0:00 / 0:00
Firing the Best Employee (And Getting Better Because of It)

Firing the Best Employee (And Getting Better Because of It)

The Diesel Podcast Jun 04, 2026 73 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Dyno sessions and injector/shop decisions take center stage, from triple-turbo boost control tests to why “real data” depends on dyno acceleration rate. The hosts connect high-power tuning to safety—rail pressure, wastegate control, and avoiding dangerous cooling mistakes—while also zooming out to how injector rate trace, nozzle/seat failures, and fuel lubricity affect performance and reliability. Between technical deep dives, they pivot to leadership: firing a toxic employee can raise morale, and hiring decisions become a numbers-and-fit game.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

dynoed

"And you had a video like when that's being dynoed. [22.9s] The video is really cool."

“Dynoed” means they ran the engine on a special test machine. That machine measures how much power and torque the engine makes, so you can compare results.

Term

triple turbos

"So this time we went down there with a couple of 85 [54.9s] mill turbos blown into a four point one. [58.9s] So triple turbos with the wastegate full, full, full open,"

“Triple turbos” means there are three turbochargers on the engine. They help push more air into the engine for more power, but the setup is more complicated.

Term

wastegate full, full, full open

"So triple turbos with the wastegate full, full, full open, [62.7s] like mechanically held open."

On a turbo engine, a wastegate is like a valve that helps control boost pressure. If it’s “full open,” it’s set to let exhaust bypass the turbo as much as possible, usually reducing boost.

Term

atmosphere chargers

"So triple turbos with the wastegate full, full, full open, [62.7s] like mechanically held open. [64.5s] So the atmosphere chargers weren't going to drive hardly at all."

This sounds like a description of the turbo system they expected to make boost. In this test, the wastegate setup meant those turbos weren’t going to work much, so the engine’s behavior was different than normal.

Term

2450

"And it made 2450 [70.1s] And I kind of thought, oh, I got a little warm fuzzy."

“2450” is the measured result from the dyno test—usually a power or torque number. It’s basically the engine’s output rating from that run.

Term

Hamilton CGI solid block

"It's a solid, it's a it's a Hamilton CGI solid block."

They’re talking about the engine’s cylinder block material. CGI (compacted graphite iron) is a stronger, tougher type of cast iron, and using a solid block helps the engine survive harder driving.

Term

crankcase breathers

"into the crankcase, like where you feel the oil in, and it starts sucking from the crankcase breathers out all the hot air."

Engines build up pressure inside the crankcase. “Breathers” are the vents that let that pressure and gases escape safely, and here they’re used as a hookup point for a vacuum to clear out hot air.

Term

vacuum cleaner

"So the first thing we do when we get done is we show a vacuum cleaner into the crankcase... while you're able to look at data, assess, make any tweaks..."

They’re using a vacuum to pull air out of the engine’s crankcase area while they check what’s happening. It’s a practical way to create suction so they can test and observe changes.

Term

restrictor, which is a precision flow valve

"I had this little restrictor, which is a precision flow valve. But it was I mean, there's tons of adjustment to it."

This is a valve that controls the amount of flow through a line. By turning it a specific amount, you can fine-tune how the system behaves during testing instead of guessing.

Term

running away

"And I was like, oh, dear God, like I thought it was running away."

“Running away” means the engine starts revving out of control and won’t respond normally. It’s a dangerous situation because you can’t just back off the accelerator to stop it.

Term

boost

"100 and eighteen pounds of boost, you know, three K again. ... before I go straight from, you know, 3000 accidentally to 3500 and blow the thing up"

Boost is the extra pressure from the turbo that shoves more air into the engine. More boost can make more power, but too much can cause damage if the engine isn’t tuned for it.

Term

rail pressure

"And basically in the fueling, it was we weren't able to maintain rail pressure and we didn't realize exactly why I was doing that."

Rail pressure is how hard the diesel’s fuel system is pushing fuel through the high-pressure lines. If it drops during a big pull, the engine may not get the fuel it needs and things can go wrong.

Term

compressor wheel

"we're not spraying any water at the compressor wheel. And that's a no no at that level."

The compressor wheel is the turbo’s spinning part that squeezes air to make boost. Cooling it (or cooling the air around it) can help keep temperatures down when you’re pushing hard.

Term

water injection

"we're not spraying any water at the compressor wheel. And that's a no no at that level. You really need to be spraying water injection at the compressor wheel."

Water injection sprays water into the intake to cool the air charge. Cooler air can help the engine tolerate higher boost without overheating or detonating.

Concept

blow the thing up

"Like I want to go home and master this wastegate and have a real program before I go straight from, you know, 3000 accidentally to 3500 and blow the thing up"

“Blow the thing up” means the engine gets damaged badly, usually because the tune or boost is too aggressive. It’s the fear of pushing power beyond what the engine can safely handle.

Term

engine dyno

"because on an engine dyno, you know, it's only going to give you 200 and fifty engine RPM per one second. And that's a very different hit than a chassis dyno, right?"

An engine dyno is a machine that tests an engine by itself. It measures how much power and torque the engine makes while you control the RPM and load.

Term

RPM sweep

"Well, on an engine dyno, you know, 1000 RPM sweep at 250 per second. Like you're in that thing for seconds and it feels like minutes when you're at 3K."

An RPM sweep is how the dyno test moves the engine through different RPMs. How quickly it ramps up can change what the engine does and what the dyno records.

Concept

slow down the acceleration rate

"But in order to get real data, you have to slow down the acceleration rate or it's not real data. Now, on chassis dynoing, that's become its own sport."

Acceleration rate is how fast the dyno pull ramps up. If it ramps too quickly, the engine doesn’t have time to behave normally, so the results can be misleading.

Person

Joss McCormick

"Like there's guys that have that master. Joss McCormick has chassis dynoing mastered. There's plenty of guys that are at 3K and over, but you're not going to see any of that stuff."

Joss McCormick is mentioned as a top expert at using a chassis dyno. The point is that dyno testing is a skill, not just a machine you turn on.

Term

dyno time

"I will pay Chad Perkins for the Chad Perkins dyno time. If you want to show up and bring a 64 pound nitrous bottle and give her a go just to take the title, like by all means, I'll cover the dyno time."

Dyno time is time on a machine that measures how much power an engine makes. It’s used to test and compare builds in a controlled way.

Term

nitrous bottle

"If you want to show up and bring a 64 pound nitrous bottle and give her a go just to take the title, like by all means, I'll cover the dyno time."

A nitrous bottle is a tank of nitrous oxide that you inject to make more power. It’s like a temporary boost that can help you hit a higher number on a dyno or at the track.

Term

motor scatters

"But if and when that motor scatters, you get to clean the entire dyno shop by yourself, you and your crew, Chad and I are going to sit and drink Coors Light."

“Motor scatters” means the engine fails badly, with parts breaking or coming apart. It’s the worst-case outcome when you push a build too hard.

Brand

Columbus diesel 5250

"But, you know, now that thing, that motor is now made with a really, really, really old Columbus diesel 5250. It made like 2750 with two 14 millimeter pumps."

Columbus Diesel 5250 is the turbo setup the engine started with. The host is comparing it to a different turbo to show how the power and tune changed.

Term

14 millimeter pumps

"It made like 2750 with two 14 millimeter pumps. Then we went to a Hart's 5.1 and didn't add any more fuel pump."

These are fuel pumps sized to move a certain amount of diesel. Bigger/more capable pumps can supply more fuel for higher power, but they also make it easier to over-stress the engine if everything isn’t tuned correctly.

Brand

Hart's 5.1

"Then we went to a Hart's 5.1 and didn't add any more fuel pump. And it made the exact same power, basically."

Hart’s 5.1 is a particular turbo setup used on the diesel. The host says it made similar power and changed how the engine burned fuel.

Term

leaner and hotter

"Matter of fact, it went leaner and hotter because that turbo, even though it's only a 5.1 instead of 5.2, the new Hart's 5.1 is way more wicked than that old 5.2."

“Lean” means there’s relatively less fuel compared to the air/oxygen. “Hotter” means the engine runs hotter during combustion, which can be harder on parts.

Term

triple front pump cover

"So we tore the motor apart, took that front cover off, [487.9s] put the triple front pump cover on it, made a hit with a Hart's 3.6,"

It’s a custom part that changes how the engine’s fuel pump is set up. The goal is to let the engine feed more fuel so it can make more power—if the engine is built to survive it.

Term

Hart's 3.6

"put the triple front pump cover on it, made a hit with a Hart's 3.6, [493.2s] made 2250 ish, which is wicked wild."

“Hart’s 3.6” sounds like a specific turbo setup the builder uses. Bigger turbo hardware helps the engine move more air, which is what allows huge horsepower numbers.

Term

88 millimeters

"Like 3.6, that's like 88 millimeters naturally, you know, [503.6s] like no nitrous, no bullshit, and it makes 2250 horsepower."

That “88 millimeters” is a measurement of the turbo hardware. A larger size usually means the turbo can push more air into the engine, which helps it make more power.

Term

turbo game

"So the turbo game is really, really amazing now. [514.8s] Then Preston Collins had a 4.8 and we put it on that motor"

This is basically “how well the turbo setup is working.” The host means the turbo choice and tuning are what let the engine make huge power.

Term

4.8

"Then Preston Collins had a 4.8 and we put it on that motor [520.0s] and it made 3,005 or 3,009 somewhere in that range."

“4.8” is used as a shorthand for a larger turbo/boost hardware configuration than the earlier “3.6.” The host then reports a big power increase after swapping to this “4.8,” implying it’s a turbo size step-up.

Term

rev limiter

"Like that thing was beating off 6,800 RPM. [540.4s] The rev limiter is 6,800 RPM and it was pounding that thing."

A rev limiter is a safety/engine-control limit that stops the engine from spinning past a certain RPM. The host is saying this build was hitting that limit hard.

Term

gate it off

"That's a lot of air. [563.8s] And then they gate it off."

It sounds like they’re limiting the engine’s airflow or power delivery after a certain point. That can help keep things under control or prevent damage while still making big power.

Term

3,000 horsepower

"How about if we just, how about if we put 3,000 horsepower with the air [572.0s] on it, maybe 3,200 and then see what happens?"

Horsepower is a way to measure how much power the engine can produce. “3,000 horsepower” means the engine is making an extremely large amount of power.

Term

stainless turbos

"Well, with 285 millimeter, like stainless turbos blown into a 4.1, [582.9s] it easily smacked 3K with, I mean, it was making like 3,000 foot pounds,"

This means the turbocharger is made with stainless steel parts. Stainless can handle heat better, which helps when you’re pushing the engine very hard.

Term

285 millimeter

"Well, with 285 millimeter, like stainless turbos blown into a 4.1, [582.9s] it easily smacked 3K with, I mean, it was making like 3,000 foot pounds,"

That “285 millimeter” number is a size measurement related to the turbocharger. Bigger turbo sizes can move more air, which helps the engine make more power.

Term

4.1

"Well, with 285 millimeter, like stainless turbos blown into a 4.1, [582.9s] it easily smacked 3K with, I mean, it was making like 3,000 foot pounds,"

“4.1” is the engine size—about 4.1 liters. A bigger displacement engine can generally move more air, which helps it make more power, especially with a turbo.

Term

3,000 foot pounds

"it easily smacked 3K with, I mean, it was making like 3,000 foot pounds, [588.8s] you know, torque and horsepower across at 5250."

Foot-pounds is how you measure torque, which is the twisting force the engine produces. More torque usually means stronger pull when you accelerate.

Term

torque and horsepower across at 5250

"you know, torque and horsepower across at 5250. [592.9s] And it was, it was legit."

They’re saying the engine makes strong power around 5,250 RPM. If power is strong across a range of RPMs, it tends to feel quicker and more usable.

Term

oil filler cap

"I haven't posted this video yet, but I walked out of the dining room [618.7s] and I grabbed the oil filler cap and it's still running."

The oil filler cap is where you add engine oil. If you take it off while the engine is running, you can sometimes tell whether the engine is venting too much pressure or vapor from inside the crankcase.

Term

crankcase vapor

"I took the oil filler cap off. [624.7s] There's no crankcase vapor. [626.6s] I set the oil cap back down and it was just sitting there, like not bouncing"

Crankcase vapor is gas that should stay inside the engine’s bottom end. If you see a lot of it, it can mean the engine isn’t sealing well and combustion gases are getting past the piston rings.

Term

motor is really tight

"I set the oil cap back down and it was just sitting there, like not bouncing [630.8s] around at all. That motor is really tight. [633.1s] So knock on wood, it's holding together really good."

“Tight” usually means the engine is sealing well inside. Less leakage past the pistons can mean fewer crankcase gases and a healthier-running engine.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...ng to learn how to master the wastegate with a 36 charger on it. Because even if I screw up, it's only make..."

The Dodge Charger is a car built for performance, meaning it’s designed to be fast and fun to drive. People often change parts to make more power, including parts that help control engine boost. That’s why it can show up in a conversation about tuning and getting boost control right.

Term

wide open throttle

"And now you're you're going to arm wrestle with me for seconds. Now wide open throttle and it's it's gut wrenching, man. Love it, though. It's super cool."

Wide open throttle means the accelerator is fully pressed. It forces the engine to work at its hardest, which is why people use it to test how the car performs under maximum load.

Term

super stock

"What's the ultimate goal with that engine? To run super stock reliably, competitively with common rail injectors in it, you know, it's going to take three pumps."

Super Stock is a racing class with specific rules about what the car can be modified to. The goal is to be fast, but also consistent enough to finish and compete reliably within those rules.

Term

common rail injectors

"To run super stock reliably, competitively with common rail injectors in it, you know, it's going to take three pumps. But, you know, I've talked to you before about rate trace."

Common rail injectors are how a diesel sprays fuel into the engine. They use a high-pressure fuel system to deliver fuel more precisely, which helps the engine make power reliably.

Term

three pumps

"To run super stock reliably, competitively with common rail injectors in it, you know, it's going to take three pumps. But, you know, I've talked to you before about rate trace."

“Three pumps” means the engine is using multiple fuel pumps to move and pressurize fuel. The idea is to make sure there’s enough fuel available when the engine is working hard.

Term

rate trace

"Yeah, like we've been looking at rate trace with that big fat crayon, [749.9s] like lots of smoothing to it, and it's kind of like clean looking. [753.6s] And we're tightening that up so we can see more detail"

A rate trace is a graph that shows how an injector sprays fuel over time. It helps you tell exactly when the injector starts and stops, not just the total amount of fuel.

Term

ball comes off the seat

"we're going to be able to see when the ball comes off the seat, [773.9s] when the ball lands back on the seat and it's going to look busier in the graph."

Inside many injectors there’s a valve that seals shut and then opens to let fuel through. When the valve lifts off its seal, spraying starts; when it closes again, spraying stops.

Term

top dead center

"And reality is the piston makes compression at top dead center. [813.4s] And as soon as that piston goes away from dwell time, you're losing impression."

Top dead center is the point where the piston is at its highest position in the cylinder. It matters because the engine’s compression happens around this part of the cycle.

Term

dwell time

"And reality is the piston makes compression at top dead center. [813.4s] And as soon as that piston goes away from dwell time, you're losing impression."

Dwell time is the “hold” period before the injector’s effective spray timing. If that timing is wrong, the engine doesn’t get the fuel when it needs it, so power drops.

Term

rate of injection

"Injection on time, injection off time, the rate of injection. We need to be the best in the business of that game."

Diesel engines spray fuel into the cylinder. The injection rate is how fast that fuel gets sprayed, and it strongly affects how well the engine burns the fuel and how much power it makes.

Term

injection off time

"Injection on time, injection off time, the rate of injection. We need to be the best in the business of that game."

Fuel injection has a start and a stop. Injection off time is when the engine tells the injector to stop spraying fuel, which changes how the engine burns and how hot it gets.

Term

exhaust gas temperatures

"So if we can manage exhaust gas temperatures, cylinder pressure and timing in that game, we don't have other challenges."

EGTs are how hot the engine’s exhaust gets. If they get too high, it can damage parts and it usually means the engine isn’t burning efficiently.

Term

timing

"So if we can manage exhaust gas temperatures, cylinder pressure and timing in that game, we don't have other challenges."

Timing is about when the engine injects fuel during the cycle. If it’s too early or too late, the engine can make less power and run hotter.

Term

cylinder pressure

"So if we can manage exhaust gas temperatures, cylinder pressure and timing in that game, we don't have other challenges."

Cylinder pressure is how much force is created inside the engine when fuel burns. Higher or poorly controlled pressure can mean the engine is working too hard or burning inefficiently.

Term

ECM

"man, I'm looking to spend a quarter million dollars between a motor and your injectors and all this other stuff, ECM and what have you, I want to be able to confidently steer them in the correct direction"

The ECM is the engine’s computer. It decides things like how much fuel to inject and when, based on sensor inputs.

Term

two wheel drive

"do you remember seeing my little two wheel drive 2005 short bed truck with the flag painted on the back of it?"

Two-wheel drive means the truck only powers one set of wheels. With big power, that can make it easier to lose traction compared to driving all four wheels.

Term

Cummins common rail

"So we're going to go after the world record for a Cummins common rail, whatever. Fuel only chassis dyno, that's going to be we're shooting for that."

“Common rail” is a modern way of feeding fuel to a diesel engine. It keeps fuel at high pressure in a shared “rail,” so the engine can inject it more precisely—often making it easier to tune for power or records.

Term

chassis dyno

"Fuel only chassis dyno, that's going to be we're shooting for that. Whatever that number is, we're going to try and make that record ours by the end of this summer"

A chassis dyno is a test setup where the car sits on rollers and the wheels are loaded. It helps measure how much power the car actually makes to the wheels while it’s under resistance.

Term

exhaust valves

"But when you're working on boost intake valves and exhaust valves to make that all happen, your engine's got to be perfect. Your combustion process has to be perfect."

Exhaust valves are the engine’s “exit doors” for burned gases. If you’re pushing boost hard, the exhaust side has to work well too, so the engine can breathe and stay stable.

Term

injector on time off time

"Your combustion process has to be perfect. Your injector on time off time has to be perfect."

This is about exactly when the fuel injector turns on and off. The timing controls how much fuel gets injected and how well it burns, which matters a lot when the engine is heavily boosted.

Term

methanol

"So I am now going to go after the world record boost only, you know, no, no nitrous, no propane, no other fuels, no methanol, just diesel for my fuel."

Methanol is a different fuel than gasoline or diesel. In performance setups it can be added to change how the engine burns, but the host is saying they’re not using it for this record.

Term

dynamite diesel injectors

"And a lot of them are running dynamite diesel injectors. And I thought like with that event coming up, you know, like what you're building there for this engine..."

Fuel injectors are the parts that spray fuel into the engine so it can burn. In a diesel, they’re especially important for power and smooth running, and the host is talking about a specific injector brand that racers use.

Term

fuel injectors

"it’s got to be cool to see a lot of these guys are trusting their fuel injectors to dynamite diesel."

Fuel injectors decide how much fuel the engine gets and how well it sprays. Better injector setups can help a diesel make more power and burn fuel more cleanly.

Topic

Fast 72

"Now that UCC is going to split the weekend with the Fast 72 thing, like that is going to be an extremely tight event because now competitors only get two hits to go drag racing..."

Fast 72 is described as a drag-racing event format where competitors get a limited number of “hits” (runs) and then the schedule shifts to additional track time. The host is using it to explain how tight the weekend becomes when it’s split with another event.

Topic

UCC

"Now that UCC is going to split the weekend with the Fast 72 thing, like that is going to be an extremely tight event..."

UCC is the name of a racing event in the diesel-truck world. The host is saying it’s sharing a weekend with another event, which makes the schedule tighter for racers.

Term

two hits

"because now competitors only get two hits to go drag racing and then they've got to get ready for the next day..."

A “hit” here means one race run down the track. If you only get two, you have less time to fix problems, so the truck has to be dialed in quickly.

Concept

drag race truck

"It's never, it's going to be a drag race truck all the way from now on. So it's just beautiful. It's turning out really nice."

A drag race truck is a truck built to go fast in a straight line for short races. The goal is quick acceleration, often with changes that help it hook up and launch.

Concept

dyno guys

"So it's from drag racers to dyno guys to truck pull guys. Like this has been my passion for 26 years."

“Dyno guys” are people who use a dyno, which is a machine that measures how much power and torque a vehicle makes. It’s a way to test and tune cars or trucks more precisely than just driving them.

Concept

truck pull guys

"So it's from drag racers to dyno guys to truck pull guys. Like this has been my passion for 26 years."

Truck pulling is a competition where a truck drags a heavy sled and tries to go as far as possible. The people who are “truck pull guys” focus on making the truck put power to the ground and keep pulling.

Car

Ford Excursion

"Like this has been my passion for 26 years. Like this is, you know, I've taken my children to these events when they were three and four and five in a Ford excursion and then truck pulled with"

The Ford Excursion is a big SUV built like a truck. It’s the kind of vehicle that can handle towing and long trips, and the host is saying they used one to bring their kids to events.

Term

90 horsepower nozzles

"like seeing dynamite diesel, like 90 horsepower nozzles for 67 power strokes [1383.6s] and like, or for 67 Cummins and one of my friends got them."

Diesel engines use fuel injectors to spray fuel into the engine. “Nozzles” are the injector tips, and “90 horsepower nozzles” is a tuning term meaning a nozzle upgrade that’s marketed to make more power.

Term

diesel injector products

"You're going to buy more dynamite diesel injector products. So I make money off of that."

A diesel injector is a part that sprays fuel into the engine. The “products” part means they sell injector replacements or upgrades for diesel engines.

Concept

behind the scenes

"Do you think that's a major, like how, how things have changed over the years or people, by people, I mean like dealers and shops in this case. They want to see more behind the scenes."

They’re talking about showing what’s really going on inside the business—how the product is handled and supported. For shops and dealers, that builds trust that problems will be handled quickly.

Term

code

"But if you buy six injectors and one of them last three months and he's got a code, he's like, it keeps her on a code. It runs, but it's just keeps her on this, go get a new injector."

A “code” is an error message the car’s computer saves when it finds a problem. If the code keeps coming back, it usually means the fix didn’t fully solve the issue.

Company

DFC diesel

"Maybe my truck's not stock or I tow heavy with it. [2477.8s] I don't want to go back with just a stock engine. [2479.8s] DFC diesel is a sponsor of the podcast."

DFC Diesel is the company sponsoring this episode. They’re presented as a source for rebuilt diesel engines and technical help.

Brand

Duramax

"They have a complete lineup of Cummins, Duramax and Powerstroke remanufactured [2491.3s] engines that are set to a standard of ISO 9001 2015 standards, which is a huge"

Duramax is GM’s diesel engine line for trucks. If you’re looking at a remanufactured Duramax, you’re talking about rebuilding that specific GM diesel engine.

Term

remanufactured engines

"They have a complete lineup of Cummins, Duramax and Powerstroke remanufactured [2491.3s] engines that are set to a standard of ISO 9001 2015 standards, which is a huge"

Remanufactured engines are rebuilt using a mix of reused and replaced components to restore the engine to a specified standard. Compared with a used engine, remanufacturing typically includes controlled machining, part replacement, and testing to reduce the chance of repeating the original failure.

Brand

Powerstroke

"They have a complete lineup of Cummins, Duramax and Powerstroke remanufactured [2491.3s] engines that are set to a standard of ISO 9001 2015 standards, which is a huge"

Powerstroke is Ford’s diesel engine line for trucks. A remanufactured Powerstroke means that Ford diesel engine has been rebuilt and tested for reuse.

Term

ISO 9001 2015

"engines that are set to a standard of ISO 9001 2015 standards, which is a huge [2496.8s] deal in the aftermarket and there's certain levels of quality testing"

ISO 9001 is a quality standard that companies follow to make sure their processes are consistent. If an engine shop is ISO 9001 certified, it generally means they have structured procedures to build and test engines the same way every time.

Concept

quality testing validation

"standards, which is a huge [2496.8s] deal in the aftermarket and there's certain levels of quality testing [2500.2s] validation that are required for that."

They’re talking about testing and proof that the rebuilt engine meets the right standards. The goal is to make sure it works correctly and doesn’t fail again soon.

Term

warranty

"So, you know, when you get one of those engines, the type of quality that's built [2505.4s] behind it with an industry leading warranty that's really comprehensive."

A warranty is the promise that if something goes wrong, the company will cover repairs or replacement. Here, they’re saying the reman engine comes with strong coverage, so you’re not stuck paying for another failure.

Term

OEM engine

"sometimes the options [2514.3s] out there, it's just, it's a basic OEM engine. [2516.7s] You want a little bit more."

An OEM engine is the same type of engine the truck originally came with from the factory. The host is saying sometimes people want something beyond the basic factory-spec engine, especially if their truck is modified or used heavily.

Term

speed of air series

"So there's a bunch of different series of engines that they have from core street tow hull and also the speed of air series, which we've covered on the podcast before, there's a lot of really cool benefits to it."

They’re talking about a specific engine setup/line called “speed of air.” The idea is that it helps the engine move air more efficiently, which can help it make power and run better.

Brand

speed of air pistons

"Also, they're working with speed of air pistons, which it's the only piston that pays for itself and there's a lot of really cool technology behind it."

They mention “speed of air pistons,” which are a particular brand/style of piston used inside the engine. Pistons are the parts that move up and down to compress the fuel-air mix and make power.

Term

lack of lubricity

"And the main reason that we have these issues is a lack of lubricity."

Lubricity is how well diesel fuel can “lubricate” the moving parts inside the fuel system. If the fuel doesn’t lubricate enough, those parts wear out faster and can cause costly breakdowns.

Brand

hotshot secrets

"Our friends over at hotshot secrets have developed a formula that boosts"

Hot Shot’s Secrets is a brand that makes diesel fuel additives. They’re saying their product helps diesel fuel lubricate better so the fuel system parts don’t wear out as quickly.

Term

fuel systems

"California for turbos and fuel systems. But we kind of run into this issue with injectors."

Your fuel system is everything that gets fuel from the tank to the engine. If it’s not working right, the engine can run poorly and can even damage other parts.

Term

EO number

"like our six liter injectors that have that carb testing or that EO number, something that you really looking into now you may look into in the future..."

An EO number is basically a code that identifies the exact version/spec of an injector. It helps make sure you’re working with the right matching part.

Brand

Siemens

"And the six liter injector originally came from Siemens. The nozzle was pretty dang good."

Siemens is the company that originally made these injectors. Different injector designs from different makers can fail in different ways and may be easier or harder to rebuild.

Term

delaminates

"But inside where the needle valve meets the seat, the seat of the injector nozzle delaminates. Now I've got a grinder and I could regrind that."

Delaminates means the surface layers start peeling apart. On an injector, that can ruin the seal and make the injector spray and leak incorrectly.

Term

regrind

"nozzle delaminates. Now I've got a grinder and I could regrind that."

Regrinding means grinding the damaged surface back to the right shape. The idea is to restore a good seal so the injector can work properly again.

Term

case hardened

"The problem is when it delaminates, it's because the, it's case hardened. And the hard part flaked off, like chrome would flake away."

Case hardening is a way to make the outside layer of a metal part super hard, while the inside stays tougher. The problem described here is that the hard outer layer can start peeling/flaking off, which makes the part wear out quickly.

Term

rock well

"Like that used to rock well at 55, 57. And now you're grinding into something that's going to rock well around 18 to 25."

Rockwell is a lab test that measures how hard a metal is. The host is saying the part needs to be very hard (around 55–57 on the Rockwell scale), but after the hard layer flakes off it drops to something much softer (about 18–25), so it wears out.

Term

needle valve

"So the needle valve is going to pound its way into the injector nozzle. And the other, there's a bunch of like Italian stuff that's coming."

A needle valve is the tiny moving valve inside a diesel injector that controls when fuel is allowed to spray. If the metal surfaces aren’t hard enough, the needle can hammer and wear them down over time.

Term

injector nozzle

"So the needle valve is going to pound its way into the injector nozzle. And the other, there's a bunch of like Italian stuff that's coming."

The injector nozzle is the part at the end of the diesel injector that sprays fuel into the engine. If it gets worn or damaged, the injector can’t spray correctly, and rebuilds may fail sooner than expected.

Term

six liter injectors

"And now I'm making nozzles for a lot of guys that build six liter injectors. And we're probably going to have them on our website as well, because if a guy"

“Six liter injectors” means injector parts meant for a diesel engine with about a 6.0-liter size. The host is saying they make nozzle parts that other shops can install into those injectors.

Term

carb testing

"And as long as we make stock flow rate stuff, then we can apply to get the carb testing for that or the EO testing for that."

CARB testing is emissions testing required for parts sold in California. The host is saying they can go through that process if their replacement parts match the original fuel delivery closely enough.

Term

stock flow

"And as long as we make stock flow rate stuff, then we can apply to get the carb testing for that or the EO testing for that."

“Stock flow” means the fuel injector delivers the same amount of fuel as the original factory setup. The host is saying they can get the required approvals/testing if the replacement parts behave exactly like the originals.

Term

EO testing

"then we can apply to get the carb testing for that or the EO testing for that. And that's a very easy process as long as it's exactly stock flow."

EO testing is emissions approval testing so aftermarket parts can be legally sold/used. The host is saying it’s easier when the parts deliver fuel like the original equipment.

Car

Dodge trucks

"And that that goes along with all the old trucks, dude. Like, yeah, the old Dodge trucks, like we're still burning up approximately 4,000 nozzles every 90 days for them old trucks..."

They’re talking about older Dodge diesel trucks that are still working a lot. The point is that these trucks can need frequent maintenance on fuel-related parts. That’s why the speaker doesn’t think they’re “set it and forget it” reliable.

Term

DPF

"You can't call any truck with a DPF reliable. Like I've got multiples here. ... So how do you call anything with a DPF reliable?"

DPF means a diesel particulate filter. It’s a part on many diesel trucks that catches the smoky soot in the exhaust. If it gets clogged, the truck may warn you and limit power to protect the engine and emissions system.

Car

Ram 3500

"I've got my Ram 2400 or my 24 3500 Ram. That thing lives with the check engine light on."

They’re talking about a Ram 3500 they have. They say it constantly has the check-engine light on, meaning it’s not staying problem-free. That’s their argument against calling these trucks truly reliable.

Term

limp mode

"Like they're safe ish, you know, as long as it don't do the lit mode."

Limp mode is when the truck limits power to keep things from breaking. It usually happens after the computer detects a problem, often related to emissions parts. The truck still runs, but it won’t feel as strong until the issue is fixed.

Term

VP 44

"But the old VP 44 is the old seven threes, the old six O's. The old common rail five nines, the old, you know, LBC seven, LLY, LBZ, Duramax's, those are reliable."

VP44 is the name of an older diesel fuel-injection pump system used on some Duramax engines. The host is contrasting it with newer setups and saying the older VP44-era trucks were generally more dependable.

Term

tuner

"That's what we would wait for the companies to come out with a tuner or injectors or a turbo. It was always the newest model, but then it really switched with the DPF trucks."

A tuner is an aftermarket tool that changes how the engine computer runs the diesel. In this context, it’s something people hoped companies would release for the newest truck models.

Car

Ford F450

"So, you know, I just recently bought back my old 2012 F450 and we've, we've actually got a part coming for that."

A 2012 Ford F-450 is a big, heavy-duty truck. People buy it when they need something that can tow a lot and handle tough use, and the host says they’re adding a part to make it work better.

Term

mass produced

"We're having those mass produced right now. That part's going to be wicked."

“Mass produced” means the part is being manufactured in large quantities using repeatable processes rather than being one-off custom work. For automotive parts, that usually implies more consistent fitment and quality control compared with small-batch fabrication.

Term

truck bed camper

"I've got this like host cascade, you know, truck bed camper. And I'm basically going to say, okay, I'm picking like this state and I'm going to drive around all the four garages..."

A truck bed camper is a camping unit that sits in the back of a pickup truck. It lets you sleep and travel with the truck, but it also adds weight that can change how the truck feels when driving.

Term

side by side

"And if I'm going somewhere mountainous or whatever, then I'm going to take my side by side."

A side-by-side is an off-road vehicle you drive like a small car, usually for trails and rough areas. The host is saying they’ll use it for mountainous trips instead of relying only on the truck.

Term

6.7 liter

"But it's going to be a cool part and it makes the 6.7 liter truck quite a bit more reliable."

“6.7 liter” is the size of the engine. Bigger engines often make it easier to pull heavy loads, and the host is saying the part they’re adding will make that truck run more reliably.

Term

test stands

"I've told you now several times that I've ordered new test stands, stands. They showed up in their crap. So we're gutting one of them."

A “test stand” is specialized equipment used to run and measure components under controlled conditions. In this segment, the host is talking about benches that are intended to generate accurate data, but currently don’t measure accurately enough to trust.

Term

billet

"like I really want somebody to build a super badass, you know, like billet Duramax thing that can take that kind of abuse"

Billet means the part is made by cutting it out of a solid piece of metal. For high-power engines, that can make parts stronger so they survive harder driving.

Term

eight injectors

"like billet Duramax thing that can take that kind of abuse because they got eight injectors, not just six."

Saying “eight injectors” is shorthand for a diesel engine configuration that uses more injector events per cycle than a six-injector setup. More injectors can help support higher fuel delivery and finer control, which matters when chasing very high horsepower.

Term

idle

"I have this much time at idle, but I have this much time at wide open throttle to make that all happen correctly."

Here, “idle” means the engine is running at low power with minimal fuel being injected. The host is comparing how much time the engine has to manage injection at idle versus full power.

Term

common rail bench

"Um, you can measure rate shape in a common rail bench pretty easily."

A “common rail bench” is a lab test rig for diesel fuel systems. It lets you test how an injector performs and measure things like spray timing and fuel delivery without driving the truck.

Term

injector bodies

"So what we have to do is think about our injector bodies. Now years ago, I took my ISB bodies, the ISB 24 valve and body, you know, it's got a connector tube and it goes into the side of the injector"

On a diesel, the injector body is the part that channels fuel inside the injector before it reaches the tip. Changing its internal shape can change how much fuel it can deliver and how effectively it sprays.

Term

1.6 millimeter passage

"Well, then we, the Bosch body has a 1.6 millimeter, uh, passage that goes down and feeds the nozzle through the body."

That “passage” is the internal fuel channel inside the injector. A bigger passage can let more fuel through, which is why changing the millimeter size affects how much fuel the injector can deliver.

Brand

Bosch body

"Well, then we, the Bosch body has a 1.6 millimeter, uh, passage that goes down and feeds the nozzle through the body."

Bosch is a company that makes injector parts. Here the host is talking about a Bosch injector body design and how its internal fuel passages affect how much fuel it can feed to the nozzle.

Term

1.9

"Well, I was like, well, I'll make a 1.9. That's a big, you know, big volume jump."

“1.9” is a measurement the host is using to describe a bigger internal fuel passage. Making that passage larger can help the injector deliver more fuel.

Term

pop tester

"Well, then you put on the pop tester, we could, we could actually hit the nozzle harder and you can tell on the pop tester."

A pop tester is a device that checks how an injector behaves on the bench, like when it opens and how forcefully it does it. It helps you see if an injector setup is working correctly before installing it.

Term

dual feed

"So here's the new drawing, make these bodies. That needs to be 125 thousandths going into a dual feed. And now I've got a 1.6 and a 1.9 hole heading down to lift the needle valve off the seat."

“Dual feed” means the injector gets fuel through two supply paths instead of one. That can help the injector deliver fuel more consistently.

Term

edge filters

"So on a small nozzle, that works for efficiency. But if you put a big nozzle on it, it's going to flow a lot more fuel. So it's going to be less efficient. Um, the edge filters in the 94 to 98, we've been monkeying around with different style edge filters for the 94 and 98."

Edge filters are fuel filters that catch dirt before it can clog or damage the injector. Different filter designs can change how well fuel flows while still filtering contaminants.

Term

open hole

"So those are just an open hole. So we've been working on mechanical bodies to get those, what I would call perfected."

An “open hole” means there’s no filter restriction in that part of the fuel path. That can make flow easier, but it also means there’s less built-in protection against dirt.

Term

mechanical bodies

"So we've been working on mechanical bodies to get those, what I would call perfected. Um, we've also got three different sack volumes available for all the old mechanical trucks."

In a diesel injection system, the “body” is the main housing/part that contains the moving or metering surfaces. The host is saying they’ve been improving that part so the fuel flows and meters more correctly.

Term

sack volumes

"Um, we've also got three different sack volumes available for all the old mechanical trucks. So like a five by 95 by 10, five by 11 is going to go in a really small sack..."

A “sack” here is a small chamber inside the injector that holds fuel right before it’s sprayed. Different sack volumes can change how the fuel sprays, which can affect smoothness and efficiency.

Term

gas mileage

"And he was like, Hey, I want this thing to get the best gas mileage possible. And I'm like, okay, cool."

“Gas mileage” just means how far the truck can go on a given amount of fuel. When people tune a diesel, they often want better mileage, not just more power.

Term

camshaft

"So we put a camshaft in his truck and I'd done that cam before and it always made people happy."

The camshaft is the engine part that times the opening of the valves. Changing it can change how the engine breathes and can make the truck run better or more efficiently.

Brand

Toyo mud terrains

"I walked outside and I was like, well, when did you buy the brand new Toyo mud terrains?"

Toyo makes tires. “Mud terrain” tires have chunky tread for off-road use, and they often make the truck use more fuel on the road.

Brand

BF Goodrich

"I'm like, those tires probably weigh 30 pounds more per tire than the BF Goodrich all terrains that you had that were, you know, damn near worn out."

BF Goodrich (BFG) is a tire brand. The point here is that the tires you choose can affect how much fuel your truck uses.

Term

reciprocating mass

"I'm like, dude, how it's reciprocating mass. How, yes, I'm confident."

Reciprocating mass means the engine parts that move back and forth inside the motor. If that “moving around” costs more energy, the engine can end up using more fuel.

Term

lift your truck

"And I'm like, yeah, there you go. You know, like, so when you lift your truck, when you put some big bullguard bumper on there, when you put, you know, like I've got fusion bumpers on my stuff, I add the weight of a winch and the weight of a bumper"

When you lift a truck, you raise it up. That usually means bigger tires and more drag/rolling resistance, which can make the truck use more fuel.

Car

Ford Fusion

"...r on there, when you put, you know, like I've got fusion bumpers on my stuff, I add the weight of a winch ..."

The Ford Fusion is a regular passenger car (a mid-size sedan) made for everyday use. In your quote, it sounds like the discussion is about using Fusion parts—like bumpers—and adding equipment such as a winch. Adding a winch can change how heavy the front of the car is and how the setup needs to be handled.

Term

winch

"I add the weight of a winch and the weight of a bumper compared to like the factory bumper that weighed like 19 ounces."

A winch is a powered tool with a cable that can pull a vehicle out of trouble. It’s heavy, and that extra weight can make the truck less efficient.

Term

injectory efficiency

"I'm not going to fix what you've already screwed up with my injectory efficiency, but, you know, I think most of our recipes, we've tried to make sure, you know, they don't smoke unneeded, like, unless you buy"

Diesel injectors spray fuel into the engine. If they don’t spray or time it well, the engine doesn’t burn fuel as efficiently, which can hurt mileage and cause extra smoke.

Car

Lucid Air

"...trying to make whatever horsepower that we had to air for. And I drove that truck and I was like, Oh, t..."

The Lucid Air is an electric car, meaning it runs on electricity instead of gasoline. Because it uses electric motors, it can deliver strong acceleration when you press the pedal. That’s why it may come up when someone is talking about how much horsepower they’re trying to achieve.

Term

throttle response

"I drove that truck and I was like, Oh, this thing is disgusting. And it didn't want to rev up. It had no throttle response."

Throttle response is how fast the truck feels like it’s reacting when you step on the gas. If it feels slow or lazy, something in the fuel or engine control isn’t working right.

Term

smoke

"It had no throttle response. It just kind of wanted to be lazy and smoke."

Smoke from a diesel usually means the fuel isn’t burning as cleanly as it should. It can happen when the engine is getting the wrong fuel/air balance.

Term

bigger injectors

"So I called him, I said, Hey man, like they're free. Like if you need to go faster, I am willing to put bigger injectors in this thing."

Bigger injectors can spray more fuel into the engine, which can make more power. But if the engine can’t burn that extra fuel cleanly, it may smoke or run poorly.

Term

edge comp box

"But right now with your edge comp box, this thing still makes like 400 horsepower."

An Edge Comp Box is a plug-in tuning device for a diesel that changes how the engine runs. It can make the truck feel stronger, but it also depends on the engine’s condition (like injector health).

Term

pyro

"He's like, I don't need a pyro anymore. Like this thing doesn't get hot."

“Pyro” is shorthand for an exhaust temperature gauge. It helps you make sure the engine isn’t getting too hot in the exhaust while you’re driving or tuning.

Term

seven primaries plus two pilots

"And the best part about that truck is we now put seven primaries plus two pilots. And those things, it was eerie how quiet that truck operated."

This is about how the engine injects fuel in stages. More “pilot” and “primary” injections can make the diesel burn smoother and help keep exhaust temperatures under control.

Term

fuel economy

"Yeah, it's I think a lot of times we can lose sight of all the different parts of a truck that go into fuel economy."

Fuel economy means how far the truck can go on a given amount of fuel. If something changes—like tires or how the engine is running—it can make the truck use more or less fuel.

Term

ride height

"And it's like you said, like, well, about your tires, what about the ride height? What about the bumpers?"

Ride height is how high the truck is from the ground. Changing it can affect airflow under the truck and how the tires roll, which can change fuel usage.

Term

bolt them on

"they're buying $17 nozzles and they're bolt them on used bodies and it's cheap."

The phrase “bolt them on” means swapping parts quickly without careful setup. With diesel injectors, the details matter—if parts aren’t matched or set up right, you may not get the fuel-savings you expect.

Term

stock set of injectors

"But if you've got a stock set of injectors in it, like, am I going to be better? I'm going to have more power every single time."

“Stock” means the factory parts that were originally installed. Here, they’re talking about whether keeping the factory injectors limits performance compared to using a different injector set. Even if upgrades can help, results can vary.

6 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars