For most builders, they plan out the engine and gather the most important parts first to assemble their engine. For Jeremy Wagler, of Wagler Competition Products, this all-billet Duramax was built from the inside out, starting with a set of Top Fuel ARP head studs.

Wagler built the DX 500, a 500 cubic inch Duramax for Lucas Pro pulling based on off-the-shelf ARP Top Fuel head studs because he knew they would be readily available. But Wagler didn’t stop there when he built this 3,500 horsepower beast full of billet goodness, from top to bottom.

There’s still some tuning and dyno runs that need to be made, but when you have this kind of boost making this kind of power, there’s nothing that even comes close to the dependability of ARP hardware. From the head studs, to the main studs, and everything else that ARP makes for this insane build, Wagler said, “Starting from the top, we have all the ARP stainless bolts, the blower studs, manifold studs, even the stainless studs holding the intake down; we have a lot of strength here.

These billet aluminum Cummins blocks come standard with a 6.7-Liter bore and stroke and measure out to just over 400 cubic inches. Hence the name “CX400”. With the strength of aluminum combined with the durability of ARP fasteners, these engines are going to be capable of ungodly amounts of power.

Now, after the success with the DX500, Wagler looks to broaden their horizons and get into the billet Cummins blocks as well with their CX400. The CX400 is a Cummins based block and should be capable of similar horsepower to the DX500.

We caught up with Justin Norris, Marketing Spokesperson for Wagler Competition Products, to get his take on these new engine designs and what ARP means to them. “Both DX500 and CX400 use all ARP fasteners, but the most important ones to Wagler’s engine design are the top fuel head studs,” said Norris. “Jeremy used an NHRA top fuel engine for inspiration when designing the DX500 due to the crazy cylinder pressure nitro engines can withstand and the ARP top fuel head studs are what holds all the pressure in.”

“As a result, both the DX500 and CX400 are built around the ARP top fuel head studs, which are longer so that they do not pull from the cylinder walls. The threads actually pull from the below the cylinders where there’s more material. Jeremy took it one step further and made his engines modular with jugs and inserts, that can be replaced if damaged, rather than replacing an entire block,” Norris said. “The ARP top fuel head stud extends right through the jug section and threads into a very robust center section. This design guards against lifting the head by having the studs pull from the center section rather than the cylinder wall.”

This twin turbo, blown, and nitrous-fed Duramax is honestly a work of art. If you have never seen these engines in person, it’s an absolute must. If you’re lucky enough to hear it run, hold your ears.

You can expect to see both the Wagler DX500 and CX400 at shows coming up including the SEMA Show, PRI, and at upcoming diesel events around the country. For more information about ARP and what hardware they offer for your ride, check out their website. You can also visit the Wagler Competition Products website for more information on your next build.