Beaten, Abused, And Brand-New: DNR Customs Torture Tests The New Cummins

If you want an honest performance review of the 2025 Ram, who better to do it than Derek Rose, owner of the world’s fastest 4×4 diesel truck? After Derek’s company, DNR Customs, took delivery of its new 2500, the Dragy app was opened up and closed-course testing commenced. Boosted, four-wheel drive launching the truck with the new, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission leaving in second gear, the truck leapt from 0-to-60 mph in 6.59 seconds (beating the AI-advertised 6.9-second figure), covered the eighth-mile in 9.45 seconds, and ran a 14.89-second quarter-mile. Not bad for a 7,500-plus pound crew cab! This Tuesday, Derek and the folks at DNR will be peering under the valve cover for the first time to check out the 6.7L Cummins’ new cylinder head, revised valvetrain, and fresh (externally accessible) injectors. Tune in to DNR’s social media channels to see their latest findings.

On The Rollers

David Petrick’s 2,168 HP Performance At FP Truck Fest 3.0

Fitzgerald Performance Truck Fest 3.0 presented yet another opportunity for David Petrick and his ’06 Dodge to dominate on the dyno. Strapped to the Northwest Dyno Series’ SuperFlow, David’s third-gen laid down 2,168 hp over the weekend, taking top honors aboard the rollers. Leading up to the event, David hinted that it might be the last hurrah for the 5.9L that could—a cast-aluminum (QSB) piston engine that’d been subjected to loads of abuse and countless dyno pulls. Long story short, it lived, proving once again that David’s friends at New Performance Automotive are capable of building a pretty stout Cummins.

At The ‘Strip

The Wildest 6.0L Power Stroke To Ever Hit The Track

It’s just about go time for what could end up being the most ferocious 6.0L Power Stroke to ever grace the dragstrip. Since Austin Denny first teased the world with this second-generation Lightning at U.C.C. 2023, we’ve been patiently waiting to see what the lightweight ’03 F-150 can do in the ‘660. It’s a project blessed with some of the biggest names in the industry behind it, including Kill Devil Diesel, Warren Diesel Injection, Bullseye Power Turbochargers, SoCal Billet, 1X Precision’s Cody Fisher, Rudy’s Nathannial DeLong, and with Hot Shot’s Secret fluids coursing through its veins. By the looks of things as of March 6^th, Austin is poised to make some shakedown passes this spring. Stay tuned…

Diesels In The Desert

The NHRDA race season kicked off over the weekend in Chandler, Arizona. And despite a rain-out on Friday, the popular Big-Rig light contest was still held, along with a burnout competition and a full day of racing taking place the following day. When all the dust settled, 7,500 spectators were privy to watching Wade Minter earn the win in Pro Mod (behind the wheel of Ben Shadday’s old split-window Corvette), Phillip Franklin oust Rick Fletes in Pro Street, Will Terry collect the W in Super Street, Afsheen Hashemy win 6.70 Index, Jeff Avery sew up Super Diesel (7.70), and Chase Nelson bring home the hardware in the Sportsman class. Oscar Velasquez would get the win in the Hot Rod Semi category, while Jeff Mittleider finished first in Big Rig Bracket.

Product Spotlight

Optimized Airflow And +30 HP Gains For Your 6.7L Power Stroke

Few engines in the diesel segment respond better to simple airflow upgrades than the 6.7L Power Stroke. By upsizing and freeing up the airflow path for the heads, Snyder Performance Engineering’s 6.7L Power Stroke OE+ Intake Manifold improves drivability, decreases internal EGR deposit buildup in emissions-compliant applications, and adds up to 30-rwhp with no other changes. A complete bolt-on replacement kit, the company’s high-flow manifold seamlessly integrates with your engine’s EGR system and all other factory components (CCV, MAP sensor, etc.). SPE’s latest video not only highlights the benefits of its OE+ intake manifold, but it also explains the key differences between the factory ’11-’19 intake manifold and the ‘20+ version.

Written by Mike McGlothlin