Chapter 80: Strange Combination

"50 units of 25-horsepower diesel engines, 3 test prototypes, please sign, Manager Chen Xiaojie."

"That's me!"

At the entrance of the Shanwang Agricultural Machinery Factory, Chen Xiaojie swiftly signed his full name, accepting the goods on behalf of the Shanwang Factory.

He paid no attention to those 25-horsepower diesel engines, but went straight for the three high-power V6 and V12 engine prototypes sent by Gao Ang.

Due to their massive size and extreme cost, these three engines were transported on a dedicated truck.

After unloading, the entire factory's senior management and technical staff gathered in the courtyard, watching as the wooden crates containing the three engines were opened one by one.

When the V12 naturally aspirated engine, marked GJ430D24L, was revealed, everyone couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

A 811-kilogram monster outputting 430 horsepower, it was at least a size larger than typical truck engines.

Even the smallest 265-horsepower V6 engine, weighing 510 kilograms in total, was significantly heavier than ordinary truck engines.

Inherited from the B2 series of tank diesel engines, the layouts of these engines were quite compact, and the two V6 models were not overly exaggerated.

"How about it? I told you Gao Ang has the capability."

Chen Xiaojie proudly tapped the cold, heavy engine, producing a dull sound.

"10 liters of displacement; the low-end torque must be incredibly powerful."

An old master flipped through the nameplate on the engine and was startled by the numbers printed on it.

"Hurry, find a vehicle to install it on and let's test it."

Chen Xiaojie looked at several mechanics; finally, an older man stepped forward, gesturing at the dimensions of the smallest engine, thought for a moment, and said:

"The factory has a Dongfang EQ140, which uses an inline 6-cylinder engine weighing over four hundred kilograms; this engine should fit.

However, the engine mounts will definitely need modification, and the transmission... 265 horsepower is too much; I'm afraid the transmission won't hold up and will get damaged."

Chen Xiaojie: "If it gets damaged, we'll repair it. Besides, now that we have the engine, can't we just buy a transmission?"

The old master nodded; manual transmissions are different from automatic ones, with an extremely simple structure that any mechanical factory with a bit of capability can manufacture, with no barriers to entry.

With Chen Xiaojie's confirmation, several mechanics, led by the old master, immediately drove the EQ140 over, popped the hood, and removed the original engine.

This Dongfang EQ140 is a cab-over truck, using the EQ6100 engine, a legendary machine of its generation: a 5.4-liter displacement inline 6-cylinder engine capable of outputting 134 horsepower.

Yet the (GJ) 265D10L is only 80 kilograms heavier than it, while its power output has more than doubled.

After removing the engine, the mechanics first confirmed whether the transmission was compatible, and only then measured the engine installation dimensions.

Fortunately, the EQ140's engine bay was spacious; some cutting and welding modifications were needed, and the transmission spline dimensions were slightly off and required adjustment.

Fortunately, the Agricultural Machinery Factory had plenty of tools and parts, so it wasn't too troublesome.

Chen Xiaojie personally supervised the mechanics' busy work and employed the "money technique," immediately inspiring them to throw themselves into the task with full enthusiasm.

From morning until evening, after a full day of effort by Wang Qiba and several other mechanics, the 256D10L engine was successfully installed in the engine bay.

An apprentice connected the battery, then, under the expectant gazes of everyone, climbed into the cab to start the ignition.

"Vroom—"

"Vroom—vroom-vroom—"

Sweat dripped from the apprentice's head; he tried three or four times in a row but failed to ignite the engine.

"This..."

Chen Xiaojie and the other senior executives who had rushed over upon hearing the news had their expressions change; how could it not even start?

At that moment, the old master slapped his forehead:

"I forgot! This engine's displacement is too large; the original starter and battery can't handle it!"

Saying this, he shooed the apprentice out of the truck, then fetched a long hand crank, inserted it into the front of the vehicle, and prepared to start it manually.

As soon as he gripped it, he felt heavy resistance and quickly called for help; two people were needed to slowly begin cranking.

After about a dozen turns, as the sound in the engine bay gradually rose in pitch, a series of powerful hoof-like thuds "thump-thump" began to ring out.

The V6 engine, without its exhaust pipe connected, puffed out exhaust in a "putt-putt" rhythm, mixing with the running noise and causing the entire vehicle to tremble.

The old master leaned into the engine bay and gently pulled the throttle; Chen Xiaojie immediately felt the surroundings roaring, already sensing the terrifying power within the engine bay.

After some simple adjustments, the old master confirmed everything was fine, closed the engine bay, and nodded at Chen Xiaojie.

"Let me try."

The latter immediately climbed into the cab; the bold factory director's brother-in-law also sat in the passenger seat and immediately felt the difference in the movement beneath his buttocks.

Chen Xiaojie shifted into gear and gently released the clutch.

Massive torque instantly transferred through the clutch to the axle; under nearly double the torque, the entire truck seemed to lurch forward.

This startled him; he quickly grabbed the steering wheel, then drove into an open area and pressed down on the accelerator.

With a powerful low growl, this EQ140 accelerated as fast as a motorcycle, nearly smashing straight into the wall.

"So powerful!"

In the past, driving a truck meant pressing the accelerator and waiting a long time for acceleration, but now the power was almost instant-on-demand, with no apparent limit once pressed.

Chen Xiaojie felt an empty truck couldn't demonstrate much, so he ordered people to stuff the factory's scrap metal and discarded parts into the truck bed.

The EQ140, with a standard load capacity of 5 tons, was stuffed with a huge pile of metal, weighing at least seven or eight tons.

The truck slowly drove to a slope outside the Agricultural Machinery Factory and then braked to a stop.

Starting from a standstill on an overloaded slope; normally, a truck would definitely roll backward if it dared to do this, requiring backing up and accelerating to make it up.

However, this time, after releasing the clutch, Chen Xiaojie slammed the accelerator; the overloaded truck, pulling a pile of scrap iron, climbed up slowly and effortlessly.

The senior executives and mechanics who had come out to watch were dumbfounded; they had never seen a truck with such strength.

This was the smallest 265-horsepower model; what would it be like with the 365-horsepower or 430-horsepower versions installed?

The other shareholders of the Agricultural Machinery Factory were completely convinced; compared to the expensive and shoddy goods sold by Yuchai, Gao Ang Manufacturing was far superior.

The previous 25-horsepower diesel engines had also been deployed for environmental testing; their actual measured quality was no different from imported goods.

Chen Xiaojie's brother-in-law, sensing the truck still had plenty of reserve power, shouted excitedly from the passenger seat:

"This engine is only 12,000? Buy it immediately!

It's a waste to pull only seven or eight tons; it can handle at least twenty tons!"

"Brother-in-law, why not try the other two? The quotes aren't high either."

"Try them, we must try them, but that 430-horsepower one is too domineering; I can't even imagine what use the 'Four-Not-Like' has for such huge horsepower!"

At this moment, the Agricultural Machinery Factory also had many customers, who opened their eyes wide upon seeing the EQ140 outside with such immense strength.

If it can climb steep slopes easily even when overloaded, wouldn't it be perfect for the muddy mountain roads?

As soon as Chen Xiaojie got out of the car, a crowd of customers rushed over, touching the truck and asking for details.

Chen Xiaojie shamelessly claimed this was the Agricultural Machinery Factory's new 'Four-Not-Like' model; as for why it looks like an EQ140? All trucks look like that; you just saw it wrong.

Moreover, our Shuangwang Factory specially supplies three power options: 265 horsepower, 360 horsepower, and 430 horsepower, guaranteeing you'll never complain about insufficient horsepower again.

Before even a modification plan was finalized, the circle of customers clamored to place orders, and after trying it themselves, they couldn't wait to drive it back to their own lumber mills.

By the time the crowd of customers dispersed, Chen Xiaojie had already received ten orders, with prices ranging from a minimum of 80,000 yuan per unit to a maximum of 120,000 yuan, even more expensive than a brand-new genuine EQ140 diesel version.

Among them, seven units were the lowest-spec 265-horsepower version, two were the 360-horsepower version, and there was also a boss with no lack of money who wanted one 430-horsepower unit to try out.

The Agricultural Machinery Factory had no plans to install the latter two types yet, but the customers didn't care at all, only demanding delivery as soon as possible.

"Hello? What?"

At the Gaijin Shipyard, Wu Lao Er, who was attending the ship launching and ribbon-cutting ceremony, paused in surprise upon hearing the phone call.

The Shuangwang Agricultural Machinery Factory liked those engine models very much, believing that launching them on the market would sweep away competitors.

However, due to their own weak foundation, they hoped the Gaijin Shipyard could still provide a dedicated high-torque transmission, jointly develop trucks, and together enter the heavy-duty truck market.

Wait, what is all this about?

Tang Wen, passing by, saw Wu Lao Er staring blankly at the phone and asked what was happening.

However, upon hearing that the Agricultural Machinery Factory invited them to build trucks, his expression became strangely odd.

The Agricultural Machinery Factory and the Shipyard joining forces to enter the truck business?