Mechanical or Electronic CAT, which one is better

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by pullingtrucker, Jul 28, 2009.

  1. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    Sincce we have a little bit of a debate going on in another thread, I figured this topic needs its own place. A fellow member (tmlonghorns) is stating the following:

    "NEWS FLASH!
    I was not talking to the person who started this thread. He has a problem and asked for help. Kind of funny though how all of these self proclaimed experts talk about how great the 3406E motor is yet none of them can help fix it.
    My point was, which has been validated by this thread is that the 3406E motor is difficult to work on. The E motor took a long time for CAT to work the bugs out. Is it a good motor, no, I would say it is a GREAT motor. Until something electrical comes up and then you chase your tail, far more with this motor than others.
    My apologies to the orginator of this thread as he has a problem and needs help."

    I have my own opinion of this topic and have voiced it, so lets hear everyone elses...
     
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  3. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    I've owned a B model for 12 yrs now and still love it!:yes2557: My dad has a B model and an E model, to him the only difference is the E model has cruise and the B doesn't and the E is basically and idiot motor, (being that any idiot can drive it) cause it will shut itself down before burning itself up. The mechanical motors don't have that luxury.

    Another thing to consider is the cost of working on these two motors. The mechanical motor you can do anything to it yourself (with the knowledge and know how) whereas the electronic motor you have to take to a shop to plug it in. Sometimes the electronics is a great thing to have to help figure out problems, where the mechanical takes some time and and experience.

    If you was just talking about overhauls.... The motors are the same. You can overhaul both motors in your garage at home without having to mess with ECM or fuel pump. Unless you have to change injectors on the E model, then I think you have to change some codes in the ECM but I haven't got a clue about all that.
     
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  4. tmlonghorns

    tmlonghorns Light Load Member

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    The B motor also can have cruise.

    All in all exactly what I was trying to say about the B motor versus the E motor. Perhaps I did a poor job but your post was right on the buttom.
     
  5. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    Yeah the Road King cruise. It was nice when it worked and not all that expensive if I wanted to replace it.
     
  6. Jas

    Jas Medium Load Member

    Its really down to personally preferance, I think the early C15s 6NZ were the most reliable and fuel efficient cats ever built. Remember the 3406E were cats first completely electronic engine (I dont count PEECs cause they were just crap), it took a while to get the bugs out. The C15 (non Acert) electronics were very reliable and user friendy. Also the electronic engines are better for the environment.
     
  7. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Having had both the B always felt stronger but I think it was because the pedal was in direct control to the pump, more of a mental thing. Side by side same load same hill I think the E would out pull the B. I always hated not having a cruse though. We sold it with over 700k and the new owner ran it to just over 900k before he rolled it down a hill in WV with a cattle trailer. (made the paper with pics)Which is awesome for a truck that was not OTR it spent it's life with short heavy hauls.

    I'd hate to put a company driver (steering wheel holder) in a B, the ECM is the only thing that will help save the engine from an idiot. Who hasn't seen the company truck crusing down the road blowing blue/white smoke from the stacks?
     
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  8. txviking

    txviking <strong>Trucker Geek</strong>

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    How did this work? (Just curious)
     
  9. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    It may be the same thing, but I have never heard it called a road king cruise. But anyways you can take the idle adjustment knob that is in the cab and pull it out and/or turn it to set the engine rpm where they needed it to keep a steady speed. Guys did this while running the flat land. Works ok until you have to slow down suddenly and forget about it.
     
  10. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    Both engine types had and/or have there issues. The B or for that matter mechanical motors are good becuase of the repair issues Les mentioned. But the E model is just as easy to fix. I mean you can just retreive the codes and pretty much start looking in the right direction from the beginning. This is a great time saver and many shops realize this. Now yeah the electronics seem scary at first, but they are actaully pretty simple once a person learns the basics. Personally any over the road truck in my mind should be a electronic for a couple of reasons. A big reason is that the ECM will adjust the fuel and timing to meet the situation at hand that second. A mechanical is controlled by the drivers foot (which can be smarted than a ECM at times), but can't adjust the timing and fuel to get the optimal performance. Now if the truck is gonna be a sled puller, than there is no doubt in my mind that a mechanical is the way to go.
     
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  11. tmlonghorns

    tmlonghorns Light Load Member

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    So again, unless you have all of the scanners for error codes and have learned the basics, the E motor is difficult to work on. The B motor is a mechanical and or 99.9% of the folks, easier to work on.
     
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