Fresh Build Immediately Makes The “Quickest Duramax” List
Wyatt Stengel’s LB7-powered ’70 K15 build has been a work in progress for more than three years—but in late January it all started to pay off. After making 888 hp and 1,353 lb-ft on the dyno, Wyatt and his team unstrapped the truck and headed straight to the eighth-mile at Clearwater, Florida’s Showtime Dragstrip. While there, the truck ran consistently in the 6.5 to 6.9-second range before clicking off a 6.37 at 116 mph. Wyatt’s build consists of a built LB7, Exergy fueling, a Bosch Motorsport stand-alone MS 25 ECU, a remote-mounted, T6 85mm turbo, and an 4L80E with a trans-brake. You can catch the truck in action on the Boosted Boiz’ Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@boostedboiz
PSA: 2021 and older fifth-gen Ram owners, don’t let your dealer reflash your truck! Tuned fifth-gen trucks receiving factory ECM updates have reported being locked out, with no way back in. Unfortunately, this likely means that having the CP4.2 to CP3 high-pressure fuel pump recall performed on a ’19-’21 truck will mean it gets treated to the reflash. This comes on the heels of the EPA pushing OEM’s to lock down their ECM’s in order to keep aftermarket calibrators out. The best advice? Ask your dealer not to connect or reflash your ECM while in their care. There is no way back in if they update your truck’s engine control module—at least for now.
World’s First Full-Manual Valvebody, Four-Speed 68RFE
You read that right, WP Developments has created the world’s first full manual valvebody 68RFE. The quick-shifting four-speed does away with the use of the 68RFE’s first gear (where sprag failure is highly common) and fifth gear (where 4C clutch failure is frequent). Lockup is available on command via button as is Overdrive, and the valvebody is SSV-less—meaning no more bore/end plugs leaking. This setup will save you thousands over a 48RE swap—not to mention the headache that goes along with it, namely in trying to make everything work like factory.
Study Finds That Fuel Costs of EV’s Overtake Those Of Gas-Powered Cars
In a study put together by Anderson Economic Group (AEG) and as reported in the Epoch Times, a typical middle-of-the-road priced car powered by an internal combustion engine costs 31 cents less to top off than a typical middle-of-the-road priced EV charged at an owner’s residence ($11.29 per 100 miles driven vs. $11.60). This is reportedly the first time an ICE vehicle has been cheaper to refuel than an EV in 18 months. Within the study, AEG lists a Chevrolet Bolt EV, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan Leaf as middle-of-the-road priced EV’s. If this holds true, it won’t bode well for EV’s, especially because gas prices are known to fluctuate while electric rates are known to increase and stay there.
Deutz, Daimler Truck To Work Together On Medium And Heavy-Duty Engines
Deutz AG and Daimler Truck AG recently signed agreements that will give Deutz access to Daimler engines, specifically its Medium-Duty Engine Generation and Daimler Heavy-Duty Engine Platform engines. Both lines of engines are sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Detroit Diesel, and Mitsubishi Fuso brands for use in construction equipment and heavy agricultural machinery. Deutz will produce the medium-duty engines while the heavy-duty engines will be built by Daimler Truck at the Mercedes-Benz Mannheim plant and then shipped to Deutz for final assembly. In partnering with Daimler Truck AG, Deutz hopes to attract new customer groups, save on development costs, and expand its range of modern internal combustion engines.
Emissions News: Is The War On Diesel Emissions Working?
Asheville Engine, Inc. owner, Robb Newcomb, makes the case that it isn’t. In fact, he all but proves it’s been a gigantic failure. How? The emissions control systems modern diesel engines are saddled with cause them to fail prematurely. When this happens, shops are left with tons of scrap steel. Because EPA restrictions are so tight on American businesses, that scrap is shipped (by truck and rail) to a U.S. port, where it is shipped overseas to be recycled in a country with zero air quality restrictions. One mega cargo ship emits the equivalent amount of air pollution as 50 million cars, every day. Then, that recycled steel is turned back into raw material in overseas foundries with no emission controls and shipped back to the U.S., where manufacturers turn it into finished goods and ship them all over the country. And that’s before you take into consideration all of the plastic DEF containers scattered all across America’s landfills…
Anyone who spends time around the 6.7L Cummins will tell you one of the most common failure points is the VGT actuator for the factory turbocharger. Sudden loss of exhaust brake functionality or an exhaust brake that won’t turn off (even while accelerating) are telltale signs the actuator has gone south. The added drive pressure is not only hard on the turbo, but it can contribute to a blown head gasket. Luckily, Industrial Injection stocks actuators for the Holset HE351VE found on ’07.5-’12 engines. These are genuine OEM Holset VGT actuators, completely bolt-on and plug-and-play—and they’re priced very affordably at $390.22.