Shawn Baca is know for the great beast called "Master Shredder," a 3,000hp Dodge 2500. This truck is also the current record-holder on a chassis dyno, and for good reason. The truck puts out a staggering 2,920-HP and 4,000 lb-ft of torque.
Shawn is one of the best known names in the diesel performance world, but to be the best, sometimes there are road-bumps along the way. That is how his creation, Master Shredder, ended up in flames while aiming for 3000hp.
The 3000-HP Master Shredder Erupts
Trying to chase the dream of 3,000hp, Shawn Baca had to call it quits when his Master Shredder erupted in flames testing on the dyno, recounted as one of the largest explosions ever seen at the event. To make matters worse, the damage to the truck was extensive, having blown the passenger door to shreds, ripped the front end off, and cut the transmission in half. Shawn says that the only thing that might be salvageable from the engine is the turbos and some fuel injectors.
Started Out Like Any Other Day
The explosion comes from humble beginnings, as Shawn recounts what happened that fateful day. His first run on the dyno went as expected, reaching a peak of 2,920-HP. But on his second run, Shawn explains that something felt off.
As he was feeding nitrous into his machine he could hear it coughing, telling him that Master Shredder was not happy about the amount of nitrous going in. So to compensate, Shawn had the RPMs raised, and in his words "That's when all hell broke loose." And the last thing he can remember is the engine jumping up followed by fire. The fire also took a toll on Shawn, burning his left arm.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Rebuilding is the key word Shawn uses. With not much left from the original engine, he will have to start from scratch, something he is no stranger to. He states that the truck and records he has received mean everything to him, so there will definitely be a comeback for Master Shredder, but the avenues that he can go down are extensive. A truck of this caliber needs research, and Shawn says he is looking into every possibility to make the most out of the program.