Published by Anthony Bruneni, Chris Ehmke, Justin Tyson
Leisure
Automotive
The Diesel Performance Podcast is a conversation, debate, and everything else about the three main domestic diesel engines: Duramax, Powerstroke, and Cummins. Hosts Paul Wilson and Chris Ehmke cover topics every diesel owner wants to know. If you love diesel engines and light duty pickup trucks - you've found the perfect podcast.
This week the boys wanted to discuss how much the industry has pushed diesel truck modifications to a different level. Turbo technology has drastically chaged for the good. Today's chargers are handling more power than ever while delivering better reliability and durability than what was possible just a few years ago. Anthony and Chris discuss how much advancement we've seen, a few fallacies (smaller wheel is bad, bigger is better), and roll into Nick Priegnitz discussing the stock turbo charger of the L5P versus an L5P Stealth STR comparing power, spool, and more!
Anthony and Chris got to thinking after the AMSOIL UCC event, you see these beast trucks competing, but no one talks about what they used to get them there. Diesel trucks modified and created to be towing machines. The boys wanted to discuss building a reliable, bad ass tow rig. Wheter you are towing boats, campers, your race car or truck, the boys put together mods they think make an ultimate tow rig. Enjoy!
Dustin West dropped into the studio to discuss him and Ryan Wehrli of WCFab's week at the Sick Summer 2026. 800 miles of street driving to throw down over a week at 5 different days of drag racing. He recaps the ups, downs, and everything in between! If you're into diesel racing and the stories that come with them, you won't want to miss this episode.
Anthony is joined by Justin Norris of S&S Diesel Motorsport to discuss all things happening at their new facility! They talk everything from the Double-Barrel Cummins Rail, the upcoming 6.7L Ford Fuel Leak Prevention Kit, and all things fuel based. We appreciate Justin taking his time to sit down and talk on the exciting stuff happening over at S&S!
Chris and Anthony discuss something that every new to diesel person should probably hear from others that have been around the block, what you learn from your experiences with modifying diesel trucks. Both have ran the upgrade path on multiple trucks and want to discuss many facets when it comes to upgrading your first diesel truck. The boys touch on turbo sizing, suspension, tires, fuel system sizing, intakes, and much more!
The boys got their hands on one of WCFab's employees(shout out Sergio!) 2024+ L5P that's got quite a bit of goodies on it. We took the truck out and recorded the podcast in real time while testing her oout. What exactly does this 2024+ L5P have going on with it? Here's the list: Stealth Mach 2 Turbo Duramaxtuner ECM Engine & TCM tuning WCFAB STAGE 2 High Flow Bundle and Down Pipe WCFAB Y-Bridge WCFAB Intake Horn WCFAB Coolant Tanks WCFAB Coolant Pipe WCFAB Rear Diff Cover WCFAB Splash Shield WCFAB Traction Bars WCFAB Fuel Filter Housing WCFAB 3/4 Inch Bumper Spacers Fox Shocks Cognito 3 Inch Leveling Kit Axe 22-Inch Wheels on 35s Sergio went all out and the truck looks and drove amazing. Now take a listen to hear what Chris and Anthony had to say!
Myer Stump came and conquered the AMSOIL UCC this year. Myer threw down numbers that are so impressive all of us at the podcast had to double take the stats we were reading. Myer ran ran a 4.903 sec drag time, 3,662!!!! horsepower on the dyno, and hooked to the sled and pulled 355 feet to take home the title at this years event. It's the most overall points accumulated at the event and it is insane how amazing he did. We had a a great time talking with Myer and he breaks down how he put the win all together right here!
We often get a ton of questions regarding what we would do with necessary upgrades for the LML Duramax. We figured we'd bring in one of the Calibrated Power Shop Techs, Nick Evertsen, to answer that question. Nick has been a GM tech and moved around to independent diesel shops to arriving over at Calibrated Power now. He is taking his decades plus amount of expertise to answer the question, 'Top five reliability upgrades for the 2011-2016 6.6L Duramax.' These trucks are now between 10 and 15 years old(insane to think), and we have the best upgrades that will keep your LML running optimally and for the long haul. Enjoy!
Austin Denny is a dude that makes you realize why you enjoy the diesel world. He and his 6.0L Powerstroke are back for a 3rd time at the AMSOIL UCC 2026! He wants a top 5 overall and with him placing 4th and 2nd in the drag racing portion of the event in his prior events, we think he can do it. Austin is diesel racing at heart, taking the 6.0L platform and puhing it into a different world. You definitely got a couple fans in us, Austin. Good luck!
We are joined by the Lucero brothers! Shop owners, massive racing fans, and now first time AMSOIL UCC competitors. We are big fans of these guys and we believe they can make huge waves at the event in a rookie season. They discuss the Cummins they're bringing, what they expect to see out of the competition field, and how they are going to attack the event. We are ready to see what they do!
Black smoke and power always kept Patrick Brown going! Since he was a young kid wrenching on tractors, combines, and farm equipment, Patrick was hooked on diesel. Patrick has been the owner of Moonlight Diesel And Fab now for just under 9 years and last year decide it was time to go after the biggest diesel event of the year. With this being second go round at the AMSOIL UCC he's looking to push his Blue VP44 Cummins into the top of the pack. We have always been massive fans of Patrick and we are stoked to see him continue to push the envelope of what the VP44 can do!
We are interviewing our first rookie of this years event, Jonny Hooper! Jonny is ready to put his 12 Valve Cummins into the competition and make some waves. Coming from a background in sled pulls and dirt drags up in Wisconsin, he is hooked to the experience of competition. Jonny is looking to have fun and achieve his own goals at this years AMSOIL UCC 2026. As avid 12 valve fans, we are going to have fun watching Jonny take on this years competitors!
From wrenching on everything to starting his own diesel shop, Black Magic Performance, to competing in his third AMSOIL UCC event, Colt Carter joins the podcast to talk his about his Cummins and what he expects from this year's event. From putting down a 2nd place finish his first AMSOIL UCC and then improving the next year in the drag race and dyno portion of the challenge, this man has left it all out there. Fracturing his foot from his piston blasting apart on the dyno and spending all night trying to mke sure the truck could make the sled pull portion, this man embodies a no quit attitude. Colt has what it takes to win it and when you hear his story and what he's dealt with this past year, you can't help but root for him. Good luck Colt!
Cody Hawk! If you are into Duramax trucks, you know the name. He's Setting records of over 3,000 horsepower in a Duramax. Cody has switched up the mods on the LB7 this time around. He's got a secret up his sleeve being announced in a video on his social channels coming soon. What exactly? We are patiently awaiting to see as well. We are ready to see what she does for you this year at the 2026 AMSOIL UCC, Cody!
Mike Brown is back on the show ahead of the AMSOIL UCC 2026! This will be Mike's third go round with the event. Mike has been hooked on diesel since his first truck purchased in 2016 and you'll hear in this episode his passion is even stronger now. Mike first competed in 2024 and he came out with a bang, placing on the podium with a 3rd place finish. Mike came out in 2025 and shaved a full half second off his drag race time, put down bigger dyno numbers, and pulled the sled farther than in his rookie event the year prior. We think Mike and his Cummins are going to push the limits even more so!
He's back! The back-to-back two-time AMSOiL UCC champion is returning to reclaim the title he last won four years ago. Justin has been racing Pro Street and racking up wins in the race circuit since his last time competing at the AMSOIL UCC. Has the competition changed drascitaclly since 2022? Will he be able to get the truck ready for the sled pull portion? Justin talked to us about a ton of things and how he sees his experience going at the 2026 event. Get ready, we are stoked to see what Justin Zeigler accomkplishes this go round!
We are stoked to kick off our UCC 2026 Competitors gauntlet starting with a 5-time veteran, Robby Garcia! Robby is the true definition of unrelenting and enthusiast. Robby has steadily climbed the standings ladder in every competition his truck has finished, but this year he is changing it up. He is bringing a new Cummins for his 5th run at the AMSOIL Ultimate Callout Challenge. With that new truck he has his sights on a top 5 finish! Robby and Chris breakdown the new truck, what Robby expects, and how he thinks the Cummins will fair in this year's competition!
The podcast has the man that brings the whole diesel industry together for an amazing weekend of chaotic fun, Chris Searle! The AMSOIL Ultimate Callout Challenge is back for it's TENTH year. Wow. That means get ready because the event is going MASSIVE for it's year 10. Chris Ehmke talks with Chris Searle to discuss how the AMSOIL UCC went from it's inception of an event to squash talk talking and put their money where their mouth is.... in the most fun and friendly way possible, to one of the biggest diesel events in the industry. We discuss all that is going down at the event in 2026! Fan dynos, a massive Show N Shine, a joint points event with the ODSS & NHRDA, a 1st Gen Homecoming with 200 1st Gen Cummins driving to the event for spectators of drool over, and don't forget Lavon Miller of Firepunks Fast72 event is happening too! This is just the tip of the iceberg, so sit back and relax while Chris Searle dishes everything happening at the AMSOIL Ultimate Callout Challenge 2026! Looking for tickets to the event? Click the link below! https://ultimatecalloutchallenge.com/Tickets
"I will never own a diesel!" That's what shop tech Jake Maher said forever. Now he is rushing against the clock to get his LB7 build ready for two events, one that is less than two weeks away. The boys talk to Jake about his turn from anti-diesel to going absolutely HAM on restoring his regular cab. From a rusted out plow truck to a fresh, clean looking beast. Jake has a slew of modifications that keep changing as he hunts down lower time slips at the track, still having a blast sled pulling, and now getting the motor assembled and installed before the Cleetus event in a couple weeks and making his ultimate event goal, Sick Michigan Miles. If you love diesel enthusiasm and passion, you're going to love this episode!
Kory Willis is back! He joins the show to discuss everything emissions and diesel. You've seen all the news surrounding DEF and charges for deletes. Kory called in to discuss his experience fightiong his battle to keep his company PPEI alive despite the massive blows it faced with charges. Kory also discusses what we can expect to see from here, emergency vehicles dealing with reduced power mode in times of crisis, and much more! Thanks for carving out some time for the show, Kory. Listeners, this one is a good one. Enjoy!
