10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

April 2006 - Performance Zone

POWER TO THE PEOPLE
By Performance Specialist Bruce C. Mallinson

PUT YOUR TRUCK TO THE TEST: Alban Power Days 2006 is approaching fast. This fun event, held at Alban’s New Upper Marlboro Facility on Saturday, April 22, decides who is “King of the Hill” in regards to power. Alban Engine Power Systems is inviting local owner/operators, truck drivers and trucking companies to attend the one-day dyno competition during Power Days 2006. The hours are 7AM until 5PM with plenty of good food and lots of special activities. Put your truck on the dyno and see how much horsepower she’s got!

Alban is the dealership for Caterpillar in Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC, Northern Virginia and the West Virginia Panhandle. Alban will be hosting the event for the 3rd time in 5 years and pre-registration for competitors is required. To be entered in this featured competition, qualified entrants must pre-register (including payment of the $25 entry fee) by calling Eric Payne at 410-579-4476 and then must attend the drivers meeting on April 22 at 6:30 AM to receive their dyno time (one entry per company). One lucky winner will take away $1/HP for the winning run (aka the “King of the Hill” award).

Other attractions featured at this event will include the display of the famous OCC Cat Chopper as well as the NASCAR #22 Cat car. You can try your hand at operating simulated Cat equipment or even get in the seat of a SSL to navigate an obstacle course. There will be many demonstrations and exhibits to showcase the variety of products and services offered by the premier equipment dealership in this area. Learn about Caterpillar’s ACERT technology for diesel engines, which is setting the pace for meeting EPA emissions regulations; view some of the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment in the industry; ask questions about the array of services available for your equipment and more. Alban is located at 8400 Westphalia Road, exit 11A (Pennsylvania Ave. east) off the Washington beltway. Their new 16-acre complex opened at the beginning of the year. The 102,000 square-foot facility includes 18 truck service bays, 2 bays dedicated to RVs and 15 oversized tractor bays that accommodate various types of construction equipment. Come be a part of all the fun on April 22.

FOR SALE: If you love 359 Peterbilts, you just may want to take a look at Harry’s hand built, brand new, 1986 Pete 359 (see photo). Everything on this truck is NEW: hardwood floor, stainless wrapped fuel tanks, 6" stacks, frame rails, cross members, 18-speed transmission, custom interior, gauges, instrument panel, hood with custom fenders, hoses, wiring, lights, chrome, stainless, wheels and tires, mirrors, seats and even the rivets and the nuts and bolts. The hood of the truck is 20 inches longer than a stock extended hood and cost $12,000 to build (it is made of all new parts). Everything is new except the 3:55 rears and the 3408 Caterpillar engine, which was rebuilt with all new parts and produces over 700 horsepower. This old 359 is as new as new can get!

Harry was the founder of Jevic Transportation and sold the company in 1999. But he, like so many other owner/operators, could not stand retirement and set out to build the perfect truck. He invested over $200,000 in building this unique truck and drove it only 35,000 miles. He now has started another trucking company and doesn’t have time to appreciate his “Special Pete” so she is for sale. If you are interested, Call Harry at 609-265-1110 ext. 6629. The price is $100,000 so please, serious inquires only.

POWER TO THE PREVOST: Prevost motor homes are powered with 60 Series Detroit Diesel engines, usually in the 500 horsepower range. If you think that is enough power for a 52,000 lb. motor home, well its not. Many of these motor homes are pulling large trailers filled with an automobile, a couple motorcycles or some other toys. With the extra trailer, the gross weight can reach 72,000 lbs. and more horsepower is required. People in the RV industry have a lot of pride in their ride – whether it’s a motor home, 5th wheel or a tag-a-long trailer being pulled by a pickup – they want it to look good and run great. We at Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh are in the process of developing a Pittsburgh Power Performance Computer to work in the engine compartment of Prevost motor homes. The computer is ready, but we are still finalizing the wiring harness. At this time, we have three Prevost coaches running our test computer – (2) on DD4 engines and (1) on a DD5 EGR engine. The coach with the DD5 EGR engine is on tour in Mexico and running strong! Stay tuned.

HELP WANTED: I’m in need of an ISX Cummins powered truck to stop by our software engineers’ place and test the new Pittsburgh Power Computer we are developing for this engine. The ride will only be about 5 miles. We will install the computer, take a short ride, collect the data on how the computer is working, and then remove it. From there, we should be able to finalize this computer and then be able to start helping out those owner/operators running trucks powered with the Cummins ISX engine. Give me a call if you can help. To help us out, your truck must have a non-EGR engine.

THANKS: You owner/operators that want the best for your truck and yourself are a pleasure to work with. Your quest for power and fuel economy keeps us going. We are constantly trying to improve our products and develop more. We have been in the high-performance diesel engine development business for 28 years and hope to do it for another 20. Thank you for your help and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (724) 274-4080 or send me an e-mail at bruce@dieselinjection.net.