This second gathering included a dyno competition to back up the inevitable bench racing that occurs when Super Duty hoods start popping open. A new Corvette C6 and even a Pontiac sedan ventured up the dyno ramps, but the scores were nothing compared to the torque registered at the rear wheels behind the Power Stroke trucks. Even though both clubs are based in other states, the turnout was great with dozens of cool trucks on display, including many that weren't seen the day before. We got up close to a homemade Harley-Davidson Super Duty, a single-owner work truck with 179,712 original miles, a first-generation crew cab dualie with twin stacks, and a Platinum Edition F-250. We even saw a slammed two-wheel-drive Super Duty built to maximize fuel economy (look for the feature article in this issue), and it arrived just minutes before we had to leave and catch a plane. In other words, there's so much to see during Power Fest weekend that you will run out of time before you run out of trucks. So, all you Power Stroke fans, make sure to get there early next year and plan to leave late-you won't regret the trip.
Chris White won the Show-n-Shine Media Award (aka the Diesel Power Award, since we got to pick the winner). We chose his '97 F-350 because it looks brand new, despite being 10 years old. It was detailed inside and out and was stuffed with plenty of upgrades, including bigger injectors, a dual oil pump, a strong transmission build, an Alpine stereo, and a CB radio. Chris and his wife Kim traveled in the rig from Illinois to take part in the Power Fest and the SLAPS/FOKISD show-that's what we call family values.
 |  Paul Hester drove from Ohio...  Paul Hester drove from Ohio and put his '96 F-350 crew cab dualie up on the dyno during the FOKSID/SLAPS rally. The truck has more than 300,000 miles on the 7.3L Power Stroke that's equipped with a Western Diesel exhaust brake, a Hypermax programmer, Tymar intake, and 5-inch chrome turnout exhaust stacks. Other modifications include a Gil and Mike's 4R100 transmission build, a triple disc billet torque converter, and a Firestone Ride Rite air suspension system. |  This slick Excursion with...  This slick Excursion with a color-matched grille stuffed with billet inserts drove all the way from Florida to attend the Power Fest. The ego-stroking vanity license plate answers the often-asked question, "What do I have to do to get my truck into Diesel Power?" |
 The YTEE has numerous upgrades...  The YTEE has numerous upgrades under the hood, including BDP Stage 1 injectors and a BTS dual oil pump. The power is funneled through a transmission built by BTS. |  Does this ram air nozzle look...  Does this ram air nozzle look familiar? You may have one in your garage if you own a shop vac. Chris White said there was an outlet on his intake that didn't seem to go anywhere, so he grabbed this tube and built a channel to guide air into his Power Stroke. |  In addition to gauges for...  In addition to gauges for EGT, boost level, and transmission temperature, Chris installed a button to control the electronic lockup in his torque converter. |
 This '02 F-350 is owned by...  This '02 F-350 is owned by Larry Rice from Lebanon, Indiana, and rides on giant 49-inch Super Swamper tires and a custom 25-inch lift from his company called Trucks-N-Stuff. The front air shocks were created at the shop along with the twin tower supports mounted on top of the leaf springs. The truck also has semi truck airbags in the back, a custom powdercoated cage to protect the transfer case, and removable front and rear pusher bumpers to keep the truck legal. |  |  This older Power Stroke held...  This older Power Stroke held it's own in the monster-truck section of the corral. The F-350 rides on 44-inch Super Swamper Boggers, has dual turnout exhaust stacks, and was seen flying two Ford Racing flags all weekend. |
InternationalDiesel Engine Plant Tour
One of the coolest things International does for the Power Fest is give tours of a factory where their engines are born. The Indianapolis diesel engine plant is the birthplace of more than eight million diesel engines, including the new 6.4L V-8, the 6.0L, the 7.3L, and the 6.9L engine that came before the Power Stroke. The plant is full of technological marvels, including a precise robotic piston-stuffing machine that prevents the scratches responsible for blow-by and power losses. It also has the latest in quality-control devices. Engine parts are tracked with bar codes throughout the plant so any errors can be traced to the origin. There's a clean room and even a machine that takes super-high-resolution photos that can find a single oily fingerprint left anywhere on an engine block.
International Engines has been working closely with Ford since 1982 and has been building Power Stroke engines since 1994. That first year of production, the 7.3L was rated at just 190 hp. When the 6.0L debuted, it packed an impressive 325 hp. The newest engine to be built here is the 6.4L Power Stroke that will debut in 2007. We'll have complete specifications for the engine as soon as they are made official.