We Built the Craziest Cummins We've Ever Made to Compete at UCC 2026 (Here's Everything We Did)
Power Driven Podcast
Power Driven Podcast May 27, 2026
We Built the Craziest Cummins We've Ever Made to Compete at UCC 2026 (Here's Everything We Did)

We Built the Craziest Cummins We've Ever Made to Compete at UCC 2026 (Here's Everything We Did)

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We Built the Craziest Cummins We've Ever Made to Compete at UCC 2026 (Here's Everything We Did)
Term

common rail

Common-rail is a modern way of injecting diesel fuel. It keeps fuel at very high pressure and then sprays it into the engine at the right moments, which can make the engine smoother and easier to tune for big power.

Term

P pump

The “P pump” is an older diesel fuel-injection setup. It can make power, but newer common-rail systems usually give you more control when you’re trying to push the engine hard.

Term

800 horsepower

Horsepower is a number that describes how strong the engine is. Here, they’re talking about how much power the truck was making during their testing.

Term

air kill

An “air kill” is a quick way to shut an engine down during racing. It helps stop the engine fast if it’s acting dangerously or making too much power.

Term

drag strip

A drag strip is a track for straight-line races. You’re trying to accelerate as fast as possible, and traction and engine response matter a lot.

Term

HX 82

HX 82 is a turbocharger model commonly associated with high-boost diesel builds. The “HX” series is typically used for larger airflow and higher boost targets, and the host is comparing their setup to an older HX 82-based combination.

Term

cast wheel

A “cast wheel” is how the turbo’s wheel is made. Different wheel types can handle heat and boost differently, which matters a lot when you’re pushing a diesel hard.

Term

turbo

A turbo is a device that uses exhaust to force more air into the engine. More air can mean more power, but if it’s not matched correctly, it can also cause damage.

Term

flow bench

A flow bench is a tool that tests how well engine parts let air pass through. It helps you figure out what’s limiting airflow so you can improve performance.

Term

no prep

“No prep” means the track isn’t specially cleaned or treated to make it grippy. That makes launches tougher, so traction and tuning matter more.

Term

four wheel drive

Four-wheel drive powers all four wheels, which helps the car grip the track better. That can make launches faster because the tires are less likely to spin.

Term

nitro methanol

Nitro-methanol is a special racing fuel mix used for big power. It helps engines make more power, but it’s harder on parts because everything runs hotter and harder.

Term

12 valve

“12 valve” describes how many valves the engine has in its cylinder head. Different valve/head designs breathe and burn fuel differently, which changes how the engine performs when you add boost and fuel.

Term

cage

A “cage” is a metal safety frame inside the truck. It’s there to protect the driver if something goes wrong, and it’s often required for high-power racing.

Term

dyno competition

A “dyno competition” is an event where vehicles are tested on a dynamometer (dyno) to measure output like horsepower and torque under controlled conditions. It’s often used to compare builds consistently, but results can vary with tuning, weather, and dyno calibration.

Person

John Strato

John Strato is credited in the episode with building the roll cage (“cage”) for the truck. The host also ties his approach to planning for future upgrades, implying the cage was designed to be expanded later.

Brand

black tie race fab

“Black Tie Race Fab” is referenced as the shop associated with John Strato, implying they fabricate race components like roll cages. In this context, it’s a consumer-facing identity for the fabrication work being discussed.

Term

ultimate call challenge

An “ultimate call challenge” appears to be a specific competition format within the diesel performance scene. The host uses it as a reference point for a win, implying it’s a known event among enthusiasts rather than a generic dyno or track meet.

Term

24 valve

“24 valve” refers to a specific cylinder-head design on some Cummins engines that uses four valves per cylinder (24 total on a six-cylinder). Enthusiasts mention it because the valve layout and head design affect how the engine breathes and how it responds to fueling and airflow upgrades.

Concept

UCC 2026

UCC is a diesel-truck competition where people build trucks to race, usually in a drag-racing style. They’re talking about preparing their truck to follow the rules and be competitive in 2026.

Term

tube chassis

A tube chassis is a custom frame made from metal tubes welded together. It’s commonly used in race builds because it can be lighter and stronger in the exact places you need for hard launches.

Term

4,400 pounds

They’re talking about a minimum weight requirement for the drag-racing portion of UCC. Hitting the target weight matters because it affects how the truck performs and whether it’s allowed to race.

Term

drag race portion

The “drag race portion” is the straight-line racing part of the event. They’re saying the rules—like minimum weight—apply specifically to that drag-racing section.

Term

fiberglass

Fiberglass is a lightweight material used for some car body parts. Racers use it to cut weight compared with metal panels.

Concept

back half of front half

They’re describing a body/chassis cut-and-trim plan to remove weight. The idea is to lose mass where it won’t ruin the truck’s ability to compete.

Concept

sled pulling

Sled pulling is a competition where a truck drags a heavy sled. The truck has to keep pulling under heavy resistance, so torque and traction matter a lot.

Concept

drag racing

Drag racing is racing in a straight line for a short distance, usually measured by time. Getting off the line and keeping traction are huge parts of doing well.

Term

cast piston

The piston is the part inside the engine that takes the force of combustion. A cast piston is made by molding metal, and for big power builds it can be a weak point compared to stronger piston types.

Term

aftermarket block

An aftermarket block is a replacement engine block made by a company other than the original manufacturer. If the machining and fitment aren’t right, assembly can be sloppy and the engine may not hold up under stress.

Term

freeze plug

A freeze plug is a small plug in the engine block that seals part of the coolant system. If it doesn’t fit correctly, coolant can leak, which can quickly become a big problem.

Term

OEM block

An OEM block is the factory engine block that came with the vehicle. They’re saying their custom-built blocks have held up better than the original factory one.

Term

bigger valves

Valves are like doors inside the engine that let air in and let exhaust out. Bigger valves can help the engine breathe better, which can make more power—especially when the rest of the head and cam are set up for it.

Term

waggler rods

Connecting rods are the parts that connect the pistons to the crankshaft. Upgrading them helps the engine survive harder use or higher power.

Term

cam

The camshaft is like the engine’s timing controller for the valves. Changing the cam can change when the valves open and close, which affects how the engine feels and where it makes power.

Term

main caps

Main caps are the parts that hold the crankshaft in place inside the engine. Stronger main-cap hardware helps the crankshaft stay properly supported when the engine is under heavy stress.

Term

14 mil

“14 mil” here sounds like a specific fastener/stud size they used. Stronger or correctly sized fasteners help the engine stay tight and stable when it’s working hard.

Term

no sleeves

Sleeves are like extra hardened layers inside the cylinder walls. “No sleeves” means they didn’t install those liners and instead used the factory cylinder surfaces.

Term

stock engine

“Stock engine” means they started with the factory engine and didn’t redesign everything. They mainly changed a few key parts to make it stronger and better for competition.

Term

long block

A “long block” is a more complete engine package than just the bottom end—it includes the main internal parts and the cylinder head(s). It’s often what people mean when they talk about swapping an engine assembly.

Term

short block

A “short block” is the engine’s bottom part without the cylinder head(s). It’s useful shorthand for what parts were reused in a build.

Term

piston wall

This is about how closely the piston fits inside the cylinder. They adjust/fit the pistons so the engine has the right clearance for heat—too tight can cause damage, too loose can hurt performance.

Topic

Arizona

They say they drove it out to Arizona to show it off and test it in real conditions, not just in the shop.

Concept

personal best

A “personal best” just means the fastest or best run you’ve ever done. In drag racing, it usually comes from better times or speeds than your previous passes.

Term

four link

A “four link” is a suspension system that uses four metal arms to hold the rear axle in the right position. It helps the truck launch straight and stay stable, which matters a lot in drag racing.

Term

shock adjustment

Shock adjustment means changing the settings on the shocks. That changes how the truck moves when it launches, which can help it hook up better.

Term

tune

A “tune” is changing the computer settings in the truck. It can make the engine add fuel and respond differently so it runs faster or more consistently for racing.

Term

leaf springs

Leaf springs are a suspension setup that uses layered metal strips. For racing launches, they can change how the truck hooks up and squats when you hit the gas.

Term

60 foots

“60 foots” is how fast the truck gets down the track’s first 60 feet. In drag racing, that early launch time often decides whether you’ll have a good run.

Term

nitrous

Nitrous is a racing boost system. It adds extra gas so the engine can make more power for short runs, like drag racing.

Term

launch strategy

Launch strategy is how you plan the start. It’s about timing and power delivery so the truck gets traction instead of spinning.

Term

bottle

The “bottle” is the nitrous tank. If it’s running low, the nitrous boost may not come on as strongly as you expect.

Term

pistons

Pistons are the parts inside the engine cylinders that move to turn the crankshaft. When you make a lot of power, pistons have to survive a lot of heat and pressure.

Term

transmission

Here, “transmission” means the gearbox that sends power to the wheels. Changing it can change how the truck accelerates or pulls under heavy load.

Concept

tech

“Tech” is the pre-race inspection at the track. Officials make sure your vehicle is safe and follows the rules before you’re allowed to run.

Concept

mile an hour cap

They limited how fast he was allowed to go. So instead of trying to run hard, he had to back off and control the speed to stay under the limit.

Concept

eighth

In drag racing, the “eighth” means the track run is measured over an eighth of a mile. It’s a shorter distance than the quarter-mile, so it’s often used for testing and class rules.

Concept

quarter

The “quarter” is the quarter-mile race distance. Track officials use the timing at that distance to check whether you’re staying within the rules.

Person

Josh McCormick

Josh McCormick is a helper who came out to support the team and even drove the truck down the strip. The point is that the truck can be driven by someone else and still work reliably.

Term

valve body

The valve body is the hydraulic control center of an automatic transmission, directing fluid to engage clutches and bands for each gear. If the valve body calibration or setup causes a shift to “flare,” the engine revs can rise before the gear fully locks in. That can cost acceleration and can be a sign the transmission setup needs adjustment for the application.

Term

TV lever

The TV lever (throttle valve lever) is an adjustment on certain automatic transmissions that controls line pressure and shift timing based on throttle input. Changing it can make shifts firmer/softer and alter shift “flare,” which is when the engine revs rise briefly without fully engaging the next gear. In drag racing, dialing the TV lever helps the transmission hit the right shift feel and reduce time loss.

Term

trans break

A trans brake is a drag-racing trick that keeps the car from moving while the engine revs up. Then, when you release it, the car launches quickly and more consistently. It helps you get a better start on race day.

Term

drag slick

A drag slick is a race tire made for drag racing. It has little to no tread so it can grip hard when you launch. If it gets punctured or slowly leaks air, the car won’t hook up the same way.

Term

4.99

“4.99” is a drag-racing elapsed time (ET) in seconds for a quarter-mile pass. ET is one of the primary numbers used to compare runs at the strip.

Term

track calculator

The track calculator is the drag strip’s computer estimate based on your run. It’s not a lab dyno test, but it gives you a rough idea of how much power you made.

Term

aftermarket ECU

An aftermarket ECU is a different engine computer (or tune) than the one that came from the factory. People use it to change how the engine makes power, especially for racing setups.

Term

ECM... ECM that would come in an 0607 truck

They’re talking about the factory engine computer used in 2006–2007 trucks. Their claim is that they didn’t need a custom racing computer to get the results.

Term

micro records

“Micro records” means smaller wins—like being ranked highly in a specific group or class, not necessarily the absolute fastest overall. It’s about beating benchmarks that matter to that category.

Term

slide pull chassis

A “slide pull chassis” is a sled-pulling chassis setup designed to let the truck’s structure move or slide in a controlled way under load. The goal is to manage traction and weight transfer so the truck can put power to the ground more effectively.

Term

axle swaps

An axle swap means replacing the axle assembly with a different one. Builders do it to get better strength or gearing for how hard they’re pushing the truck.

Term

miniature subframes

A subframe is a smaller frame inside the vehicle that helps hold key parts. A “miniature” one usually means they made it smaller to fit the build better and help the truck handle the pulling forces.

Part

SQHD rear axle

This is a very heavy-duty rear axle taken from a big truck. In sled pulling, it has to handle huge twisting forces from the tires without breaking.

Part

dual dual cuts

They’re using extra tires on the back—two tires on each side—so the truck can grab the track better. More tire contact helps when you’re trying to pull a heavy sled.

Part

F 700

They used a big truck front axle (from the Ford F-700 line) instead of a smaller one. The point is strength—sled pulling puts a lot of twisting force through the axle.

Term

ring geared

The differential has gears inside it, including a big gear called the ring gear. Bigger ring gears can handle more force without wearing or failing as quickly.

Term

Dana 60

Dana 60 is a type of heavy-duty axle used in many trucks. Here they’re using it as a baseline to compare different axle designs that handle hard pulling differently.

Term

high pinion

“High pinion” describes where the small drive gear sits in the axle. The placement affects how the gears push against each other when you’re pulling hard, which can make the axle handle stress better.

Term

low pinion

“Low pinion” means the drive gear sits lower in the axle. That changes how the gears are loaded when you’re applying power, which can matter for strength in hard pulling.

Term

hypoid gear meshes

This is about how the axle’s gears fit together. With the right setup, the gears press against each other in a way that resists separation when the truck flexes under heavy pulling.

Term

U joints

U-joints are the joints in the driveshaft that let the power keep flowing even when parts move at angles. Hard pulling creates big twisting forces, so stronger U-joints help prevent driveline failures.

Term

factory steering box

A steering box is the part that turns the steering wheel into steering movement. They tried using the normal, factory one, but it wasn’t the right strength/fit for what they were doing in competition.

Term

sub chassis

A sub-chassis is like a smaller extra frame they add to the truck. It’s used to hold the sled-pulling parts more safely and keep the heavy forces from stressing weak connection points.

Term

bolt connections that could shear

Shear means a part is being forced to slide sideways relative to another part. They’re worried bolts could snap under that kind of stress, so they’re using welding to make the structure stronger.

Term

drag race chassis

A drag race chassis is the frame and suspension setup built mainly for quick acceleration in a straight line. The goal is to put the weight and parts in the right places so the truck can launch and stay stable.

Term

hitch

The hitch is the part that connects the truck to the sled. In pulling, it matters a lot because it has to handle the pulling force and fit around the truck’s other parts.

Term

drive shaft shield

A drive shaft shield is a protective cover around the spinning driveshaft. It helps protect the truck and people if something goes wrong, and it can get large in heavy-duty setups.

Term

SCS

SCS is a component name (an acronym) that the builder needs to fit near the driveshaft. They’re saying it takes up space, which changes how other parts like the shield and crossmembers have to be built.

Term

ladder bar setup

A ladder bar setup is a rear suspension design that uses two parallel bars (often with a solid axle) to control axle movement. It’s commonly used in drag racing because it can help keep the axle from wrapping and improve traction during launch.

Term

1000 pound per inch springs

Spring rate tells you how stiff a spring is. “1000 pounds per inch” means it takes a lot of force to compress the suspension by just one inch, so the truck will feel very firm and controlled.

Term

front coilovers

A coilover is a suspension setup that bundles the spring and shock together. Putting coilovers on the front helps the truck stay more stable when it squats, lifts, or leans.

Concept

building a chassis, basically I'm from square tube

They’re talking about building the truck’s frame out of square metal tubing. That kind of frame is strong and lets builders weld everything where they need it, but you have to plan carefully so the suspension fits and works right.

Term

spooled

When the drivetrain is “spooled,” it can act like the wheels are tied together under power. That makes it hard for the truck to turn because the tires don’t want to rotate differently.

Term

full hydro kit

A full hydro steering kit uses hydraulics to help you turn the wheels. On a heavy or traction-limited truck, it can make steering much easier and more responsive.

Term

double ended hydraulic cylinder

This is the hydraulic “muscle” that pushes and pulls to steer. Because it works from both sides, it can move the steering more strongly and more precisely.

Term

orbital valve

The orbital valve is the control part that decides how much hydraulic fluid to send to the steering. That’s what helps the steering feel smooth and responsive instead of delayed or jerky.

Term

drag ship

They’re talking about the drag track area where the truck runs. They watched how it behaved while accelerating and noticed handling problems they wanted to fix.

Term

weight box

A weight box is basically where the truck puts extra weight. Where that weight sits can change how the truck grips and how stable it feels when it’s launching or pulling hard.

Term

hydro front steering

It’s a steering system that uses hydraulic pressure to help move the front wheels. That can make steering feel more controlled when the truck is under big forces, like during drag racing or sled pulling.

Term

tick welding

Tick welding means putting short weld spots instead of one long continuous weld. It can help keep the metal from warping while you’re building or modifying a frame.

Term

mig weld

MIG welding is a common welding method that uses a wire feed and gas to make strong welds. It’s often faster and easier to do consistently than some other welding styles.

Person

John Schrotel

John Schrotel is the person doing fabrication work on the truck. The hosts are crediting him with helping build and weld parts for the competition setup.

Term

worm screw adjustment

A worm screw is a type of geared screw that turns slowly but with a lot of lifting force. The host is saying the setup they had needed a particular kind of screw-based adjustment to work correctly.

Term

electric jacks

Electric jacks are motorized lifts that raise something with the push of a button. They were considering buying a pricey set, but ended up using a different type of lift to save money.

Term

landing gear

Landing gear is the mechanical stand/jack that helps a trailer stay upright and can lift it up. Here, they’re using RV-style versions because they lift the truck high enough for what they’re building, without paying for custom jacks.

Term

trailer jack

A trailer jack is a tool that lifts part of a trailer so you can move it or hitch/unhitch it. The host says the exact thing they needed is easier to find under the term “landing gear” rather than “trailer jack.”

Term

pins

Pins are the locking parts that hold the hitch/weight attachments in place. The host is saying the hardest part is getting everything aligned so the pins go in smoothly and securely.

Term

deck plate kits

A “deck plate kit” is a set of parts that helps set up the engine’s top section in a specific way. For racing, it’s often required or used to make sure the engine is built the right way for the competition rules.

Term

steel plate

In this context, the “steel plate” is part of the deck plate kit hardware. It’s a structural component that, along with sleeves, helps define the engine’s configured interface for the build.

Term

dynoed

They “dynoed” the engine, meaning they tested it on a special machine that measures how much power it makes. It helps them see if the engine setup is working before the real event.

Term

dyno event

A “dyno event” is a planned time when people bring cars/engines to be tested on a power-measuring machine. It’s how they check what changes actually improved the engine.

Term

stock piston

A “stock piston” is the original piston that the engine came with from the factory. They used it as a starting point instead of upgrading to a custom race piston.

Term

new computer

The “new computer” is the engine’s control box. It decides things like how much fuel to inject and when, so it can dramatically change how the engine runs.

Term

deck plated

“Deck plating” means adding reinforcement to the top of the engine block. It helps the engine handle more pressure inside the cylinders without the block flexing or failing.

Term

waggler kit

A “waggler kit” is a set of engine-building parts that changes how the cylinders are set up. It’s used to make the engine stronger and/or allow a bigger bore for more power.

Term

powerbore sleeves

“Powerbore sleeves” are like protective inserts inside the engine’s cylinders. They can allow a larger bore and help the cylinder walls survive higher heat and pressure.

Term

girdle

A “girdle” is extra reinforcement for the bottom of the engine. It helps keep the crankshaft area rigid so the engine can survive higher power.

Term

line up and set up

This is about precision assembly—making sure everything is aligned correctly. When you’re building an engine for extreme power, sloppy alignment can cause parts to wear out or fail.

Term

fastener holes

“Fastener holes” are the bolt holes that let the deck plate attach tightly to the engine. If they’re not drilled correctly, the plate may not clamp evenly and the build can be less durable.

Term

tuning

Tuning means setting up the engine’s computer and fuel/ignition behavior so it burns fuel the right way. Better tuning helps the engine make power safely instead of stressing it too much.

Term

cylinder pressure

Cylinder pressure is how hard the engine’s “power chamber” gets pushed during combustion. If it stays under control, the engine can make power without breaking parts like the block.

Term

valve springs

Valve springs help the engine’s valves move correctly. If the springs aren’t right for the RPM and power level, the valves can float or fail to close properly.

Term

transfer case

A transfer case is the part that sends power to the wheels when a truck has 4WD. The gearing inside it changes how the truck accelerates and how it behaves at different speeds.

Term

press of the sleeves

The sleeves are like reinforced cylinder liners. “Press” is how tightly they’re forced into the block—too loose or too aggressive can change how well the engine survives high power.

Term

press on the sleeves

When you press sleeves in, you’re forcing them to fit very tightly. The amount of tightness changes how the engine parts share the stress from combustion.

Company

Darden

Darden is mentioned as a company that makes cylinder sleeves. The speaker used their guidance to decide how tightly the sleeves should be pressed into the engine.

Term

press fit

A press fit means one metal piece is forced into another so it grips tightly. It helps it seal and stay in place, but if it’s too tight or too loose, it can cause problems like leaks or damage.

Term

hone

Honing is sanding/finishing the inside of the cylinder with abrasive tools. The goal is to make the surface the right shape so the piston rings seal well and wear properly.

Term

coolant

Coolant is the fluid that keeps the engine from getting too hot. If it leaks around a cylinder sleeve, it usually means the sleeve isn’t sealed correctly and the engine can overheat.

Term

oil pressure

Oil pressure is the force that circulates engine oil through bearings and other moving parts. During a fresh build, confirming oil pressure is a basic safety check that lubrication is working before you trust the engine under sustained load.

Term

head

The head is the top part of the engine that sits above the cylinders. It contains the combustion area and valves, so changes to it can affect how well the engine breathes and seals.

Term

max five

“Max Five” is a type of engine controller/tuning computer. The point here is that older controllers can be more limited, while newer ones can do more things more precisely.

Term

missing tooth

The crank sensor often reads a spinning wheel with a deliberate gap. That gap helps the computer know exactly where the engine is in its cycle, and if the signal is interpreted wrong, the tuning system can get confused.

Term

RPM signal

An “RPM signal” is the data that tells the computer how fast the engine is spinning. If you wire into the wrong part of the factory sensor signal, the computer can misread it and act weird.

Term

boost safety

“Boost safety” means the car has a limit on how much turbo pressure it’s allowed to make. If you’re going too high, the system intervenes to keep things from getting damaged.

Term

full throttle

“Full throttle” means the pedal is fully pressed. The car then switches to its most aggressive power mode, and in this case it’s also used to trigger the system to turn on.

Term

pulse with modulation

This is a way computers control power by turning it on and off very fast. By changing how long it stays “on” each cycle, the system can fine-tune the effect.

Term

load

On a dyno, “load” is the resistance the machine applies to the car’s drivetrain. It makes the engine work harder, like it would on the road.

Term

bog

“Bog” means the engine doesn’t pull like it should and feels sluggish. On a dyno, it can happen if the fuel/boost response doesn’t match the throttle input.

Term

spool jet

“Spool jet” sounds like a tuning adjustment that helps the turbo build boost sooner. They’re saying they tweak it to stop the engine from feeling sluggish.

Term

lobe design

The camshaft has “bumps” (lobes) that push the valves. The shape of those bumps changes how hard and how quickly the valves open, which matters when the engine is under extreme load.

Term

valve train

The valve train is all the parts that move the valves. If the engine makes enough pressure, those parts can get overloaded and fail.

Term

push rod

A pushrod is a metal link that helps move the cam’s motion to the rocker that opens the valve. If it bends, it usually means the engine’s forces are too high for the setup.

Term

rod bolts

Rod bolts hold the connecting rod together inside the engine. If the engine is making a lot of force (like in drag racing), those bolts can stretch or fail, so stronger hardware matters.

Term

exhaust valve

The exhaust valve is the part that opens so the engine can push out spent exhaust gases. Race engines often use stronger exhaust valves because they get hotter than the intake side.

Term

tulipping valves

Valve tuliping is when an exhaust valve gets warped from too much heat and stress. When it happens, the valve may not seal properly anymore, which can cause serious engine problems.

Term

intake valve

The intake valve opens to let the fresh air (and fuel) into the engine cylinder. It’s part of the valve train, and builders may upgrade it too, but the exhaust valve usually takes the most heat stress.

Term

in canal

Inconel is a special metal alloy used on engine exhaust valves because it can handle very high heat. The key idea is it stays strong when the valve gets extremely hot, instead of weakening like many other metals.

Term

billet

“Billet” means the part is made by machining it from a solid chunk of metal. People use billet parts when they want a stronger, more consistent material for demanding engine use.

Term

exhaust flow

Exhaust flow is how easily the engine can push out burned gases. If it can get those gases out well, the engine can take in fresh air more effectively—especially when you’re running boost.

Term

dual spring setup

A dual spring setup uses two springs working together to control the valve more precisely. That helps the valve stay where it should when the engine is spinning fast, which is important for racing.

Concept

under boost

“Under boost” means the turbo (or supercharger) is pushing extra air into the engine. That increases pressure inside the cylinders, so parts like valves have to handle the extra stress.

Term

3000 horsepower

Horsepower is a way to describe how much power the engine can make. Here they’re saying that hitting roughly 3,000 horsepower is what you need to be competitive.

Term

cut tire setup

A cut tire setup means the tires are modified by cutting the tread to help them grip better. It’s a traction trick used for high-power launches and pulls.

Term

reverser

A reverser is a drivetrain control that lets the truck change how power is applied so it can go the other way or manage direction for the event. It’s used for control in specialized competition setups.

Term

drop box

A drop box is a gearbox step that gives the truck lower gearing. Lower gearing helps the truck move with more pulling force, especially when traction is limited.

Term

dual DOT tire setup

This means the truck is using two street-legal (DOT) tires on each side to help it grip the track. More grip helps the truck launch or pull without spinning its tires.

Term

aggressor 480

“Aggressor 480” is the name of a specific turbo. Bigger turbo numbers usually mean it can move more air, which helps make more power—especially at higher engine speeds.

Alpine A110
Car

Alpine A110

The Alpine A110 is a small sports car designed to feel quick and handle well. People often modify it for more power, including changing turbo parts. In the podcast, they’re talking about a particular turbo setup used on an A110.

Term

g457 110

“G457 110” is another turbo model. Using more than one turbo (or a matched turbo pair) helps the truck build boost more effectively across different speeds.

Term

67 body

“67 body” is a piece of fueling hardware with a particular size/fitment. The host says their older control setup couldn’t properly run that hardware, so they changed to Bosch to make the combination work.

Term

849

“849” sounds like a specific engine control setup they used before. They’re saying it didn’t work with their chosen hardware and that the newer Bosch setup handled the hard drag conditions more safely.

Term

Bosch

Bosch is the brand of the engine computer/controller they switched to. The host says it helped the truck manage fueling better during hard drag pulls, which can protect the engine.

Term

limiter

The “limiter” is the engine computer’s rev cut-off. If you hit it, the ECU tries to stop the engine from spinning too fast, but repeated limiter events—especially with nitrous—can still be risky.

Term

data log

A “data log” is a recording of what the engine computer was doing while the truck was running. It helps them see what happened during the pull, especially when something went wrong.

Term

oscillate

Here “oscillate” means the truck’s control system makes small back-and-forth changes during the run. The host says you can see that pattern in how the pull behaves.

Term

backfired it to hell

“Backfiring” in a diesel context usually means unburned fuel ignited late or in the exhaust, often from fueling/timing issues during aggressive throttle changes. In competition tuning, it’s a sign the fueling strategy or airflow/pressure balance isn’t right for the target run.

Term

charge

“Charge” here means the pressurized air the turbo pushes into the engine. Changing the “charge” changes how much air is available, which affects how fuel burns.

Term

6.7 injector

An injector is the part that sprays fuel into the engine. A “6.7 injector” means a bigger/higher-flow injector that can deliver more fuel for more power, but it needs the fuel system to provide enough pressure.

Term

lift pump

A lift pump is like a “feed pump” that gets fuel to the engine’s fuel system. If it can’t keep up, the engine can run lean or lose power when you push it hard.

Brand

Air Dog

Air Dog makes aftermarket fuel pumps for diesel engines. The idea is to keep fuel pressure steady so the engine gets the fuel it needs when you’re making big power.

Term

5g 220

That “5g 220” is basically the pump’s specific size/spec. It’s how they’re describing which exact fuel pump version they’re using for their diesel build.

Term

lock up

Lock-up refers to a transmission mode where the torque converter clutch engages to mechanically connect the engine to the transmission. That reduces slip and can improve efficiency and consistency during acceleration and high-load runs.

Term

overdrive

Overdrive is a gear that usually lets the engine spin slower while the truck is moving. Builders tune when it engages so the truck stays in the best RPM range for the run.

Term

air shift the trans

Air shifting means the transmission shifts using air pressure. It can make shifts quicker and more repeatable when you’re racing or pulling hard.

Term

dual cp3

CP3 pumps are high-pressure fuel pumps used on many diesels. Using dual CP3 pumps means more fuel pressure and flow, which helps the engine make more power when you’re pushing it hard.

Term

cp3 case

The CP3 case is the housing/mounting setup for the fuel pump. Here it’s mentioned as part of a setup designed to avoid belt problems during hard pulls.

Term

low mount alternator

A low-mount alternator is just an alternator mounted in a lower spot to fit the custom setup. The goal here is to reduce how much the truck depends on belts during competition.

Term

dynoing

“Dynoing” is when you run a car on a special machine that measures how much power it makes. It’s like testing it in a controlled way instead of on the track.

Term

lockouts

Here, “lockouts” are ways to keep parts from moving in the wrong way during testing. It helps the dyno pulls be consistent and safe.

Cordoba Cordova
Car

Cordoba Cordova

The Cordoba is a car model that’s known for performance. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in connection with speed or how fast a car can run. That’s why it’s relevant to discussions about making cars go quicker.

Term

slipping the trans

“Slipping the trans” means the transmission isn’t gripping like it should. Instead of power going to the wheels, the engine revs without the truck accelerating as expected.

Term

line pressure

Line pressure is the fluid pressure that helps the transmission’s clutches grab. More line pressure can help the transmission hold together when the truck makes huge power.

Term

flex band

A “flex band” is a flexible part inside the drivetrain that helps handle twisting forces. Here it’s getting damaged during hard drag runs, so they’re trying to figure out how others keep theirs alive under big power.

Ford Flex
Car

Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is a roomy vehicle meant for carrying people and cargo. The podcast is talking about a part choice where one option costs more than another. That matters because the right part can affect how the car performs or how long it lasts.

Term

fuel

“Fuel” is what the truck is running to make power for the race. The type and how it’s used can change how much power the engine can safely produce.

Concept

track prep

“Track prep” means how the drag strip is prepared for racing. If the surface is grippy, the truck can launch harder and faster without spinning its tires.

Term

uncorrected number

An “uncorrected number” is the raw result from the run, without adjusting for weather or track conditions. It’s useful for seeing what happened on that day, even if conditions weren’t ideal.

GMC C15
Car

GMC C15

The GMC C15 is a pickup truck model from GMC. The podcast is talking about what parts are allowed, specifically around emissions-related components. That’s important when someone is building or modifying the truck for a rules-based event.

Term

C15 cat

“C15 cat” means a Caterpillar C15 diesel engine. It’s a heavy-duty engine that some competition builders use because it’s designed to work hard for long periods.

Term

diesel powered

“Diesel powered” means the truck runs on a diesel engine. Diesel engines are often used in these competitions because they can make a lot of pulling force (torque).

Term

dT466

“dT466” is a shorthand diesel-engine reference used by builders. People pick engines like this because they can handle the stress of making big power for pulling competitions.

Term

love tap

In this sled-pulling context, a “love tap” refers to a light contact with the fence beyond the track rather than fully running over it. It’s mentioned as a strategy question because contact can affect safety, momentum, and whether the run is considered valid.

Term

rail line broke

On many diesels, fuel is pumped at very high pressure through lines to the injectors. If a fuel line breaks, the engine can’t get the right fuel pressure and can lose power or stop.

Term

cp3s

CP3 is a type of high-pressure fuel pump used on many Cummins diesel engines. The idea here is using a separate pump/engine setup so the main engine isn’t forced to do extra work, helping it make more power for the pull.

Concept

saves horsepower on the engine

They’re saying the setup reduces how much power the engine wastes on extra jobs. That leaves more power for the actual pulling/run.

Concept

separate engine that ran everything you needed

They’re talking about using a second small engine to run the helper systems. That way the main engine doesn’t have to do extra work and can focus on moving the truck.

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