The First 5th Gen RAM To Break The 1,000-Horsepower Barrier

With the new RAM trucks out, it was only a matter of time before someone tested the limits of them and found out what they’re made of. With his colleagues at Firepunk Diesel all being veterans of horsepower, Andy Roby’s 5th Gen RAM didn’t stand a chance. Originally, what once was a project to make close to 800-horsepower has slippery-sloped into what you see now.

A truck this new is basically a clean slate for the research and development team at Firepunk and abroad. They work with a lot of our industry’s leaders and this gives them all an opportunity to develop parts and upgrades for the new canvas including companies like Exergy Performance, Taterbuilt Turbos, Stainless Diesel, Hot Shot’s Secret, AirDog, and EZ LYNK.

Photos provided by Andy Roby.

Riding on air-ride suspension and a set of 24-inch by 14-inch wheels, this truck is far more than your average “bro-n-show” truck as Roby calls it. “The truck is still definitely a bro and show truck but to me, it’s a fun daily-driven, fun truck,” Roby says. “We are amazed that the 68RFE transmission didn’t slip through the converter during these runs. I don’t want to be the first to find out its limitations but we’re happy with the crazy power it made with more to go.”

Depending on the wheel and tire choice, Roby’s truck can look ready for one extreme to the other. Parked super hard in a parking lot or even ripping down the dragstrip. Bottom line, that red looks mean.

Unfortunately for Roby, he was right. The transmission did in fact not enjoy the abuse after being put through the paces on the dragstrip. This just gives him an opportunity to keep upgrading it resulting in a healthier and longer-living truck. To make it past that 1,000-horsepower barrier, it isn’t an easy feat. Making this possible was a truck-bed full of goodies.

“The biggest thank you needs to go to Exergy Performance for knocking it out of the park and being the first to have these new injectors and a CP4.2 injection pump when nobody else did,” Roby said. “The 100-percent over stock injectors and 10MM pump still have plenty more fuel to go.” With the fueling covered, the air to match was next.

When it comes to oils and additives, you guessed it, Roby uses Hot Shot’s Secret. When talking with Kyle at Hot Shot’s Secret, he stresses how important it is to get out in front of the maintenance of a new truck and supply it with quality fluids. Roby took that advice and filled this truck with their oil and fuel additives which inevitably has kept this CP4.2 injection pump alive. Keeping fuel to these critical parts is credited to an AirDog II 4G 165GPH pump.

“After a discussion with Lavon about whether or not it would drive good with this turbo, he was right. We decided to strap on a Taterbuilt Turbos S472/87/.90 and it drives amazing with the new quick-spool wheel. Even after the power we made, the turbo still isn’t maxed out yet,” Roby says. Converting the plumbing to work with the new turbo, Roby used Stainless Diesel Second-Gen parts to complete the course.

Although the transmission didn’t enjoy its dragstrip maiden voyage, I’m sure Roby and the team at Firepunk will get things right and bring this truck back to life better than ever. If you’re interested in keeping up with this build, you can stay tuned to the Firepunk Diesel YouTube page for more updates on this and more. What do you think of Roby’s truck? Do you like it better in street trim? Or are you a fan of the slick-tire, race-ready look? For more truck features, part installs, and event coverage, stay tuned to Diesel Army.

More Sources

About the author

Artie Maupin

Artie Maupin is from Southeast Missouri and has an extreme passion for anything diesel. He loves drag racing of all kinds, as well as sled pulling competitions.
Read My Articles