Collapsed Lifters—The Fifth-Gen Failure Your Cummins Doesn’t Deserve
The inside scoop on Cummins lifter failure, a stand-alone VP44 controller, a Texas drag racer heads to Europe, and the latest mega-sized turbo for the racing scene.
It’s no secret that hydraulic lifter failure is a major issue on ’19-’24 6.7L Cummins engines, and DNR Customs’ Derek Rose recently ran through just how quickly things can go from a feint tick to catastrophic. Long story short, once the retaining clip seizes within its lifter, all bets are off, including the lifter losing prime and collapsing, a loss in valve lash, a valve bridge breaking free, a ruined valve stem and, if the valve keepers are able to work free, even a dropped valve. Luckily, Derek and his team caught their latest customer’s issue in the nick of time and were able to fix him up with one of Hamilton Cams’ flat tappet conversion kits. For a little more than $7,000 installed, it sure beats spending $25,000 on a new engine.
At The ‘Strip
Texan John Robinson To Race Across The Pond
From running Top Dragster with the NHRA to competing at the Euro Finals, John Robinson is shipping his dragster across the Atlantic to mix things up in Europe this season. That’s right, the same rail that’s powered by a Scheid-built, billet-aluminum Cummins—and that once held the overall eighth-mile ET record for diesels—is taking a boat ride to Great Britain for quarter-mile action. Aside from addressing a sticky fuel rack on the P-pump, installing a new oil tank for the turbos, and throwing new pads on the pinion brake, no major updates are planned for John’s rail. Instead, John will rely on the same, proven 6.1x-capable recipe employed in the states to make laps overseas.
Racing The Tow-Rig
A new, “race the tow-rig” YouTube channel is starting up, and it’s the brainchild of Irate Diesel’s Matt Maier. The veteran bracket and index racer, who’s made a career out of pushing the limits of his daily-driven 7.3L Power Stroke—including 11.0’s in the quarter-mile, 1,226 hp on the chassis dyno, and even competing in the late Diesel Power Challenge—has decided to capture his regular racing, camping, and towing shenanigans on camera. The goal for the channel is to showcase what it’s like to tow a camper to the races, unhook and compete, and then tow it all back home—all while dealing with the inevitable challenges that arise with a high-horsepower 7.3L-powered OBS Ford. Tune in here.
Turbo Tech
ALL The Airflow From Hart’s
Meet the latest monstrosity from Hart’s Turbo. The company’s new “Gangster” series chargers, which boast a massive map width enhancement groove, are designed and intended for No Time racing classes with zero turbo limitations. According to Hart’s, racers had inquired about a max effort style turbo that didn’t have to adhere to any rulebook, so they went to work. We’d say these Gangsters will likely deliver, and then some. Official word is still pending, but rumor has it that Hart’s will offer these bad boys in 88mm, 98mm, and 122mm sizes in the near future.
Old Pump, New Tricks
Stand-Alone Control For The VP44?!
What in the name of old-school, long-forgotten, dinosaur technology is going on here? Nothing much, just more out-of-the-box thinking from our friends at WP Developments. Gone is the PSG computer that comes married to the top of the electronically controlled distributor style Bosch VP44. Instead, all fueling is being controlled through a stand-alone ECU which, in conjunction with a custom engine harness, means no more high-rpm fueling limits. This is something VP44 fans have been hoping, praying, and wishing for for more than 20 years—and now it might just happen. If and when we know more details, so will you. Stay tuned in to Green Handle Media for more on this soon.
Events
Hot Shot’s Secret Expands Its Race Series Sponsorships For 2025
Any time diesel performance is on display in front of the masses, Hot Shot’s Secret usually has a hand in it. Fortunately, that won’t change in 2025. On the heels of expanding its race championship roster in 2024 (which included continued support for diesel door-slammer record-holder Larson Miller and overall quarter-mile diesel record-holder Paul Vasko), the Mt. Gilead, Ohio company has secured the title sponsorship of the coveted Pro Pulling League for 2025 and beyond. On top of that , Hot Shot’s will resume the same level of sponsorship it always has for the ODSS, NHRDA, U.C.C., NTPA, and the Northwest Dyno Series. Is it summer yet?!
Written by Mike McGlothlin
