Cost difference C15 v ISX

I would go with a N-14 or a early ISX pre epa motor.The N-14 is one of the best motors that Cummins ever made.It can keep up and out run a cat if you get it setup right without a prob. also cheap to work on and a very cool running engine.
The Cat is a good motor I have had them but they are very proud of them when you have to get the work done on them.For some reason that ugly yellow paint is $$$$$.
And with the Cat you can also expect about 0.3-0.5 less mpg.This has been my exp. with trucks that were spec'd the same except for the engines.

I know I will get some crap for this but...oh well.Like I said this was my exp.

 

I have blue book from last year. Send a note on what truck and what hp and i can tell you what wholesale says it is. Recently I heard at least $3-5K between the two new, Cat higher but they will often throw in a warranty or two. You basically pay for it with the higher price. Cat brings/costs more in a Pete or KW. Cummins is cheaper but you have to buy the ext. warr. They all break and they are all too expensive. The selling dealer is the key, will he support me and get me help from Cat or Cummins when I need it. Will he tell me about something that they know will break so I can plan on replacing it eventually and will he keep a few in stock for me.

'03trucks are getting too old. Yeah the engine was the best either guy made. If you can get one of those, thats great, you can get another 500K before your rebuild. Stay away from any '98-'01 ISX unless its been rebuilt w/ newer pistons. Seen a bunnch of those. Don't know Cat reliabilty, just some prices. I come from the sales side not driver side. thats why I have a blue book.

 

Just ordered a 08 W900 with 550 ISX have been a CAT man for years but with these epa motors and the temp. problems I had to go with Cummins. Cummins seems to have a better setup and better fuel milage. They also have the better price about $2000 and another $1850 for the cat jake. Look at the Cat twin turbo $$$ to repair. Cat filter to turbo air recycle will increase the engine temp 8% thats alot. Cummins seems to have a better grip on their EGR System and enginge temp.
Hey I know what you guys are thinking? I did alot of homework and yes spent many sleepless nights trying to come up with the right decision and I believe its the right one. If not might be a W900 with a ISX for sale.

 

Yeah BMan, that hot running motor IS nice in winter!

CMoore, I hear you about the 03 truck issue, I would lean towards the ISX; I used to drive an '04 VNL670 with a 400hp (could uprate to 500) Stage2 ISX, and that motor was great. Plus, all the drivers I have talked to with Acert Cats ##### about their fuel mileage, whereas the lowest I ever got was around 5 mpg (pulling 40k thru US highways in VA and WV, long hills and stop lights positioned just right to keep you from building up and decent momentum) but consistently ran in the 6.8-7.3 range.

 

Actually company where I work recently just remove from service 30 Kenwort's W900B with twin turbo CAT's 475 hp,1650 lbs because of awful fuel consumption-4.8MPG hauling dry boxes with average 25,000-30,000lbs of loads.To compare,Western Stars with MB engines at the same division-6.7MPG,Volvo's with VED12-6.9MPG hauling same loads.