Ready To Run

Many know the D&J Precision Machine name from the way its record-setting engines perform at the drag strip, on the dyno, and in the dirt. But within the walls of its Cambridge, Ohio facility, the company specializes in all things common-rail Cummins—from competition-ready Enforcer and Executioner series engines to factory horsepower, stock replacement long blocks. Since joining forces with Burnout Brands, D&J has combined its machining and engine building expertise with BD Diesel’s vast resources and product offerings to bring the Ready Run Precision Plus Engine Package to market. The turnkey, drop-in engine program covers ’04.5-’18 5.9L and 6.7L platforms, includes everything from the oil pan to the valve cover—including the fuel system, exhaust manifold, and the turbo—and comes with no lead times. They’re in stock, ready to ship.

Ideal For Daily Drivers, The Company Workhorse, Or A Cummins Swap

“We’re excited about the launch of the new Ready Run long blocks. Through our partnerships with quality brands like BD Diesel, ARP, Fluidampr, and others we’re able provide a complete, drop-in solution unlike anything on the market today. The ability to have an in-stock long block that’s this complete means less down time for our customers and zero wasted time chasing down parts and pieces. The Ready Run’s availability and fully-built nature also makes it an attractive option for anyone looking to drop a new engine into their hot rod or classic truck.” —Drew Pumphrey, D&J Precision Machine

D&J’s Ready Run Precision Plus Engine Packages cover ’04.5-’18 model year Cummins engines (an ’07.5-’12 version of the 6.7L is shown here). The foundation of each Ready Run engine begins with a core 5.9L or 6.7L, which is torn down, cleaned via hot tank, and comprehensively inspected for cracks. All threaded holes are bottom tapped, blasted, and cleaned prior to any machining taking place. Machining of the block is performed by a Hurco CNC, a Rottler CNC hones the cylinders, and a Berco line boring machine ensures all main bearing bores are perfectly round. Each crankshaft is also checked for both straightness and size and is repaired if needed.

Every Ready Run Cummins is assembled by experienced technicians in D&J’s clean room (an ’04.5-’05 5.9L version is pictured). Here, all bearing and piston-to-wall clearances are checked, the deck surface and hone surfaces are measured, and so is piston protrusion. Each OEM style piston and connecting rod assembly is also double-checked for proper spec, with ring gaps corrected if required. The last order of business is a uniform coat of gloss black paint on the block and head for a clean look and adequate rust control. As for price, all Ready Run engines retail for $23,999 and carry a refundable $4,700 core charge. Below, we’ll detail the premium parts and upgraded components included in that $23,999 price tag.

For effective control of the crankshaft’s torsional vibrations, a Fluidampr harmonic balancer makes its way onto every Ready Run engine D&J builds. These silicone filled, precision machined and balanced viscous dampers have long-been the industry standard for smooth engine operation, as well as providing superior crankshaft and crankshaft bearing life. Above the Fluidampr, each Ready Run unit is equipped with a new OEM (or equivalent) water pump and thermostat. On the sensor side of things, each engine receives a brand-new coolant temperature sensor, along with a new oil pressure switch/sensor.

Like the block, each Ready Run candidate’s cylinder head is torn down, thoroughly cleaned, and inspected for cracks before being remanufactured. All factory valve seats are replaced with heavy duty, oversized versions and the head is treated to all-new bronze guides and valve seals, along with a multi-angle valve job for improved airflow and reduced turbulence. To guard against blown freeze plug scenarios, all of the head’s soft plugs are replaced with thread-in replacements. Once fully assembled, each head is pressure checked. From there, the remanufactured unit is fastened to a completed short block by way of ARP 2000 head studs, which come standard on every Ready Run Cummins build.

Prospective buyers of Ready Run engines will be pleasantly surprised to find that D&J eliminates the notorious grid heater bolt problem with the inclusion of a BD Killer Grid Heater Upgrade kit. The kit features a lower busbar with self-locking, integrated threads to replace the factory nut that’s prone to breaking off (and gravity-feeding into the number 6 cylinder). On top of avoiding a potentially catastrophic engine failure, BD’s grid heater upgrade allows for full heat output from the stock intake grid heater, the most effective way of aiding cold starts and maintaining low tailpipe emissions.

The words “ready to run” and “complete” wouldn’t ring true unless a full fuel system was on board, and BD gets the call here as well. One of the company’s remanufactured CP3’s, complete with a new FCA (fuel control actuator), comes bolted to the front cover. Up above the intake shelf, you’ll find a new Bosch fuel rail with BD’s preformed, OEM quality high-pressure fuel lines connecting it to both the CP3 and the injectors. The supplied reman common-rail injectors are equipped with brand-new Bosch nozzles, control valves, and solenoids. Both the CP3 and injectors are tested and validated on a Bosch 815 test bench to guarantee optimal performance in all operating conditions.

Each ’07.5-’12 Ready Run 6.7L Cummins comes equipped with a remanufactured Holset HE351VE, and a reman HE300VG is part of the package for every ’13-’18 engine. A pre-programmed, factory actuator comes standard with each variable geometry turbo. For ’04.5-’07 5.9L engines, a remanufactured Holset HE351CW hangs from the exhaust manifold, with its internal wastegate preset to avoid any end-user fine-tuning. During the reman process, all turbos are high-speed VSR (Vibrating Shaft Resonance) balanced to ensure long-term and trouble-free operation. A new turbo oil feed line and drain tube are also included.

Each turbo bolts to a stock mount BD exhaust manifold, chosen for its thick wall, high silicone ductile iron casting, which has proven capable of holding up well to extreme EGT and constant vibration. Its two-piece design features a slip joint to help eliminate cracking and exhaust leaks, and it’s also pre-drilled for pyrometer probes at the collector. The exhaust manifold mounts via high-strength, 10.9 grade manifold bolts and spacers that have been black oxide-coated for optimum corrosion resistance. It’s worth noting that the 6.7L version is fully EGR compatible and that each manifold (along with every BD component employed on a Ready Run engine) carries a BD product warranty.

Written by Mike McGlothlin