Anyone that’s ever said you can’t make gobs of horsepower with a diesel engine and a couple (or a few, rather) turbochargers has obviously never been a tractor pulling event, and not-so-ironically, that’s exactly where Hypermax Engineering translated their engine combination and expertise from to develop the triple-turbocharged diesel dragster that you see in the video shown here.

A number of diesel-powered dragsters and full-bodied vehicles have graced the quarter mile in recent seasons, including the Scheid Diesel entry that’s been down into the 6.80’s at over 200 miles per hour. But with the three turbochargers set up in a compound configuration, this one is quite unique.

The dragster is the brainchild of Hypermax Engineering owner Jerry Lagod and his son Max, who have an extensive background in the world of truck and tractor pulling. While the father and son duo have set records in a straight line before in their diesel power exploits, drag racing is one of their newest ventures.

The Hypermax Engineering dragster, with a chassis specifically designed for the longer dimensions of the large diesel powerplant, is powered by an International DT466 that weights in at 1,500-1,600 pounds with the three turbochargers mounted up. The engine, displacing 504 cubic inches, which would be legal in the Super Stock diesel tractor categories in the NTPA or the Pro Pulling League, is based upon a complete Hypermax short block with ported large valve cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves, cast aluminum valve covers and intake, a three-piece cast-iron exhaust manifold, and a Hypermax 15mm inline injection pump with a high life camshaft supplying an obviously impressive volume of fuel.

The billet wheel turbochargers, manufactured by Hypermax, are set up in the aforementioned two-into-one compound configuration that feeds up to 250 psi of boost (yes, you read that right), creating mighty impressive engine setup that’s capable of producing an estimated 3,000 horsepower.

At this test outing at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. near the Hypermax headquarters in Gilbert, Ill., the dragster laid down a 7.62 elapsed time, which is rather stout considering the dragster likely tips the scales just a hint under 3,000 pounds. With that said, at 250 psi of boost, let’s hope for the sake of everyone within a couple mile radius that the engine never comes apart.