Going for Gold: Looking for the Perfect Diesel Engine for This Audi R8

Decisions, decisions. 

What happens when you take a supercar with a gasoline engine and attempt to swap it out for a diesel? This is what Darkside Developments, a shop in England, is attempting to do with an Audi R8.

The story by Brad Anderson appeared on Carscoops this week, accompanied by a video in which builder states, "This is a cry for help." The help he was seeking was not money to finish the build, but rather help in making some important decisions.

Creating a video like that is intriguing because the shop is utilizing a technique called "crowdsourcing." Crowdsourcing is a method for obtaining information by enlisting the services of a large number of people in order to get input regarding a project. 

The primary decision Darkside had been grappling with was whether to drop in a diesel V6 with a massive turbocharger, or to drop in a V8 diesel with two turbos hanging out from the back.

The current engine they intend to swap out.

The compounding issue on the V8 selection would be finding a suitable manual transmission that would mate well with an engine that powerful.

Anderson says that he doesn't believe Audi fans would be all that thrilled by this kind of build. Nevertheless, we think diesel enthusiasts may be paying attention.

"While it would certainly be cool to see a diesel-powered Audi R8 on the road," Anderson writes, "such a vehicle wouldn't be entirely without precedent. In fact, Audi famously unveiled the R8 Le Mans Concept back in 2008 with a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 4923 hp at 4,000 rpm and a monstrous 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm."

Audi purportedly gave serious consideration to putting it into production, but finally took a pass. 

UK-based Darkside Developments specializes in performance diesel tuning. They do fabrication, tuning, mods, off road, project cars, and racing. They ship all over the world and have a loyal following for their workmanship and high standards. According to Carscoops, their objective, with regard to this diesel swap, was to use the diesel R8 as a top speed car rather than one focused on track times, "something that the R8 is probably more suited for."

Related Links

Diesel Powered Car of the Week: Audi R15 TDI

The Original Story at Carscoops

Darkside Developments

Champion Oil Expands Contingency Program to Include Truck and Tractor Pullers

The other day I wrote about the Blue Flame contingency program for diesel drag racers. Evidently, someone down in Clinton, Missouri believes there's light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel. Kudos to Champion for adding these incentives for Truck and Tractor Pullers as well. 

Here's the press release that came across the wire and fell into my inbox yesterday:

Champion Oil Expands Truck and Tractor Pulling Contingency Program

(Clinton, Mo / 11.18.20) Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in performance lubricants for over 64 years, recently announced the expansion of their Racing Contingency Program for 2021.The all-encompassing marketing program is designed to link Champion performance products directly with truck and tractor pullers in all racing classes of competition and in most sanctioned events in North America. https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

The 2021 Champion Truck and Tractor Pullers Contingency Program includes, but is not limited to racing events such as:  National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), WNY Pro Pulling Series – NY & Canada, Outlaw Pulling Series, Hot Farm Pulling Series Club, Diesel Motorsports (NADM), SS Pulling Series, Smoke & Speed, Northwest PA Tractor & Truck pullers Association, Truck & Tractor Pulling (TNT), Mid Missouri Pulling, Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS), Texas truck & Tractor Pullers Association (TTTPA), Pro Pulling League, Illinois Tractor Pulling Association (ITPA), Rudy’s Diesel Truck Jam, etc.

https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

Trucks or tractors pull a heavy drag sled along a 35 ft. wide, 330 ft. long track, with the winner being the vehicle that pulls the drag sled the farthest. The sport is known as the world's most powerful motorsport, due to the use of multi-engine modified tractor pullers.

 

The drag sled is a weight transfer drag sled as it is pulled down the track, the weight is transferred with gears to the sled’s wheels from over the rear axles and towards the front of the drag sled. In front of the rear wheels there is a "pan". This is essentially a metal plate, and as the weight moves toward it, the resistance between the pan and the ground builds. The farther the tractor pulls the drag sled, the more difficult it gets.

 

Champion Racing and Performance products are the choice of champions in racing events nationwide. Champion’s new 2021 expanded contingency program supports race teams from dirt track to pavement, gas to diesel, and circle track to tractor pulls with contingency cash pay-out awards.

Racing teams and racers can apply for the Champion Racing Oil Contingency Program now through June 30th, 2021.  -->Click on the Orange Button in the right hand column here.

About: Champion Brands, LLC, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 64 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to  http://www.championbrands.com

World's Fastest Door Slammer

It’s been an on-again, off-again year for the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS). However, most recently the ODSS finale event sparked national attention with a new speed record for the Firepunk Diesel S-10 Pro Mod Race Truck.

The S-10 diesel powered pick-up not only retained its title as the world’s fastest diesel door slammer, but it also extended the world record to 4.213 seconds at 178 mph in the eighth-mile at the Hardway Sunshine Showdown at Emerald Coast Dragway. The run also secured another Pro Mod championship for the Firepunk Diesel S-10 Pro Mod race truck.

“We finished the season undefeated without losing a single race and topped it off by setting an all new world record as the fastest diesel truck on the planet," said Kyle Fischer, Hot Shot’s Secret Director of Branding & Promotions and a sponsor of the S-10. “You can’t ask for a more exciting finish to this season. It was amazing to be there and see the results. Congratulations to Lavon Miller and to the entire Firepunk Diesel team.”

Firepunk Diesel purchased the S10 in 2019 and gave it a Hot Shot’s Secret themed wrap at the beginning of the season. The season began at the Suncoast Spring Shakedown where Larson Miller collected gold in the Pro Mod where he pulled off a 4.28-second pass in qualifying and a 4.36 at 173 mph in the semi-finals. Throughout the season Miller, car #3393, never lost a race. He finished the season with 198 points followed by Ben Shadday, #6250, at 98 points. The diesel S-10 will finish racing this year at South Georgia Motorsports Park in October.

Everything You Need to Know to Buy a Used Diesel Truck

Years ago I had a writer friend who self-published a book on how to buy a used car. It was 24 chapters, mostly short, but filled with useful information. His target audience was women who were tired of being taken advantage of by car salespeople who recognized their lack of experience in what was previously "a man's world." It wasn't really just for women though. I learned a lot from it and have had a lot of luck--and saved a lot of money--by knowing what to look for when buying second hand.

I thought of that book when I saw this story by Mike McGlothlin at Driving Line. The first paragraph setup details the advantages of diesel power. But then, he starts asking questions: 

"So how do you decide if a Ford, GM or Ram, Power Stroke, Duramax or Cummins is right for you? Which model years are more reliable than others? Which transmission would be better, and should I look for an automatic or a manual? What types of trouble signs should I look for on the engine, in the cab or under the body?"

And most important: What trucks should we be avoiding? No one wants a money pit. If you've ever been burned buying used, you know what I'm talking about.

Factors the author addresses include knowing how much weight you need to tow, how much the mileage should be considered as a variable, emissions systems, EGR, rust, injector issues and a dozen other details to consider. Late in the article he offers specific questions for specific models and model years. You'll appreciate the inspection pointers as well.

If you're considering a new used truck in the coming year, this 2018 story is one you'll want to read and bookmark.

 BUYING A USED DIESEL TRUCK: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Daimler Claims This Is the Most Powerful Diesel Car in Mercedes-Benz History

More power, less fuel consumption, fewer emissions. What's not to like?

According to Daimler.com, their new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, the OM 656, sets a new standard as regards what diesels are capable of.  

What makes it noteworthy is that it not only has more power, but it also consumes 6% less fuel. The engine isn't designed simply to meet today's standards. Their target is always tomorrow's standards as well. Their goal, in conjunction with a cross-sector consortium of other companies, is a net zero future. 

I find it interesting that the engine has an aluminum block with steel pistons. It also touts a nano-level coating inside the piston chambers that they call NANOSLIDE®.

When you try to wrap your head around the engineering, chemistry and science involved in making today's high-tech cars, it's literally astonishing what we're seeing today. Just as the Internet was unimaginable half a century ago, so are the advances in automotive technology. 

You can read the full story here.

Follow Your Passion

Picture of the Day: Hot Dawg Diesel

Photo courtesy street photographer Karl D from an NADM event.

What does NADM stand for?

Ask Google and they will tell you it stands for the North American Drought Monitor. Of course it could stand for the Nearly Analytic Discreet Method. 

Diesel enthusiasts will use the acronym for two better definitions. First, the National Association of Diesel Motorsports. In the same breath I'll add another:

Never A Dull Moment

HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY