Now is the time to keep your cool . . . DIESEL Motorsports!

Now is the time to keep your cool . . .  for your truck before Summer/hot days get here and in your garage while we got the time!

That's right, I hear from many of you and shops people are taking the time to get things done to their truck and providing a proper cooling system in your truck is VERY IMPORTANT!

What good is rebuilding your truck if it will overheat which causes it to fail again. Keep it cool with a proper cooling system start to finish!

Let's start with the fan system, some applications will pick you up 100+ hp by just converting to electric fan system. By disconnecting fan clutch and going electric not only picks up horsepower but reduces heat from the engine not working as hard on a pull or grade acceleration.

Now many years ago I heard OEM and brush fans can not keep up when you increase the power of your truck for extended times. Thus the brush-less fans from SPAL, which is the OEM fan system for Corvette and Ferrari! I found these at SEMA many years ago and talked the US sales manager to help design systems for our trucks.

SPAL has many sizes and output levels with variable speed motors along with plug and play wiring harness and thermostat adjustment. Set the heat temp for when the fan kicks on and let it do it's job! Or for us racing/pulling competitors it even has a setting to turn it on full power for immediate cooling. These fans are quiet, less amp pulling and less thickness/footprint for your diesel engines.

Now let's talk about fitting them which brings in Northern Radiator which now produces the shrouds and kits for our diesel applications. Easy bolt-in to factory holes for shroud/fan kits which makes for easy install since SPAL has plug in wiring harness.

Northern Radiator is a LONG-TIME supplier of radiators and inter-coolers throughout the US and Canada for over 50 years.

NOW let's ask Northern Radiator to add 20-30% more output for cooling in their radiators and inter-coolers for our increased horsepower diesel applications. Yep, they did it with easy OEM bolt-in replacement radiators/inter-coolers for the diesel engine setups. So now your older system has a bigger, better and cooler % increase in all areas during those long trips pulling a trailer or a load.

Does it make a difference? Ask any mechanic and he will tell you if your truck has over 100k miles on it and you have increased the power of your truck then you need to have this done - PERIOD!

For more info:

Spal
Click here -

Northern Radiator info -

Radiator Info -

Inter-Cooler Info -

DMAX Edelbrock heads - replacement a step above!!! DIESEL Motorsports

Edelbrock has long held the name for quality performance parts for many decades! NOW they have decided to get into diesel performance with a part they know quite well - performance heads!

New Edelbrock Cylinder Head for GM 6.6L Duramax Diesel Engines, Edelbrock proudly introduces its first-ever high-performance cylinder head developed especially for the diesel engine market! It took them over 3 years to develop this product and heads for other engines are in development.

The all-new Edelbrock Diesel Cylinder Head (#79029 for 2001-2004 LB7 pictured) Chevrolet and GMC 2500/3500 HD trucks between 2001 and 2016 GM 6.6L Duramax V8 engines. These applications are a direct bolt-on replacement for any street or off-road application where higher levels of performance and durability are desired.

For those who want more out of their Dmax powertrain but yet remain legal for a street truck or offroad these were built for higher performance than OEM. 

Edelbrock's new Diesel Cylinder Head is compatible with all stock Duramax valvetrain components as well as valve covers, water crossover, injectors and plugs(f). Each A356 aluminum cylinder head casting is heat- and pressure-treated to reduce porosity while also increasing both strength and fatigue properties.

Specs: #79029
Intake Port Volume Combined: 230cc 
Exhaust Port Volume Combined: 117cc 
Deck Thickness: 16mm  
Valve Size: Intake - 33mm, Exhaust - 31mm 
Spring Specs: 1st Load: 105 lbs @ 1.650” Installed Height 
2nd Load: 210 lbs @ 1.250” 
Spring Solid Height (Coil Bind): 1.000” 
Max Lift Recommended: .600” (.050” Clearance) 

Intake and exhaust runners are designed to optimize flow and swirl, but engine builders and head porters will also appreciate the extra deck and port wall material for custom porting and deck strength.

Best of all, the new Edelbrock Diesel Cylinder Head is CARB legal, making them the perfect choice for a street performance upgrade to your Chevy or GMC Duramax Diesel engine.

Designed, cast, machined and assembled in the USA, Injector cups are integrated into the castings for LB7 applications.  Castings are treated to Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) process for strength and heat-treated to T7 hardness for the extreme diesel operating environment. Thick 15.5mm deck for increased cylinder pressures plus raised rocker valley adds water volume in head. 

I don't know about you but I'm excited to see a well known performance company dip into the diesel performance market. Their production expertise is well known and appreciated in the motorsports markets. When you want the best and can rely on it then buy the best for your truck.

For more info:

https://www.edelbrock.com/edelbrock-cylinder-head-79029-for-gm-2001-2004-lb7-6-6l-duramax-diesel-engines-79029.html

https://edelbrock-instructions-v1.s3.amazonaws.com/edelbrock/79029.pdf





 

#1 first upgrade for DIESELS - headstuds!

I'm not talking about what is done first, I'm talking about what should be done first if you are going to up the HP or do long-hauling with your diesel truck!

What is important is understanding the load your engine is under during operation (driving) and HEAT! Heat causes failure of engine parts such as heads, gaskets, pistons, etc. Basically heat causes engine failure.

Bolts holds everything together during extreme heat running time on your engine block. DIESEL Motorsports official studs/bolts from the beginning has been ARP (Automotive Racing Products)! This endorsed product has become not only the leader in the industry but right now is the only alternative to OEM for studs/bolts.

ARP has years of expertise in racing and in the diesel marketplace. Any garage will order ARP when repairing heads, gaskets and engine rebuilds. The great thing about ARP is that they manufacture many different bolts that secure the engine parts for performance such as rods bolts, damper bolts and much more.

What makes ARP studs/bolts better than OEM?

It's all in the build of each bolt, heat treated with various roll thread design depending on the bolt application. Each application is designed different for maximum holding strength during engine performance. ARP has had decades of experience when it comes to performance motor sports with many experienced engineers designing the bolts/studs that match the application.

Without ARP's products in our diesels we would have many more problems with blown engines, gaskets, and many other issues revolving around too much heat! ARP has bolt applications for many other parts of the engine including a lit for the dampers. Make sure to check out their kits for engine building along with specifications for the amount of horsepower.

Sure there are some competitors out there trying to compete but NONE to the level of ARP! Don't take my word for it, ask any of the diesel shop owners what they order and recommend!

What to do during COVID-19 lockdown???

Since many of our enthusiasts are from rural backgrounds it kinda is a natural for us to being around the house so this is not that hard if you think about it!

Sure after about 4 days you finally realize your normal routine has been disrupted and now what do you do during your spare time. Have you watched all of the TV shows you have been missing - binge watched Net/Prime TV?

Slow down and think what you have been missing that your parents spent time doing in your childhood! Before multiple TVs, video games, internet, wifi and smart phones what did your parents do with you?

It may surprise you what your children are learning at school and at what levels, take this time to read with them. Improve their skills in reading and math while making it fun. I'm sure many have never heard of flash cards. Even you can lookup new words with them and put them to use in a sentence.

Teach your kids on how to projects, you know they no longer teach shop in the schools. Show them how to repair things around the house and let them help. Show them how to use the tools in your garage and work on your truck or other vehicles. Some kids today don't even know how to change a tire on the car/truck.

Relax and don't loose your patience, remember they are learning! This is a time to reconnect and make memories. (Remember when we all had to stay at home for how long because of a virus!)

If you have a hard time focusing then try making a daily list of things you can do just like you do at work. If you are working from home, make sure to take your breaks and spend time with the family. Remember the kids are scared since things are different and if you have the news on they pickup the hysteria coming from it.

Spend some time looking at some new products for your trucks online - check out our sponsor's products since they support our sport . We have links  (www.DIESELmotorsports.US )for each one on our web site plus press releases from them. Many items can be checked out on one of our new sponsor's web site - www.epartrade.com!

Starting Thursday I will be doing features on our sponsor's products on this blog so tune in for some new breaking news.

I know my garage is looking clean for the first time in a while and all of my tools are back in the proper places - lol! Feels good to be organized!

I am currently working on some products as I write with our sponsors that all of you will like for your trucks - should have them ready for fall.

All Speed Motorsports Expo Review - Kansas City MO!

All Speed Motorsports Expo Report

American Royal Building

Kansas City Missouri - February 7/8^th

A group of motorsport businessmen asked Diesel Motorsports last summer if we wanted to join them in a show that would focus on performance automotive so it would encourage enthusiasts to get involved in all segments of motorsports.

I accepted the challenge knowing that we need to keep local tracks busy with new enthusiasts. DIESEL Motorsports contributed by having a truck section with local shops, trucks and information regarding shows. 

This is in direct competition with “World of Wheels” which has gotten smaller every year and does not include local vehicles and performance segments such as race/car clubs or tracks. It tends to include traveling vehicles and older show vehicles with not much performance mixed into the show.

This was the first year for this show so it started out slow but had a very good mix of local race clubs, vehicles and businesses. Saturday was much better in attendance than Friday with a total of 2000 enthusiasts over the weekend. DIESEL Motorsports was quite busy with more people interested in the growing market of diesel HD pickups.

Northeast Diesel helped with a huge display showing a couple of his biggest customers – literally with a 6 door megacab monster truck and a custom 1955 Needle Nose Peterbilt truck. The monster truck owner gave kids a ride on the hydraulic lift that gets him into the truck.

DIESEL Motorsports had vintage trucks, a Dmax drag truck and a local tricked out street truck to show the wide range of possibilities for diesels. In the middle of the trucks DIESEL Motorsports displayed our sponsor’s parts, information and decals to be passed out to enthusiasts.

This show was held in a city owned Agriculture Center with much room to expand in the up-coming years! The show will be held in the last weekend in January for 2021 so make your plans now to attend as a vehicle or a vendor/sponsor for the show. 

This is only going to get bigger every year and to hold it in the middle of the country is a huge advantage for all to make it easily to Kansas City. The winners are listed below along with photos of their vehicles. Looking forward to this show next year and adding to it.

Winners:

Best Diesel: James Knight – The Diesel Pickup Shop/Geneva Nebraska - won best diesel truck with his 61 Ford 12v Cummins

Best Semi: Jamie Johnson from Rust 2 Rodz with 1955 Needle Nose Peterbilt from Marshfield, Mo

Best Monster Truck: Jared Kirkendoll with 2008 6-Door Mega Cab, MegaTruck From Herrick, IL 

Best Race Diesel: Chris Calkins in his 69 Chevy C10 Duramax from St. Louis

Media Motorsports in LA - WTH happened???

Everyone in the LA automotive industry was in a flux of WTH happened last week when the largest publisher of automotive titles we all grew up with was a no-show for the first time!

What happened to the magazines, the people, the industry, the content, and the monies?

A few independents were there with their magazines such as myself representing DIESEL Motorsports and the SHOP magazine. Among many freelancers who used to work for the main-line titles was the newbies SEMA brought in such as youtubers, bloggers, and internet wannabes!

It was a weird week since the main titles were scantly represented or not at all, I felt i was one of the old timers lol.

Everyone including myself asked what happened? Rumors abound such as distribution company went out of business, internet shut them down or Discovery bought out the competition.

What ever happened was sad since many of us grew up with these titles and we spent hours reading what the experts had to tell us about our favorite car, truck or hot rod.

Those many experts were let go over 5 years ago when many over 50 years old were let go or bought out for retirement by the investment companies. That was the beginning of the decline of weak content. Weak content means weak sales in the magazine business, same as the internet business. Those left are now also gone and looking for ways to make a living that has made them a living for many years.

The industry aftermarket companies maybe should look at some of them for content writing or copy for their products. Knowledge is always good business and these folks have a great deal of knowledge about the automotive aftermarket.  Even the internet needs content so it will attract the right followers and readers.

Remember what kept us enthusiasts reading for many, many years!

What I saw after first event and what's coming for 2020 . . .

Yes, DIESEL/TRUCK Motorsports held it's first event the first weekend in January for 2020. We went to almost the furthest tip of the US to West Palm Beach Florida at the IHRA Palm Beach International Raceway.  We did this in order to find the best warm weather for the country and we still got rain on the last day but that is outdoor events. We can not control mother nature!

The turnout on Friday was great with many pickups and fast street trucks. The young crowd came out of Miami around 7-8 pm and brought their best trucks to show off. I saw a lot of custom trucks that was raised, lowered and customized to their taste.

This tells me the US automotive market is alive and well. Who doesn't still like to buy and customize/accessorize your truck to make it your personal vehicle. These young people did exactly that and then some!

They were all proud of their truck plus what they did to it and wanted to show others! That is the original push of all automotive aftermarket that goes back to the 60/70s!

Now I have to admit the look is totally different but that is progress and modern technology at work. Many people came to our booth looking for custom parts to increase HP/Torque, to get better mileage and asking about maintenance fluids to make their investment last longer.

It was encouraging to see so many people wanting to see pickup trucks race and compete at the drag strip. Next year we will be adding dirt drags for the trucks and UTV/ATVs! We spent a good amount of time asking the local crowd what they wanted to do with their trucks.

We ask because we are here to satisfy the customers and what they want to do in order to keep motorsports alive for the upcoming years! Looking forward to 2020!

ET
Winners
John Sikes - 2013 VW TDi Toureg
Michael Pliska - 2020 Ram

Heads-Up
Jeremy Lewis - 2001 Chevy Silverado
Steven Uanlke - 2006 Dodge Ram 2500

Show-N-Shine
Best of Show
Austin Galit - 2018 Ford F250
Best Dodge -
Craig Sule - 2010 Dodge
Best Chevy
Steve Wooster - 1955 Chevy PU
Best Ford
Farmboy Customs - Mark - 2018 Ford F150
Best Rat Rod
Ashley Austin Meehan - 1975 Cadillac - Dmax
Best Semi
Steve Wooster - 2009 Volvo