John_P

I know this subject has come up on DTR before and I wanted to get another discussion going on it again. In the past, there has been some good discussion on whether an 800+ H.P./High Torque in a Dodge CTD, Ford PSD or Chevy Duramax can be truly "daily driven" on the streets but still have good reliability.

Well, after doing it my 1996 Dodge CTD 12 valve for almost three years now, IMHO, the answer is YES IT CAN! As many of you are aware, I have been above the 800 H.P. level for the entire time and with a very small shot of nitrous, that H.P. number will rise to almost 900 H.P. I also know several other DTR Members here that are at or above my power level and their trucks are also what I would classify as a "daily driver." These other DTR Members are:

1.) Timinva
2.) dperf
3.) kingd
4.) lmills
5.) MADDOG
6.) Morkable
7.) Richard (MADDOG) Madsen

Is the reliability as good as a stock truck? On that I would say "no", but in light of the recent "refresh" of the Scheid Engine in my 1996, I can honestly say that other than my cylinder head, my engine looked very good inside. The engine had a little over 40,000 miles on it in fourteen (14) months, it had almost 100 drag race launches on it and about fifty-two (52) dyno runs. The pistons, rings and bearings all looked very good with all that time and all those runs. Anyone that knows me, knows I run my truck hard, but I also take very good care of it.

So, I am of the opinion that not only CAN it be done but it IS being done, not only by me, but by the other Members I listed here along with many that I have not listed.

Thanks.

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John_P

jp8819

Glad to hear it worked out for you John and to show us it can be done. We def know that was not a easy 40,000 miles but it is well taken care of and still a beauty.

N.Johnson

The big difference is the average daily driver does not spend, the time to support 800 on maintenance. So yes , I agree with way more attention to preventative it can and is done.

streetsmoker

As a member of the lower "600" club, I can attest to this also. I can easily see how 200hp more than what I currently have would be streetable. I would also like to add one more to the list given. Morkable is an 800hp+ DD and 1000+ on nitrous.

Rpainter

wish I could be a member of the "500" or "600" club Rob

03qclb5spd

John I wish I could be on that list!

Hope to see you make some passes sometime again.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Very well said John

For those of you that have not gone for a ride in a 800 hp truck like Johns, do not make the mistake of telling him "You don't want to go unless he promises to scare the crap out of you"

I know one guy that did and the look on his face when they pulled back in the driveway was PRICELESS!

John you are my hero

Tate

I know he used it as a DD when he was in the 600's, but I think his dmax sees more miles than his dodge now that he's running in the 1000's.

John_P

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streetsmoker:

I want you and the other Members here to know that in no way was I trying to keep our own DTR Member "Morkable" off my list. In fact, I will add him.
I was trying to include DTR Members that I was SURE of that had that level of H.P./TQ. I also am aware that we have a multitude of Members that are at or above 600-700 H.P. here and believe me, I respect that also.

Thanks.

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John_P

John_P

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Thanks Lary! I think you are referring to that ride I gave a Member up at that Durham Dyno Event! I only wish the truck's transfer case would have stayed in 4WD after I "launched it!"

Totallyrad

That's what I was thinking about. (Accidentally slipped out of 4wd, HUH!!!)

Hvytrkmech

Great write up John. Out of curiosity, what are you using for engine oil?


Thanks,

Tim

John_P

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Tim:

On the recommendation from Scheid Diesel I am now running the petroleum based "Cummins Premium Blue" 15W-40 (not the synthetic) with an oil additive from Lucas Oil. In the recent and very thorough oil study and analysis by the "Turbo Diesel Register" (TDR), the Cummins Premium Blue
15W-40 Oil finished at the very top of the ten-fifteen type diesel motor oils they tested. It surprised me. Previous to my current engine, I had used either Rotella or Delo 400.

Because of my water injection, sometimes I am changing the oil at 1,000-1,500 miles to help keep that moisture out of the engine. That condition does not get too bad if I am able to drive for a few hours after a drag race or dyno event and have used the water as a good portion of that moisture evaporates etc. But if I am around home and run say locally at a drag strip or dyno, then it becomes more of a concern as that moisture from the water injection does not get out of the engine like it should.

Hope that helps you out some.

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John_P

Hvytrkmech

Cool, I read that oil test write up also, had some great info in it.


Thanks,

Tim

fanbrain

Richard Maddog Madsen drives his monster of a truck daily. It's a ~45 minute commute each way. 1200+ HP and one of his mechanics says it's a bear to drive.