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Here at DieselArmy.com, we try to stay in tune with some of the builds currently going on around the country, and one that just hit our radar is YouTube’s Sebastian Luna‘s SEMA-bound RAM. Just a few days ago, Firepunk Diesel uploaded a video to their channel, sharing a dyno session with Luna’s monster 2016 RAM where it finally hit the rollers after five years worth of changes.
“Six years in the making, my truck is finally coming together and getting dialed in at Firepunk Diesel,” Luna says. “Join me today as I head to the dyno for the first time in five years and discover what a SEMA truck can really do.” Funny he mentions SEMA. Typically when that show is brought up, everyone has one thing in mind. All show and no go. Well, we left it up to him and he’s looking to change the way we look at SEMA builds.
The truck originally went to Firepunk for some fabrication because the current turbo plumbing situation was less than stellar. Luna’s RAM was making enough boost pressure that the boot connections weren’t cutting it anymore. He entrusted the fabrication team at Firepunk to rework his over-under compound turbos with new V-band-connected pipes to hopefully hold his new goal of 1,400 horsepower.
On top of that, the truck’s G56 six-speed manual transmission was removed and a stout Firepunk-built Comp 3 48RE went in its place. Then, to help reach his power goal, Luna gave the ok to install a nitrous kit as well. Lastly, since time allows, he had them reconfigure the exhaust for a more custom look. Since the truck sits so high in the air, what better way to show some nice welds than construct a new side-pipe style exhaust?
Roughly six months after Luna initially purchased the truck, he allegedly got it really hot, blew it up, and crashed it. What you see now is the aftermath of saying “to hell with it, let’s go for it”. His original goal was to have a streetable, 700-horsepower machine. By all accounts, that should happen with ease. After years of preparation, Luna has finally managed to get it done.
The primary turbocharger (68/87/1.0) had a smaller turbine wheel so it was sent off to Stainless Diesel where it was upgraded. Next, a fresh S485/96/1.32 atmosphere was mounted to hang out front. After some calibrations were flashed onto the truck, it was dyno time. A stout 1,122-horsepower was the best it could do on fuel only, but it was how the truck finished the day that is most impressive.
With the nitrous armed, Luna’s 2016 RAM cranked out 1,383 horsepower, which is nearly double his original goal. Needless to say, this truck will have no problems turning over this set of six huge wheels and tires. “I was expecting 1,400 horsepower with nitrous. I wanted to hit 1,400 horsepower but I’m just happy that the truck did not blow up,” Luna says. “At the end of the day, it’s still in one piece.”
We’re excited for Sebastian for nearly hitting his goal and we’re looking forward to seeing this 2016 RAM at the 2022 SEMA show in Las Vegas later this year.
