The diesel market is continuing to grow profusely and with the growing popularity, big manufacturers are going to design more engines. To be more specific, the 2.8-liter Duramax engine that is outfitted in the Chevrolet Colorados. These 2.8-liter engines are making 181-horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Now, like you know, we as enthusiasts can’t stand to leave anything alone. With that being said, someone is going to attempt to push this little engine that could, hard enough that it no longer can’t. We stopped and had a chat with Bryce Mulvey with CP Carrillo about these engines.

This will open up opportunities for these smaller trucks to compete in diesel competitions such as sled pulling and drag racing.

“We’ve been doing some testing with SoCal Diesel over the last few months in trying to get a set of performance connecting rods for these engines,” said Mulvey. “The reason we are working on performance rods is that SoCal Diesel found the weak spots in the engines. They have cranked out enough horsepower that the factory internals are letting go.”

With these billet connecting rods, the 2.8-liter engine will be able to withstand a great amount of horsepower and torque versus the factory parts. With horsepower rates ranging from 400 to 600 and even more torque, this will open up the small truck performance market. Now mid-size truck owners will be able to safely make horsepower like the traditional 3/4 and 1-ton trucks.

For more information on the CP Carrillo connecting rods, be sure and check out their website. What are your thoughts on the 2.8-liter billet rods? Let us know in the comments below.