| "Project X is not only up to the task of breaking the record- it's ready to demolish it."
As many of you will remember from last year's Drag Week (put on by our sister magazine, Hot Rod), our '03 Dodge Ram Project X took the drag-racing community by storm-blowing the doors off musclecars every chance it got. With some success under Project X's belt, we talked with Kirk Manuel of Manuel Auto Group located in Fort Worth, Texas, and driver Greg Hogue about the next challenge for our 5.9L Cummins truck. They came back with the idea of setting a new speed record at this year's Texas Mile competition. Of course, they assured us Project X and its team were up to the task of not only breaking the record but also demolishing it.
The Texas MileThe Texas Mile is a drag race on an old airstrip near Goliad, Texas, where drivers have approximately one mile to accelerate their vehicles up to speed. The vehicle's speed is calculated based on the time it takes to pass through the final 132 feet of the mile-long acceleration. Just about any vehicle can run, so we thought we'd show everyone what Project X's 860 hp was capable of.
Only a Month Until Race DayProject X assumed its familiar spot in a bay at Manuel Auto Group's service department. The technicians quickly set Manuel and Hogue's plan of attack into action, and the wrenches began turning. To set a new speed record at the Texas Mile, they would have to beat the C/DT record of 130 mph in the standing mile. With that in mind, the technicians decided to make a few modifications to Project X for it to go flying down the mile.
Tires, More Power, and a 1/2-ton SuspensionThe lineup of modifications included the addition of a Gear Vendors overdrive unit ("Gearing for Speed," June '07), a set of speed-rated Toyo Proxes S/T tires mounted on XD Series wheels, retrofitting 1/2-ton suspension up front, installing a 1/2-ton rear axle out back, adding a lower air dam, plugging in an RPM Performance Products data logger, putting in a new Nitrous Express single-stage nitrous kit, and adding a Banks intercooler.
We'll bring you the results next month, but for those of you who are interested in our new record, check out www.texasmile.com/032007highlights.htm for information.
