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

[@anthonionesbitt7721]

Cat 3406E/C15, Detroit series 60, Cummins Big Cam/N14

[@seano10]

I’m at 1.3 mil on my dd15 untouched . And it’s still rolling strong

[@michaelduvall913]

I’m at 1285467 with a DD15 but I check my oil and coolant constantly and after twenty four years I don’t see hardly anyone opening their hood and checking their engine while fueling it use to be the norm

[@tonyhedgecock7472]

You're lucky...

[@truckingrcaddict1183]

I ran a 2007 s-60 14L Detroit to 1.1 million miles tuned to 650HP in a otr freightliner Columbia. I was able to get consistent 7.95 mpg calculated tank to tank. And without having to do a in frame on it. It was the best truck I ever ran

[@nostradamus7648]

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

[@truckingrcaddict1183]

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

[@truckingwithnose]

Is that much horsepower bad for egt’s

[@JeremyB1039]

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

[@cargotoolshop5319]

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

[@seedycanuck1739]

My friend is a sales manager for Inland Kenworth. They won a contract for 25 tractors for Siberia. NO electronic engines allowed. Bought T800 with no engine and trans. Sourced 3406 and 18 speed. That tells you everything you need to know. If you want it to work, and be able to repair it, in hostile environments - nothing else comes close.

[@daneblackburn613]

Cat power eating Cummins and shitting Detroit’s since 1925

[@Jerremy10169]

Don’t send that motor overseas!!!

[@CheddarCheeseBandit]

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

[@Nikowalker007]

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

[@mrvwbug4423]

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

[@gary4507]

Cat 3406B and DD Series 60. I ran a 14 liter Series 60 to just under 1.7 million miles without an overhaul. Not even an in-frame or bearing replacement. It was still running great and had good oil pressure when I retired and sold the truck,a 2007 Freightliner.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

That is pretty darn impressive

[@gary4507]

@@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.

[@michaelduvall913]

The 2007 freighter with the sixty series is a solid truck now

[@scottwhitehead9854]

I agree with a lot of these, but you forgot to mention the Detroit 2-stroke engines. In their time, they were beasts and still are.

[@deanfulford69]

Yes sir can't beat a v1271

[@petersack5074]

@@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....

[@nt2080]

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+

[@brucesorensen3224]

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

[@michaeldunagan8268]

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

[@mihybrid1]

Nobody will ever talk me out of my Cummins 600 Signature Series. Over 2 million miles on it and still walks the dog on everything I've come across pulling hills at 120,000 + lbs. Fuel milage is consistent and after 21 years has never had a mechanical issue. The Detroit 60 Series is also a good engine. Good fuel milage and dependable mechanically. Kitty Cats are great engines mechanically with lots of power. Like the Cummins, a little more expensive to work on when they need it. Cats one big downfall was always fuel mileage. In normal applications 5.5 to 6 mpg were fantastic for a Cat engine. Mack..... I'm just not familiar with. They make a great Dump Truck, but have only driven one Mack Conventional Tractor and hated it.

[@SparkedInnovation]

Uk

[@isaac8334]

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

[@MIKE.TANGO.SIERRA]

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.

[@petersack5074]

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......

[@tba3900]

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

[@rockbottomtransport]

I’ve got a 3406e in my ‘96 flat top and absolutely love it. My next choice would have been a red top N-14, which I didn’t see explained in this video. Was a little surprised by that! Thanks for sharing your video

[@nostradamus7648]

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

[@rockbottomtransport]

@@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.

[@nostradamus7648]

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

[@yvesbelanger5443]

N14 is a fragile engine

[@philliplenz2089]

​@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.

[@cargotoolshop5319]

I'm running a 60 series and after wrenching on it I'm understanding why it's such a good engine, fuel mileage, easy to work on

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Niceeeeee!

[@cargotoolshop5319]

@@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

[@sonicycles]

The K19 used to be running in the Peterbilts when diesel fuel was cheap & the Mack E9 engine another pulling beast

[@edmunger5595]

The only two that I would ever own again are the Detroit Diesel series 60 12.7 liter and the Cummins N 14 , my 93 freightliner with the N14 was still running strong with 1.4. million miles when I sold it and my 99 freightliner with the series 60 12.7 liter went 1.8 million miles before I had it overhauled and then drove it 7 more years until I retired in 2022 , after a few drive train upgrades it was turning 9.2 average miles per gallon.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

You can't beat a Caterpillar period. I've run 3406B, C and E models along with the C12 and C15...Never had any issues with them

[@nostradamus7648]

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

[@scotthowell3962]

You failed to mention the Cat 1693. Pretty much the predecessor of the 3406. They seemed to never wear out.

[@chasg9779]

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 .

[@Bad_CAT_itude3408]

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.

[@jamieshields9521]

Interesting choice of engines, here in Australia I hear Mack V8, International from Germany Neuss D358 n 466 n N14 especially in farm machinery with over 20,000 hrs.

[@TheSlimJim17]

The only engine missed was the Navistar DT466. Great reliable Medium Duty engine that always seems to get missed.

[@epicfishingadventure365]

12.7L 60 series Detroit all day baby!!

[@lostfound34]

Classic

[@johac7637]

Cummins KT600, was great to see the stretched hood, a engine before it's time.

[@mikeaporter5231]

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

[@chasg9779]

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

[@debi5292]

Mack E7 and E6 should be on the list. Great trouble-free engines.

[@jobanyparedes7471]

I'm still a rookie with almost a year and I see you guys talking about engines and I'm like this is going to take a while to read y'all. It's great to see alot of knowledge in one place.

[@KrasherJack]

stick in there, it will come...😁

[@timothywood4402]

62,000 hours on my Detroit 8-92 marine engine. Had 8.2cta m3 Cummins that pooped out at 7500 hours.The 8-92 out lived Cats and John Deer’s ,Volvo’s.They were ALL lucky to get in the 30 thousand hour bracket.

[@tonyhedgecock7472]

Junk, they didn't make good power

[@timothywood4402]

@ I would rather have an engine that can run for 62,000 hours and not have super power than one that can make lots of power but only stay together for 3000-6000 hours. Been there done that. Long live the Detroit!

[@sapprdaddy]

That was exciting! Was always waiting for a overall breakdown of the big powerhouses of the industry. Always good conversations on the road with colleagues about their preferences about what they prefer under the hood.

[@dtobar1981]

Nobody talks about the Cummins N-14 Celect plus 525, talk about a workhorse she never let me down.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

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

[@dodgeking9194]

Worked in a heavy shop for 24 years we ran every type of engine there is Cummins cats Detroit's Macks Mercedes for me the old n14 was the best we never did anything to those engines except change oil they just kept on going and going Detroit's and cats we're always in for more problems with injectors turbos Etc on a rare occasion we had to fix something on a Cummins but it wasn't that much

[@michaelallen3172]

@@dtobar1981 my experience with the N14 is it is not a heavy puller at all , probably a good medium duty engine , what kind of work do you do ?

[@carlosnorris352]

One of my favorites. Had 8 of those at one point. Only injectors and injector cups should last a bit longer. Otherwise, no complaints.

[@darrenwebb5334]

Caterpillar 3406B is the best truck engine ever made. I have one 38 yrs old still rocking.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Woah!

[@michaelallen3172]

@@darrenwebb5334 there are some 238 Detroit's still in the log woods here , made a lot of good men deaf hearing but if you start it up in the morning hold the throttle wide open until you are done at the end of the day they will last several years . Loud as hell but a good little engine.

[@mylanmiller9656]

The cat 3306 is the best diesel engine ever built; I have seen more than one with 30,000 hours on them. They were used in cats and loaders and were indestructible.

[@michaelallen3172]

@@mylanmiller9656 when I worked at Red River Army Depot I got assigned to the engine rebuild section and my job was to rebuild starters to go back on the rebuilt engines . The two hardest starters to rebuild were the two cat starters that were currently in service.they were trashed inside honest to God . The starters for Cummins Detroit were very easy and simple ,some didn't even need rebuilt. The defense department discontinued ordering the cat engines in the MRAP trucks for reasons I don't know . But I fully respect your opinion Brother.

[@abbaerfani9007]

One of my customer has 2003 Coronado with 14 liters Ditrot non EGR and this engine set up by factory 625 Horsepower and 1850 torque and I did test drive truck once and I really feel the power it has 13 speed transmission and 3.58 rear end. Wonderful truck

[@michaelallen3172]

@@abbaerfani9007 Say What now

[@superdooperoofer8941]

The scania DSC14 10. We had 8 of them that done over 2million km one of them over 2.5 before needing rebuild

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

We've heard some good things about that one!

[@NIKONOVICH1990]

Hello from Macedonia. This is one of the best trucking channels EVER :) Continue the good work! Trucking in Europe is different AF, but still, its the same BS... Yes, trucking is turning into BS worldwide! So many regulations everywhere, i think we are living in a movie- either Rubber Duck or Smokey and the bandit... Stay safe !

[@pierce_arrow1798]

I think it’s very hard to beat up a 12v71 Detroit, or any 2 stroke Detroit for that matter

[@chadgronsten9023]

They are a novelty no longer relevant, obsolete.

[@scottruch76]

4 stroke engines are superior

[@pierce_arrow1798]

@@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.

[@mylanmiller9656]

You can't break them, but they won't pull scum off rice pudding.

[@Blueskyvfr]

@@scottruch76 We aren’t talking about dirt bike engines here kid.

[@AnthonioNesbitt-go2bg]

I love Cummins Big cam easy to work on & very reliable, & sounds so good

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Happy to hear that!

[@roydelpozo4816]

I’m a company driver so my trucks never get old but my personal 1999 5.9 has 780k on it and zero engine issues ( 2 lift pumps vp 44 I think they are called ) . Love that engine ! Oil changes once a year and it’s super happy 25 years later!

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Sounds like a dream!

[@JJJJ-hp9oz]

3406 CAT and its later variations. Nothing else is even close. CAT is 1st, nothing is 2nd, then Detroit and Cummins fight it out for 3rd. When the EPA made it's new rules about 15 years ago, CAT refused to make any more engines. CAT said "any engine meeting the EPA standards wouldn't be worthy of the name Caterpillar." Damn straight.

[@jamesmcnaughton9575]

Just sold my 04 Star with it's C15......used in Alberta oilfield so lots of high idling with pto use......31,000 hrs and 860,000 kms......it is now in Ontario and still pulling it weight on a log haul......and I miss it very much hahaha

[@ShystySpokes]

Shoulda went years further back and put the Detroit 6v92 silver as well as the 8v and 12v 71 and 92 on the list. They'll NEVER be beat!

[@lilripstaSSF4]

They don’t know about the 70 series engines clearly

[@DutchK75]

They only get beat uphill.

[@ShystySpokes]

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..

[@DutchK75]

@@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.

[@ShystySpokes]

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.

[@markdanielczyk944]

For medium duty trucks I have to go with the pre-2008 DT466 engines, bullet proof.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

They made millions of those..

[@markdanielczyk944]

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

[@stevenmanson8024]

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....

[@stevenmanson8024]

@@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"

[@markdanielczyk944]

@@curtisnoble. Never knew that. THANKS!

[@parmroopsandhu7015]

Cat 3406B true work horse.

[@redline9536]

Best CAT engine. Hands down.

[@martinmerrill5366]

Most reliable ever

[@teessideman.8253]

NTA 855 European Big Cam. Got one here in a crawler crane from 1989 that has done hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo & never had the heads off.

[@kevinskea9388]

I know you don;t get them in North America but the Scania V8 in all it's versions from the 14.2L of 1972 to the current 16.4L at 770hp are legendary for longevity. Maybe you'll have them optioned now Traton owns International.

[@makeitpay8241]

i think you will see them in 2023 international heavy trucks

[@coretchieugeniu8503]

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.

[@coretchieugeniu8503]

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

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@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.

[@christopherrichey3590]

The caterpillar 3406E was available up to 550 hp and 1850 lb ft of torque.

[@mikeaporter5231]

They were capable of well over 750

[@shaquilleoatmeal4728]

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

[@bobocaterpillar3697]

marine engines are twin turbo and capable of 1000 hp

[@chasg9779]

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

[@Cherokeelion]

Mine was factory 475 so yeah more than the 465 mentioned

[@randygibreal]

Cat C15 is 15.2 liter or 928 cubic inch. Cat 3408s typically went over 40,000 hours with some logging over 70,000 hours.

[@cargotoolshop5319]

E7 was one of the best engines we ever owned, but shift it at 1400 and with the 18 speed tranny it came back in at 1200 and pulled extremely hard, it just wasn't a fast truck, but 8 mpg out of a 1999 454, if our 460 was worth while we would still have Mack's

[@WALMART_DRIVER_GONZO]

The fact that the DD15 is on this list with all of these other heavy hitter including the engine it was designed to replace is a testament to the fact that it’s the best engine from the post emission era.

[@mariarusso1325]

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

[@allaboutsemis232]

Agreed..love my dd15 hands down

[@randallraszick6001]

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

[@Nikowalker007]

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

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@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).

[@TheCoyote808]

My beloved Detroit 8v92 is missing. Probably because it's still out there in the jungles running on moonshine and brake fluid.

[@curtekstrom9531]

Still running 38 1986 Pete 359's with 3406B Cats and 6x4 Spicer Transmissions. Aside from a few rebuilds those Engines are still running with over 5 Million Documented miles.

[@CRUISR-ib4nj]

I run a 82 Pete flat top with a 3406c and 3.42 gears

[@Ohiotrucker1]

The 12v and 8v were killer engines. Both the 71 and 92 series were awesome pullers, doesn't hurt that they were some of the best sounding diesels out there.

[@shawnchurch316]

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

[@Ohiotrucker1]

@@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.

[@admiraltroll5255]

@@shawnchurch316 smile lasts all day

[@mrvwbug4423]

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

[@Karsta_Dennis]

Should try Scania v8 series, unbeatable in all aspects

[@tba3900]

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

[@markslowen1958]

The older NTA855-400HP Big cam Cummins is an engine that is very hard to beat. I purchased hundreds of them from the US Military in Germany from the M915 6x4 Tractor truck with a CAT 7155 16speed Air operated transmission - I shipped them all to Australia- this was in 1996/7/8 some of those engines are still running in trucks and big Steiger tractors with 2 million km on them - They all had Jake Brakes .

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Thanks for sharing!

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I have cummins, cat , detroit, on the farm..They all good..

[@mikeziegler7008]

There is only one engine at the top of this list and that is the 3406B CAT and all of it's later variations.... up to and including the C16. Nothing else comes close. And yeah... I've operated everything mentioned so far and many, many more. The 60 Series Detroit is a sad copy of the 3406. All previous Detroit engines sucked... ALL OF THEM. Old school Cummins Big Cam engines were okay for their time, which is to say before CAT perfected the 3406.

[@MINDSPARK-u6e]

They break down too often

[@joshbobst1629]

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?

[@379insk]

6NZ C15 is the holy grail of diesel engines

[@tonydiesel3444]

350 Cummins big cam 3406 12.7 Detroit

[@ericlind454]

Ahhh the Detroit 8V71, and Cummins 350 comes to mind.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Nice nice!

[@DJPereira2012]

Detroit! Series 60.

[@SireDragonChester]

uhh I am pretty sure the 3406E did go up 625 or 669HP (tuned). What about C15 6nZ or C16?. I love C16 in ATS game :)

[@QRS365]

wait...wait... i hope your video has a pt2. because you missed out the DT466

[@ShazzledWolf32]

Cat 3406e/c15 and Detroit 60 series are my go to

[@coreyb1458]

I have a c15 modified cat and I have over 1 mill 500 haven't lost a pull hill climb 100,000 pounds yet. I had a close one was with a Cummins but I still wind up on top

[@chasg9779]

ran a 1693 ta 425 cat for well over 1.million miles , couldn't kill it yet it came close to killing cat

[@neryveliz3717]

You missing the caterpillar 6NZ model best on the market

[@kennethluedtke9902]

I just love catapillars and Detroit

[@lilripstaSSF4]

How do y’all put the C16 cat on this list but not the best cat engine most old timers love in the 1693 cat.

[@mikeaporter5231]

agreed

[@josephwalters-yq7qd]

I got a 6nz c-15 in 03 kenworth that has 2250 tq and is a monster I wouldn’t never have another engine until sooner or later these old engines get completely out law

[@jeff0nyschuk670]

I am a retired Float Driver,,of 45 years,,I have always had CAT,,3406,,Then they got me,,a Cummins 600Hp,,,that made me retire,,I was 60,000 lbs, empty,,I didn't want to work that hard in my last couple of years,,I have never shifted, so many times,,until I got that Cummins JUNK,!

[@Nathan-pw7do]

Everything you said about the 855 was completely wrong. N14 came out as a stc in 1991 celect+ max HP 525 tq1850.

[@alexanderfields6449]

Give me the N_14

[@Nathan-pw7do]

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

[@6.4DieselDoctor]

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

[@ColtonRMagby]

DEF delete. Enough said.

[@Ohiotrucker1]

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

[@ColtonRMagby]

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

[@Ohiotrucker1]

@@ColtonRMagby damn straight

[@TranslatedAssumption]

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

[@dieseljunky3891]

Hell ya def delete

[@larryd1296]

My 3408 cat was putting 600+ to the ground.

[@jamesdaple9951]

Got 1million 240 out of my 12.7 before rebuild it was Great!

[@davehughesfarm7983]

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

[@joellozano9477]

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 😏

[@jdavis02136]

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

[@jdavis02136]

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

[@herbsnead5092]

60 series Detroit is a work horse. Very dependable.

[@smoothwis76]

3406E went up to 600hp from factory depending on model

[@stephenmoore8293]

If it was a 1mm

[@mihybrid1]

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.

[@edmunger5595]

@@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.

[@mihybrid1]

@@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.

[@edmunger5595]

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

[@bontragerhauling2470]

Good video, however I have one gripe. People say 3406e all the time in videos like this, and rightly so. But that is a picture of an acert. It clearly has compound turbos on it and thus could not be a 3406e.

[@B0RN2RACE100]

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.

[@michaelallen3172]

Before I even watch this video the Series 60 Detroit is the best return on your investment hands down .Class Dismissed.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

What were your thoughts after the video?

[@michaelallen3172]

@@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News I based my opinion on what I see on the side of the road with the hood up , can a cat make enough hp to dominate speed ,,they usually do . Can Mopar make enough speed to melt rubber onto the pavement, they usually do but it don't mean they are the best .,same for Cat .

[@freesicily]

Cat 3408 was a great engine.

[@manfredlundmark3267]

Hmmm the Scania i driver here in sweden got 850hp on flywheel(stock) ^^ But i LOVE Detroit Diesel 2-stokers!!!!!!

[@truckermre]

Great video! Should have known better and not looked at the comments 😂

[@Nich_Pavelow]

I'm just glad we're finally calling them what they all are. And not calling them "motors"

[@thelol1759]

Also I’m very surprised you didn’t mention the Detroit two stroke v8s!

[@Dark_Knight_USA]

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.

[@Anonymous..VQ3.5Lg35]

V8 sucked, the v6 was better!

[@kennynance7024]

My opinion n14 celect plus is the best one out there

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

The best tool is always the one you use!

[@ictdpowerstroke4591]

Caterpillar 1st place ,Detroit Diesel 2nd ,Cummins 3rd ,Mack 4th,,,,by todays standards,,,,,,why is the cat 1st,,,the cat is very mechanical and simple with good power remarkable toque ,,the Detroit Diesel is 2nd for reliable reason and durability and old age and well known,,,,,Cummins is 3rd because it was known for harsh issues through 2011-2021 however the l10 ,855 and so on are very reliable but not made very large in production but very reliable,,the Mack is strong enough to Pass

[@michaellangdonful]

3406B all day long! And 855 Big Cam all day long too! None of them have the faulty sensor problems that the newer truck engines have today. New truck engines with the sensors and electronic stuff are just junk! I’ll take my mechanical diesel engines all day long. Simpler to work on those. I’m not a Detroit fan or a Mack fan. Just not familiar with those two engines.

[@gaborkovacs3016]

Euro 3 and lower emission class Mercedes and MAN engines are immortal. Long live OM502LA!

[@289hipo]

Still can't beat the 3406C over the E for reliability with the mechanical inj pumps.....and I know first hand that a lot of the 3406 & 08's in the 70's & 80's were clicking 5-600hp, not to mention the Cummins KTA's and Detroit OO-92's. At that time you weren't allowed into the horsepower club with less than 450

[@bluedogsalvage5246]

You missed all but one of the greatest of all time in your video. The true greatest diesels are all pre-emissions, pre-electronics. With the exception of the Cummins 855, everything you featured is an emissions Era electronic. Granted the featured cats evolved out of their earlier mechanical lineage. I understand that Millenials and younger will likely never drive an old mechanical as fewer and fewer survive today. But in stating "The Greatest of all Time", get what they are. What you have should be titled greatest of electrical controlled. None of these engines are cheap to operate, the fuel inefficiency of older engines even out with cost of maintenance of electrical controlled. Keep in mind, those old irons could take abuse, and did. They would also keep running when broken. I have a couple trucks, most are the medium duties with DT466C engines. The newer DT466E engines were a nightmare in cost of maintenance compared to the previous mechanical versions. I also have 3 of the Cummins 855, and 2 with the 2 stroke Detroits, and I also have a 1980s Soviet 'Ural 4320 with a 10 liter V8. These all came from a time when the engine just couldn't break, and maintenance was simple, even major overhauls were pretty simple.

[@joshskinner2571]

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

[@alexcopeland91]

I’m in flatbed. What engine should I start with?

[@JimmyCasket02]

Are you sure you got your torque figures right for the big cam? I find it hard to believe a 600hp engine only makes 1100ftlbs

[@RandyRudder-c4g]

1 MM 600 Cat is my only engine till I die. It has higher compression ratio longer stroke than any truck engine a competition turbo virgin ECM.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Thanks for sharing!

[@davidrhodes7655]

Caterpillar have always had amazing torque

[@mr.supergorrillaman12]

What about Detroit Diesel S 50 series one best sounding engines road a lot of buses the had this engine turbo whistling sounds , L9 Cummins is great diesel engine

[@cargotoolshop5319]

My favorite engine doesn't get the best fuel mileage, Cummins 855, more commonly known as a N14 in my house, easy to work on and extremely durable, you must understand it's down fall for it to last millions of miles, block fretting is a real thing, just re torque the main bearing bolts and don't put bearing in the bottom end, do replace the rod bearings, stay strong guys

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

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

[@cargotoolshop5319]

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

[@sebastiangarla8558]

I'm shocked that the 6NZ is not on this list....

[@mic8040]

Its the first C15 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jeancadet5862]

Early macks. Detroit 60. N14.

[@cargotoolshop5319]

Caterpillar skipped the D model because the E model stood for Electronic engine

[@JensSchraeder]

I suggest the Mack E9 V8.

[@thomascampbell3435]

The best engine is the one that can make me reliable money

[@DJPereira2012]

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.

[@thomascampbell3435]

@@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

[@DJPereira2012]

@@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.

[@frank-gf5vh]

I’m here taking notes on how to make my tacoma more efficient.

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

😂

[@michaelduvall913]

Cat is going to be the number one because of it’s use in the infrastructure and construction industry but on the asphalt I’m going to place my chips on the sixty series it has that charge the mountain approach and the DD15 has the same power l prefer a Detroit also because it’s more mechanics who can fix them

[@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News]

Thanks for sharing!

[@andreesimmons5520]

How about the N-14 is a great motor....

[@darrellsmith804]

You didn't say anything about The Detroit 60 series it's one of the cheapest engines to maintain it gets about a million miles before it has to be revealed a lot of the times a lot more than a million miles very cost effective engines

[@KrasherJack]

gotta say, It never let me down...

[@Dragon_rls]

Great video. Thank yo for posting.👍

[@shaynekake7371]

I seen an old ripping tine of a d6 get put in a tub grinder with a c27 cat int and well the exploded like an atomic bomb and the 11/4 inch thick walls with gussets all over blew out like a wet paper bag then it was raining molten steel and well the clutch did it’s job and the mighty c27 was just free wheeling idling away ready for a new job

[@6582rg]

They’re all primarily owned by Blackstone Investments, along with the trucks and fuel companies.

[@safwansatti5653]

That why we don’t see improvement on the fuel

[@creepindeath83]

@@safwansatti5653 because they're selling that to. They don't want better mileage, that's less for them in fuel sales. They only improve mpg to meet the bare minimum of gov reg compliance.

[@creepindeath83]

Now we're getting into a conversation waaaayy too deep for a power plant video! Lol I hear ya though. All of us ain't 'asleep at the wheel'. Just most.. 🙈🙉🙊

[@Joshualibbyy]

Personally the best engine is in the Tonka trucks