We Promised 500 HORSEPOWER… Did We Actually Get There?

We finally put this question to rest. Can intake and exhaust mods actually move the needle on a diesel truck that’s already making power, or are they just noise? In this video, we take a VP44-equipped Cummins tow rig to the dyno and test it the right way. No guessing, no swapping everything at once, and no internet myths. Just real back-to-back dyno data.

We start with upgraded injectors and establish a solid baseline right around the mid-470 horsepower range. From there, we test each component individually, beginning with air intake setups, stock versus aftermarket airboxes, different filter combinations, and even open turbo configurations. Some results are surprising, especially how certain intake configurations actually hurt airflow and power instead of helping it. This is a great reminder that airflow on a diesel is about control and velocity, not just removing restrictions.

Next up is the four-inch exhaust system, and this is where things get interesting. While peak horsepower doesn’t skyrocket, the difference in spool-up, torque delivery, boost response, and drivability is obvious on the dyno graph. Faster spool, lower EGTs, more torque sooner, and a truck that simply feels stronger everywhere in the RPM range. For a tow rig, that matters more than a big peak number.

After combining the best intake and exhaust setup, we still aren’t at our 500 horsepower goal, so we address the real limiter: tuning. Once custom tuning is reloaded, everything comes together. The truck finally breaks past the 500 horsepower mark while staying streetable, tow-friendly, and reliable on mostly stock components.

This video breaks down real diesel performance testing, shows what mods are actually worth the money, and explains why tuning, injectors, and turbo choice matter far more than bolt-ons alone. If you’re building a reliable Cummins tow rig or chasing efficient diesel horsepower, this one’s worth watching.


Power Driven Diesel is a specialty performance shop engaged in the engineering and development of high-performance turbo diesel technologies.

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