HEADLINES: Meet The First Billet-Aluminum 7.3L Block

Developed for the most extreme of applications—and conveniently announced on July 3 (7.3 Day)—Unlimited Diesel Performance has commenced production on the world’s first billet-aluminum 7.3L block. After cracking three factory blocks on its P-pumped, Limited Pro Stock class 7.3L—an engine that once made 2,180 hp on the dyno (with a 4.4-inch turbo feeding it)—the guys at UDP, in conjunction with assistance from RMC Engine Rebuilding Equipment, embarked on an aluminum crankcase program that is now underway. The solid (non-water jacketed) billet-aluminum block checks in 63 pounds lighter than the OEM cast-iron version, includes significantly more “meat” in the block’s weak-link areas, and is substantially stronger overall.

Up The Mountain

6.0L-Powered GTR Takes On Pikes Peak

When Riffraff Diesel and LYFE Motorport came together with the wild idea of stuffing a 6.0L Power Stroke into a Nissan GTR and then turning it lose at Pikes Peak, no one knew the crazy concoction would be successful. Yet by the end of this year’s Peak Week the car not only beat the previous diesel record held by Old Smokey (the ’49 Ford F-1 driven by Scott Birdsall) in running an 11-minute, 6-second time, but it did so cleanly, barely even appearing to be a diesel as it screamed up the mountain. The parts recipe that pulled off the feat included Full Force 250/100 hybrid injectors, a KC Turbos’ S1R Jetfire VGT combined with an S480, Kill Devil Diesel Icon series aluminum heads, an Odawgs intake manifold and a 4R100 built by Transmissions Done Right.

Tech

Allison TCM Repair For ’09-’15 HD’s

The hard-shifting, limp-mode-inducing problems associated with the Allison A50 and T14 transmission control modules may be a thing of the past thanks to UpFix. The Georgia-based company’s TCM repair includes removal of the inferior OEM conformal coating from specific areas on the circuit board (which often fail due to heat and vibration) and applies an improved thermal paste to better handle future heat exposure. Key microprocessors are also replaced with updated versions that’ve been treated to the latest firmware specific to the truck and the truck’s VIN. Finally, UpFix techs carefully inspect, clean and repair all connectors, and then reseal the TCM.

In The Dirt

Hot Rod Semi

Who doesn’t love a mega-horsepower Super Semi, especially one with a flame-throwing CAT under the hood? Ryan DeBroux’s ’05 Kenworth W900L is appropriately named “Playin’ With Fire” and rocks a C15 that belts out north of 3,000 hp. Currently, DeBroux and his big, bad KW are leading the NTPA Grand National Super Semi points race. In the past, the truck collected the 2021 NTPA Grand National Championship, was runner-up in the 2021 Pro Pulling League Champions Tour, and even won the Enderle Pulloff back in 2020. Trust us, if you’ve yet to watch these ground-pounding machines take to the dirt, you owe it to yourself to see it in person.

Unique Swap

A Cummins-Powered Galaxie, Done Right

Remember Cleetus McFarland’s hood-stacked, back-halfing, Cummins-swapped Galaxie? The ’65 Ford was recently purchased for $50,000 at auction and resurfaced on social media thanks to FASS (who supplied one of its fuel systems for the build). If you don’t recall all the details, here’s the basic rundown: P-pumped 5.9L 12-valve, Allison transmission, nitrous, Dana 60 rear axle, and Air Lift air ride suspension. The body has also been clear coated and the sedan itself defines what a sketchy ride means at 110 mph. It’s been low 12’s in the past, but who knows what the current owner has in store…