2013 ISX450ST Cummins information

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by The Challenger, Aug 29, 2012.

  1. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    I have a friend who is spec'ing out a 2013 Pete 389 with a cummins ISX450ST w/10spd trans and 3.55 rear ratio. Anyone have information on how reliable the new ISX is?? What problems could he expect. His experiences are with detroits so this will be his first cummins. Thank you.

    KH
     
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  3. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    I know of 2 "012" isx engines in kws. They are 475s neither one has had any issues and they have about 90k on them now. Not much choice in the engine compartment isx or mx!! Very sad
     
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  4. Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    The two biggest issues with them are the Turbo and EGR Cooler. The EGR valve design changed in 2010 and has become more reliable. The coolers over time still fail. The DPFs aren't really an issue anymore like they were in 07-09.
     
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  5. olphart

    olphart Medium Load Member

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    I have a 2012 with 180,000 on it. No problems so far.
     
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  6. Tank33

    Tank33 Medium Load Member

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    I would not order that smaller block Cummins.

    That is an entirely different family of ISX compared to the ISX15. It's just like the 450 HP ISX engines between 2004 and 2007. They have lower quality parts all over, including injectors, pistons, connecting rods, you name it, it's cheaper quality.

    Order the ISX15 and keep it at 485 HP if he doesn't want big power. This gives him room in the future to upgrade power if he needs or wants it. The smaller engine you mentioned cannot be uprated. Again, it's the same story as the 450HP ISX engines. A lot of guys bought them thinking they could up them to 565 like a regular ISX, but it doesn't work.
     
  7. Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    Tank33, the block, crankshaft, injectors, and rods are the same on all of the ISX15 engines. The pistons are different between the X1 and the X2/X3 models. The quality of the parts are also the same, they are not "cheaper" as you say.
     
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  8. Tank33

    Tank33 Medium Load Member

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    Maybe this has changed from 2005 or so?

    I remember fighting with a ISX 450 for over 2 years at a company I worked for. It had a lot of problems other engines didn't, and even the Cummins techs I spoke to told me it was because it was a smaller engine family. The engine couldn't be uprated because the injectors were too small to handle more fuel flow. The parts numbers for this engine were completely different from the bigger ISX engines when an in-frame was done, and again, I was told it was because it was the weaker engine. I should have used a different word besides cheaper, sorry about that.

    Even still, there is no reason to order small power. If you don't have the power, your engine is struggling all the time. Engines that are always working hard do not last as long as engines that have power in reserve. it's the same as me telling a skinny 100 pound guy to lift a 50 pound weight all day long. He will tire and be finished very quickly. Get a big 250 pound 6 ft 5 SOB in there with some meat on the bones, and he can easily complete this task because he has power in reserve. Machines are very similar to humans when you pick it apart.

    Fuel mileage lost to big power just isn't true nowadays. It's all in how you drive it, how you order the truck, and the kind of work you do. I had my 2004 W900L with a 550HP C15 cranked to over 650HP, and I averaged 7 MPG (Canadian numbers) every month, hauling tridem step decks, including some oversize work every now and again. That engine never struggled to pull the truck down the road, and it has 1.6 million KM on it right now, and still going strong, all original.

    Also, think of resale. Always assume something might happen where you will need to sell the truck. Very few people will be looking for small power like that, and it could be enough to steer away a potential buyer. I see it all the time where guys buy trucks with no diff locks, no gauge packages, no extra's at all inside, and those trucks sit and sit.
     
  9. Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    Pre 2010 had more different parts than 2010 and newer. The pre 2010 the injectors were different on some engine as well as the pistons. When the tech was talking to you he probably meant small engine power. It is true that you can not take a 450hp ISX 15 to a higher horsepower rating. More people are buying the X1 trucks because of the promised fuel economy of the engine. I say promised because as you said it is how you drive it.
     
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  10. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    I just got in a 2013 386 with a ISX 15 450 1650 torque with I believe 355 gears but it has a 13 double over in it and tall 22.5 tires. Turning about 1480 rpm at 65 mph. Averaging about 6 mpg loaded at 105,500 lbs. It drops slightly in mpg when I hit the western part of ND and the mole hills but other then that I like it. Don't even have to look at the stick on mole hills now were the c15 cat was forcing 2 complete drops in gears.

    the thing is quiet as a church mouse. Was hard to get used to at first because I could not hear the motor and had to eye the tach for gear changes.

    Personally, I would forget the 10 speed and opt for the 13 double over. Even with 80,000 gross weights. It gives you better options for gear choices to stay in your optimum rpm range.

    I hope you are not expecting the factory cb coax setup to be good though. I already had to change mine out. Running a single phased coax to the drivers side with a slightly modified Dome style mount and had to add a ground strap to the bracket to get a decent ground out of it. Using a Wilson 5000 antenna and am sitting at about 1.1:1 for SWR now were before I was hard pressed to get below 3.

    I do have a matching Wilson on the passenger side but it is not hooked up to the radio.
     
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  11. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    Guys,

    I appreciate the information given to me. The truck will be used on reefer runs. I do agree in upgrading to a higher HP engine; however, I do think my friends choice is a good one. His main concerns are reliability and longevity. He stays east of I35 and his trucks stick to their main routes. One is between Asheveille NC and Chicago IL.

    Sporster2000,

    You are the cummins man. Did you test the 450ST engine in a 389 by any chance??

    KH
     
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