| |  | Heavy Hauler: 2015 Ram HD Dually Test DriveWhen you really need to tow a heavy load, the Ram 3500 DRW (dual rear wheel) truck can’t be beat. In fact, it’s top-in-class among 1-ton 3500 trucks on the U.S. market today. The regular cab 4×2 Ram 3500 DRW is rated at a full 30,000 lbs towing and max load capacity of 7,390 lbs. As tested, the Crew Cab offered slightly less capacity at 29,010 lbs, but this reduction, no doubt, was due to the added weight of the Crew Cab. However, our Ram could still haul 4,160 to 8,500 lbs. Towing with it was a Dream! → | |  | The Science Behind Banks Power’s Water/Methanol SystemWater injection has been around almost as long as the internal combustion engine. It was first used to improve power, allow higher compression, and save fuel on fighter planes during World War II. Today, water, or more precisely water/methanol injection, is becoming an acceptable and even common upgrade for diesel and gasoline engines. Learn more about this way to increase power. Show Me More! → |
|  | Installing Head Studs without Removing the Cylinder HeadCylinder pressure in diesel is essentially what makes the power. And there are several variables that lead to increased pressure, such as adding more fuel and boost. Toss in today’s common rail injection sequences and factory torque-to-yield head bolts, and you can see why cranking up the power can pop a head gasket, or worse. In this tech piece, we show you how to install a set of head studs, which should prevent head gasket failure. What’s the Trick? → |
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| |  | Building a 700-hp VP44 Dodge with a Mechanical MindsetFor years, 12-valve Dodges built between 1994 and 1998 have enjoyed a healthy following in the aftermarket, as have ’03 and up common-rail trucks. Stuck in the middle (‘98.5-’02) are the VP44 rotary-pumped Dodges, which are both fuel and rpm limited. Still, there are a brave few who take the road less traveled, and build these underrated rigs, like Casey Dixon of Hollister, California. With the help of his Dad Doug, who owns Compulsive Motorsports, Casey put together a simple single turbo combination that can run with the best of them, no matter what year his competition may be. Quarter mile, 11.72 seconds, 118 mph! → | |  |  | Installing an AFE Stage II Intake for Power, PerformanceIn this edition of our Hot Rod RV project, we take the same first step as many other diesel truck owners do: installing a performance intake on our ’97 Dodge Ram 2500. Especially in older vehicles, like our Dodge, the intake tract is only designed for a certain level of horsepower and flow. As larger turbos are added, the intake actually becomes a restriction, as the turbocharger tries to suck air through a filter that can’t keep up with its volume draw. Even on stock trucks that have had the waste gate disabled, we’ve seen the filter minder sucked down flat, as the factory air box becomes a restriction. Let’s Replace the Stock Airbox! → |
|  | Addicted: A Homebuilt 2,500-hp Puller Invades the Super Stock Diesel ClassEarly on in his motorsports career, Jason Stott knew he was one of those guys who wanted to complete in the highest level of sled pulling. So much so that by 2008, his ’03 Dodge Ram 2500 was minus the 24-valve common-rail motor (a 5.9L). In its place was a P-pumped 24-valve that had a 75mm S400, and a custom 4.0-inch turbo based on a large Garrett turbo. It also had a 13mm injection pump, could spin more than 4,000 rpm and made about 1,100 horsepower. Unfortunately, there weren’t many local competitors in his home region of Rock Springs, Wyoming, so in 2012, he decided to step his game up. Way up. Ready to Go! → |
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