To me, that's the best reward of all for this project-getting people into diesel performance on a budget. Now, more than a year later, I've run across more than one happy first-gen owner who has spent a few thousand dollars (sometimes including the cost of the truck) and has a 300-rear-wheel-horsepower machine that can get more than 20 mpg. But I didn't start my first-gen Dodge build to break a record, I started it to get people excited about a vehicle that had fallen by the wayside. Five years later, no one has beaten those numbers, which leads me to believe that nobody is trying to. Duramax Diesel Engine - Diesel Power Magazine Thats one example why. although Im curious to know a couple of things. Jeremy Torgersen and Brian Block both built mid-600hp Cummins-powered Dodges with VE injection pumps, and that was way back in 2005. Im considering putting a 5.9 in a project track / race car.
I started building up Project Rust Bucket, my 5.9L Cummins-powered '89 Dodge D250, because I could see the untapped potential in these vehicles. For me, a project vehicle helps get people talking, revives old memories, and is used to instill excitement in up-and-coming diesel enthusiasts. Project vehicles are one of the best parts of working here at Diesel Power, and for reasons other than you might think.
