2011 lbs of Cummins Power in a 1977 lb Package

Is this thing going to fit? 

Yes it did. The 5.9L Cummins Engine is now mounted to the built ATS Diesel Transmission and both are sitting in the 1977 Ford Truck. Body modifications are mostly done to the Ford and provisions were made to support the extra weight of the new diesel engine which is being transplanted.

 The center section of the body has been given a work-over and gotten some nice coats of flat black paint thanks to Camaros Plus Denver Body Shop.

Modifications are underway to the truck's firewall to support the non-OEM engine and hardware. ATS built a heavy duty automatic transmission which will be used to get the new power to the wheels. The factory Ford rear end was exchanged for a 14 bolt 11.5" rear from a newer model Dodge Ram in order to support the high level of torque that the drivetrain will experience.

Last week listeners of 106.7 KBPI Radio chose to have Car Toys supply an Alpine Stereo for the build. This week listeners vote on which style of exhaust will go into the truck. Interior work and suspension are soon-to-come. KBPI continues to award keys to fans in anticipation of the vehicle give-away late this month.

KBPI Radio's Metal Shop 7 - Studio Setup

KBPI Radio's Scoop made the trip to ATS Diesel's HQ today to get the streaming video/photo cameras set up. A handful of cameras were mounted around the build area and up-linked to KBPI's website server to allow the build to be followed online.

The build area studio is setting up.

Scoop gets the video streaming online

Joel sets up the network to stream live shots

According to the KBPI polling it looks like the engine going into the Metal Shop Truck will be a 12-Valve Cummins. Up for voting today on the KBPI website is the paint color and door handle style. Also up for decision is the option to either have the truck in long bed or short bed flavor. More updates coming soon!

KBPI Radio's Metal Shop 7 Truck Build At ATS Diesel

KBPI DJ Willie B. Shows Off The Truck To Be Built

For the 7th edition of KBPI Radio's Metal Shop Vehicle Build, ATS Diesel was chosen to be the 2011 host. Each year the radio station locates a donor vehicle and product sponsors. The vehicle is then rebuilt and modified with performance upgrades. This year's vehicle is a 1977 F-150 Pickup which will receive a diesel engine transplant along with a grocery list of other upgrades which will all be voted-on by the listeners.

Cold Start For The F-150

The Build Area Is Prepped

This week as the build process begins the '77 Ford was dropped-off at ATS Diesel. The crew at the shop began clearing and prepping the area where the build will take place. This week KBPI has a page on their website devoted to allowing listeners to vote on which power plant will be installed into the truck in place of the 460 gas engine. The engine options are the 5.9L Cummins from the Dodge Ram, 6.6L Duramax from GM Diesels, and the 7.3L Ford Power Stroke.

Whichever engine is decided-on, the truck is going to need some serious help on the front end to support the additional weight versus the 460 gas unit. Body work and interior upgrades will also be happening along the way and this truck should look a lot different very soon.

Co-Pilot For 6.7L Dodge Ram Solves 68RFE Transmission Issues

Co-Pilot For 68RFE Transmission

ATS has released the most advanced version of the Co-Pilot Controller to assist the durability of the 68RFE Transmission in the 6.7L Dodge Ram Diesel. This truck is capable of impressive power and performance and serious towing weight, but has been lacking in the transmission longevity department. This new transmission system uses computer control to govern hydraulic clamping pressure and shift /lockup strategy (similar to the Allison Transmission in the GM Duramax Trucks).
The combination of mechanical limitations and factory computer programming has left truck owners who are towing heavy loads or tuning for improved performance with a void and in-need of an aftermarket solution. The Co-Pilot Controller for the 68RFE Transmission plugs into the OEM electrical harness and monitors the load being placed on the gearbox.  The hydraulic pressures, shifting, and torque converter lockup strategies are modified to prevent the pressure from dropping to an unsafe level and therefore avoiding slippage of the internal clutch packs. Many issues stem from hard acceleration damage that occurs to the 'low-sprag' or 'low-roller clutch' inside the transmission. The Co-Pilot is programmed to engage the low clutch pack to distribute the torque load more effectively.
The Co-Pilot on its own creates much better longevity inside of a properly functioning transmission, but may not be a 100% solution depending on the application. If internal transmission wear/damage, extreme towing weight, or significantly increased power are factors, then mechanical upgrades to the transmission's internals are needed in-conjunction with the Co-Pilot.

With easily selectable programs available in-cab to the driver and exclusive strategy for keeping the 68RFE Transmission alive, the Co-Pilot is a great solution for 6.7L Dodge Ram Owners who tow, snowplow, street-rod or compete with their truck.

Are Twin CP3 Fuel Pumps Harder On My Diesel Engine Than A Single?

"Are Twin CP3 Fuel Pumps Harder On My Diesel Engine Than A Single?" 

This question comes up quite a bit these days with the number of light duty diesel truck owners who are modifying their truck for more power and therefore needing to increase fuel supply. There seems to be much incorrect info to be found online and lots of hearsay dealing with misconceptions. The simple answer is NO.

What is true is that introducing a much higher-than-OEM amount of fuel pressure on a truck would cause issues over time with the fuel system and injectors. Before the release of the Twin CP3 Fuel System (sometimes referred to as a 'dual fueler'), there were many attempts in the industry to simply modify a single CP3 Pump for more pressure (as had been done in earlier 12 Valve and 2nd Generation 24 Valve Cummins pumps) in order to keep up with the fuel level demanded by power modifications. Some of these modified single pumps produce an unsafe amount of fuel pressure and lead to shortened pump life and driveability issues.

ATS Diesel released the Twin CP3 Fuel System which allows the addition of a second main injection pump or 'twin pump' to work in unison with the original factory CP3 Pump. The system uses a few key elements which make it safe and reliable for increased power. The Twin CP3 Controller (supplied with kit) is a self-contained micro computer which acts as an intermediary between the truck's OEM computer and the fuel system. The twin pumps are run together as if there were only one pump in place. An important factor is that fuel supply (volume) is maintained without using the high pressure found in other single pump upgrades. Because the two pumps run in unison, and are regulated by the Twin CP3 Controller, they perform their job at partial duty cycle and provide the required volume of fuel to the injection system. Since the pumps are not working as hard to maintain fuel supply, the life of each pump is extended beyond what a single pump would attain. This volume (as with turbochargers), is the important ingredient, as opposed to simply upping pressure. When a truck is modified for more power with tuning or injectors this fuel supply volume becomes a limiting factor for performance.

Because of the supporting installation hardware required and second pump, the Twin CP3 Fuel Systems are somewhat more costly than a single pump upgrade, but the performance and durability difference is drastic. Driveability is much better with the Twin CP3 Fuel System due to the fact that low-end and mid-range output pressures are consistent with factory levels and follow a smooth ramp-up. If performance, reliability, and quality are all important factors to a truck's owner - the Twin CP3 Fuel System is an easy and sensible choice when upgrading performance. Whether upgrading for towing and work performance, or building a hot rod truck, the Twin CP3 Fuel System is the ideal fuel supply modification.

Save Our Public Land Access!

--From www.ARRA-Access.com--
Support Transparency in Public Land Designations

As you may recall, ARRA recently asked you to send a letter to your Representative about a leaked Department of Interior (DOI) memo that made it clear that President Obama was considering restricting access to public lands by declaring as many as 13 million acres in western states as National Monuments.  Thank you for responding. Your voice was heard and this issue has been addressed repeatedly in Congressional hearings, on national news and in many other ways.  But there is more to do.

House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member, Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 1254) aimed at requiring the Secretary of Interior to turn over to the House of Representatives specific information related to potential National Monument designations and other public lands initiatives on April 15.  A resolution of inquiry is a method used by the House to obtain information from an executive branch official.  The House Committee will vote on the resolution on April 28th.

Sweeping National Monument designations like those outlined in the leaked DOI memo represent a serious threat to recreation including motorized access.  Any OHV use would almost certainly be forever banned in areas designated as National Monuments, and riders would have no opportunity to formally weigh in on the process.  Any decision that could potentially lock OHV use out of huge swaths of public lands should be made in the light of day, and that is why it is important for you to weigh in to support transparency.

Please click the Take Action link below to send a letter encouraging House Natural Resources Committee Members to support and cosponsor H. Res. 1254.

--The link below will allow you simply send an online message to your government representatives to let them know how you feel--

CLICK HERE!>>> TAKE ACTION! <<<

Turbocharged Weekend In The Rockies - 2010 Diesels On The Mountain

2010’s Diesels On The Mountain At Bandimere Speedway

ATS Diesel will host the 2010 installment of Diesels On The Mountain at Bandimere Speedway’s Thunder Mountain located in Morrison, Colorado, as well as an ATS open house in Arvada, Colorado. Diesels On The Mountain and Truck Fest take place August 6-8. Competitors from across the US and Canada will converge in Colorado to battle for top honors in sled pulling, drag racing and the show-n-shine categories (many using one truck for all events). Cash, trophies and prizes will be awarded to top finishers.

Friday August 6th ATS will host an open house and Armed Services Appreciation BBQ for Colorado area military members at our Arvada facility. Activities at ATS will begin around 10:00 a.m. Various areas of ATS’ manufacturing plant and grounds will be open for tours for those interested in how our diesel upgrades are manufactured.

Saturday August 7th features the sled pull/ truck pull at Bandimere Speedway’s unique mountain-side venue. Action will take place in Bandimere’s outlying dirt lot with gates opening at 11:00 a.m. and pulls beginning at 1:00 p.m. All competitors and spectators are invited. Classes will range from stock trucks to heavily-modified dedicated pullers. 2010’s sled pull will be cosponsored and sanctioned by NSPA (National Sled Pullers Association) and will feature NSPA’s pulling sled which is one of the newest and latest technology sleds in the country.

Sunday August 8th Truck Fest transfers the excitement to the upper paved drag strip portion of Bandimere Speedway - sponsored by Cummins Rocky Mountain. Events for Sunday include drag racing, vendor midway, rock crawling, and show-n-shine competition starting at 8:00 a.m. Spectators will see some of the most unique and detailed vehicles in the truck genre. Many of the country’s fastest trucks will be in attendance to lay down impressive quarter mile times. As with Saturday, Sunday’s competition and spectator opportunities are open to everyone. Drag racing trucks are required to either have upward-firing exhaust stacks, or use a temporary exhaust turn-up pipe for this year’s racing. This change was made at the request of the track which must manage issues presented by smoke from trucks that can damage track property and disqualify racers due to issues with the timing light system. Clamp-on exhaust turn-up kits can be acquired by calling ATS directly.