As the years pass by, we have a tendency to forget about
the great old trucks that are available and can service
us well and haul freight ahead of those new trucks with
computers. Now that Cummins and Caterpillar have 600 horsepower
engines available in new trucks please don't forget about
the great NTC 475 twin turbo, KTA 600, 1210, and 1280 CPL
NTC 444. All of these engines will produce more than 700
horsepower with minor modifications. Our newest high performance Cummins engine owner is Jerry
Parker of Martinsville, OH. His 1989 truck is a T600 Kenworth
with a five-speed Allison transmission. The engine was an
838 CPL NTC 315 with fuel turned to it. Jerry is a gravel
hauler and runs the same route every day. At one particular
hill, he pulled at 38 mph with his foot flat on the floor.
After installing our high-lift camshaft, ceramic and TeflonT
coated pistons, mapwidth enhanced turbo, high-volume fuel
pump and injectors three sizes larger, he now cruises up
the same hill at 65 mph using only 250 pounds of fuel pressure.
He has reserve power remaining, however the torque converter
in the Allison transmission won't hold any more power at
80,000 pounds. Older trucks properly built and geared can and will outrun
the new computerized engines. Remember, when pulling a hill
always be in a gear that will keep the rpms above 1900 and
have power remaining. You should always be in a gear that
will allow you to accelerate on the mountain. For Caterpillar lovers, the combination Cat and Schwitzer
turbo for the 425 B mechanical engine will produce four
to eight pounds more boost - even on a stock engine. The
boost will lower your exhaust gas temperature by 100 to
200 degrees. If you're driving a BC I, II, III or IV Cummins engine
and do not have a "dual fuel line kit," you are
losing 25 hp. What is this kit? Actually, it's my own creation.
Here's how it works: this 25 hp is free power. You may ask,
what is free power? Nothing is free. Free horsepower is
when the engine produces more power without increasing the
fuel delivery. The more efficient the engine runs, the more
free power it develops, and the fuel mileage will also increase. How does the dual fuel line work? It delivers equal amounts
of fuel to each injector. On a stock fuel system the fuel
line enters the rear head and the number six injector receives
the majority of fuel pressure, then the number five, four,
three and two injectors get their fuel, and the number one
injector gets what is left over. With the dual fuel line
kit, the number one injector receives the same amount as
the number six injector, and the engine runs smoother and
pulls better. Some mechanics are bull-headed and say this will not make
a difference. My answer to them is: Let's take six mechanics
and tie a concrete block to their legs and place them under
water with a one-quarter inch diameter tube in front of
them with six holes in the tube. Into the tube we will pump
air so they can breathe. Now, do you want to be on the first
hole or the sixth hole? Every mechanic will say that he wants the first hole. After
all, only so much air is going to pass through that one-quarter
inch tube. The injectors need fuel, just like the human
body needs air. LL Technology is catching us. We now have e-mail. Our
address is bruce@icubed.com,
pete@icubed.com, or garyho@icubed.com. If you would like a copy of our booklet on high performance
Cummins diesels, send a check or money order for $9.00 or
give Aimee a call at 724-274-4080 with your MasterCard,
Visa, Discover or AMX card number and she will send you
a copy. Our address is Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh, Inc.,
1403 Freeport Rd., Cheswick Pa., 15024 The above column is the opinion of the writer and does
not necessarily reflect the opinion or beliefs of Land Line
Magazine or Cummins Engine Co.Bruce Mallinson
Oldies but
goodies
