Choate Engineering Performance

07/16/2026

Why we throw away OEM 12v Cummins valve SEALS 🗑

Factory seals rely on a tiny band to grip the guide. Once that band loses tension, the seal loses its grip and starts traveling up and down with the valve, allowing oil to bypass the guide.

Our fix: Top Hat style Valve Seals

The base of this seal sits directly under the valve spring, physically pinning the seal in place. No more traveling seals, no more oil bypassing the guides.

👇 Have you found loose, traveling seals on your 12v teardowns?

07/15/2026

🚨 HYPED TECH OR REAL POWER? 🚨

We're preparing to settle the debate the only way we know how: on the dyno. 📈

We are setting up a strict back-to-back A/B test pitting a set of dimples "Speed of Air" pistons against standard OEM pistons. The marketing promises reduced emissions, increased performance, and higher fuel mileage.

We have our doubts. 🧐

Can a bunch of golf-ball style dimples actually change the game inside a combustion chamber, or is it just clever marketing? We're about to find out exactly what the data says.

👇 Drop your predictions in the comments: Real gains or pure hype?

Stay tuned for the final numbers.

07/14/2026

Rocker arm failure on a 6.4L Powerstroke? No thanks. 🛠️

Factory valve covers leave your upper engine starving for oil when you push it hard. Upgrading to self-oiling valve covers is the ultimate way to deliver constant lubrication to your valvetrain and keep your engine alive for the long haul.

Find out why this simple change makes a massive difference in preventing catastrophic wear.

Read the blog post: https://choateperformance.com/blogs/blog/protect-your-investment-why-self-oiling-valve-covers-are-essential-for-your-6-4l-powerstroke

Your 6.4L is slowly self-destructing due to oil starvation on startup without this special part. Check out our solution that delivers instant lubrication!

07/13/2026

Is a poorly balanced crankshaft secretly holding your truck back?

When people chase down a loss of power, they look at turbos, injectors, and tuning. But if your bottom end isn't balanced, you’re fighting a losing battle from the inside out.

Ready to balance your build? Give us a call at (901) 553-9847 📞

07/11/2026

🚧 Yellow iron belongs on the job site, not sitting idle in the shop. 🚧

If you are running Komatsu equipment powered by the SAA6D107E engine (like the PC200-8 excavators or WA250 wheel loaders), you know these powerplants are built to work. But under constant hydraulic load and dusty site conditions, failure to address warning lights early can lead to catastrophic internal damage and massive hits to your daily revenue.

In our latest blog post, we break down the most common failure points and fault codes hitting the SAA6D107E platform.

👉 Read the full troubleshooting guide here: https://choateperformance.com/blogs/blog/komatsu-saa6d107e-troubleshooting-solving-common-fault-codes-and-engine-failures

"Nothing stops a job site faster than a PC210 excavator or a WA320 wheel loader flashing a fault code and dropping into 'Limp Mode.' At the heart of these machines is the Komatsu SAA6D107E, a 6.7L workhorse built on the Cummins QSB6.7 platform." While it is one of the most reliable engines in the wo...

07/10/2026

Tech Tip: Why you should NEVER reuse a harmonic balancer bolt. 🛠️

It’s a classic mistake: you finish a water pump job, grab the old balancer bolt, impact it back into place, and call it a day.

Here’s why that’s a ticking time bomb:

Material Stretch: These bolts undergo immense fatigue and are often designed for single-use clamping force.

Vibration Risk: A worn bolt can loosen, allowing the harmonic balancer to wobble and ruin the crank.

Expensive Regrets: Replacing a bolt takes two seconds; replacing a damaged crankshaft takes days and thousands of dollars.

Do the job right the first time.

07/09/2026

⚓ The Cummins QSB 6.7 is a modern marvel of marine engineering. But open-ocean conditions are unforgiving, and running an engine under a constant "uphill" load eventually exposes the factory weak points.

When a marine QSB 6.7 fails, it's rarely just one part. It’s usually a chain reaction caused by thermal fatigue or factory tolerances that weren't quite ready for extreme duty.

In our latest engineering deep dive, we break down the top three failure points on these engines.

👉 Read the full failure analysis here: https://choateperformance.com/blogs/blog/the-cummins-qsb-6-7-marine-failure-analysis-why-they-fail-the-choate-solution

Why does the Cummins QSB 6.7 fail? From dropped valves to HPCR issues, we analyze common 6.7L marine engine failures and how Choate Performance fixes them.

07/08/2026

The 6.4L Powerstroke is a powerhouse—until it runs dry. 🛑

Every owner knows the anxiety of that morning startup clatter. But did you know your rocker arms are running bone-dry for minutes after you turn the key? That fatal flaw is the #1 cause of catastrophic valvetrain failure.

Our in-house machined billet Self-Oiling Valve Covers fix this issue permanently by delivering oil to the rocker arms immediately.

Don't wait for a massive rebuild bill to wish you’ve upgraded. Bulletproof your investment today!

👇 Tag a 6.4 owner who needs to see this!
Check out the self-oiling valve covers with the link below.
🔗 https://choateperformance.com/products/6-4-cep-set-of-billet-valve-cover-w-integrated-oiling-bracket

07/07/2026

How much does an intercooler actually matter on a classic Old Body Style (OBS) 7.3 Power Stroke?

We skipped the sales pitch and let the dyno settle this long-standing debate. We strapped our 7.3 Workhorse setup to the dyno at Choate Engineering Performance to do a true, back-to-back A-to-B test.

The results? By changing absolutely nothing else except routing the intake through an intercooler, we gained:
📈 +30 Horsepower
📈 +75 lb-ft of Torque

Bringing this tow rig setup to a solid 425 hp and 950 lb-ft of torque!

👉 Read the full dyno test here: https://choateperformance.com/blogs/blog/does-an-intercooler-actually-matter-on-an-obs-7-3-power-stroke

How Much Does An Intercooler Matter On A 7.3 Power Stroke? Let's Let The Dyno Settle This Debate - Check Out The Results Here.

07/06/2026

Hope everyone had an incredible 4th of July weekend! 🎆

While the grills are cooling down and the sparklers are put away, our commitment to American-made quality is still firing on all cylinders. We take pride in keeping our roots local because we believe the best products are built right here.

Here is why we stick to our roots:

✅ Supporting Local Communities: Keeping jobs and opportunities close to home.

✅ Unmatched Quality: Built to last by hands you can trust.

✅ Fewer Miles, Better Value: Crafted locally, delivered straight to you.

Click the link to explore our latest American-made collection!
🔗 www.choateperformance.com