If you haven’t checked out the KC Turbos Podcast yet, you’re missing out on some great diesel performance conversations. On the latest episode, Charlie and Cameron had the opportunity to sit down with Jared Alderson, the founder of Kill Devil Diesel, for an insightful discussion on his journey into diesel performance and engine innovation.
Jared Alderson has become a household name in the diesel world for his work on some of the most misunderstood and often-hated engines—particularly the 6.0-liter Powerstroke. But Jared’s passion for engines started long before his days in the diesel industry. “I’ve just always loved cars,” Jared shared during the interview. His early career took him into the heart of Monster Jam, where he built blown-alcohol engines for some of the most iconic monster trucks in the world. “It was a great opportunity to work in the racing and motorsports industry…getting to play with blown alcohol engines every day,” he recalled.
Those early experiences gave Jared a solid foundation in high-performance engine building—a skillset that would eventually lead him into diesel. His shift into the diesel world was sparked by necessity. “It was a work truck, yeah, I had to have it,” he said, referring to his own 6.0 Powerstroke. Like many, he quickly found himself frustrated by the engine’s notorious reliability issues. Instead of accepting the flaws, Jared dug in, experimenting with new techniques to improve performance and reliability.
“It was a lot harder back then,” Jared explained, reflecting on how difficult it was to source or manufacture high-quality parts. Pulling from his hot rod background, he began to innovate by adapting solutions like O-ringing cylinder heads to improve head gasket sealing—techniques that set a foundation for the work Kill Devil Diesel does today.
At KDD, precision and quality are non-negotiable. “It does take more time to quote-unquote do it correctly,” Jared emphasized. Unlike some competitors who may “slap a label on a box” without proper testing, Kill Devil Diesel’s in-house machining processes give them precise control over factors like surface finish and flatness. Jared explained the importance of thorough inspections, saying, “We’ve had people bring us those heads to check out, and if they checked them, they were wrong. The valves didn’t seal, the deck surface wasn’t straight.” At KDD, critical checks like valve seat runout, surface finish, and O-ring protrusion are part of the process to ensure their parts meet the highest standards.
Jared’s commitment to learning and improving has been a key part of his success. “Sometimes it takes several iterations to find the one that does work,” he said, reflecting on the years of experimentation and refinement that led to Kill Devil Diesel’s reputation today.
At KC Turbos, we always appreciate the innovators and craftsmen who push the diesel industry forward. This conversation with Jared was a great reminder of the passion, hard work, and precision that go into solving problems and building better products for the diesel community. If you haven’t heard the full story yet, check out the latest episode of the KC Turbos Podcast and hear firsthand how Kill Devil Diesel has earned its reputation as one of the top names in diesel performance.