In this episode of the Power Driven Diesel Podcast, we’re jumping into one of the most important and overlooked parts of diesel performance, building your engine the right way. Whether you’re putting together your very first motor in the garage or you’ve already built a few and want to step things up, this episode is packed with real-world advice on setting up a reliable bottom end.

We talk through everything that matters when it comes to getting your clearances right, including piston to wall, ring gap, bearing choices, and proper bore finish. We also share a lot of personal experience, including what we got wrong on our early builds, what we’ve learned since, and how it’s shaped the way we put engines together today. This is the kind of information you won’t always hear unless you’re working in the shop every day.]

If you’ve ever wondered whether your local machine shop is doing things right, what tools you actually need to measure piston clearance, or if that old three-stone hone is good enough, we break it all down. We talk about real horsepower goals and what kind of clearances actually hold up, whether you’re building a 600-horse daily driver or chasing four-digit power on the dyno.

We also cover the differences between cast and forged pistons, gapless versus conventional rings, and the truth about how much contamination in your bearings it really takes to ruin a fresh build. From micrometers and profilometers to plastic gauge and feeler gauges, this episode covers both budget-minded builds and pro-level machine work.

The goal is simple. We want to help you avoid costly mistakes and build something that lasts. We’ve been through the failures, cracked blocks, broken pistons, and trashed bearings so you don’t have to.

If you’re serious about performance diesel, especially Cummins engine builds, this episode is a great one to dig into. Drop your questions in the comments and let us know if you want a follow-up. There’s still a lot we didn’t cover like head studs, torque specs, and top-end setups, and we’re just getting started.

In this episode of the Power Driven Diesel Podcast, the team recaps everything they experienced at the Ultimate Callout Challenge, the most intense diesel performance event of the year. From powerhouse builds to catastrophic failures, this episode is loaded with insight, real talk, and valuable lessons for anyone serious about diesel horsepower. Whether you are a tuner, racer, builder, or just a diesel enthusiast, there is something here for you.

The crew dives into what makes UCC such a game-changing event, bringing together the best minds and machines in the industry. Companies like Fleece, Firepunk, and Hamilton came out strong, but the biggest takeaways came from conversations behind the scenes. These included breakdowns of tuning strategies, nitrous setups, engine failures, and cylinder pressure data that reveals what is really happening inside these high-horsepower builds.

One of the most important topics covered is ignition timing and how it must be adjusted when nitrous is used. Many competitors at the event were running fuel-only timing while spraying large amounts of nitrous, which caused serious engine damage. Timing needs to be retarded significantly to prevent early cylinder pressure spikes that lead to cracked blocks, broken pistons, and failed valves. The discussion digs into what the top-performing teams are doing

differently and how this knowledge applies not just to dyno runs, but also to drag racing and sled pulling.

The podcast also explores valve float, spring pressure, fuel injector sizing, and the effect of turbocharger selection on timing requirements. They compare single turbo, compound, and nitrous-assisted setups, explaining how each affects combustion and power output. The guys also discuss drivetrain durability and how many trucks are slipping something on the dyno, whether it is a converter, clutch pack, or tire. They even analyze the dramatic failure of a drag radial that exploded during a dyno pull at nearly 200 miles per hour.

This episode captures both the chaos and the innovation happening in high-level diesel competition. It is a blend of hard-earned lessons, shop-tested data, and real-world experience that you will not get anywhere else. Tune in to learn what worked, what failed, and how the industry is evolving. Subscribe for more in-depth episodes covering the cutting edge of diesel performance.

In this episode of the Power Driven Podcast, we sit down with Josh McCormick, the 2025 Ultimate Callout Challenge Champion, to break down everything that went into his winning weekend. From setting a 3000+ horsepower dyno number to surviving one of the toughest diesel competitions in the country, Josh walks us through the full experience.

We talk about what it takes to stay competitive across drag racing, sled pulling, and the dyno, and how his Cummins-powered setup held strong through all three events. Josh shares what his prep looked like going in, how things unfolded day by day, and the moments that nearly derailed everything. You’ll hear about the long hauls, the behind the scenes chaos, the victories that didn’t make the highlight reels, and how he kept his truck running clean and consistent from start to finish.

We also get into the current state of competition diesel. From the evolving truck builds to standout performances from other drivers, this episode gives a real look at how high the bar has been raised and what it means to keep up.

If you’re into diesel drag racing, dyno tuning, sled pulling, or just want to hear how top-level trucks are built and run at elite events like UCC, this is the episode for you. It’s informative, entertaining, and packed with insight from someone who’s earned his spot at the top.

Make sure to subscribe for more in depth episodes, and leave a comment with your questions, thoughts, or what you’d like to hear in a future episode.