Horsepower Seminar Announced

Boosting HP topic of ProPickup Expo “SmartSession”  

Expert panel members to discuss how new vehicle warranties and smog laws affect pickup performance upgrades and modifications; products that make more horsepower central theme

by Bruce W. Smith

It takes a lot of mechanical muscle to haul heavy loads and tow big trailers, which is why today’s full-size pickups have more horsepower under the hoods than ever before.

But some business owners find OE horsepower isn’t enough.  

It takes even more horsepower to compensate for the bigger tires, refuel tanks, winches and other accessories found on pickups used in off-pavement/off-road working conditions road builders, oil/gas field workers, and others in the heavy construction world face every day.

Horsepower-improving products for pickups is a big business; the automotive aftermarket is burgeoning in the arena of power upgrades, from exhaust systems and cold-air intakes to engine computer programmers and water/ethanol injection systems.

But are these products right for the professional contractors’ business? Do they make good business sense? 

Corsa Performance’s Robert Flores

ProPickup magazine, a Randall-Reilly Publishing trade publication that focuses on full-size pickups used in heavy construction and professional landscaping, has brought together a “SmartSession” panel of industry experts to address those very concerns at the upcoming ProPickup Truck Expo at the Dallas Convention Center, August 23-25.

 â€śPickups play a vital role in the world of heavy construction, professional landscaping, in municipalities, DOT and many other businesses,” says ProPickup editor, Bruce Smith.

“Time is money for our readers, so any power improvements they can make to their pickups that help move loads more quicker and more efficiently help lower operating costs. But they don’t want to compromise durability or void warranties. That’s where our Power Upgrade SmartSession panelists can help.” 

Daryl Klassen, one of the founders of Bully Dog Technologies

The “Power Upgrades” panel includes Daryl Klassen, one of the founders of Bully Dog Technologies, a leader in the world of electronic engine performance systems for both gas and diesel applications from pickups to Class 8 trucks. 

Robert Flores, development manager for Corsa Performance, one of the country’s foremost aftermarket exhaust manufacturers, is also on the SmartSession panel. Mr. Flores helped lead the development of Corsa’s new commercial performance exhaust systems for pickups. 

The third member of this elite panel is Matt Snow, President and founder of Snow Performance Products, an industry leader in aftermarket water- and water/methanol injection systems for gas/diesel pickups and big rigs.

This power trio will provide ProPickup magazine’s “Power Upgrades” SmartSession attendees a unique opportunity to learn how to improve the power and performance of the pickups they already use – and what upgrades and options make the most business sense when they purchase new ones in the future.

ProPickup Truck Expo SmartSession panel of aftermarket product experts will explain how products such as chips/programmers, water-methanol injection systems, exhausts and cold-air intakes work together to add more power to today’s gas and diesel engines.

They will also address how such upgrades affect new vehicle warranties – a topic of concern of many pickup fleet managers. 

Matt Snow of Snow Performance Products     

The “Power Upgrades” SmartSession begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24 in Room D166 on the lower level of the Dallas Convention Center.

ProPickup’s SmartSessions, which are part of the ProPickup Truck Expo, target hot topics within the heavy construction, contracting, DOT, utility and professional landscaping trades where pickups play a crucial role. 

This year’s SmartSessions include “Towing & The Law;” “Maximizing Fuel Economy;” and “Power Upgrades.” Space is limited for these free seminars, so attendees should pre-register on the ProPickup Expo website (www.propickupexpo.com) to ensure a seat.

The ProPickup Truck Expo, which focuses on full-size pickups and related aftermarket accessories, runs concurrent with GATS and the Pride & Polish truck beauty show. GATS is a tradeshow celebrating its 14th year at the Dallas Convention Center and draws more than 50,000 decision makers in the trucking and construction markets.