This episode of the Power Driven Podcast brings the crew together for hands-on dyno testing, shop talk, and some real-world lessons on Cummins turbo setups. The guys focus on VP44 performance and show why small changes in airflow can make a big difference in how a truck drives and tows. It’s the kind of episode that speaks to blue-collar diesel enthusiasts who want real answers about turbo upgrades, not just internet opinions.

The baseline testing with the HX35 and HY35 showed very little difference, but when the Aggressor 60/64 was bolted on, things started to shift. Horsepower gains were modest on paper, about 10 to 11 over stock, but the real story was in how the truck carried power through the pull. With the stock charger, boost topped out at 26 psi, while the 60/64 held strong at 35 psi without choking out. That meant cooler, more controlled power and a truck that didn’t fall flat when asked to work .

The guys also cover installation details that matter. The factory manifold only has two studs, while the upgraded turbo expects four. That makes a three-piece manifold a smart supporting upgrade since stock manifolds are prone to cracking once heat builds. They also point out the benefit of a stainless steel elbow and proper clamps, which not only flow better but hold up to the extra stress that comes with higher boost. These are the small details that keep a build reliable in the long run .

On the dyno, the numbers told the story. The 60/64 maintained torque more consistently across the range, showed a healthier boost-to-drive ratio, and simply made the truck feel stronger under load. Even when gate settings were adjusted, the upgraded charger proved it could hold boost without the heat issues that plague factory turbos when pushed too hard. For towing or daily use, that’s the kind of difference you can feel in the seat, not just see on a graph .

For diesel performance fans, this episode blends dyno data, hands-on testing, and plenty of shop-floor honesty. If you’re weighing turbo upgrades for a VP44 Cummins, the guys give you a clear picture of what to expect with an Aggressor 60/64 compared to stock. It’s practical knowledge you can take straight to your own build.

If you’re into diesel performance, Power Driven Diesel, Cummins upgrades, VP44 tuning, dyno testing, turbo swaps, drag racing, and real truck builds, this episode is packed with useful takeaways.

Subscribe to the Power Driven Podcast, follow along for more dyno-backed insights, and check out Power Driven Diesel for the parts and knowledge that keep your build running strong.

Mechanical pumps are making a comeback, and this episode proves they still have a place even as common rail dominates diesel racing.

This episode of the Power Driven Podcast features our crew with special guest John Schirado from Black Tie Race Fab. John is a seasoned racer and fabricator who helped build the Godfather race truck, and he joins us to debate mechanical pump trucks versus modern common rail setups. It’s a back and forth that matters for anyone in diesel performance because it digs into what it really takes to build, tune, and race at a high level.

John shares why he has stuck with a mechanical truck for more than twenty years even though common rail offers easier tuning and consistency. For him it’s about the challenge and the satisfaction of making old school fueling work in today’s competitive scene. We dive into why part selection is everything on a pump truck. Injectors, pump profile, turbo choice, and gear train all have to be perfectly matched because unlike common rail there’s no laptop tune to smooth things out.

The crew also talks about nitrous, automation, and why consistent 60 foot times are the key to winning. John explains how his setup still relies on timers and hand controlled switches while many racers are moving toward bump boxes, staging limiters, and automated nitrous control. That leads to a bigger discussion on how mechanical trucks can adopt some of that tech without losing their raw hands on feel.

Reliability is another big topic. We cover how 12 valve blocks can split around 1500 horsepower, why 6.7 blocks hold up better, and how custom gear cases with straight cut gears become mandatory at the top levels. These are the kinds of hard lessons you only learn from years of racing, wrenching, and breaking parts at the track.

If you’re into diesel performance, Cummins drag racing, Power Driven Diesel, P pump setups, dyno testing, turbo upgrades, and truck builds that push the limits, this episode delivers real shop floor wisdom and racing stories you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe to the Power Driven Podcast and follow Power Driven Diesel for more episodes, dyno sessions, and builds that keep the diesel community moving forward.

This episode of the Power Driven Podcast brings in guest John Schirado of Black Tie Race Fab to stir the pot and talk real-world six liter Powerstroke performance with the crew while Will is out of town. From shop banter and fabrication chops to why some folks swear the 6.0 was peak diesel engineering, we get into what actually matters for reliability, towing manners, and going fast. If you’ve ever argued brand loyalty in the bay or on the starting line, this one hits home.

You’ll hear how John’s six liter became the perfect antithesis to a common rail first mindset. He’s towed to races, clicked off multiple seven-one passes, and then hooked the trailer back up to head home. The guys stack that experience against a 6.7 Cummins build and talk about what changes when you rely on high pressure oil to fire injectors. They dig into why monitoring is everything on these trucks, covering FICM voltage targets, oil pressure behavior, and IPR duty cycle so you can spot issues before they strand you. They also talk head studs and O-rings, why the 14 millimeter hardware and stout bedplate are big wins for the platform, and how a well set up compound arrangement with the factory VGT on the manifold and a big charger out front keeps the truck happy at altitude and under load.

There’s plenty of street and strip reality too. Meyer shares a 7.12 airport drag pass in his own project and John fires back with times from his tow pig, which trap-calculated to the high nine hundreds. That sets up a practical discussion about converters, stall speed, and why density altitude changes everything when you live and race in the Rockies. The crew also gets into cab-off service myths, why six liters aren’t actually miserable to work on when you know the platform, and the never-ending debate over Excursions, chassis feel, and what makes a true work family hauler. By the end, you’ll understand why a cleanly tuned six liter with the right heads, studs, compounds, and monitoring can be both a dependable tow rig and a legitimate race truck.

Long-tail topics you’ll hear discussed include six liter Powerstroke compound turbo setup with factory VGT, FICM voltage monitoring at 48 to 49 volts, IPR duty cycle and high pressure oil troubleshooting, Ford Excursion diesel towing reliability, and head stud and O-ring strategies for six liter longevity. It’s the kind of shop-floor conversation that makes you want to roll a cart under the truck and start wrenching.

Subscribe to the Power Driven Podcast, follow for more deep dives, and check out the latest builds, testing, and parts from Power Driven Diesel. More shop debates, more dyno pulls, and more hard data are on the way.