Detroit 60 series 14 litre

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Woody13, May 15, 2010.

  1. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    What I have is an 05 Century with automatic transmission. Bought it back in December. Used to be a US Express truck. When I bought it I had the dealer open up the perimetors. The turbo is brand new since then and I had to replace the XY shifter along with the wiring harness and transmission ECM.
    The engine ECM of course has multi HP settings. I had mine set at 515 HP full time on pedal or cruise.

    I have two concerns I would like to address.

    Torque and fuel mileage.

    If I have anything over 30K in the box and pull any kind of decent grade, this thing falls on it's face. I drove a 2003 model with same basic set-up and it would walk circles around this one. So, I am wondering if the torque can be set up to pull better on hills beyond having the HP set up at maximum selection.

    Also, the fuel mileage I get is of course better now in the summer than in winter but with even 20K in the box I am lucky to get 5.5 mpg. 15K and under I will get 6 to 6.5 mpg. depending on road conditions and speed of course. 65 mph seems to be the magic number for this motor for best all around.

    I've been told that the Desiel Doctor over in Effingham IL can set up the ecm and get me where I want to be... or not...

    Just looking for some advice on the pro's and con's.

    Thanx for any help....
     
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  3. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    Get the CAC tested, have a valve set done, check the air cleaner, drive between 1250 and 1550 RPM and under 65 MPH. and you should be making money!
     
    rookietrucker Thanks this.
  4. melpromud

    melpromud Medium Load Member

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    Jan 29, 2010
    camden ny
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    I wasnt to impressed with the 14 liter when the first came out. I ran a 12.7 500hp in a 2003 shaker classic with an 8LL and 4.10s hauling up to 107,000LBS. My buddy bought a 14 liter 515 with an 18 speed and 4.10. Even after 50,000+ miles with the engine broken in I could run all over him with the same load even on 12% grade. He was pissed.:biggrin_2559: Only keeped the truck 1 year then bough a cummins powerd pete with 485 hp. Says It would run all over the detroit.
     
  5. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

    7,127
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    Dec 22, 2007
    East Central FL
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    I used to drive an ex Trans Am 05' Columbia set up with similar specs (3.58 rears, 10 spd ultra smart shift, 22.5 tires). I agree with you on the power part. It lacked power to get up the hills. With 25K in the box, I got 6.87mpg and 7.18mpg and that was hauling reefer doing 60-65mph. Anything over 65mph and I got low 6's to mid 5's. The truck was govern to 75mph and still is the last I heard.

    KH
     
  6. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    Yeah I have to agree. I was very surprized at the lack of power for pulling this thing has. Slight grades with 25+ in the box and you might as well just sit there and doodle your thumbs until you get over it before you can pick up any speed. Once you get up to about 65mph the truck does better on those grades it seems but, you gotta get it there first...lol...
    I'm sure there are some tricks you can do to get more out of this motor but I'm afraid that it will void warranty and I can only appreciate it when there is a repair and warranty pays for it. It's been in the shop the lasdt couple of weeks getting the turbo calibrated and a new EGR installed. Both events being covered. As for fuel mileage.... it ain't nothin to brag about.
     
    The Challenger Thanks this.
  7. melpromud

    melpromud Medium Load Member

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    Jan 29, 2010
    camden ny
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    Wel they dont even make it any more. Now they have the DD15 with up to 560hp and 1850 torque. Havent herd anything good or bad about them. Cant be as gutless as the 14 liter can it?
     
  8. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    I could only wish I was getting that with 25K. Flat land and on cruise I might get 6, but no better. I came back from MN today with 7K in the box and cruise set at 65 most of the way and got 7mpg. That's the best I have ever gotten yet out of that motor.
     
  9. amishmafia00

    amishmafia00 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 19, 2010
    harrisburg pa
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    we just had a century class 12.7l once it got warm it wouldn't pull at all and was running pretty bad. it was a valve adjustment issue.
     
    Woody13 Thanks this.
  10. Trouble65

    Trouble65 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 11, 2009
    Ontario Canada
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    We bought 2005 Century with DD 14ltr 515hp and she has no pulling power. My 98 Century with DD 12.7Ltr and 500 Hp walks away with no problems.

    WTF?
     
  11. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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    NC
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    See what the torque rating is. HP means very little without torque. I will take 350 HP and 1650 ft lbs torque over 500 HP and 1450 ft lbs torque anyday.
    My last 12.7 was 375 on the pedal and 1550 torque. It would out pull a 435 E model all day long. It had 450 HP on cruise, but I really couldn't tell the difference betwen that and the 375, as the HP really doesn't kick in until higher RPMs. Torque is where the power is on a low RPM road truck.
     
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