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 Dyno Days US Diesel Parts hosts first annual event By Jim Bigley
First events are always fun to attend, and US Diesel Parts' first annual Dyno Days, held this past June 2nd, turned out to be a well-attended and all-around fun event for just about any diesel or automotive enthusiast. The rollers on the Mustang MD-1100 dyno were spun thirty two times by a variety of diesel pickups, as well as classic and contemporary muscle cars. Diesel pickups were the big power producers, with seven of them making more than 500 horsepower, and TDP's Lil Red topped the list with 632. We also saw a brand new Ford 6.4L PSD and a new LMM Duramax diesel spin the rollers. Read on to learn more.  While this might appear to be Chevytown USA, a well represented mix of all three diesel brands attended. 
The performance diesel truck phenomenon of today is similar in many ways to the era of the muscle car. Roy Arkell's 409 powered 1963 Chevrolet Impala produced 242.8 rear wheel horsepower, and sounded really sweet at full throttle!
The "Long Distance" award went to GMC owner Ray Howe, who arrived from Sacramento, California to hang out with the guys (and gals). Ray's 2006 Duramax produced 400.3 horsepower.
Fouteen Dodge diesel trucks spun the rollers, and several of them produced 500 or more horsepower.
Karl Tyler Chevrolet provided a brand new 2007 LMM Chevy to run in the mix, which produced 334 rear wheel horsepower. Given the more onerous emissions control devices, GM has been able to remain more than competitive. The first generation LB7 Duramax produced approximately 250 rear wheel horsepower when it arrived in late 2000.
The new Superduty certainly has presense, and while not quite comparable to the LMM Duramax, the 6.4L PSD spun the power meter to 306. I can remember Ford's frontline 7.3L Powerstroke diesel producing just 200 horsepower during a Dyno Day I attended in 2000. Times have changed. Thanks to Bitterroot Ford for providing the big blue oval.
Dr. Diesel's 1999 Ford F350, equipped with a 7.3L Powerstroke, produced 299.4 rear wheel horsepower on 100% bio-diesel. Smelled good too!
Jesse Pritchard's 1973 Datsun 240Z was equipped with 350 CI Chevy V8, and spun the rollers to 189.5 horsepower. The impressive thing here is that this was Jesse's high school project. Aside from the engine conversion, Jesse also did the body work and paint. Fine job!
 A number of manufacturer representatives were on hand to answer questions. 
This photo illustrates the value of a billet flexplate. The broken flexplate on the left was the result of about 600 horsepower behind a 2004 Dodge Cummins.
Dyno Day
2007 Final Results
The raw data is the result of weeks of planning and preparation by many people. I have a fair idea what is involved in hosting an event as complete and as well thought out as this one, and our thanks go to the many people at USDP for hosting their first annual Dyno Days. TDP If you have a high-speed Internet connection, click here to see the new LMM Duramax equipped Chevrolet perform on the dyno (2M download). Or, click here to see the newest 6.4L Ford Powerstroke perform on the dyno (3M download). Or, click here to see TDP's Lil Red Duramax conversion make 632 horsepower on the dyno (6M download). US Diesel Parts2400 Palmer - Missoula, Montana 59808 Call: 1-800-823-4444 -- Fax: 1-406-721-5097 www.usdieselparts.com Visit www.clubdyno.com for more information about USDP's Dyno facility. What's New: | Feature Articles: | Product Reviews: | Member's Area: Join Us: | Duramax Diesel Page: | Advertisers: | Classified Ads: | Books:
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