The Specialty Equipment Market Association show held every year in Las Vegas is a prime place to find the latest and greatest in diesel performance, and this year was no different. Throughout the week-long event in November, it seemed like the underlying theme behind the '08 SEMA show was fuel economy. Nearly every diesel-related booth had at least one product designed to combat high fuel prices. However, with companies like PPE, ATS, Bully Dog Technologies, Edge Products, and Turbonetics in attendance, plenty of brand-new power-adders were also showcased. From the unveiling of Gale Banks' new Top Diesel dragster to the latest in diesel efficiency, Diesel Power was there covering it.
Texas Diesel Power's Funny Car
Gale Banks wasn't the only one displaying scary-fast diesel power. Texas Diesel Power's Cummins-powered funny car had a prime outdoor spot in front of the main SEMA entrance. And, as you can imagine, it got plenty of looks! The 1,000-plus hp, P-pumped common-rail stole the show in the Top Diesel class at the DHRA Texas Nationals back in October.
www.texasdieselpower.com
Maximum MPG's
Aside from showing off its sleek Dodge dualie, Snow Performance brought its new Boost Cooler MPG-MAX water methanol injection system for diesels. Its newest system targets fuel economy and claims to increase mileage up to 3 mpg thanks to a sophisticated digital controller with special mapping capabilities.
www.snowperformance.net
Arrival Of The Sidewinder Dragster
The Banks booth was constantly packed with gawkers all week long. One big reason was the Duramax-powered dragster was on display. Banks claims the 402ci twin-turbocharged Duramax makes more than 1,200 hp and more than 1,200 lb-ft. The dragster itself consists of a chromoly space frame, a carbon fiber body, and has a 276-inch wheelbase. A Liberty five-speed sequential gearbox with an air-shifter and an MRP clutch are responsible for getting power to the rear slicks.
www.bankspower.com
Touch-Screen Tuning
The latest flash tuning device from SCT is a Bluetooth wireless unit designed for Ford, GM, and Dodges. In the age of touch-screen cell phones like iPhones and BlackBerrys, this product should fit right into the diesel world with its high-tech simplicity.
www.sctflash.com
New Data Logger
PLX Devices, Inc. debuted its versatile iData Logger, which can record, display, play back, and upload to a PC. It also has 32 sensors, and can store up to eight hours worth of data on its internal flash memory.
www.plxdevices.com