The BEST Diesel Engines of All Time! (CAT, Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Mack) 

Cat power eating Cummins and shitting Detroit’s since 1925

Don’t send that motor overseas!!!

In Siberia, MPG doesn’t matter. If MPG didn’t matter here, I wouldn’t have a DD15.

@@CheddarCheeseBandit It’s probably going to be used In Siberian oil fields where Diesel is virtually free..

they might be regretting that choice now, since they won't be able to source parts anymore due to sanctions. Kamaz trucks are even more screwed as they basically switched most of their trucks to the Cummins ISX back in the early 00s rather than try to design modern engines of their own. So most of the Russian military which mainly uses Kamaz trucks is dependent on getting parts for electronic Cummins engines

2007 was the year they started DEF, I think. Was it a DEF engine?

@nostradamus7648 def didn't start till 2009. 2007 was the last year for egr without after treatment.

Is that much horsepower bad for egt’s

Dude I have that same engine right now! Lol so far two years nothing but oil changes

I believe it, I just opened up my 60 series for a head gasket that I was ignoring, can't say what they did but it's got 800,000 miles, someone put in new pistons but didn't replace the liners, the top lip of the liner was wore, pulled the liner to learn that I needed to cut the counter bores, but those cylinders did look good, other than the gasket leaking problem we had, the cylinder walls can go for a million miles with no problems, my truck is 25 years old and ran without antifreeze most of its life

Uk

Wow that's very impressive, i own cat c 15 acert many said it has problems but I'm still going with it after 1.2 million km not too bad no issues

I was about to say the same thing… I have a signature 600 chrome top on my 2001 kw w900b and I bought it HATING cummins and now it’s the only engine I want.

Cats and fuel mileage. I used to haul gravel, in 2004 spreading gravel at oil well leases, tridem belly dump, with power open/close gates. A Western Star, with Cat 475, 18 speed manual tranny. We started 7 am, and done/fuelled up, at around 5 pm. Most days, it gulped 375 or 400 litres. You could feel, the power in the truck frame.....Alberta Canada I also drove a mid 90s Freightliner, gravel also, with a Series 60 Detroit. I was impressed, at the pulling torque.... Starting off was a breeze, but had to be carefull with the clutch......

N14 , signature625 and x15 in my fleet. Wouldn’t buy anything else’s .

Yes sir can't beat a v1271

@@deanfulford69 ..There used to be a Newfie, in LLoydminster Alberta, with a COE freightliner,....V12 with a 5 speed tranny. Most of the engine, was behind the cab. Hauling liquid hot asphalt, for road paving companies. Westcan Bulk Transport.....i drove a 237 Mack 5 speed, for the company. Good enough power for the day, but that engine would go forever. The 8v92's silver and gold editions, WERE BEASTS....

We have a truck still running a 8v92t that things more reliable then the later model trucks and takes any abuse its given - of course if you throw marine parts in the series 60 you can bump upto 600hp+

Series 53 and 92 where converter engines They converted fuel and air into noise

@Scott But their time ended in the mid-1970s.

that was the beast of beasts from cat, twin OHC ,yes they never seemed to wear out, my 74 KW had one at 1 million we had a inframe done, amazing how little wear was found .

Great engine but with it being a pre-chamber injection engine it was definitely a bear to start them if the glow plugs weren’t up to snuff. That is my only real complaint about the 1693 though.

That is pretty darn impressive

@@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News I was expecting to have to do an in-frame at any time after 900,000. Oil pan and rear main seal were leaking at 1,200,000 and I had the guys pull three rod caps. The bearings weren't showing much wear,so they torqued them back down and put the pan back under it. I replaced all of the outer accessories multiple times and all of the injectors twice,but the head had never been off that motor when I last saw it. Rotella 15-40 and new filters every 13,000 miles.

Which was the most reliable? Not the strongest or best mpg, just bulletproof.

I had two KTAs besides the water leaks a monster Moter made for tanks

NOW someone is talking about a beast ,i had one in a cab over fruit juicer, hit a grade drop from 13 to 12 worst down to 10th fly right up it. yet sadly i miss my 74 kw cab over with it's goosed 1693 TA 425 cat

stick in there, it will come...😁

Classic

They are a novelty no longer relevant, obsolete.

4 stroke engines are superior

@@scottruch76 can you give me an exact example of the engine you have in mind and where it makes up for where the 2 stroke lacks.

Best CAT engine. Hands down.

Most reliable ever

Is the 3406b better because it's NOT electronic?

@@nostradamus7648 some people say yes, because it’s a lot simpler of an engine, easier to work on/maintain and of course you don’t have electronics that could potentially fail either. Fuel mileage can be not as great though because you don’t have the electronics to help with timing, injectors, and such. That’s just what I’ve heard and seen over the few years I’ve been driving truck. I think both are great engines at the end of day and it comes down to preference. The E model cat or early C-15 would be my personal choice each and every time.

@@rockbottomtransport By early what year model C15 are we discussing?

N14 is a fragile engine

​@yvesbelanger5443 we ran 8 of them in 98 long hoods. Injector replacement at 500k was preventive maintance. Other then that they all went/have over 1.25 mill before getting inframed pulling 55k coils loaded both ways in 3 axle Mac trailers. The C15 replaced them with all had head gasket failures, hot side turbos were a constant problem, and all of them had to be torn down and rebuilt, 2 out of frame to have the blocks counter bored. The 5EK we had were just as bullet proof, pulled like mules headed to grain, but drank fuel. Not dogging on Cat, the 5EK were amazing motors that all went north of a million, but if you had a catastrophic failure in a 525 celect, you had to have got a lemon. The red heads were the best motors we've ever had for pulling/fuel/reliability. That being said. We had 2 standard 485 N14s as back up trucks we bought from a guy that retired. Both had around 300k on the clock. Everything on those except the hard parts gave us problems.

Sounds like a dream!

Hi how are you doing. I’m Maria from San Bernardino😊

Agreed..love my dd15 hands down

Yep. It just keeps going. Only thing I don't like is that my truck is governed at 68.

Great motor as long as you have spare Nox sensors and don’t idle too much since that kills sensors and DEF/DPF box

@@Nikowalker007 That seems to be the theme for any emissions era diesel, don't idle them excessively. It's definitely good motivation to get APUs installed on highway tractors so the drivers don't have to leave them running all night during winter (I would assume most APUs also run a block heater so the main engine will start on super cold mornings).

They don’t know about the 70 series engines clearly

They only get beat uphill.

Idk about that. Back in the day my dad had an old A model kenworth long logger with the 6v 92 silver and that was around the time the ppl were raving about the big cam Cummins and the little v6 would blow their doors off..

@@ShystySpokes There's a lot more to it than just the engine. Gearing, transmission, etc. If everything was equal and in stock form. The 855 would crush the V6 and V8 92 series. And was more reliable to boot. My Grandfather had a trucking company. At its heyday the company was running 10 Peterbilt 359's. Running reefers. All with 855's and 13spd's. He cycled out the Detroits he had. Couldn't run the Detroits in California. And he said the 855's were just better. The last 359's he bought had N14's in them. Cummins had the best warranty for awhile. As long as you didn't break the seal off the fuel pump dealio. I'm a CAT guy. When I left active duty, I drove for a guy that had some pretty pimped CAT engines. And I liked the plethora of 3406 CAT's he had. Some had Dana Spicer transmissions and some had Fuller's. Those two speed gear boxes wasn't my favorite to drive. Always a fan of a standard 13spd. As far as now. If you was to eliminate the Emissions on all these new engines. They'd all be million mile motors. I drove a deleted X15 in a 389. It would sh*t and get. I owned a W900L with a 6NZ CAT 550hp, 1,850ftlbs and 18spd. 3.36 on tall rubber. 8 inch Donaldsons. And a Jake that would throw you into the windshield. Fun truck. Now I'm in a 579 with 450hp, 1,850ftlbs and a 13spd on 22.5's and 3.25 rar. She's a steady girl. Not winning any races up the mountains. Pull the Grapevine 34-36mph at 79k+ (Tanker). Before that a Volvo same HP and torque. 2.47's and a 12spd I Shift. Pulled the same speed with a tank. 🤷‍♂️ That Volvo motor built max torque at 800rpm to 1,300.

Well than we can say that my dads truck was an A model kenworth, long logger which is your standard log trailer, 2 axles, can stretch out to haul 40 footers(back then)not many log trucks had drop axles yet and 3 axle trailers were still years off. That said his truck had a light weight of around 21k. Deep reduction 15 spd which just about every log truck had back then(still one of the best in my opinion for heavy duty application)all the guys he hauled with had either a w900 kenworths or internationals with the same gear set ups..so pound for pound the trucks were pretty much the same and the old Detroit silver used to smoke ‘em. I too am a cat fan though I can give you that. Nothing compares to the sound of a straight piped 2 stroke Detroit but if anything comes close it’s a pumped up cat with 6 or 8 inch straight pipes. I’m a lot older now and I’ve driven log trucks, dump trucks, concrete pumps, you name it. With every combo of engine/trans/drive axles/steer axles/drop axles/tag axles possible so my opinion counts for something.

They were capable of well over 750

@@mikeaporter5231 I didn't know cats had almost 800 hp

marine engines are twin turbo and capable of 1000 hp

todays C18 Acert which i understand come from the 3406 in marine use like in my sport fisherman make 1150 hp

Mine was factory 475 so yeah more than the 465 mentioned

Thanks for the tip! I hope it helps someone out!

Let me explain the block fretting, the main cap vibrates on the block wearing it out, the main bearings wear at the same time, no big deal, when you slip new bearings in the crank as a good tune up, the new bearings are to thick and cause the bearings to seize on the crank, bearing material will block the through hole that oils the rod bearing and it will blow up, heard many stories, my friend lifted the front head off the engine when #2 cylinder let loose, he said let loose was an understatement of the year, absolutely nothing left to fix , maybe the rear two heads were still good but everything else was in the scrap bin, stay strong guys

gotta say, It never let me down...

Niceeeeee!

@@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News did you know the first electronic engine ever made was engineered by John Deere, they wanted a big four cylinder for the tractor, but went another direction and left Detroit Diesel with a new design they took it and made the 50 and 60 series engine

They made millions of those..

@@curtisnoble. Nope, built by IH/Navistar in Melrose Park, Il.

I had 6 1999 school buses with DT466, and 10 with the 2005 6.0. The 6.0 was always in for one thing or another, I only saw the DT466 every 90 days for it's PM Inspections. You could always count on at least one of the 6.0 every week to have an EGR issue....

@@curtisnoble. funny thing, my Navistar rep told me "it's basically this, if it goes left on the conveyer line it's a powerstroke, it it goes right it's a DT466, if it goes center it's a Detroit 40"

@@curtisnoble. Never knew that. THANKS!

The 2 stroke Detroits had miniscule torque. The 92 series were simply junk and the final nail in the coffin for 2 stroke Detroits.

@@shawnchurch316 that is true but I never had a problem with either. but they were reliable and they got the job done, and that is all that matters to me.

@@shawnchurch316 smile lasts all day

Also the reason why so many truckers from that era have significant hearing loss. They were very good at turning diesel fuel into noise.

Not really, there's a lot of support and love for the N-14 out there

Happy to hear that!

We've heard some good things about that one!

i think you will see them in 2023 international heavy trucks

Well we had couple of V8 made for heavy applications. It didn’t work out. You see the problem is we are not restricted as Europe trucks by length so we don’t care how big the hood is , ol so the V8 is a good engine but requires more maintenance and more more qualified people. The trucks back then we’re designed to be low maintenance and any person on the side of the road to fix the. Now without a computer and special tools , knowledge you can’t do anything.

And I’m 100% sure , I do my own maintenance and replace the 2013 with an isx15 for a 2001 N14 made in 99 😁

@@makeitpay8241 Doubtful, they federalized the 13L MAN engine but I wouldn't expect more than that, they will just spec X15s for applications where more power is needed.

They break down too often

I drove one once in a 1994 Pete 379. Coming from Macks, it was hard to notice if the engine was any good or not because I was so distracted by the transmission's trashy, sloppy feel. Roadrangers always feel like a plastic toy compared to Mack's precision gear engagement. I've yet to drive an Eaton that didn't have its fourth gear gate worn down to nubs, even in the two year old truck I got in this year. I had a C15 for a year or so once and I didn't find it terribly compelling. I do remember that for some reason Cat designed it with an external oil line to lubricate the head that had a hole rubbed in it by rubbing against the hood. I remember thinking, internal lubrication has been standard for 70 years, what's their problem?

Haha, nice!

Been there done that. Crazy thing my fuel mileage went up after the def delete.

@@Ohiotrucker1 At least you don't have to pay for DEF anymore.

@@ColtonRMagby damn straight

@@Ohiotrucker1 the environmentalists care more about carbon emissions than fuel economy. Lower carbon emissions = saving the planet in their little minds.

Hell ya def delete

12.7 is a real gem..I have one im my semi...

I got just shy of 1.5mil on my 12.7 then rebuilt a '98 12.7 block and stuck it in to go back to paper 😏

I'm almost a 1 million miles on my 12.7 my sin have over 2 million on his

​@kingofcrunk4237that Cap, every Volvo d13 I drove stayed in the shop

I always watch videos like these and I’m always annoyed at the little misinformation. He only ranged the motor up to 465 when they never had a 465hp spec, and it went up to 550 on the 14.6 engine and 600 on the 15.8 and yes, they made a 3406e in 15.8 before there was a c16.

Give me the N_14

@@alexanderfields6449 I'd take a n14 for anything except heavy hauling

In stationary applications the big cam was rated up to 535 and 605hp. Highway application never went over 475 with the compound turbo mvt engine. So he was partially right

855 was the best of all time well till the n-14

Especially rebuild price. Need to sell one of your kids to repair it.

Its the first C15 🤷🏼‍♂️

😂

If it was a 1mm

There is no 600hp version of the 3406E. The 3406E's highest rating was 550hp with 1850TQ. Then Cat re-created the 3406E into the C15 (both were 14.6 litres) and then developed a 16 litre version (15.6 litres actually) of the C15 called the C16 and that is the motor that had 600hp with 2050TQ. The current ACERT big Cats are 15.2 litres and have a top rating of 625hp.

@@mihybrid1 actually it can be built to 600 hp but it won't last very long, I had a 3406E that the previous owner had it done at caterpillar, it put 575 hp to the ground but at about 250,000 miles it started blowing the packings out of the cylinder sleeves, just saying it can be done.

@@edmunger5595 Of course you can rebuild and upgrade any engine. My point was / is, there is no such engine from the factory. To the best of my knowledge, Cummins is the Only diesel engine manufacturer that will turn up the power and warranty the engine over 600 hp. The current X15 can be ordered at 625 hp and turned up considerably by Cummins, still under warranty.

@@mihybrid1 Detroit Diesel 16 liter 605 hp from the factory.

These are all emissions compliant, none of them other than the 855 Cummins come anywhere close to GOAT. Honorable mention can go to the 3406E, but it is nothing more than the electrified emissions compliant version of the 3406C mechanical fuel system.

@@bluedogsalvage5246 I mean dpf/scr/post2010 emissions regs.

That's because the new ones are PURE CRAP. Constantly in & out of the dealer or repair shop... Thanks to Cali, (The Green Freaks) they literally killed the diesel engine with the DEF and other extra stupid sensors, that started in 08/09. And EPA is the main culprit that's behind it all....

@@thelol1759 There are no good ones! You make your pick based on the best warranty and dealer support and trade early because non of them will be running as trouble free as the worst engine on the video.

Series 60 has been a reliable engine for me. Already paid for itself since I got the whole truck for a great deal years ago. Still have it and drive it. It's in my go to truck and my engine of choice.

@@DJPereira2012 for me its the c-12 cat stuck in a 2002 378 the frame has a bit over 5 million miles on is with 2 inframes its entire life time and 1 major rebuild to replace all the bearings, crank, and cam but I always hear good about the 60 series of I get a new truck I'll try one out

@@thomascampbell3435 I knew nothing about this series 60 till I got a truck with it. I like cats too. I have an industrial big forklift with a hay squeeze. It has a 3208. Sounds like a solid engine that just runs and runs.

This!

The best tool is always the one you use!

Guess you never been to Ethiopia honkey

Greetings: He left out a lot. However most of his report was on the later (post 90) engines. Yes bummer on the old Jimmys. I ran a lot of those.

V8 sucked, the v6 was better!