t yet know, but we can tell you that…

Adam Pela, the talented engineer in charge of Pela Motorsports has been in business since 2009 but this truck is the product of his second company, DmaxSwap.com, They’ve been creating award-winning, feature-worthy Duramax rides for the last several years. Located in Jupiter Florida, the shop is known for getting the job done correctly and his showroom is always filled with enthusiasts, either looking for upgrades or wanting to start complete new builds. Comfortable creating slammed, lifted, or rides somewhere in between like this Pre-Runner, the DmaxSwap team brings a level of experience and creativity to each build that ensures rides are equally at home in the dirt, on the road, or in the winner’s circle. The unusual story behind this 1987 Chevrolet Silverado began as the vision of one of…

It doesn’t get any better than the latesummer blockbuster that is the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza. It’s one of few diesel events where you’ll find top-tier truck and tractor pulling within earshot of an Outlaw Diesel Super Series drag race—not to mention the dyno competition, a sizeable show ‘n shine, and a vendor midway populated with the biggest names in the industry. As the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza opened for business for the 26th consecutive year, there was a feeling that the event had finally settled into its new venue at Wagler Motorsports Park. Now, hundreds of competitors and thousands of show-goers call the southern Indiana facility home for a few days each August. With a full Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League show scheduled each night and matinee qualifying sessions held each…

For more than two decades, the Allison name has been synonymous with the Duramax, the common-rail, aluminum headed V-8 that put GM back at the forefront of the diesel pickup segment. The industrialstrength Allison 1000, with its 1.26-inch diameter input shaft, massive 1.75-inch output shaft, 12.2-inch diameter torque converter, and 330-pound heft was far superior to the 4R100 and 47RE available in the Ford and Dodge competition when it debuted in 2001. Since then, the Allison has gone from handling an input torque rating of 520 lb-ft to a mind-boggling 910 lb-ft at present, and chances are the current 10-speed rendition will be asked to grapple with even more in the future. Of course, it’s also no big secret that the commercial-grade Allison has its fair share of shortcomings, namely…

Kelly Pfledderer is a successful businessman on the verge of his second retirement. He appreciates a quality product and he also enjoys a good adventure—reason enough to drop a crew cab first-gen project in the lap of J.B.’s 4x4, a small yet first-class custom vehicle operation in Kingman, Indiana, and have them turn it into an overlanding rig. Two years of fighting parts shortages, extended lead times, and shipping delays later, J.B.’s 4x4 was finally ready to deliver Kelly his off-the-grid first-gen. But before the truck headed West to the Rockies, we trekked over to Indiana corn-country for an exclusive look at a one-of-a-kind build. OFF-THE-GRID FIRST-GEN CUMMINS SWAP Diesel history buffs know that the 6BT didn’t debut until 1989 and Dodge truck purists remember that you couldn’t buy a…