Obviously, there is a devout element of the gearhead realm that is obsessed with diesel engines. Each year I host the Diesel Power Magazine Challenge out in Denver and am privy to seeing the trucks dyno, drag race, and more. Make no mistake, these late model diesel trucks are hot rods. One guy made more than 1,200hp to the tires and an astounding 2,055 lb/ft of torque on the dyno. That same truck went 10s…street legal, lifted, full size truck. That’s a hot rod.
Diesels are becoming more common in rat rods are well. Their looks often match the hammered appearance of rat road type cars, their torque makes tire roasting an easy exercise, and smaller displacement four cylinder engines can get amazing fuel economy, especially in a light old car. We’ve profiled vehicles here on BangShift like the car Mike Woods ran on Drag Week (tube chassis SN95 Mustang with a Duramax), another Mustang with a triple turbocharged diesel, the insane six second Hypermax diesel dragster out of Illinois, and other creations that have blown our mind. We know guys who have ditched out on gas motors all together and just mess with diesels now. That being said, all those things we mentioned are fringe element iron. The hot rodding world isn’t fully into the whole diesel scene yet. We’re not of the opinion that diesels will supplant gas engines ever, but we’re wondering if more and more people will continue to see them as a power option for their stuff, no matter the shape or size. What do you think?
BangShift Question Of The Day: Will Diesel Engines Ever Been Fully Embraced By Hot Rodders (for anything outside of their tow rigs!)?
Love my diesel work-truck…otherwise, I’m not sure…I think I have a strange aversion to weight. Pounds and pounds of clatter-absorbing iron weight. Don’t like it.
Two things, Brian. First, I assume the real question is “Will Diesel engines ever BE fully embraced……… Sorry, I was an English major.
Second, I think the answer is no. Noisy, smoky, and the vehicle will always stink of fuel. Still they have their niche that’s probably here to stay.
Will not be embraced by me until the assholes driving them quit “rolling coal” along side me and my family in my convertible at stoplights…
I think a pivotal point of hot rod’s excitement is power delivery. I’ve been in fast diesels and make no mistake they are insane. But they don’t scare me. When a big block gas gets upstairs and starts screaming it’s an all you can handle experience. From your ears to your toes you feel it. A diesels is deceiving and subtle. I just feel gas is more fun/ better entertainment.
I am a diesel lover. When I was pulling with my Cummins I loved it. Oil burners won’t gain acceptance until the price to play comes down significantly. The 6BT is the closest thing in the diesel world to a SBC and a tired stocker can still fetch about 4k. The price will have to drop before the average kid can play.
Nope. It just goes to show you that turbos make anything quick. Heck, I don’t even want one in my 3/4 pickup!