The readers have spoken, and the ballots have been counted! The following list of competitors has been voted into the 2019 Diesel Power Challenge! In early June the Four Rams, Two Fords, and Three GMs will be in Denver, Colorado. Contestants will put their trucks and driving skills to the test in a head-to-head battle to dethrone the 2018 Diesel Power Challenge Champion, Kody Pulliam.
Like every year, there’s a wide range of pickups in the field. They span many body styles, engine types, and horsepower ranges. As we’ve seen in years past, horsepower and speed don’t always take the win. Driver skill, consistency, and experience always make the difference when it comes to being crowned champion, or loading back up on the trailer with a broken truck.
Check out the line-up to choose your favorites and tune in when the 2019 Diesel Power Challenge begins!
Team Dodge
(Seth Kuntz – Jefferson, Georgia)
This 1997 Dodge Ram produces 1,100 HP and 2,000 TQ. At the heart of this dually an upgraded injection system feeds the upgraded injectors while a stock air-to-air intercooler. In addition, a 4-inch cold-air intake system with an upgraded filter, and Holset HX40 and HX60 turbochargers keep the air flowing. This truck also includes an upgraded tuning system. All this power is transferred through a 47RE transmission and a triple-disc torque converter from Diesel Performance Converters.
(Cody Lambert – Wapakoneta, Ohio)
This 2006 Dodge Ram produces 1,100 HP and 1,950 TQ. Under the hood, dual FASS Fuel Systems and dual Industrial Injection Dragon Flow injection pumps feed the engine while a performance air-to-air intercooler, an S&B Filters cold-air intake and a BorgWarner S467.50 turbocharger keeps the air moving. In addition, other mods are a nitrous system and a EFILive tuning. The power in this truck is transferred through a 48RE transmission and a triple-disc torque converter.
(Andrew McCane – Ada, Ohio)
This 2006 Dodge Ram produces about 1,400 HP and 2,400 TQ. Under the hood, dual 12mm injection pumps, a Mishsimoto air-to-air intercooler with a custom cold-air tubing, and BorgWarner S472 and S488 turbos get the air moving. Also, other mods include a Nitrous Oxide system and EFILive tuning. This power is put to the ground through a Firepunk built 48RE transmission and a Diesel Performance Converters Torque Converter.
(Steven Lucero – Las Cruces, New Mexico)
This 5.9L Diesel makes 1150HP & 1800 TQ. The fuel system features dual 10mm stroker pumps that feed the upgraded injectors and a 76/96/1.15 BorgWarner turbocharger to move some air. In addition, other mods include a nitrous system and EFILive Tuning. This truck also has a Firepunk-built 48RE Transmission and a Diesel Performance Converters Torque Converter.
Team Ford
(Darin Dutton – Severance, Colorado)
This 6.4L Powerstroke puts down about 1200HP & 2200 TQ. That power is put to the ground through a built 5R110 trans with billet internals and a Diesel Performance Converters torque converter. This Super Duty is tuned with an H&S Mini Maxx and the engine is fed a steady volume of air thanks to the 68mm & 88mm turbochargers, custom 5” cold-air tubing, and upgraded intercooler.
(Matt Maier – Readyville, Tennessee)
This 1997 Powerstroke pushes 1,100 HP and 1,950 TQ. Under the hood, a single BorgWarner S467.7 turbocharger gets the air flowing while high-pressure oil pumps and an upgraded fuel system feed the engine. Additionally, other mods include a modified valve body, a three-stage nitrous system, and tuning. All of the power in this truck is transferred to the ground through an E40D transmission with a triple-disc torque converter from Diesel Performance Converters.
Team GM
(Richard Coker – Midland, Texas)
This 2006 Duramax pumps out 1,199 HP and 1.652 TQ. Under the hood, dual 10mm CP3 pumps feed the upgraded injectors and the BorgWarner S472 and S491 turbochargers get the air moving. Additionally, other mods include a Nitrous Express three-stage nitrous system and EFILive tuning. All this power is transferred to the ground through a six-speed Allison.
(Billy Hartzell – Moon Township, Pennsylvania)
This 2008 Duramax produces 800 HP and 1,500 TQ. At the heart of the truck an ATS Diesel Performance twin fueler with dual injection pumps feeds the upgraded injectors while a BorgWarner S475 turbocharger pushes the air. Also, additional mods include a modified valve body, additional clutch packs and has an EFILive tuner. The power of this truck is transferred through a 5-speed automatic Allison transmission and a Diesel Performance Converters triple-disc torque converter.
(Brad Sankey – Neenah, Wisconsin)
Rounding off the 2019 Diesel Power Challenge competitors is this 2005 Duramax. It makes 1,250 HP and 2,650 TQ. Upgrades include a Mishimoto air-to-air intercooler, HSP Diesel cold-air intake with MBRP tubing, and a BorgWarner S476 turbocharger. Also, other modifications are a Nitrous system and has an EFILive tuner. All the power in this truck is transferred through a 5-speed automatic Allison transmission.
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