In the high-stakes world of performance tuning, where milliseconds matter and reliability can make or break a record-setting run, one name stands out in the Mopar community: Ripatuned. Under the guidance of Steve Ripa, this powerhouse tuning shop isn’t just pushing boundaries—they’re shattering world records with a combination of innovative engineering and trusted components. At the heart of their fuel management strategy lies the hero, a JMS FuelMax system.

A small package that packs a big punch. JMS includes all of the necessary wiring for a smooth installation

The Critical Role of Fuel Management

The JMS FuelMax is a component that Steve Ripa specifically chose for these record-breaking builds. In the world of high-performance fuel management, reliability isn’t just desirable—it’s essential. The JMS FuelMax stands out from the competition for one crucial reason: its pedal-voltage-driven design.

JMS makes the best because it’s driven off the pedal voltage. No Hobbs switches, another thing to fail. JMS is more reliable. If the throttle pedal is working, then you know the FuelMax is working. – Steve Ripa, Ripatuned

This seemingly simple approach offers a significant advantage over competitors that rely on vacuum lines or additional switches. Those systems, while functional, introduce potential failure points that could spell disaster at 160+ mph. As Ripa notes, “Others can be scary because of wiring or vacuum failure. Others use a $2 switch, which can easily fail.”

With JMS FuelMax, Ripa feels confident pushing single-pump fuel systems to around 800 horsepower and dual-pump systems can be pushed over 1,000 horsepower.

The Trinity of Speed: Three World Records, One Common Thread

When you hear about a 5,000-pound SUV running 8-second quarter miles, it sounds like fantasy. But for Ripatuned, it’s just another day at the office. Their stable of world-record holders reads like a dream garage of impossibly fast machines, each one defying physics and expectations.

Take Johnny Caputo’s 2021 Durango Hellcat, for instance. This family hauler turned dragstrip demon has claimed its place as the world’s fastest of its kind, blasting through the quarter-mile in a mind-bending 8.41 seconds at over 166 mph. What makes this achievement even more remarkable? The SUV remains largely intact, with only the rear seats removed—a testament to the delicate balance between performance and practicality that Ripatuned has mastered.

It’s not easy to get an AWD Hellcat Durango to run an 8.41 quarter mile, but Steve Ripa knows the perfect combination.

Not to be outdone, Adam Schindler’s 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee holds its world record, running an astonishing 8.49-second quarter-mile at 168+ mph.

Ripatuned hasn’t gotten just one AWD Mopar into the 8-second club. He’s gotten two, which is a sign that he knows a thing or two because he’s seen a thing or two.

Then there’s Jeremy Brown’s 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, which has redefined what’s possible in a pickup truck, claiming its world record with a 9.12-second pass at over 154 mph.

All three of the Mopars share the common denominator which is the JMS FuelMax. Even with aftermarket pump setups the FuelMax is still a key component. As these vehicles push past 2,000-wheel horsepower while maintaining street drivability, they’re rewriting the rules of what’s possible in modern performance tuning. The fact that these records are being set by vehicles that can still handle school runs or grocery store trips makes them all the more impressive.

The Secret Sauce: RT-2500x and Precision Engineering

What ties these three vastly different vehicles together? Each one sports Ripatuned’s flagship RT-2500x package, paired with the JMS FuelMax, they are capable of producing over 2,000 wheel horsepower. The formula involves removing the factory supercharger in favor of either twin-turbo setups (in the Durango and Grand Cherokee) or a massive single 106mm turbo (in the TRX). Each build features custom in-house fabricated turbo systems paired with Ripatuned’s proprietary Billet intake manifold.

But generating massive power is only half the battle. Controlling it—and feeding it—is where the real challenges begin. One of the challenges that Ripa has been able to overcome with this system is that even with the correct-sized fuel injectors, the fuel pressure likes to start to drop at 5,700 RPM, the FuelMax system is the key to preventing that.

Beyond the Track: Daily Drivability

What makes these builds truly remarkable isn’t just their outright performance—it’s their versatility. These aren’t stripped-down race cars; they’re fully functional vehicles that can be driven on the street. The JMS FuelMax plays a crucial role here too, providing seamless fuel management whether you’re making a record attempt or running errands.

We work hard to develop products such as FuelMax that work well with multiple packages from street to strip. JMS is proud of our customers who use our product and appreciate every one of their accomplishments and National speed records that they have achieved. – Frank Kondas, JMS

For daily driving and long trips, Ripa recommends using Boostane or VP Racing products when E85 isn’t available. “Test or gauge octane level every so often,” he advises. “The goal is for E85, E70, or better.” This attention to fuel quality, combined with reliable fuel delivery, ensures these monsters can be tamed for street use.

The Future of Fast

These record-breaking builds represent more than just impressive timeslips—they’re proof that with the right combination of engineering expertise, quality components, and innovative thinking, the boundaries of what’s possible continue to expand. The partnership between Ripatuned and JMS FuelMax demonstrates how critical each component is in the pursuit of performance excellence, particularly in an era where 2,000+ wheel horsepower must coexist with daily drivability.

You aren’t seeing things, that is the front wheels being lifted on a 5,000lb vehicle.

What makes these achievements truly remarkable is how they’ve redefined our understanding of what production-based vehicles can achieve. Ripatuned’s approach isn’t just about raw speed—it’s about pushing the boundaries of engineering while maintaining the reliability and usability that makes these builds truly extraordinary. The proof is in the results: a Durango running an 8.41, a Grand Cherokee hitting 168 mph, and a TRX pickup truck demolishing the quarter-mile in 9 seconds.

These achievements paint a picture of modern performance that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. At the heart of each build, controlling the lifeblood of these beasts, you’ll find the JMS FuelMax, quietly doing its job with the reliability that world records demand. As Ripatuned continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, one thing becomes clear: we’re not just witnessing the evolution of performance—we’re watching history being made, one record-breaking pass at a time.