World’s Fastest Diesel Chevette?!
A 10-second, subcompact from the 1970s, a 1,200hp late-model Super Duty, and first-gen skin for the Cummins-powered, American Outlaw monster truck.
Say hello to what has to be the world’s only 10-second Chevrolet Chevette. Granted, it doesn’t take much to earn the title of World’s Fastest Diesel Chevette (in the 1980s they came with a naturally aspirated 1.8L Isuzu diesel with 51 hp for goodness’ sake), but this version is downright insane! It belongs to Joe Harris of Freedom Eagle TV, the son of Jesse Harris—whose name you might recognize as the owner of the wheel-carrying ’75 Chevy square body with a 1,200 hp, compound turbo 6.7L Cummins under the hood. Joe’s ’79 subcompact is powered by an OM606 Mercedes, the infamous 3.0L inline-six that can support 600 hp on stock internals. The car was a hit at Sick Week 2025 and is featured in the Sick Week Freaks documentary from our friends at Hot Shot’s Secret.
At The ‘Strip
The Quest For Low 4’s
Speaking of going fast, DNR Customs’ Derek Rose—owner of the fastest 4×4 diesel truck on the planet—has promised to bring his record-holding Cummins out of hibernation if anyone tops his eighth-mile record in 2025 (4.41 at 173 mph). The challenge, made to all comers, came on the heels of a Facebook conversation sparked by Sidetracked Productions’ Charles Poosch while reminiscing the historic side-by-side Pro Street finale last fall between Paul Cato and Justin Zeigler (Cato’s 4.89 got the win over Zeigler’s 4.85 by a .0008-second margin). With both Cato and Zeigler bringing even bigger guns to the fight this season, and Zeigler already having gone 4.74 in the past, it begs the question as to how much closer to Rose’s record they will come in the months ahead…
1,200 HP, 4R100-Swapped 6.7L Power Stroke
A lot of high-horsepower, cleanly-built trucks have been put together at Truck Source Diesel over the years, and their latest race truck project for customer Chris Reynolds is about as top-tier as it gets (video here). Big believers in the 4R100 due to its ability to shift fast, handle huge torque without issue, and integrate easily, the guys at TSD installed a BTS-prepped unit in the late-model Super Duty, making it work thanks to Snyder Performance Engineering’s billet-aluminum 6.7L Power Stroke to 4R100 rear cover, a 5R110W output (which accommodates an NV273 transfer case), and a PCS controller. With everything from the TCM side running through the PCS, the truck drives as if it left the factory with the 4R in place. Look for Chris’s Super Duty to go rounds in 7.70 Index, but don’t rule out the possibility of it going mid to high 6’s on occasion.
Monster Trucking
A Fresh (First-Gen) Look For American Outlaw
Merica-TV’s American Outlaw monster truck is getting a brand-new look for 2025. This year, a first-gen fiberglass body will sit in place of the Sweptline body. American Outlaw owner, Brandon Overmyer, disclosed that the fiberglass first-gen wrapper is the first of its kind, and a product of Trey Myers’ handiwork. After a bit of mock up, the body will receive its new vinyl wrap and then be bolted in place in time for the first event of the year. Make sure to give the truck a follow on social media, as it’s one of the only diesel-powered monster trucks left in the industry.
In The Shop
Hardknocks Diesel Saves Its Customer An Engine
Top-end ticks and lifter failure isn’t exclusive to the ’19-newer 6.7L Cummins. Case in point, after this ’17 L5P came in for routine maintenance, the well-trained ears at Hardknocks Diesel noticed a pronounced thump and a ticking within the late-model Duramax. Upon further inspection, a pair of failed rollers were found on the lifters. Gone unnoticed, this could’ve (and likely would’ve) ended in a catastrophic engine failure. Thanks to their attentiveness and proper diagnosis, the folks at Hardknocks saved their customer the headache and cost of having to replace an entire engine. The lesson? It pays to take your truck to a quality diesel shop—even for a simple oil change.
Written by Mike McGlothlin
