World’s Fastest Duramax Engine
Back in September 2009, the Mormon Missile streamliner was set to make an all-out attempt at the 8.0L-and-less diesel engine record. The vehicle would be run over a 5-mile course at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and expectations were that it would run more than 300 mph. During testing at the World of Speed on Thursday, the Missile blew a freeze plug, lost its coolant, and melted the 6.6L Duramax engine. With an FIA record attempt on Monday, the decision was made to yank the engine out of the race car and try to get it rebuilt in time to break the existing record. A short 48 hours later, after overnighting parts from across the country and a lot of generosity from local shops, the Mormon Missile’s engine was back on the salt, running a two-way average of 341.167 mph, with a peak speed of 353 mph. The thrash had worked, and the team now held an international speed record for diesels less than 8.0L in displacement. After such a catastrophic failure, it was a long shot for the crew to get the engine back in business, but they did—and here’s how.
| 48 Hours Of Hell completed Duramax
