Behind The Scenes With KDD: P-pumped 7.3L Block Repair

This is the side of competition diesels many never see: a high-end block receiving some much-needed repairs prior to enduring another summer of extreme heat, cylinder pressure, and rpm. Kill Devil Diesel recently took receipt of the crankcase that serves as the foundation of Tommy Hassler’s P-pumped 7.3L-powered pulling truck. While the Hypermax CGI block had survived several years of abuse, it was time for some TLC, primarily due to the occurrence of main fretting. In KDD’s care, the block’s main stud geometry was corrected (as was its oil pan rail geometry), dowel pins were added to positively locate the mains, the bed plate registers were TIG welded, and it was machined for a more precise fit with the block (.004” to .005”). Additionally, Kill Devil re-line bored and re-line honed the main housing bore. Check out the full video on the process here.

On The Dyno

240 HP Gains For The L5D Duramax

The medium duty version of GM’s late-model Duramax, the L5D, is often overshadowed by the L5P found in HD pickup trucks. But make no mistake, the 6.6L diesel V-8 used in the General’s 5500 and 6500 HD’s is also capable of turning out big power and gobs of additional torque with very few upgrades. At DuramaxTuner.com, a simple calibration change and a Stealth Mach 1 turbo swap (performed at Wehrli Custom Fabrication) transformed a 2020 model year 5500 into the ultimate tow rig. Picking up 240 hp over stock, the L5D workhorse now produces 525 hp at the wheels, along with 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Factory safety parameters (namely EGT limits), emissions, and even the OEM air intake system went untouched.

At The ‘Strip

NHRDA Diesels In The Desert

The NHRDA kicked off the 2026 season with “Diesels In The Desert” held in Chandler, Arizona over the weekend. It was the organization’s first event since Blessed Performance’s Matt Story took ownership and UCC’s Chris Searle became Operations Manager back in the fall—and it went off without a hitch. Not only did the event attract some the West Coast’s biggest racers, but it was well-organized, efficiently run, and drew a huge crowd. Current UCC champion and chassis dyno king, Josh McCormack, was among the heavy hitters in the staging lanes—along with former UCC champ Kenny Bruner. Kenny would run new personal bests while in town, including a 5.12-second 1/8-mile and a 147-mph trap speed later on. Power Driven Diesel’s Todd Welsh would lay claim to the $20,000 pot at the first-ever Blue Collar 2WD No Prep race on Friday night.

New Year, New Attractions At Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam

As the Outlaw Diesel Super Series prepares for its season opener, Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam, held on April 24-25^th at Rockingham Dragway, the powers that be at Rudy’s Performance Parts have announced that this year’s event will be open to all vehicles: cars, bikes, and (of course) trucks. On top of that, Rudy’s is inviting both diesel and gas vehicles to compete in the Friday night Street Gamblers race, an affair with an 80/20 purse split based on the amount of entries. It’s $50 to race the plated and insured car, truck, or bike of your choice (tech card and Friday event admission included).

Industry Moves

S&S Has BIG News

When you rise to the top of your game, growth is inevitable. Once again, exponential year-over-year growth at S&S Diesel Motorsport has forced the Seymour, Indiana common-rail experts to expand. This time, a sizeable property encompassing 12 acres of land and a 170,000 square-foot facility has been acquired for future use—and the new horsepower lab/fuel system manufacturing plant will serve as the new S&S headquarters in the years ahead. Conveniently enough, an 1/8-mile section of asphalt exists on one side of the grounds. For parking, of course… S&S Co-Owner, Luke Langellier put it best in a recent video reveal. “Thanks to an awesome customer base, our amazing dealer distribution network, and the wonderful team that we’ve built here at S&S the last few years, we ran out of room again.”

Written by Mike McGlothlin