Kory Willis Tells All! What's The Diesel Industry's Future?!

No annotation.

The “emissions conversation” in diesel performance usually refers to how diesel engines meet environmental regulations while still delivering power. It often includes topics like emissions control systems, compliance strategies, and how aftermarket tuning interacts with those systems.

PPI Tuning is an aftermarket diesel tuning company. In diesel circles, “tuning” usually means calibrating the engine’s control modules (often via custom software) to improve performance and drivability while staying within safe operating limits.

The “Biden administration” is referenced as the policy environment under which the speaker says enforcement and regulation affected the diesel aftermarket. For listeners, this matters because emissions rules and enforcement priorities can directly impact what modifications are legal and how aggressively they’re targeted.

The aftermarket performance industry is the ecosystem of companies and shops that modify vehicles after they’re sold—often to improve power, handling, or appearance. In diesel circles, it commonly includes tuning, exhaust, and other hardware changes aimed at increasing performance.

“Removing emissions” refers to deleting or disabling emissions-control equipment on diesel trucks, typically to reduce restrictions and sometimes to avoid emissions-related limits. This is often tied to illegal or heavily regulated practices, which is why it can lead to enforcement actions.

A civil penalty is typically a fine or enforcement action without criminal charges, while criminal convictions involve prosecution and potential jail or criminal records. The speaker is describing how enforcement shifted from mostly civil outcomes to more serious criminal consequences for certain modifications.

The hosts are referring to a long-running struggle around how vehicles and emissions-related products are tested and regulated. In diesel performance circles, these processes can determine whether a product can be sold or used legally, and delays can stall development and sales.

The Morgan Plus Six is a modern sports car from Morgan, built for driving feel and classic-style road presence, typically powered by a turbocharged engine. It’s significant in a podcast context because it can be discussed around emissions compliance and testing requirements, especially when there are long-running regulatory or paperwork issues. That “emissions testing saga” reference suggests the Plus Six is part of a specific consent-decree or compliance story.

A consent decree is a legal agreement between a government agency and a party (often reached after a lawsuit) that sets specific obligations and timelines. In the automotive/emissions context, it can dictate what must be fixed, how compliance is proven, and when enforcement actions are avoided.

The speaker describes taking legal action against the government to resolve regulatory or compliance issues tied to emissions testing and the consent decree. This highlights how diesel-related products can be affected by enforcement timelines and shifting policy interpretations.

California has its own emissions and vehicle-related product approval framework, which can be stricter than federal rules. If a product isn’t approved by California, companies may be unable to legally sell it in that state—even if it’s available elsewhere.

The speaker suggests that California’s emissions-related policies changed during the approval/testing process, creating inconsistency and delays. For diesel performance products, policy shifts can affect what documentation is required, what compliance standard is applied, and whether approvals remain valid.

This segment highlights the tension between emissions regulations and aftermarket tuning. Even if the tune is the same, regulators may require separate approvals for different configurations (like tire sizes), which can force tuners to sell multiple hardware/software variants to stay compliant.

An EO (Executive Order) is CARB’s formal approval for certain emissions-related products, including some engine tuning components. The speaker is describing how their consent decree required them to obtain an EO, and how that approval determines where the tuning can be sold/used.

CARB (California Air Resources Board) is the agency that regulates emissions in California. In this segment, the speaker discusses how CARB’s policies and requirements—like needing an EO (Executive Order)—affect whether and how tuning products can be sold and used legally.

EFI Live is an aftermarket engine tuning platform used to modify vehicle calibration and controls. Here, the speaker references selling an EFI Live device and then needing additional hardware approvals when the customer changes tire size.

AutoCal is a brand name for an aftermarket tuning/programming device used to update a vehicle’s calibration. In diesel performance circles, it’s commonly paired with tuning files to change parameters like fueling and shift behavior.

An EFI device is an aftermarket electronic interface used to communicate with and modify engine control settings. In tuning workflows, it can be required to apply specific calibration changes, such as tire-size updates or performance tunes.

A tire size update recalibrates the vehicle’s speedometer/odometer and related calculations to match the actual tire diameter. Without it, the car can report incorrect speed and can affect traction-control or drivetrain logic that depends on wheel speed.

Cummins refers to the Cummins diesel engine family used in many Ram (and some other) trucks. The speaker contrasts Cummins-related tuning approvals with Duramax, highlighting that emissions/calibration rules can be different across engine platforms.

A tune is an aftermarket calibration change to the engine/ECU that can alter fueling, boost, throttle response, and sometimes transmission behavior. In this segment, the speaker is discussing selling a Duramax tune that’s compliant/approved for a specific state using existing hardware.

The speaker is describing a common aftermarket tuning business model where tune access is tied to specific hardware. This can limit how customers receive updates (for example, needing an in-person or device-based update rather than emailing files), which affects pricing and convenience.

A “tune file” is the actual data package containing the calibration changes that the tuning device loads into the engine control unit. The transcript highlights that some hardware/software setups require updating or transferring these files rather than sending a simple standalone product.

“Duramax” is the common name for General Motors’ diesel engine family used in Chevrolet and GMC trucks. In this context, “Duramax guy” means owners of those GM diesel trucks who use tuning tools like EFI Live.

“Tire adjustment” refers to updating the vehicle’s calibration so the speedometer/traction-related calculations match the actual tire size. Many tuning systems require this because changing tire diameter can otherwise cause incorrect speed readings and related control behavior.

A tuning company specializes in calibrating a vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) to change performance characteristics like power delivery, torque, and drivability. In diesel circles, tuning often intersects with emissions equipment and regulatory compliance, which is why government agencies may be involved.

“SVA side” appears to refer to a specific government office or program within the administration that’s relevant to vehicle policy or emissions enforcement. The speaker implies they’re coordinating with that group alongside EPA and other federal stakeholders.

The White House is the executive branch leadership in the U.S., and its involvement in policy discussions typically signals that the issue is high priority. Here, it’s mentioned alongside EPA, Congress, and senators, suggesting diesel emissions/tuning policy is being coordinated at a high level.

A “diesel freedom coalition” refers to a coordinated group advocating for diesel owners and the aftermarket—often focused on maintaining or expanding access to tuning and emissions-related options. In the context of the episode, it’s presented as a team working with government stakeholders to resolve regulatory issues.

“Emission systems” are the factory hardware and controls that reduce pollutants from a diesel engine, such as exhaust aftertreatment and sensors. They’re designed to meet regulations, but they can be complex and expensive to diagnose or repair when they malfunction.

This is a discussion about how regulatory frameworks and administrative processes evolve over time and can become inconsistent or burdensome. For diesel owners and builders, that can translate into shifting compliance targets, paperwork, and enforcement timelines rather than straightforward technical fixes.

The host is pushing back on the idea that emissions can be solved instantly. In reality, emissions compliance depends on calibration, hardware behavior, durability requirements, and how the whole system responds over time—so changes usually require engineering updates and regulatory processes.

“Emissions removal” refers to deleting or disabling emissions-control hardware (like aftertreatment systems) to reduce exhaust restrictions or avoid emissions-related issues. It’s often discussed in the diesel world because it can change drivability and compliance, but it can also create legal and environmental problems.

“Exhaust” parts coming from overseas is tied to the aftertreatment system, which includes components designed to reduce soot and NOx before gases leave the tailpipe. When aftermarket parts are used in these locations, fitment, durability, and emissions performance can be affected.

The speaker is raising a supply-chain concern: aftermarket components sourced from China may introduce variability in quality, materials, and long-term durability. In diesel performance and emissions-related contexts, that can translate into reliability issues and inconsistent performance.

Emissions enforcement is how regulators require vehicles and engines to meet pollution limits, usually through testing and compliance rules. In diesel discussions, it often centers on how manufacturers and fleets respond with hardware changes, software calibration, and documentation.

The “national compliance initiative” refers to a period of intensified federal oversight and enforcement aimed at diesel emissions compliance. In the transcript, it’s tied to a specific timeframe (2019–2023) and described as having major industry impact.

“Diesel companies” here likely refers to manufacturers, importers, or engine/vehicle businesses selling diesel products into the U.S. market. The transcript claims a large share of them were affected by enforcement, which is important context for how broad the compliance ripple effects can be.

“Delete” in diesel culture usually means removing or disabling emissions-control components (often for performance or cost reasons). Calling it a “crisis” suggests enforcement and compliance pressure can drive more illegal or risky behavior, and it can also expand as products move across borders.

“Emissions thresholds” are the maximum allowable pollution levels (like NOx, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter) that vehicles must meet to be legal. When thresholds get tighter, manufacturers may need major changes to engines, fueling, and aftertreatment systems to comply.

The speaker references “code” in the context of trucks derating, which implies an emissions-related diagnostic trouble code (DTC). These codes can trigger protective power limits and require correct repairs to restore normal operation.

“Derated” means the engine’s power is intentionally limited by the vehicle’s control system. In diesel trucks this often happens when the emissions system needs protection or when a fault is detected, reducing torque to prevent damage.

A reductant tank heater warms the diesel exhaust fluid (often called DEF/AdBlue) stored in the reductant tank. Heating helps ensure the fluid stays usable in cold weather so the emissions system can dose it correctly.

“Protocols” here suggests required procedures—likely emissions-system service steps, warranty/repair workflows, or compliance-related rules. The speaker implies following them would have been financially harmful to their business.

“Stock system” refers to the factory configuration—factory emissions equipment and factory calibration. When they say they made the most power on the stock system and passed emissions, they’re emphasizing that their approach maintained emissions compliance without needing to fully replace hardware.

“Passing emissions” means the vehicle met the required exhaust/evap emissions limits during a formal test. In diesel performance circles, this is often the hardest hurdle because tuning for power can change fueling and exhaust behavior, so companies validate results both before and after modifications.

SEMA Garage is a testing facility associated with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), commonly used for vehicle evaluation and emissions-related testing. The speaker is describing a workflow where they test at their own facility first, then go to SEMA Garage for additional verification.

“Certs” here likely means emissions-related certification documents or approvals tied to passing emissions requirements. The speaker’s frustration indicates that passing tailpipe testing didn’t translate into receiving the expected certification.

Tailpipe testing measures what a vehicle actually emits from the exhaust. It’s used to confirm whether emissions-control systems are working and whether the vehicle meets the applicable standards.

PTL is referenced as a private emissions-testing lab that the speaker believes represents the future of emissions verification. The context suggests the industry may rely more on specialized labs rather than only traditional channels.

“2012 standards” refers to a regulatory emissions benchmark that vehicles must meet. The speaker is arguing that modern diesel trucks can comply with these older limits, which would affect what future standards should look like.

“Federal requirements” here refers to U.S. regulatory standards that diesel equipment and emissions-related hardware/software must comply with. The key point is that the testing and documentation are meant to show compliance with those rules.

“Good faith reasonable testing” describes an approach where a company performs testing that is appropriate and defensible to demonstrate compliance with regulations. In practice, it means doing enough real-world or standardized testing to support claims, rather than relying on assumptions.

FTP 75 refers to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Federal Test Procedure” used to measure emissions and fuel economy under standardized driving cycles. When someone says a vehicle or calibration must meet FTP 75 store/all the records, they’re talking about passing those official test results so the data can be shown if questioned later.

“Exhaust manufacturer” here likely refers to companies producing exhaust-related components (such as emissions hardware, exhaust systems, or related parts) used in diesel applications. The speaker’s point is that there’s been a shift in who supplies these components, which can change fitment, durability, and emissions behavior. It’s relevant because exhaust hardware quality can strongly affect long-term reliability.

EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It routes a portion of exhaust gas back into the engine to reduce combustion temperatures and lower NOx emissions. Diesel tuners and manufacturers often adjust EGR behavior because it can affect drivability, soot, and emissions compliance.

The speaker is describing a lack of transparency in the diesel parts/software ecosystem—who actually manufactures components and who calibrates/tunes them for specific applications. In practice, this matters because quality and performance can vary widely when supply chains and calibrations aren’t clearly documented. It also affects troubleshooting and warranty/legality considerations.

The speaker references how diesel tuning products are marketed and discovered through social platforms and algorithms, including paid ads and community groups. This highlights how buyers can be exposed to many vendors with uneven reputations, making it harder to verify quality and technical claims. For enthusiasts, it underscores the value of vetting vendors and asking for documentation.

The hosts are describing a common diesel-performance failure mode: budget or mismatched aftermarket tunes and parts can lead to “secondary” mechanical issues after initial drivability problems. This often happens when fueling/boost targets exceed what the supporting hardware, cooling, and engine condition can safely handle.

A “tune library” refers to pre-made ECU calibration files sold as a package, often intended for specific engine/vehicle combinations. The risk is that a generic or poorly matched file may not account for the truck’s exact hardware, emissions equipment, or mechanical condition.

The segment highlights the practice of purchasing inexpensive tunes from overseas sources. From an ownership standpoint, low-cost tunes can be less tested, may not be properly calibrated for the specific engine hardware, and can increase the chance of drivability issues or component stress.

The host is describing a problem where aftermarket diesel tunes are being mislabeled or marketed under names that don’t match the actual origin or quality. This matters because tune authorship and calibration intent affect compatibility, safety, and performance outcomes.

“Motor Ops” appears to be a brand or label used for diesel tuning products. In the context of the discussion, the host is criticizing tunes being marketed under certain names even when they may not be from the intended source.

The speaker claims the diesel tuning industry is regressing to an earlier era (around 2006–2007) in terms of tuning quality. That implies a shift in standards, customer expectations, or product consistency—often tied to changes in regulations, emissions equipment, and the availability of reputable calibrators.

“Pro mod” is a top-tier drag racing class where cars are heavily modified for maximum performance. The comparison here suggests that while extreme race platforms see rapid development, street-oriented diesel trucks haven’t seen the same pace of new systems.

Turbochargers force more air into the engine, allowing more fuel to be burned efficiently for higher power—especially on diesels. In performance builds, turbo choice and boost control strongly influence spool time, heat management, and overall reliability.

“Calibrated power” refers to power output that’s achieved through tuning and calibration of the engine control unit (ECU). In diesel trucks, small changes to fueling, boost targets, and timing can significantly affect drivability and performance.

This describes the common diesel-performance culture of using aftermarket tuning (“tunes”) shared and discussed in online forums. Different tunes can change fueling and boost behavior, which can improve performance but also increases the importance of monitoring EGTs, boost, and supporting hardware.

The hosts are discussing how competition and innovation in the diesel performance world push technology forward. This kind of “industry future” talk often centers on how manufacturers, tuners, and racers respond to rules, emissions, and customer demand.

The Hyundai Kona is a compact crossover SUV designed for everyday driving, with options that can include gasoline and, in some markets/years, diesel or other powertrains. It comes up in conversations because owners often discuss real-world reliability, maintenance costs, and how it performs in daily use. The mention of a “2011” in the podcast context suggests the discussion may be about an older Hyundai model or a mix-up with the Kona name from that era.

“Two tints” is a slang way of describing a very small performance gap on track—essentially a tiny difference in elapsed time or distance. In diesel performance circles, that kind of margin can come down to tuning, traction, and how consistently the truck makes power under load.

A “bang limiter” is a control strategy used on diesel engines to prevent harsh combustion events—often described as limiting how aggressively fuel is delivered or how quickly cylinder pressure rises. In practice, it’s meant to reduce clatter/knock and protect components when tuning or running aggressive setups.

The segment highlights a real-world risk: AI can generate plausible injector/pump/turbo/intake recommendations and even list part numbers, but those outputs may be incorrect for the specific engine, year, or configuration. In diesel builds, compatibility and calibration details are crucial, so wrong parts numbers can lead to wasted money or unsafe fueling.

Diesel injectors meter fuel into the combustion chamber at precise times and pressures. In performance tuning, injector choice (flow rate, calibration, and sometimes nozzle design) must match the engine’s fueling strategy and supporting hardware like the high-pressure pump and turbo.

“Pumps” in diesel performance usually refers to the high-pressure fuel pump (and sometimes the lift pump) that supplies fuel pressure for injection. Correct pump selection is critical because injector operation depends on the pressure and delivery characteristics the pump can provide.

In diesel performance, “intake” typically means the air intake system (airbox, piping, filters, and sometimes intercooler plumbing) that delivers charge air to the engine. Intake changes affect airflow and pressure readings, which can require tuning to avoid drivability issues or incorrect fueling.

A dyno is a test stand that measures how much power and torque an engine makes under controlled conditions. Diesel tuners often use dyno results to estimate real-world performance, but the numbers can shift when the truck is driven on real roads.

Horsepower is a measure of engine output—how much work the engine can do over time. In tuning discussions, people use horsepower to compare setups, but it’s only one part of the story; torque and drivability matter too.

The “EPA fight” refers to disputes and regulatory pressure involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In diesel performance, it often centers on emissions rules, compliance strategies, and how manufacturers or tuners handle real-world pollutants like NOx and particulate matter.

“End goal” here is about the intended outcome of emissions regulation and industry responses—what success looks like after the current conflicts. For diesel, that typically means meeting legal emissions limits while still allowing practical drivability and serviceability.

“Deleting” a diesel truck usually refers to removing or disabling emissions-control hardware (like EGR/DPF/DEF-related systems) and/or altering software to bypass emissions testing. Whether it’s legal depends on federal and state rules, the truck’s emissions compliance status, and how enforcement is handled.

When emissions regulations change, manufacturers often must redesign (“retool”) production and validate (“retest”) that engines still meet the new standards. This is a major reason regulatory transitions take time and can affect model availability and compliance strategies.

Calibrations are the software settings used to control how an engine and emissions systems operate. They determine fuel delivery, boost, and how the aftertreatment hardware is managed so the vehicle meets emissions standards under different conditions.

An aftertreatment system is the set of emissions-control hardware placed after the engine to reduce pollutants like NOx and soot. On diesel vehicles, it often includes components such as a diesel particulate filter and NOx-reducing systems, and it requires careful calibration to work correctly.

“Deleted trucks” refers to diesel vehicles that have had emissions equipment removed or disabled, typically to reduce restrictions and improve performance or sound. This often changes how the truck behaves during emissions-related checks and can affect compliance with local and federal rules.

“Local enforcement” refers to how emissions compliance is often handled by local agencies or inspectors, even when rules are federal. The discussion suggests a system where local authorities have discretion, which can lead to inconsistent outcomes for modified/deleted diesel trucks.

The speaker is using “THC laws” as an example of how regulations can be written at a higher level but enforcement can vary locally. In practice, this highlights the difference between what the law says and how agencies choose to enforce it.

An inspection sticker is proof your vehicle passed the required emissions/safety inspection for legal operation. In many areas, passing emissions testing is a prerequisite to receive or renew that sticker.

A smog test measures how much pollution a vehicle produces, typically by sampling exhaust gases. Depending on the region, it may include tailpipe measurements and checks of onboard emissions systems.

A tailpipe sniffer is the device used to measure exhaust gases during an emissions test. It looks at pollutants in the exhaust, so issues like poor combustion or faulty emissions components can cause a fail.