From Humble Beginnings: The Rise of Diesel Performance

DUSTIN KORTH . June 12, 2024 . Diesel World

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One of the most remarkable things to me is how young the diesel performance industry really is. Oftentimes, I feel like we compare the world of gasoline engines to the world of diesels, and note how much less support there is for diesels or how much less innovation there has been in the space overall.

What’s important to remember though, is that the diesel engine world is still in what I would call a “toddler stage.” While the racing of gas engines has been taking place since the early 1900s, the diesel engine revolution didn’t really take place until the mid to late 1980s, a time that I would argue many of our readers still remember fondly.

While somedays it feels like forever ago, in the grand scheme of things we’re still in our terrible 2s in terms of diesel performance. Innovations in piston design, airflow delivery, and overall tuning for these fire-breathing compression-fired monsters is only getting started in 2024, which is insane considering there are multiple instances of guys putting down over 3,000 horsepower in a pickup truck.

While things like EPA regulations continue to threaten our industry, heck even our way of life, it’s important as always to remember that we’ve got a long way to go. Innovations will continue to come, advancements will come in time, and just like you, we’ll be along for the ride.

Until the next one
Dustin A.K.A. Dusti_LBZ